Another bucket list item checked off! I flew Emirates First Class on Flight EK0242 from Toronto to Dubai on the legendary A380 in Suite 1A ~ total flight time was 12 hours and 45 minutes.
Emirates First Class is billed as “Bottomless Champagne and Unlimited Caviar” ~ this marvellous flight was the beginning of A Journey Off The Beaten Path. The first part of this 7-week adventure is devoted to pampering myself and relaxing with my Kindle.
Bucket List Item!
Emirates First Class on the Flagship A380
This was my first time flying First Class and nothing else will ever compare again. I am forever spoiled for air travel! Fortunately for my bank account, Air Canada does not have First Class seats at all. I typically fly Business Class and flew Emirates Business Class a few years ago (not on the A380), but this experience was on a whole other level.
Emirates is KNOWN for the extravagant First Class experience on the A380 and I had sky high expectations and they were exceeded. I wanted to stay on the plane forever and just fly around with the flight attendants.
The Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is the biggest passenger jet ever built with a maximum takeoff weight of 575 tonnes. The A380 is the only full length double decker airplane and it is as long as 2 blue whales and as tall as 5 giraffes. Sadly, Airbus A380 production has come to an end and there won’t be any new A380’s made. But airlines such as Emirates will fly these for many more years.
First Class and Business Class passengers are on the Upper Deck and Premium Economy and Economy passengers are on the Lower Deck.
I love this airplane!
The Boarding Pass
I had already checked in online and had my boarding pass on my phone for Suite 2A but I got a paper boarding pass when I got to the airport. When I boarded they switched me to Suite 1A. No idea why!
The Stairs To The Upper Deck
Boarding the A380 was amazing and we boarded directly onto the Upper Deck. However, I did walk up and down the stairs and it was cool.
Suite 1A
Divine! A private suite with closing doors and all the space I could need. There aren’t any overhead bins which opens up the space and there was plenty of room for my carry on luggage. We were greeted with Arabic coffee and dates and Dom Pérignon. I’m not a coffee drinker but was determined to try the Arabic coffee and it was good. I opened and closed the doors a few times ~ I was like a toddler with a new toy.
The Shower Spa
I showered at 43,100 feet in the air! How is that even possible? I loved it. The shower attendant booked my time at the beginning of the flight. I had 30 minutes in the shower and only 5 minutes of water which I turned on and off to extend the 5 minutes. The bathroom had everything I could possibly need including heated floors, a blow dryer, and exclusive A380 Voya Shower Spa products.
There are 2 shower spas on the A380 and with only 14 First Class seats available picking the time I wanted was not an issue. There is a dedicated shower attendant who gave me a little tour of the shower area and who restocks and cleans between showers.
After my shower, there was a small fruit plate and green tea awaiting me in my suite.
The Bar (First Class)
Located in the forward part of the upper deck opposite from the showers, this bar is for First Class passengers and is self-serve.
The Onboard Lounge (First and Business Class)
Located in the tail of the upper deck, this lounge is for both First Class and Business Class passengers with a dedicated bartender. The bar is in a horseshoe shape and along with the bar there are seats and a big TV. Just like the movies!
First Class passengers can send their premium drinks (eg. Dom Pérignon, Hennessy Paradis) back to the onboard lounge to drink and my flight attendant brought back a bottle of Dom for me.
Business Class passengers were offered Moët & Chandon champagne and I didn’t ask about the hard liquor offered.
If you ask, the attendants will take a Polaroid of you!
The Food ~ All You Can Eat!
The menu is like a restaurant ~ order what you want, when you want and how much you want! Food is served on Royal Doulton fine chinaware with Robert Welch cutlery. No wooden cutlery that tastes awful here.
My only disappointment was Emirates has Diet Pepsi instead of Diet Coke. I’m such a lightweight that I had to space out my glasses of Dom and Diet Coke would have been perfect in between.
Unlimited caviar is the signature offering and is presented with a traditional selection of finely chopped onion, chives, grated egg, sour cream and lemon and served with melba toast and blinis. I’ve read that Emirates loads 3 tins of caviar per First Class guest. This was my first time trying caviar and I loved it with the very first bite.
I had caviar twice, yes twice.
What else did I eat and drink?
- An amuse-bouche, compliments of the chef
- Traditional Arabic Mezze ~ A spread of local savoury dishes including houmous, muhammara, baba ghanouj, tabouleh, fattoush, stuffed vine leaves, falafel and pumpkin kibbeh
- Chocolate Marble Cheesecake ~ Served with berry compote and vanilla curd
- I had to try the Hennessy Paradis because all the reviews raved on and on about it ~ I’m not a hard liquor fan and don’t think I had ever tried cognac before. But at $1500 a bottle, I had to try it and was hoping it would go down very smooth. It didn’t and I’m still not a hard liquor fan.
Dom Pérignon and Caviar vs. Diet Coke and Ketchup Doritos ~ I see a potential post!
Movie snacks were available too and included salted popcorn, edamame, lobster salad, beef sliders and vegetable sliders. I didn’t have any movie snacks ~ my stomach hurt a lot and I’m sure I gained 5 pounds in a few hours (my own fault I know).
First Class Comforts
Emirates delivers on providing all passengers the little bit extra to make the flight more comfortable. Complimentary items for First Class passengers were:
- Emirates Tote Bag (something to carry all these complimentary items in!)
- Hydra Active Loungewear (Moisturising Pyjamas), Slippers & Eye Mask (very comfy!)
- Byredo Skincare Collection ~ Skincare Collection, Sleep Oil, Pillow Mist
- Emirates Notebook & Pen
- Emirates Private Collection Bvlgari Amenity Kits
- A champagne-bronze kit with the Le Gemme Orom fragrance
- A gold-lacquered Bvlgari mirror
- Scented Bvlgari moisturisers
- Lip balm
- Included a dental kit, deodorant, earplugs and a foldaway hairbrush
- Voya Shower Spa Amenities
- Hand and Body Creams
- Hair Products
- Body Wash
It’s a good thing I had room in my bag!
Business Class passengers receive a Bvlgari Kit (with different products) plus loungewear (modal fabric). Premium Economy and Economy passengers receive a United for Wildlife Amenity Kit with standard amenities.
The Chauffeur
When I disembarked, I took the Fast Track through passport control and met up with my complimentary chauffeur who drove me to the Burj Al Arab.
Happy Flying! I get to do this all over again in a few days for my next flight!
A Journey Off The Beaten Path
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Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!
Looks fantastic. Enjoy
Ohhhh Jackie…Divine indeed…thank you for letting me travel with you…enjoy ❤️