Emirates business class review: is it worth it?
The Middle Eastern airline used to dominate the field but rival airlines are unveiling impressive reimaginings of the pointy end of the plane. We test it out.
The Middle Eastern airline used to dominate the field but rival airlines are unveiling impressive reimaginings of the pointy end of the plane. We test it out.
Take a seat
There are 76 business class seats on this refurbished Airbus A380, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and with each offering direct aisle access. Having undergone a refresh as part of Emirates’ $2.93bn retrofit project, the cabin is pristine. There’s not a mark to be seen on my generous, champagne-leather seat (121cm pitch and 46cm width) and the surrounding woodgrain panelling still looks new. Seated behind the bulkhead in 7K, I’m very happy with this position. I have two unobstructed windows, which on this route offers a stunning view of Canterbury’s majestic, snow-capped Southern Alps at sunset. One view I don’t have from the seat, fortunately, is of other passengers. With its blue-lit minibars and exposed tech gadgetry, the cabin itself doesn’t have the same visual appeal as its sleeker premium economy counterpart. But the flat bed and spacious design of the seat means it is very comfortable. There’s a generous storage compartment under the window and more space beneath the footrest, plus a large side table that can easily fit drinks, a phone and passport.
Tech talk
I’m surrounded by so many ports and gadgets, if it weren’t for the plush seating, it could feel like a tiny cockpit. There’s a universal adaptor, USB, HDMI and headphone ports, plus a handheld tablet and gamer-style remote, which controls the 58cm screen positioned above the foot cubby for the most superior entertainment offering in the sky. That’s not just my opinion. The airline won World’s Best Inflight Entertainment Award at the 2024 Skytrax Awards, thanks to its ICE system’s vast offering of movies, TV shows, live sport and news.
On the menu
A glass of Moet & Chandon before takeoff makes it just a bit easier to leave Christchurch after a delightful stay. I snack on a small bowl of marinated olives while poring over the dinner menu, which includes a Japanese-style starter of salmon tataki followed by a choice of Chinese-style braised chicken, prawn machboos (a dish from Bahrain), or pappardelle pomodoro.
I opt for the machboos and it’s aromatic, light and complements the starter. The on-board lounge, reserved for business and first class passengers, is a must visit even for a short flight. I order an espresso martini, one of the best I’ve had, and a selection of pastries, then park myself on a lounge seat to enjoy the last stretch of the journey back to Sydney. I ask a couple seated nearby what they think of the business class experience so far. They are heading to Europe to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary and both agree that while short, it’s the best time they’ve ever had on a plane.
Get fresh
There’s no amenity kit provided, just a blanket and pillow. Each seat has its own minibar stocked with a selection of beverages such as Evian, Perrier, Pepsi and Mountain Dew, but after considering the attentive level of service offered by crew, who can serve the same drinks much colder (and with ice and a glass), it’s more a novelty than a necessity.
In the bag
Passengers can take 40kg of baggage and two pieces of carry-on, weighing up to 7kg each.
On the ground
Emirates business class passengers have access to Manaia Lounge at Christchurch Airport. It’s clean and spacious, with good wi-fi and well-maintained bathrooms. Location-wise, it is perfect; you can’t get much closer to the boarding gate. However, with its red and black decor and heavy dark furniture, it is in need of refurbishment and could do with more work spaces. There are sandwiches and a more substantial option of nachos, plus all the usual suspects such as cold cuts, cheeses and crudites.
Make your points
Emirates has its Skywards loyalty program with which members can use miles on 18 partner airlines, including United Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar.
In the know
Emirates didn’t top any of the Business Class categories at this year’s Skytrax Awards, losing out to Qatar and coming fourth behind ANA All Nippon Airways and Singapore on the list of the World’s Best Business Class Airlines.
The bottom line
Christchurch to Sydney flights from $829 one way, based on an airline website search departing two months from publication.
The verdict
There were plenty of things to like about this flight. The staff were friendly and the service faultless, while the food, from taste to presentation, was exceptional. But is it worth paying a premium for the comfort and perks of business class for just three hours in the air? If you’re wanting to test out the airline’s offering before committing to a longer haul flight or are crossing the Tasman for a celebration, then possibly. The UAE carrier’s A380 business class cabin design, once the gold standard, has undergone multiple refreshes since its first iteration in 2008. As more rival airlines unveil impressive reimaginings of this class, it is time for Emirates to consider a more dramatic makeover for its once lauded but becoming dated cabin design.
Elle Halliwell was a guest of Emirates.
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