Review: Emirates First Class A380 from Dubai (DXB) to Toronto (YYZ)

Emirates First Class A380 – My Trip

During a recent trip to the UK, I had the opportunity to experience Emirates First Class A380 from Dubai (DXB) to Toronto (YYZ). Having previously flown Emirates First Class on their Boeing 777, I was keen to compare the two and finally indulge in the highly coveted “shower in the sky.” What started as a direct economy flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Toronto on Air Canada was a much more luxurious, albeit longer, journey home thanks to some fortunate availability on Emirates First Class. Here’s a detailed look at my experience;

Emirates First Class A380 – Booking

After booking a direct flight from LHR to YYZ in Air Canada’s Economy Latitude, I noticed a flight on Emirates First Class from DXB to YYZ had opened up. As a points and miles enthusiast, I couldn’t pass up the chance to fly Emirates First, especially on the Airbus A380. This was the second time I found Emirates First Class availability simply by playing around with the Air Canada (AC) app instead of searching through a more traditional itinerary request.

Booking this flight wasn’t straightforward, though. I initially tried to book a multi-destination trip through AC’s site, flying Economy on the positioning flight and First Class for the longer leg, but I ran into challenges. Instead, I booked two one-way tickets: LHR to DXB in Economy and DXB to YYZ in First Class.

The total cost was 286.9K Aeroplan points and $494.80 in taxes and fees. This included the positioning flight in Emirates Economy from LHR to DXB (28.5K Aeroplan points) and the $30 Air Canada booking fee. Taxes were steep due to LHR’s high departure taxes, but overall, it was a great deal for a 24-hour journey, including 14 hours in Emirates First Class and access to the exclusive Emirates First Class lounge in DXB.

Positioning Flight – London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB) in Emirates Economy

My flight from LHR to DXB in Emirates Economy was a smooth experience. Before the flight, I spent some time in the Amex Centurion Lounge at LHR, which added comfort to the journey. Fortunately, I had an entire row, which allowed me to stretch out and sleep relatively comfortably—what I call a “poor man’s business class.” This set a positive tone for the remainder of my journey.

Emirates Economy Cabin, LHR – DXB

I found the meal service impressive for Economy Class. I opted for the lasagna, served with potato salad, toffee pudding, and crackers with cheese. For dessert, I enjoyed a vanilla ice cream snack. The drink selection was also a pleasant surprise, offering more variety than many other Economy services I’ve experienced.

Emirates Economy – Meal Service

Emirates Economy – Digestif

Emirates Economy – Dessert

Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai (DXB)

Upon arriving in Dubai, I visited the Emirates First Class Lounge (previous review) during my three-hour layover. Though the lounge was undergoing renovations, it still offered an exceptional experience. I chose from the à la carte menu and indulged in some delicious options:

• Dahl Kofta Curry: A rich saffron-coloured curry with curd dumplings.
  

  Dahl Kofta Curry

• Emirati Prawn Machbous: Served with biryani, mint raita, and diced tomatoes.
  

  Prawn Machbous

• Traditional Umm Ali: A warm dessert served with Ashra cream and pistachio ice cream.
  

  Umm Ali

The standout of the lounge experience, however, was the service. My server, Zeeshan, was incredibly attentive, enhancing the overall dining experience with small details like bringing toothpicks and offering coffee or tea without me asking. This level of attentiveness elevated the visit.

Emirates First Class A380 – Cabin

Emirates A380 – First Class Cabin (credit: Emirates)

Once onboard the Emirates Airbus A380, I was welcomed by my cabin crew member, Rania, who escorted me to my suite, 2A. She immediately offered me a welcome drink, which I naturally chose as a glass of Dom Perignon. Shortly after, I was given Emirates’ signature men’s pyjamas and slippers, which I changed into before settling in for the flight.

Emirates First Class – Suite 2A

Seat 2A – Ensuite Bar

The cabin’s layout is on par with Emirates’ Boeing 777 First Class cabin, with spacious suites and ample storage. The significant difference is that the bathrooms in the Airbus A380 are equipped with showers exclusively for first-class passengers.

Emirates A380 Onboard Bar – For Business and First Class

Emirates Exclusive First Class Bar – Front of the aircraft

Emirates First Class – Shower Room

Emirates First Class Shower

The Airbus A380 First Class cabin offers suites with ample privacy and high-end amenities. While the overall dimensions felt similar to those of the Boeing 777, the Airbus’s showers set it apart. Though the cabin was full, it didn’t detract from the sense of exclusivity and personal attention, which is Emirates First Class’s hallmark.

Emirates First Class Amenity Kit

Emirates’ First Class amenity kit is by Bvlgari. It features men’s cologne, aftershave, body lotion, lip balm, and a cleansing towel inside a high-quality leather pouch. It includes Gillette shaving cream, a razor, a dental kit, and shower gel. The amenity kit’s colour scheme—golden brown and mahogany—perfectly complements the suite’s layout, adding to luxury.

Emirates First Class – Amenity Kit by Bvlgari

Amenity Kit contents

Emirates First Class A380 – Food and Drinks Service

Before the main meal service, I visited the First Class bar at the front of the cabin, where one of my attendants, Maria, guided me through a tasting of fine spirits exclusive to First Class. These included Johnny Walker Blue Label, Chivas Royal Salute 21, and Tesseron Cognac. Maria’s expertise made the tasting informative and enjoyable, setting the stage for the coming meal.

Fine Spirit Tasting – Hennessy Paradis

Fine Spirit Tasting – Tesseron Cognac

Fine Spirit Tasting – Blue Label

Fine Spirit Tasting – Royal Salute 21

The Emirates First Class dining experience is a multi-course affair. It begins with the airline’s famous caviar presentation accompanied by a champagne cocktail. I then enjoyed an amuse-bouche of shrimp and mango before moving on to my starter, a Beef Carpaccio.

Emirates First Class Caviar Service

Amuse Bouche

Shrimp and Mango

Champagne Cocktail

Beef Carpaccio

For the main course, I opted for the Tandoori Lobster, which was as flavorful as I had hoped when I previewed the menu. I paired the lobster with a 2013 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc. To finish, I had a cheese platter alongside a 40-year-old 1981 Dow’s Colheita Tawny Port wine.

Tandoori Lobster

Cheese Platter with Port Wine

The level of service on Emirates First Class was exceptional. From the attentiveness of Maria and Rania during meal service to the crew maintaining spotless bathrooms after each shower, the service was seamless and thoughtful. Small touches like offering hot towels before landing and presenting passengers with a box of fine chocolates added to the overall experience.

Final thoughts – Emirates First Class A380 v 777

When I compared my experience on the Airbus A380 to the Boeing 777, the shower and the First Class bar were the two main differences that stood out. My previous flight on the 777 was only four hours long and didn’t offer some amenities like pyjamas or a full amenity kit, making the 14-hour Airbus experience even more special. Both cabins, however, offered the same exceptional meal service and wine selection.

Flying Emirates First Class A380 on a long-haul flight was a luxurious experience. While the Boeing 777 First Class is fantastic, the Airbus A380 takes it up a notch with the addition of the shower and the bar, making it an unforgettable journey. As any points and miles enthusiast knows, once you fly First Class, there is no going back!

Title Image Credit: Emirates