Review Lisbon/Dubai flight with Emirates in business class (777/300)

Emirates is the only airline in the world to have a fleet consisting of only two aircraft models, the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777/300, although not for a while yet. Soon, in fact, the new Airbus A350 900/XWBs are expected to arrive and, sooner or later, the i 777X .

In this pandemic situation, most routes are operated with "small" 777s, although by summer the Dubai-based company plans to bring back several of the more than 100 A380s it has in its fleet.

This flight took place in March and was part of a vacation that also took me to try the first class, also on 777, and the brand new Radisson Blu Maldives.

Reservation

Like the rest of the trip this flight was paid for entirely with miles, transferring all the necessary points from my account Membership Rewards. For the curious, I can confirm that the points I collected with my American Express Platinum were not the result of million-dollar spending, but rather of meticulous use of the frequent bonuses offered by Amex.

Booking an award ticket with Emirates is super easy, the transfer from MR to Skywards points is virtually immediate, and the search and purchase process is quite similar to when booking with cash payment.

The cost of the two tickets was 260k Skywards points plus €286 in taxes. The full itinerary included a stopover in Dubai and departure to Malé round trip.

At the airport

In Lisbon all lounges were closed, so we were given two vouchers to use in the restaurants in the airport.

Of course, 18€ is no substitute for a lounge, but it is still a sign of attention to premium passengers.

By airplane

Emirates' business cabin is set up in a 2-3-2 configuration, this means that every third passenger will not have direct aisle access. Admittedly, this is not exactly the best, since on a long-haul flight it is very likely that we will be woken up by our neighbor or wake up ourselves when we need to go to the bathroom.

In our case, however, traveling as a couple is a bearable inconvenience. From a carrier like Emirates one expects the best, and this is certainly one of the few things that does not live up to the company's name.

Our flight, as mentioned, was operated on the 777, in the two-class configuration: business and economy. Only very few and very new Emirates A380s have premium economy, and some planes are not outfitted, as in this case, with the first-class cabin.

One thing that surprised me was seeing the plane almost full, in contrast to a virtually deserted airport.

There is no shortage of space, although--it must be admitted--these seats are no longer on the list of the best seats you can find in top business class. In fact, I actually find even Alitalia's much-maligned Magnifica class better.

When turned into a bed, the chair is totally open to the hallway, nothing like, for example, the British Airways' newest Club World Suite Or with Qatar's incredible QSuite.

As can be seen very well in this photo, the passenger sitting next to me, wanting to get up, would be forced to climb over me. This does not happen when the cabin configuration is 1-2-1 or 2-2-2 with staggered seat positioning (e.g. BA's old business class).

The "starry" sky is a signature Emirates solution found throughout the fleet.

IFE

Here it must be said, Emirates has always been very careful in offering the best in-flight entertainment system. Monitors aside, all passengers are provided with hundreds of movies, live TV channels, music, games and Wi-Fi.

Thanks to the personal tablet, all functions of the seat, lighting and general IFE can be managed with small touches.

For the more traditionalists, there is also the classic push-button remote control.

The headphones available were of good quality, but I always like to use my devices when I am on the plane.

The service

Emirates set its sights on service from the outset, seeking to make a difference in the in-flight experience. It was among the first to restore catering on aircraft at 100% by reactivating, with compliance with new protocols, all service to the pre-pandemic standard.

The new uniform is not as fashionable as that of the "world before," but the champagne as soon as we boarded came in less than 1 minute.

So does the small trousse containing all the materials for safe and secure travel: masks, gloves, sanitizing gel and wipes to disinfect surfaces.

Paper menus are also back, both for the wine list and the culinary offerings. Other companies have chosen to digitize everything, but I personally find the paper menu an important part of the premium onboard experience.

In business class, the champagne served is Veuve Clicquot, while in first class you drink at the very least Dom Perignon. The wine selection is also sophisticated with bottles such as the William Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons 2014 , pleasant surprise to find on the list also an Italian wine such as the Barbera d'Asti tre vigne Vietti 2017.

A la carte menu for lunch as well; the flight takes just over six hours.

As mentioned, service restored at 100% and excellent culinary offerings, as always on board flights made in Dubai.

In case you're peckish, no problem, quick service and the option to choose from the list of cocktails-a great way to wait until you get to your destination without going hungry.

The flight arrived on time, and in a deserted airport, or nearly so, we reached the Emirates lounge waiting to board our flight to Malé.

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