It’s July in Sydney and the sultry weather has truly set in. With it being one of the coldest, wettest winters in over 20 years Down Under, and border restrictions easing internationally, Dubai seemed like the perfect escape to thaw out.
Firstly, we had the great resignation and now, after years of lockdowns and the first true Northern Hemisphere summer that allows southerners to chase the sun, it appears it’s now time for the great holiday migration. Media internationally have been reporting about the long queues to check in at airports, so I was prepared to face a battle ground as the doors opened and entered Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport.
Fortunately, today I was flying business class with Emirates, so I could quickly bypass the long lines of people waiting for the economy check-in. It was one of the first flights of the day out of Sydney with a 6am departure time, so our A380-800 aircraft wasn’t delayed or affected by any cancellations, having arrived by 10pm the night before.
Checking In
Checking in was smooth and easy, and masks are no longer required in the airports in Australia anymore so, for a moment, Covid seemed like a distant memory, until the ground staff member requested to see my international vaccination certificate. While many countries around the world don’t require proof of vaccination anymore, Australia at this time required its residents who are leaving abroad to be double vaccinated, along with its residents and visitors to show proof upon return.
Being an early departure flight, the Emirates lounge in Sydney, along with any other lounges, wasn’t open yet, however my family and I were compensated with four $30 meal vouchers to be used at the limited cafés that were trading at this early hour.
Stepping on board, we were welcomed by the renowned friendly flight crew who are truly international, coming from fifteen countries and each speaking their own mother tongue. After settling into row 10, we were offered a warm, comforting hot towel – it was like welcoming back a best friend having these heated pieces of cotton being presented after airlines around the world had suspended this service during the height of Covid.
Despite the time of the morning, business class passengers were offered a flute of Moet Vintage 2013 Champagne, of course I didn’t want to refuse and it was actually a great way to start the flight. A wine list along with the drinks menu that included mocktails and cocktails were also offered, and we were on our way to Dubai.
Amenities
Each business class seat sits in its own pod space that features a well-stocked mini bar of Evian still water and Perrier sparkling along with popular soft drinks, a his and hers Bulgari amenities kit, headphones, socks and eye mask, and a large entertainment screen that showcases an extensive list of TV shows and movies. Controlling your own screen has never been easier with each seat hosting its own dedicated iPad docking station that gives you access along with a phone that is integrated within the side panel of your bar.
Sitting in the upper cabin of the A380 made take-off so smooth that, if you weren’t looking outside, you’d probably not even notice that we had left the tarmac behind, along with the chilly temperature.
Once we were in the air, the lights were dimmed and my friendly crew member offered to make up my seat into a bed for me. Each of the seats can be turned into a flat bed, with a mattress topper, pillow and blanket provided.
In-flight entertainment
Soon after, it was breakfast. Guests on this Emirates flight could choose from a continental breakfast of bread, pastries and fresh fruit; a full breakfast, which included a choice of a cheese omelette served with grilled chicken sausage, banana bread with caramelised walnuts, strawberries and honey butter or yoghurt and granola complete with a berry compote.
I ordered a seafood option and was welcomed with a light, fluffy omelette with smoked salmon on the side and cooked tomatoes. Breakfast was perfect – nothing to heavy, yet satisfying.
Afterwards, I decided to venture to the renowned on-board bar area, exclusively for Emirates business class and first-class travellers to work my way through a few cocktails, all in the name of research for this story, of course. My favourite was the Emirate’s Breakfast Martini, the name seemed only too fitting – Sipsmith London Dry Gin with marmalade, shaken with Cointreau, orange and lemon juice. A refreshing way, indeed, to kick start the day and this long-haul flight. The Espresso Martini – Belvedere vodka boosted by Tia Maria and a shot of espresso – was a welcome addition, too, I must say.
Having the bar area is a great way to break up the space of the business class cabin and catch up with friends and family while travelling or conversing with fellow passengers over a Mojito. Throughout the flight, business class guests can help themselves to an array of light snacks including gourmet sandwiches, a fruit basket, crisps, packs of M&M’s, nuts or, for something more substantial, a selection of hot snacks, including penne with arrabiata sauce and parmesan or braised chicken in oyster sauce served with vegetable fried rice.
Sitting next to the vintage Moet, chilling in an ice bucket, were petit fours and a hazelnut and apple cake, perfectly cooked and displayed in a clear cake stand with a glass cover.
Lunch
Before you know it, a few hours had literally flown by and drink orders were being taken for lunch. For this flight, the lunch entrée was a choice of porcini mushroom soup, traditional Arabic mezze or tuna tataki. Main course offered a selection of seared beef tenderloin, chicken fesenjan or nasi goreng. Lunch is also served with a seasonal side salad and freshly baked bread, including garlic bread. For dessert, there’s something for everyone with a decadent chocolate caramel tart, seasonal fruit and a cheese board on offer along with fine luxury chocolates to end your gourmet meal in the sky.
The synonymous chestnut wood panelling that can be seen throughout the business class cabin also carries through seamlessly into the toilets. With first-class offering a spacious bathroom complete with the inviting invitation to a four-minute shower, it was great to see that business class bathrooms were still spacious enough, sans the shower. Several on board even have a bird’s-eye view above the clouds from the cubicle, illuminating the space as the sun beams in. A nice touch also is Bulgari fragrances on offer for him or her, continuing the Bulgari amenities offering.
After an early start, it was time to put the flat bed to the test. Having the mood lightning overhead transition from dusk to evening including pin sized lights representing stars in the sky, setting the tone for a deep slumber.
After waking, it was time to watch the in-flight entertainment before being offered a selection of dishes to choose from Emirates’ light bites menu. Passengers could select from a smoked salmon poke bowl with dukkah and lemon olive dressing, a hot beef and mushroom pie, tasty mushroom arancini balls and a seasonal fruit platter.
Towards the end of the flight, the bar was really getting a workout, with many opting to enjoy a cheese board platter and cocktail before their arrival, savouring every moment of the service. Ramy, the head bartender on-board, was farewell-ing us all before we returned to our seats for landing.
Factbox
Emirates offers 40 weekly flights from London Heathrow Airport to Dubai and 139 other global destinations. A current one-way, business class flight from London to Dubai start at £2,208. For the latest in flight fares visit www.emirates.com.
