Last month I flew on an Emirates A380 from Dubai to Frankfurt, to join a cargo flight carrying medical aid around the world. Here is the latest Emirates A380 Business Class trip report.
Emirates Business Class Lounge
Apart from the social distancing requirements in place in the seating area, and improved hygiene overall, perhaps the most positive part was that the lounge buffet is back at the Emirates Lounge. However instead of serving yourself, you tell the lounge staff what’d you like and they will serve you at the buffet station. As a buffet fan, I am happy to report that the selection on offer is similar to pre-pandemic days.
The Lounge is usually not overly busy in the early afternoon, as there are less flights than in the morning.
Most of the single items like sandwiches, fruit and desserts are now pre packed and served individually.
Emirates A380 Business Class
My flight EK47 to Frankfurt was operated by an A380 with registration A6-EVG. I was not surprised to see that there were just 120 passengers onboard this 500 seater. Currently, the connectivity is very challenging out of Dubai (and other Middle Eastern hubs) due to the borders of most of the countries in Indian sub-continent and Asia Pacific being closed. Most of the traffic is O&D (Origin and Destination) only.
Why Seat 23A is a Preferred Seat
My seat 23A is located in the mini cabin towards the rear on the upper deck. Apart from the fact that the window seat has better privacy, it is also a bulkhead seat; this gives you extra privacy from the bulkhead divider and a bigger footwell than in the other seats.
My seat 23A 
legroom and footwell of seat 23A
Window Seat on Emirates A380 Business Class 
Window Seat on Emirates A380 Business Class
Aisle Seat on Emirates A380 Business Class 
Aisle Seat on Emirates A380 Business Class
Center Pair Seat on Emirates A380 Business Class 
Center Pair Seat on Emirates A380 Business Class
Emirates no longer hands out their sanitation kit, instead giving out individual sanitizer gel and a mask.
There were quite a few A380s leaving in the afternoon, bound for Amman and Cairo.
The side bins in the window seat give you extra storage.
After take-off the flight attendants came round with the mattress to put on top of your seat, these help to create a more comfortable seat. It is good to see Emirates offering mattresses not only in First Class but also in Business Class too.
Wine menu on Emirates Business Class 
Wine menu on Emirates Business Class 
Wine menu on Emirates Business Class
Lunch came with individually wrapped bread, the rest was pretty much the same as you would have expected pre-pandemic.
I was impressed with the quality and presentation. I think the Middle Eastern dishes are a better choice on this route, as the catering is from Dubai.
The Emirates onboard lounge, at the back of the A380, is now fully open and stocked with beverages and snacks.
About halfway through the short 6 hour flight, the flight attendants came round offering ice cream.
This is how it looks like when the seat is laid flat. I slept for about 2 hours onboard. Seat 23A, like all the other window seats, has better privacy, as you are away from the aisle foot traffic.
Summary
I had a very enjoyable Business Class flight on the Emirates A380. In fact I feel that it is a much better product than their B777 offering, as these mostly have a 2-3-2 configuration. This summer, Emirates is operating 30 A380s around the world.
Given that the long haul flights are from full, Emirates often has reasonable upgrade offers available during online check-in. Do look out for that when you do your online check-in (in my case, I was offered an AED 2,760 upgrade to First Class).
I have 23A booked and have read reviews that there is a locker that Crew open a million times outside the seat, is that true?
I’m so disappointed if that’s the case as I’m on full fare .
no, that’s not true.
HI All,
Can someone please tell me if Emirates Business Class flights on a380 and 777 seats 9K and 11K are direct window seats please.
I don’t want it to be an isle seat.
Thank you.
Kind Regards
M
Personally I really enjoy the 380 Business class with the lounge bar for a relaxing bevy,particularly as I am a long haul passenger ,UK TOO AUCKLAND .,NZ.As soon as those doors are open will hopefully be going for hols too see family.
Charles ?
I hope Emirates returns the A380 to DFW and IAH after the switched back the the 777.
Sam; Being the airline aficionado that you are, you must know the nationality of many of the cockpit crew of the various Middle Eastern airlines. Are they in fact mostly native English-speakers from the UK, USA, Australia/NZ, and Canada? Thanks for your response and thanks again for the most enlightening of all airline blogs.
Not all of them are native but they all have to meet ICAO English proficiency test.
hi Sam
agree with your preference of Emirates’ A380 biz over B777, especially the window seats. having to hop over a fully stretched out stranger (or interrupting their movie) is never fun, nor having someone hop over you. and the middle ones just don’t feel as special. why don’t they just stagger them, maybe lose hslf a row overall but the experience will be so much better.
Hello Sam I do enjoy reading a watching your vlogs. I have a idea which I think might be a good idea in regards to the showers. After a long flight we all like to have a quick shower to freshen up sadly our clothes could do with the same. Now I know that it would be impractical to have our shirts washed. However a little a sprinkle of water on one’s shirt and a quick iron does the trick. Perhaps as you hve a good relationship with emirates you might suggest this to them . I love love to know your response..
Yours coiln.
Ps I have a little you tube page myself and would love a honest view on the
Cockney and son travels.
Many thanks
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the post.
do you have any review or views on emirates business class which provide information about travelling with infant?
Really appreciate if there are pics of the cabin where bassinet is fitted
Thanks,
Abhishek
The bassinet seats are in the bulkhead.
Oh I miss the EK A380s. Unfortunately have been flying their 777s recently which I generally try to avoid like the plague.
One point I don’t like about the mini-cabin at the rear is that you often get a lot of foot traffic (and noise) from the bar. But guess that was a pre-pandemic problem!
That’s true, the only downside of the the mini cabin is the lounge/toilet traffic; but given that the flights aren’t full, it is actually the place to seat!
Thanks for the report Sam. Quick question, is it better to splurge on upgrading on old 777-300 first class compared the 777-300 business in long haul? Thanks.
Yes I tend to agree with your idea. As long as the price difference is reasonable.