I flew in Emirates' new business class on the 777: my first impressions

It is 7 a.m. Dubai time, I recently disembarked from my flight from Geneva to the Emirates., a flight that I took solely and exclusively to Try and review EK's new business class. 

In a few days I will post the full review and video on the YT channel, but in the meantime while I wait for the boarding gate to open for the EK77 flight that will take me home I will put down my impressions of this "new" product.

You can't call this business class on the Emirates 777 "new"

When in recent days EK announced the entry into service of the first 777 renovated interior there are many of us who have been disappointed. I, like all avgeeks, but also loyal Emirates passengers, I expected a completely different product From what was installed instead.

There were those who speculated about models, configurations and features, and instead it was a cold shower for many, in fact I would say all.

Emirates chose safe used, chose to have a product consistent with what is offered aboard the A380s, this in fact is the latest version of the same seat that has been flying on EK's A380s for 10 years or more, sure it's evolved, more technological, but it's like when the facelift of a car comes out, while everyone was expecting the new model.

No match for the QSuite, but no one will be disappointed

Emirates is one of the most desired airlines by travelers Of the whole world, of course the credit goes to the A380. Credit is due to the shower for first passengers and the bar for all those traveling upstairs. In the end, however, what a passenger who is willing to spend thousands ( or points) to travel in business wants is to travel well, to have great service, and if possible to have a lot of privacy as well.

When I think about what JAL has launched on its A350s., the one that Qatar will do to with the new QSuite, but even without going too far just see what he proposes British Airways with its Club World Suite o Air France with new business class.

Emirates decided to go for an identical product, unlike today's 777s, which are instead a far inferior product.

EK chose to give a certainty to the passenger. A situation that today, for example, Qatar is not proposing with the many different (and inferior) products than the QSuite, if indeed a neologism "Qatared" has been coined to denote when you book QSuite, but you travel on a "normal" plane.

Air France does not offer it, not to mention British Airways, Lufthansa and many other carriers. The Dubai-based company's choice is to give the same product on the entire fleet, when of course the revamp of the 777s is completed (that's 14 days of work per plane, for 88 planes in total) so that no one is disappointed.

My chair

These first 777s are special because. Are those who have Gamechanger installed., and now we will see if at least EK will upgrade the first one by installing on all 777s this spectacular cabin, which would be a very good content in exchange for the A380 shower. I really like the cabin shades, and those who say that the faux wood is a piece of crap say that it is not. The chair is wide, comfortable, and all the buttons are in the right place.

What I don't like is definitely the lack of privacy, not to mention that privacy is nonexistent for all the seats away from the window, not that those in rows A and K are suites, but they are certainly better.

If privacy is for a few, storage does not exist. I would have sacrificed the minibar, which is not refrigerated and doesn't really make sense except to take up space. A cabinet with a flap where one could secure one's belongings would have been perfect here, though.

ICE is always a certainty and here it is even better since the 4K monitor is 23″, we are at the top for a business class, only ANA and JAL can compete.

The on-board bar

What is new is the presence of a bar for passengers. It is located between the two business booths, I I expected a space similar to The Loft, what Virgin Atlantic offers on board all its aircraft.

Calling it a bar in my opinion is a mistake. Emirates highlighted this new feature in its cabin launch statement, but it's not a bar, it's not even a social space. It is a support space, at the bottom of the first business class cabin. 

A space that EK could not have used in any other way and here is the marketing insight: "let's call it a bar and move the food that is normally placed in the galley here." Given that it is one positioned inside the first, small, business class cabin I urge people NOT to choose seats in this section of the plane. On a long haul it could lead to a constant coming and going of people.

Be sure not to expect anything like the A380.

There is premium economy and Gamechanger

The real novelty is the installation on board these 777s the new Premium Economy, this is EK's first single-deck aircraft to be equipped with this section. A small cabin configured 2-3-2 for a total of 15 seats.

As for the gamechanger is in splendid shape as usual and, I admit, I was a little bit sorry. Not having upgraded, but I had to fly business.

Final considerations

There are always two aspects to take into consideration when drawing up sums: iron and service. Could it have been better? definitely yes, but the leap forward from what is offered on 777s today is there and will certainly be appreciated. We often forget that the "real" frequent flyer almost always flies the same routes and for FF Emirates now it will also be possible to feel at home on the 777 and that is what is important.

Emirates bets big on service and makes bolt on product, we will see in the coming months whether it is a winning choice. New business from Turkish, Cathay, Singapore, Saudia, Riyahd Air will arrive, and many others. Not forgetting Lufthansa's Allegris and the roll out of new cabins across the Air France and KLM fleets.

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