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This article was originally published on Insideflyer.nl
At the Dubai Airshow, held at Dubai’s new Al Maktoum Airport, Emirates presented their revolutionary new First Class Suites and refreshed Business and Economy Class for select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Insideflyer.nl was present during the launch and was one of the first to try the new cabins.
Game changer
The CEO of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark, led the presentation about the new First Class product he dubbed a ‘game changer’. According to Sir Tim, there is still a high demand for First Class. During the 4 years of design, the product development team at Emirates worked together with car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. Various features in the new Suite are based on the top of the line S-class Mercedes such as the leather, control panels, and mood lighting.
Before the presentation, it was already known that the size of the Suites would increase. The current First Class on the 777 comprises 8 Suites in a 1-2-1 arrangement. In the new cabin, there are only 6, in a 1-1-1 layout. This means the surface is increased to 40 square feet. Additionally, the new Suites are enclosed from floor to ceiling. More relaxed safety regulations have enabled this change.
Passengers can thus opt for complete privacy. During service, it is not even necessary to open the doors. The cabin crew can serve food and beverages through a hatch in the side panel. How will the crew communicate with the passenger and vice versa? For this Emirates introduced a live video connection with the galley. At the push of the button, First Class passengers can establish a Skype-like session with the crew. Meals can then be served on the 29×19 inch tray table which slides from under the panel in front of the seat. This offers plenty of space to dine or work.
In the wall of the Suite, there is a cupboard for hanging clothes. There is plenty more room for storage.
The impressive entertainment screen measures 32 inches and is a Full-HD touchscreen. Besides the touchscreen, it can also be controlled using a separate screen-controller. Further connectivity features include a power port, double USB-charger and HDMI- and USC-C port.
Fully reclined, the bed measures 78 inches. The seat also moves sidewards when reclining, such that the bed is fully against the wall. This offers more room between the bed and the door, and passengers can change in the provided pajamas easier.
The seat is fully upholstered in leather and offers a ‘zero gravity’ experience inspired by NASA.
The most amazing feature in the new First Class Suites are the so-called ‘virtual windows’ in the center seats. In the wall, there are built windows, just as in the window seats. However, instead of actually looking outside, the outside view is projected. Camera’s on the side of the fuselage enable the experience of looking outside in the center seat. You can even choose which side of the aircraft is projected as the entrance to the forward center seat is on the left aisle, while the second row enters on the right aisle.
High tech control panels, inspired by Mercedes, offer the possibility of changing the seating settings, ICE system, and even the mood lighting and temperature. Passengers are provided with noise canceling headsets by Bowers & Wilkins.
Other amenities include a kit by Bulgari, pajamas, stationary, Byredo cosmetics in the console and even binoculars in the window seats. Of course, the mini bar is retained.
Business Class
The Business Class on the 777 is not brand new but has been refreshed. Emirates will introduce a completely new seat on the Boeing 777-X once it enters service, which should be similar to the seat currently installed on the A380. This also means Emirates still has not let go of the 2-3-2 layout. Hence there is a middle seat in Business. The 42 seats with 72-inch pitch have upholstery in a new color and a diamond pattern. In general, the cabin looks more modern and fresh.
In the middle console are the minibar and a cocktail table. The tray table also extends from the center console but is not very large.
The IFE can be controlled using the touchscreen, wireless controller or handset. The controller can also adjust the seat. Below the armrest are the chargers, where Emirates is future-proof with the addition of a USB-C port in addition to the regular USB-port. This also enables passengers to project content from their own devices to the 23-inch screen.
The seat turns into a full-flat bed of 78 inches but is quite narrow with 20.5 inches, as expected. The privacy screens raise electronically. In my experience, the middle seat feels quite claustrophobic. Additionally, it will be quite hard to get out of the middle seat once the other seats are reclined.
Economy Class
In Economy Class, the changes are mostly cosmetic. Emirates already has different generations of their Economy Class, with the largest differences being in the entertainment screen. This ‘new’ Economy Class has a more neutral color scheme representing the ocean and sand.
In the 777, Emirates has a narrow 3-4-3 layout. However, I was positively surprised by the amount of legroom. According to Emirates, this is up to 33 inch. Also, the recline is good. I do think it’s a shame the tray table is quite standard and does not fold in two. The lack of a cupholder is unfortunate as well.
The entertainment system is fitted with the latest technology and offers a clear and large screen of 13.3 inches. Even though the current selection in ICE is already enormous, Sir Tim Clark announced the current 2500 options will double. It is impossible that there is nothing to your fancy.
At the bottom of the screen are connections for the headset and USB-chargers. Below the seats are regular power ports.
Besides the seats, also the toilets have been refreshed. For Economy, these are actually quite fancy. Throughout the new 777’s, the Emirati ‘Ghaf’ tree pattern is shown.
New Boeing 777 destinations
The first Boeing 777 with the new cabins is deployed to Geneva and Brussels. It will be a while until more destinations are added as the new seats are only installed on newly delivered aircraft. Once Emirates takes delivery of more triple-sevens, Chicago is next. In total, only 10 new 777’s will be delivered with the latest cabin classes. For existing aircraft in the fleet, it is still to be determined if they will be retrofitted. This, unfortunately, means only a very small subset of Emirates 777 fleet will offer the revolutionary First Class. Ultra long-haul flights, where the increased comfort matters most, are also unlikely to get service of the equipped aircraft soon.
Just looking at that First Class product makes me think of the gulf between Emirates and BA.
I tried looking for business availability via Alaska air website with the intention of using JAL miles but couldn’t find anything on any dates. Any tips here on how I can find availability?