Emirates Upgrades First Class Experience

Emirates, the world’s largest operator of international First Class travel, continues to elevate its renowned First Class experience with a series of luxurious enhancements, both onboard and on the ground. Let’s have a look.

A Refined Emirates First Class Experience

Emirates, famed for offering more First Class seats internationally than any other carrier—approximately 26,800 weekly seats—has further elevated the luxury quotient. Each seat is a private suite, epitomising the airline’s meticulous attention to detail and customer comfort. The airline has introduced White Gloves for service in First Class in April 2025. There are also several other new developments that have emerged, as detailed below.

New First Class Wine Menus

Onboard, Emirates has unveiled an elegantly redesigned keepsake menu that intricately narrates the heritage and tasting profiles of its curated wine collection. Wine connoisseurs can immerse themselves in the rich stories of rare vintages and expertly crafted pairings, heightening their gourmet dining experience.

The image shows an open magazine featuring an article about Dom Pérignon champagne. The left page has text and a scenic vineyard photo, while the right page displays a bottle of Dom Pérignon, a map of the Champagne wine region, and a black-and-white photo of a building. Nearby, there is a glass of white wine, a wine bottle, a white plate with a gold rim, and a small bouquet of pink flowers on a light-colored surface.

Image courtesy Emirates

New Caviar Bowls

Complementing this, Emirates has introduced engraved caviar bowls by renowned designer Robert Welch, transforming the indulgence of unlimited caviar into a visually exquisite ritual.

A person wearing a white glove is lifting the lid off a silver dish containing caviar. The table is set with various accompaniments, including lemon slices, chopped chives, sour cream, and finely chopped egg yolk and egg white. There is also a glass of champagne and a small shot glass nearby, along with salt and pepper shakers. A small spoon is placed next to the caviar dish.

Image courtesy Emirates

Cheese Platter Upgraded

Additionally, the cheese platter receives a rustic upgrade, now served on slate with artisanal cheeses, chutneys, and a charming wooden honey dipper, creating an elevated gastronomic moment.

A gourmet cheese platter is displayed on a slate board, featuring various types of cheese, green grapes, walnuts, and dried apricots. Surrounding the platter are small bowls containing honey, jam, and a creamy spread. A basket of bread rolls is covered with a white cloth. A glass and a carafe of red wine are placed to the right, along with a fork, knife, and a small plate with a butter knife. Salt and pepper shakers and a small dish of butter are in the background.

Image courtesy Emirates

The service itself sees an enhancement, with Emirates’ First Class cabin crew adopting a sophisticated gloved service, reinforcing the premium nature of their hospitality.

Elevated On-ground Luxury

Not restricting its excellence to the skies alone, Emirates is also upgrading its First Class check-in facilities at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3. The new dedicated area, set to debut in the coming weeks, promises personalised check-in experiences and a relaxing lounge atmosphere, perfectly aligned with the high standards expected by Emirates’ First Class clientele.

The image shows a modern, luxurious lounge area with elegant decor. There are several comfortable gray chairs and round tables arranged on a patterned carpet. The space features large wooden columns, potted plants, and a decorative wall with a white abstract design. The ceiling has circular recessed lighting, and there is a wooden partition with the words "First Class" visible. The overall ambiance is sophisticated and inviting.

Image courtesy Emirates

Globally, Emirates ensures a seamless luxury journey with complimentary access to an extensive network of 43 premium lounges and chauffeur-driven transfers, delivering a consistently high-end travel experience from door to door.

First Class Suites – An Unmatched Experience

Described often as “hotel rooms in the sky,” Emirates’ First Class suites, especially aboard its iconic Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 Game Changer aircraft, continue to set benchmarks in aviation luxury. On the A380, 14 spacious suites with lie-flat beds, automatic doors, and ample work and dining areas promise utmost privacy and comfort. The Game Changer 777 aircraft elevates this further with just six exclusive suites, featuring floor-to-ceiling doors, virtual windows for centre suites, and personal binoculars for unparalleled viewing pleasure.

These suites offer generous storage, featuring a full-length wardrobe and multiple compartments, complemented by an exceptional 50kg checked baggage allowance, ensuring customers travel without constraints.

Indulgent Comfort and Amenities

Comfort aboard Emirates First Class transcends expectations with Hydra Active moisturising pyjamas featuring Vitamin C and olive oil microcapsules to hydrate skin mid-flight. Sleep amenities also include plush bedding, soft mattresses, and luxurious faux sheepskin blankets exclusive to the Game Changer aircraft.

Enhancing personal care onboard, Emirates collaborates with premium brands such as Byredo for skincare essentials and Bulgari for luxurious amenity kits, which include designer fragrances and thoughtfully curated grooming items, presented in elegant leather bags.

The image shows a collection of luxury travel toiletries and accessories arranged on a textured surface. There are two gold-colored bags, one larger with a handle and one smaller, both with a textured finish. Various branded items are displayed, including bottles, a comb, a mirror in a case, and small packets. Some items are labeled with "Bvlgari" and "Emirates." There are also small flowers placed around the items, and the background is a soft pink color.

Image courtesy Emirates

Gourmet Dining and Exquisite Wines

First-class passengers have the freedom to dine at their convenience, with à la carte menus that emphasise locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, including gourmet vegan options and indulgent movie snacks. Unlimited caviar service, featuring exquisite accompaniments, remains a highlight. Complementing the meals, Emirates uniquely serves Dom Pérignon champagne on all First Class routes, alongside a meticulously selected range of premium spirits and wines, including rare vintages set aside to mature until 2037.

Entertainment and Leisure

Emirates ensures entertainment matches the lavishness of the First Class experience. A 32-inch Full HD LCD screen, complemented by premium Bowers & Wilkins noise-cancelling headphones, offers access to over 6,500 channels of diverse content. Additionally, A380 First Class customers enjoy exclusive access to onboard Shower Spas, a revolutionary feature that provides spa-level comfort in the sky.

Bottomline

Emirates’ continued investments and thoughtful enhancements to its First Class offerings affirm its leadership in premium aviation experiences. From refined dining and bespoke amenities to unmatched privacy and luxury suites, Emirates continues to establish itself as the pinnacle of international First Class travel. Some of these changes are incremental, like the bowl and the menu. But put together, flying First Class on Emirates has always been an exquisite experience, and Emirates is looking to take it up another notch with some of these changes

What do you think of the new changes to Emirates First Class?

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