Flying in Style: Business Class on Emirates A380

ACROSS THE OCEAN- Tuesday was our lucky day. It was the day that my husband and I were unexpectedly offered a free upgrade on the seven hour flight from Bangkok to Dubai on an Emirates A380 jet. Finally all the miles logged on Emirates tucked away in row 80 (yes, there really are so many rows on many Emirates' flights) had paid off. And it was a great flight to reap the reward.

The A380 is the largest plane in the Emirates fleet with 2 floors and almost 100 total seat rows. Upstairs holds First and Business Class while downstairs holds Economy Class seats. Apparently, First Class seats offer tons of privacy, with each "seat" being a private suite, complete with remote control door, mini bar, and something called a "shower spa" which you can use by appointment.

While lacking private suites, Business Class is super luxe too. Features include flat bed seats complete with an add-on mattress upon request, a personal shelf pre-stocked with a variety of water, juice and soda, a power source, and a large TV filled with the entertainment options available throughout all classes of the plane. These entertainment options include a long list of classic and new release movies, TV series, music, video games and the like. Seats are configured 1-2-1 across, which means that window seats are singles and center seats are set in twos. I would opt for the even numbered rows: a window seat if traveling alone (unlike the odd numbered rows, the even numbered rows have a mini-wall which guards window seats from the aisle), and center of the plane aisle seats if traveling in a pair (unlike the odd-numbered rows, even numbered rows have a much lower wall separating the pair of center seats which allows for more comfortable conversation). This may vary a bit so check the seating chart on www.seatguru.com.

My food in the air was excellent. Because our flight was just seven hours in the evening, only dinner was served. But plenty of variety was offered including three choices of appetizer, four of main course and two of desert. I went for the salad and the chicken in mushroom sauce (boring I know), and skipped desert except the coffee and two Godiva chocolates passed as a post-desert treat. A wine list complements the meal selections on all Emirates flights.

A fun and festive aspect of the A380 Business Class is the party-in-the-air bar set in the back of the Business Class section. This full bar is stocked complete with bartender and small bites to snack on. Guests take time away from their flat bed seats to enjoy a drink and perhaps a conversation with fellow flyers. I was surprised how many passengers visited this bar and took some time sit and enjoy.

A key Business Class perk that we did not receive having been granted a free upgrade was the complementary car service to and from the departure and arrival airport. What a great feature.

And finally, I offer you just a quick tip to wrap this up. If you are like me, and don't generally opt for a Business Class ticket out of your own pocket, go for Economy Class seats 81A or 81K when flying the A380. This is my secret weapon for long flights. These seats are the best Economy Class has to offer. Sure, they are far back, but they are not officially exit row which allows you to book them in advance of arriving at the airport, they are not bulkheads which mean that you will not get moved if passengers require baby bassinet. However, they are located just where the plane widens in the back which leaves lots of extra leg room, and even space to exit your seat right in front of you(!!), so you don't have to bother your fellow sleeping travelers to take a walk around. Book this seat early as it is often one of the first to go.

Click here to read about my experience on an Emirates 777 in Economy Class

Click here to read about my experience on an Etihad (Emirates' rival airline out of Abu Dhabi) in Business Class

Click here for the Emirates Website