Emirates brings ‘game changer’ first class suites to Australia for first time

Emirates is bringing its ‘First Class Game Changer’ suites to Australia for the first time – and the level of luxury will stun you.

Emirates has debuted a retrofitted aircraft in Australia for the first time, which means passengers down under can now book the airline’s ‘First Class Game Changer’ suites on flights in and out of one Aussie city.

The newly retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will operate the new third daily Melbourne-Dubai service.

Flight EK404 departs Dubai at 21:15, arriving in Melbourne at 17:40, with the return flight EK405 departing Melbourne at 23:55 and arriving in Dubai at 06:55 (all times are local). The other two daily Melbourne-Dubai flights are on Airbus A380s.

A look inside the ‘First Class Game Changer’ suite on the refurbished B777 at Melbourne Airport this week. Picture: Supplied

There are six of the new first class suites, as well as 38 business class seats, 24 of the popular premium economy seats, and 256 economy seats.

The suites with floor-to-ceiling privacy doors are arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration. Those in the middle without a window have a HD screen acting as a virtual window. All passengers receive binoculars to get a better view out of the real windows on board.

The seat itself echoes the design of Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The seats are 78” long and 30” wide, and recline to a full flat bed or zero-gravity seat position (designed to replicate astronauts’ neutral “weightless” posture in space).

The refurbished aircraft operates flights EK404 and EK405 on the Melbourne-Dubai route. Picture: Supplied

First class passengers have personal mood lighting and temperature controls for their suites, as well as a full-length wardrobe and 32” 4K HD entertainment screen.

They get a luxury Byredo skincare set, unlimited caviar service, and a selection of the “rarest and most exceptional” wines.

While Melbourne will be the first Australian city ever to get Emirates’ ‘First Class Game Changer’ suites on the B777, this aircraft does not have a shower for first class like the A380.

There is unlimited caviar in first class. Picture: Supplied

The new business class cabin is now in a 1-2-1 configuration instead of 2-3-2.

The seats are 20.7” wide and convert to a flat bed.

There is a 23” HD entertainment screen, which passengers can connect to with their own headphones via Bluetooth.

Those flying business class and first class who have booked directly through Emirates can get a complimentary chauffeur-drive service to and from Melbourne Airport up to 80km and kerbside concierge service in Dubai International Airport.

Business class has a new seat configuration removing the three middle seats. Picture: Supplied

A premium economy cabin has been added during the refurbishment. Picture: Supplied

Adding the refurbished B777 to Australia means more premium economy seats available for Aussie customers.

There are now more than 4000 Emirates premium economy seats each week across two daily services from Sydney, three daily services from Melbourne, and a daily service from Brisbane.

Premium economy customers get priority boarding and a 35kg baggage allowance.

The seat is 19.5” wide, with a pitch up to 40”, an 8” recline, six-way adjustable headrest and footrest.

The economy cabin has got new seats too, with a 33” pitch and a recline of over 6”.