On a recent business trip to the Middle East, I was lucky enough to get an operational upgrade on Emirates from Business to First class.
A look back at a very premium flight experience.
The upgrade
I should point out that at that time I was only a Silver in the Emirates Skywards loyalty program.
Comfortably seated in the Emirates lounge at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, I hear my name on the loudspeaker, asking me to come to the reception.
They hand me my new Boarding Pass and the beep rings in my head. Why a beep? This is the miraculous sound the Boarding Pass makes on the reader when you are upgraded at the Gate with the beautiful message Inconsistent Class. This time it’s for me. 5 years without a long-haul upgrade on Air France by being Platinum, and an upgrade to First after the third round trip, thanks Emirates!
So it is with a big smile that I head for the boarding gate!
The ground experience at Paris Charles de Gaulle
Unlike Air France, which offers the best ground service in the world (apart from the Etihad Residence in Abu Dhabi) in First, Emirates does not offer anything special to its passengers: the experience is therefore very business-like, except perhaps the separate check-in counter and boarding through a dedicated queue.
No individual assistance, no special treatment in the lounge.
I won’t mention the head of a French family who is angry to see me take the First line and thus to pass them by since they are only in Business. I ask are you in First too ? ». He answers me in the affirmative. It’s stupid, he could have taken the priority lane from the start. There, the attendant looks at his boarding pass with a nice Business on the top right… And the family is sent back to the Business line. Well done!
The in-flight experience
As soon as I enter the plane,the crew takes care of me, taking care of my cabin baggage and accompanying me to my 1K suite.
The proximity of the front staircase is not a problem at all, the staircase being totally closed during the whole flight.
The ballet of the stewardesses never ends:a welcoming word from the purser with a charming smile, champagne, comfort kit, pyjamas, Arabic coffee and dates, it doesn’t stop!
Meanwhile, I am happily rediscovering this suite. Let’s skip the usual remarks: yes, the decor is the quintessence of Middle Eastern bad taste with this ridiculous fake wood and this passion for everything that shines. Yes, the decoration of Qatar Airways or Etihad is more elegant.
But the seat is so comfortable and convenient, and the service so attentive without being stuck that it remains a real pleasure.
Always on the ground, the menu is distributed to me as well as the wine list. Note that in first class, everything is obviously on theDine on Demand option, although most passengers still choose to have their meal right after takeoff.
The catering is quality without being fantastic unlike Air France or Singapore Airlines.
The wine menu is nevertheless exceptionnal, far superior to that of Air France (even though Paolo Basso has made a major contribution to the move upmarket, particularly in champagnes), and the two champagnes on offer exceptionnal (thanks to the partnership with Dom Pérignon) notamment le Dom Pérignon rosé qui, avec le Krug Rosé servi par Eva Air, est le the most expensive in-flight champagne in commercial aviation.
The proof, it is on sale at the Duty Free in Dubai for nearly 250€ a bottle:
And when you taste it, you understand why: the finesse of the bubbles and the balance of the flavors is just perfect.
The service is up to par, the presentation is very well done and the attention in the cabin is permanent so that your glass is never empty.
Before enjoying my dessert, I book my spajust before arrival and ask for my bed to be prepared, which the hostess will do when I’m in the bathroom.
Moreover, I notice that the small bar reserved for the first class is set up, with alcohols all of excellent quality.
After a short nap, it is already time for the spa. Like Etihad, Emirates has chosen to equip its A380s with showers reserved for their first class passengers.
This is a wise choice, sinceno other airline has found any use for these spaces located at the front of the upper deck of the Airbus jumbo jet.
The space is really impressive and the shower refreshing.
The story of my experience from the inside:
I would have liked this flight to last longer, but it is already time to land in Dubai… And to say goodbye to this suite but especially to this exceptional crew!
The ground experience at Dubai International (arrival)
At the arrival,absolutely no assistance is providedfor the First passengers who are in the classic Arrival course. Too bad for the hub of the airline, but difficult to organize with First cabins of 14 suites on the A380 or 8 suites on the 777!
Bottom line
Only the onboard experience is truly premium on Emirates. Does this make it a low-value First? Surely not, even if it is clearly not at the level of Air France, which leads in terms of ground experience, catering, exclusivity and elegance!
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