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Recently, I went on a press trip to Dubai, and as excited as I was to go to Dubai, I was even more excited about the flight because I was upgraded to Business Class, and honestly, I did not want to get off the plane, which is saying a lot, given that I can be a nervous flyer.
Firstly, the Business Class experience with Emirates begins with a chauffeur-driven car if you are within a specified radius. Because I’m located in Cork I couldn’t avail of it, but after parking in the long-term car pack and checking in my bag – Business Class gives you a generous allowance of 40kg luggage – I headed to the East Lounge in Terminal 2 to start my Emirates Business Class experience.
Built in 2019, the East Lounge, specifically designed for Middle Eastern airlines, is the ultimate in sophistication and luxury. The lounge’s interior design is slick, to say the least, with Irish oak wood tables and a beautiful colour palette of warm greys and rich greens that have been achieved using Kilkenny limestone and Connemara marble. It has a bar, lovely food options, multiple seating areas, and elegant bathrooms complete with shower facilities.
After the boarding call for my flight was announced, I said goodbye to the East Lounge and made my way to the Boeing 777. While boarding the flight, I walked through the First Class and Business Class corridor, which led me to the plane. As I walked past the First Class cabins, I noticed that each private cabin was equipped with a minibar. This was pretty cool! When I arrived at the Business Class section it was spacious and inviting, with a warm contemporary aesthetic and elegant finishes. The beauty of the cabin was apparent with its cream leather seats, wooden panelling, and soft touches like fresh flowers hanging on the walls and in the bathrooms. It was so luxurious that it felt like I was in a plush hotel rather than on a plane.
As I settled into my large cream leather seat, which could fully recline into a flatbed, I was served hot nuts, a glass of champagne, and a hot cloth to freshen up. I found headphones, an eye mask, and socks in one of the compartments in my chair. While inspecting the area, I couldn’t help but marvel at all the buttons on the chair. I felt like a gamer with one of their high-tech gadgets. This was it; my luxurious Business Class experience was about to take off!
Throughout the seven-hour flight, I was wined and dined and the food served was equivalent to that of a high-end restaurant, even at an altitude of 35,000ft. For lunch, I chose the cream of sweetcorn soup, which was delicious and had a distinctly Irish flavour. For my main course, I was torn between the beef and chicken options but ultimately decided on the fillet of beef served with glazed carrots, mushrooms with crème fraiche, and steamed potatoes with parsley. For dessert, I had the lime cheesecake, which was simply divine. Light bites were also served throughout the flight – the chilli prawns were my first choice when I saw them on the menu, and they did not disappoint.
That wasn’t all though; afternoon tea was also served with the option of plane scones which are a rarity, more often than not. There was even a white tablecloth laid out for all of the above, just like in a restaurant. During the flight, the crew regularly offered champagne, wine, tea, coffee, and even cocktails. I opted for a cosmopolitan which was divine.
The in-flight entertainment system, called ICE, has over 35,000 channels to choose from, including live sports channels – ideal for sports fans. I settled on Blue Lights, a new BBC police drama, and finished watching it by the end of the flight. The seats were comfortable and could be reclined into flatbeds. The cabin crew offered mattresses, which I happily accepted. Something else I have to talk about is the bathroom experience. And that is the only way I can describe it – as an experience. The bathroom was stocked with Bulgari mini perfumes, Voya hand moisturiser, toothbrushes, and single-use facecloths, something you wouldn’t expect to find in a small aeroplane bathroom.
I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have flown Business Class with Emirates. The level of service provided was exceptional and was like a holiday in itself which is saying a lot.
Overall, Emirates Business Class offers a premium and comfortable travel experience that is designed to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
Return Business Class flights from Dublin to Dubai start from €3,445 inclusive of taxes and charges. emirates.com