The Emirates First Experience - What to Expect?

[TheRealTMA]

Did you need to show your previous boarding pass?

sorry, can't remember exactly but I think just the next flight boarding passes.

 

[iamsuperandrew]

Yes - I'd noted the connections with long layovers as I expect (and we can see from examples) this was less of an issue, or even a non issue, there.

@iamsuperandrew Are you actually connecting in DXB with a long layover, or are you stopping and spending time in Dubai, before coming back to DXB on this day when you check in? Examples above so far are layover / connections. Either way, I expect they'll be somewhat lenient, but not sure on 'day prior' lenient

I am coming landside Dubai as we are spending a few nights there

Plan was to check out of the hotel (hopefully late check out) and arrive at DXB at say 2pm and have the airport (in-terminal) hotel booked and then use the lounge for dinner and then breakfast the following morning.

 

[Lowjhg]

Perfect, we will have the airport hotel booked and really keen to try the F lounge wine hunt

Post automatically merged: Jun 30, 2025

no issues at customs getting through the e-gates? read that it could only be done 10 hours prior?

FWIW, the cigar lounge seems to have all the fancy bottles in there!

 

[lovestotravel]

Having not flown EK for about 10 years, I'm back to having a few flights with them again. Burning up otherwise unusable QF points and enjoying the high EK taxes...

F on the A380 from London to Dubai
F on the refitted 777 from Dubai to Male

Sadly no PJ's on either, but looking forward to comparing to SQ R and F

Post automatically merged: Jul 3, 2025

FWIW, the cigar lounge seems to have all the fancy bottles in there!

That's fine with me

 

[iamsuperandrew]

Having not flown EK for about 10 years, I'm back to having a few flights with them again. Burning up otherwise unusable QF points and enjoying the high EK taxes...

F on the A380 from London to Dubai
F on the refitted 777 from Dubai to Male

Sadly no PJ's on either, but looking forward to comparing to SQ R and F

Post automatically merged: Jul 3, 2025

That's fine with me

Im going the same thing in a week, flying both EK A380 and both SQ F & R so keen to see how they compare

 

[levelnine]

F on the A380 from London to Dubai

I've always been offered PJs on EK F, including on this sector.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've always been offered PJs on EK F, including on this sector.

If they don't offer (which they often don't on shorter day flights), you can always ask for them and they will be delivered. (IME)

 

[lovestotravel]

Thanks, given we are on the evening flight that leaves LHR at about 4pm and arrives at 3ish AM in Dubai, PJ's would be great

Not looking forward to the kids being awake at this hour.. but at least its' like 11pm (real time)

I'm looking forward to the "escort" down to the bar with the good bottle too !

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks, given we are on the evening flight that arrives at 3ish AM in Dubai, PJ's would be great

I'm looking forward to the "escort" down to the bar with the good bottle too !

You need the escort to protect you from those in "steerage"

 

[boffman]

With regard to the cigar lounge in the DXB F lounge, are the booze options any good and is there somewhere in the lounge to buy a cigar?

 

[serfty]

With regard to the cigar lounge in the DXB F lounge, are the booze options any good and is there somewhere in the lounge to buy a cigar?

I believe cigars in the Cigar lounge are provided on a complimentary basis as part of the experince.

As far as the booze options go, in the lounge generally they are pretty good. I doubt they'd be much different.

 

[boffman]

I believe cigars in the Cigar lounge are provided on a complimentary basis as part of the experince.

As far as the booze options go, in the lounge generally they are pretty good. I doubt they'd be much different.

Good to know. I had a feeling the complimentary cigars had come to end

 

[Matt_01]

Sure the taxes are bit high but who cares. I am in the middle of changing flights to the UK/EU for next year. If all goes to plan 3 out of the 4 flights will be in the newer 777 F product (game changer) and the other one will be on the a380.

 

[serfty]

Good to know. I had a feeling the complimentary cigars had come to end

Sadly, after research I have found cigars are not free, but can be purchased.

Are cigars free in DXB first class lounge? - FlyerTalk Forums

Emirates | Skywards - Are cigars free in DXB first class lounge? - As per title, are cigars free in the cigar lounge at DXB first class lounge? Search didn't bring up anything. Surprised no one has asked this before.

www.flyertalk.com

 

[MELso]

I believe cigars in the Cigar lounge are provided on a complimentary basis as part of the experince.

As far as the booze options go, in the lounge generally they are pretty good. I doubt they'd be much different.

No free cigars sadly.

Booze in the cigar bar can be excellent. When I was there last year, I had a grand cru Montrachet chardonnay and a super Tuscan wine.

 

[AIRwin]

I noticed work was in progress back in May:

'Emirates First' opens exclusively for First Class

EMIRATES FIRST has officially opened at T3, Dubai International (DXB), offering a luxurious and unique airport experience for Emirates’ First Class customers

www.emirates.com

 

[k1s3k1]

Looking at EK183 DXB to BRU on 2nd June 2026.
Looking at the seat map, it seems to be on a retrofitted 777 but old first class configuration?
I thought EK183 route is always on the game changer first class configuration?
Can anyone help me confirm this please?

Checked other days like 1st June and 3rd June 2026, and the first class layout seems to be the game changer. Strange only on the Tuesdays its on the old plane?

 

[Matt_01]

Looking at EK183 DXB to BRU on 2nd June 2026.
Looking at the seat map, it seems to be on a retrofitted 777 but old first class configuration?
I thought EK183 route is always on the game changer first class configuration?
Can anyone help me confirm this please?

Checked other days like 1st June and 3rd June 2026, and the first class layout seems to be the game changer. Strange only on the Tuesdays its on the old plane?

TBMK EK are doing a refit program across their fleet but it does not include upgrading F to the 'game changer'. From what I have read EK is working on a new F product as the GC was announced around 8 years back and covid got in the way of their original plans. BRU was once a main stay for the GC route and I had booked a flight specifically to travel on it however the aircraft was changed (these things happen). These days the main routes seem to be to HND, MEL and a US location. As there are only 9 aircraft in their fleet (GC config) it can be hit and miss, I am in the process of booking flights to-from the UK/EU and so far I have/will book 3 out of the 4 fights on possible GC routes. If I get 1 out of the 3 I will be chuffed as it is just something I would like to do. Also EK seat maps are normally pretty solid and only change at the last minute (IROPS), if the seat map you are seeing is the old F config I would suggest that is what it will be.