Review: Montreal to Dubai on Emirates Business Class 777-200LR

Aeroplan Booking – Emirates Business Class 777-200LR

For a recent trip to Bangkok (BKK), Thailand, I had the opportunity to experience Emirates Business Class on the Boeing 777-200LR for the first leg of my journey from Montreal (YUL) to Dubai (DXB). This 12-hour flight was part of a round-trip itinerary booked using 290,000 Aeroplan points, thanks to an Aeroplan 100k Priority Reward from 2023 that provided a 50% discount on points redemption. The itinerary spanned YUL-DXB-BKK and back via BKK-DXB-YYZ, allowing me to experience the Emirates 777-200LR and the iconic A380.

EK 244
Boeing 777-200LR
Montreal (YUL) to Dubai (DXB)
Duration: 12h 23m
Seat: 3K

After a quick stop at the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge -YUL, designated for Emirates premium and elite passengers, I made my way to Gate 63 with plenty of time to spare.

EK 244 at Gate 63 – YUL

Emirates Boeing 777-200LR

Cabin and Seat – Emirates Business Class 777-200LR

The Emirates 777-200LR features a refreshed business class cabin in a 2-2-2 configuration, down from the older 2-3-2 layout. This configuration is better suited for passengers travelling in pairs, though it sacrifices privacy for solo travellers like myself. The cabin’s updated design with leather seats in Emirates’ signature colours, complemented by dark wood and gold accents, exuded a refined and modern look. The absence of overhead bins in the center of the cabin added to the spacious feel, though it meant the bins on the sides were densely packed.

Emirates 777-200LR Cabin

2-2-2 Cabin configuration

Upon boarding, I was struck by the generous seat space. My seat, 3K, spanned the length of three windows, bathing the area in natural light and making it feel inviting. While the 2-2-2 configuration lacked privacy, the seat itself offered impressive legroom. I had to physically get up to reach the IFE touch screen, which underscored the sheer stretch of the space.

Emirates Business Class seat

Seat 3K

Emirates 777-200LR Business Class Seat

The seat came equipped with a blanket, pillow, and headphones, along with thoughtful features such as a mini-bar stocked with Perrier water, snacks, and two bottles of Evian placed conveniently under the IFE. While storage options were limited—apart from space under the IFE for a small carry-on—the seat controls and power outlets were comfortably placed. However, the remote control for the IFE was awkwardly tucked behind the armrest, and the IFE screen itself, slightly off-center due to the aircraft’s curvature, offered little privacy from adjacent passengers. An iPad-sized controller above the seat provided an alternative for controlling the IFE and doubled as a secondary screen.

Off-center IFE screen

Mini-bar

Seat Controls and Power Outlets

IFE control and Secondary handheld screen

The seat partition was adjustable and offered some privacy when seated or in lie-flat mode, but the overall exposure to the adjacent seat remained a drawback. Additionally, accessing the aisle from a window seat required climbing over the adjoining passenger, which was awkward, especially during meal service or when the lie-flat bed was in use.

Seat partition

Meals and Service – Emirates Business Class 777-200LR

Service began with hot towels and a welcome drink. I opted for a glass of Veuve Clicquot 2015 Champagne, accompanied shortly by an amenity kit and a set of Emirates-branded pyjamas. The pyjamas stood out for their exceptional softness and comfort.

Welcome Drink – Veuve Clicquot

Amenity Kit by Bulgari

Emirates Business Class PJ’s

The meal service featured lunch and breakfast, with light bites available on demand. For lunch, I started with a virgin Mojito and an Orange Fizz, both well-balanced and not overly sweet.

Emirates Morcktails Menu

Lunch Menu

Light Bites and Breakfast Menu

Mocktail – Orange Fizz

Mocktail – Virgin Mojito

The appetizer, a lobster tail with pecan artichoke salad, was beautifully presented and delicious. The lobster was fresh, and the maple mustard dressing on the salad added a delightful twist.

Lobster Tail with Salad and Bread

Unfortunately, the main course—a beef tenderloin—was a letdown. The meat was overcooked and chewy, though the accompanying truffled potato gratin and sautéed green beans were enjoyable. For dessert, I selected the NBA-themed cheesecake, which celebrated Emirates’ partnership with the league. Despite the raisins, the cheesecake struck a perfect balance of sweetness and was complemented by a small box of truffle chocolates.

Main Course – Beef Tenderloin

Dessert – Raisin Cheesecake

I focused on rest and offline work for the remainder of the flight. Although I woke up in time to sample the Middle Eastern cold plate from the breakfast menu, I decided against it, feeling full from the earlier meal.

The attentive service was a highlight, though the tucked-away window seats sometimes required leaning or waving to catch the crew’s attention. The crew’s efficiency during boarding and attentiveness throughout the flight were notable.

Takeaway

As a solo traveller, the most noticeable drawback was the lack of privacy in the 2-2-2 configuration. The setup is ideal for couples or companions but less for solo flyers. The proximity to adjacent screens was distracting, and the need to climb over a seatmate for aisle access added to the inconvenience.

However, the seat’s generous space, stylish design, and thoughtful features like the mini-bar and soft pyjamas left a positive impression. The attentive service and extensive drinks menu further enhanced the experience. While the main course fell short, the rest of the meal service, including appetizers, desserts, and beverages, was enjoyable.

Overall, while I wouldn’t seek out the Emirates Business Class 777-200LR for solo travel, it remains a strong option for those travelling with a companion and looking for a direct route between Canada and the UAE.