Emirates has earned its reputation as a top-tier airline through exceptional service, premium amenities and genuine comfort across all cabin classes. Founded in Dubai in 1985, it’s one of two flag carriers for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside Etihad, and has grown into a pre-eminent global carrier over the last 40 years.
Emirates operates a widebody fleet including the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and now the Airbus A350, maintaining the world’s largest fleet of both A380s and 777s. For long haul flights, it’s always worth looking for an Emirates option, and where possible, the A380 offers the best all-round experience. The airline’s reach is impressive too, flying to over 140 destinations worldwide and carrying tens of millions of passengers annually.
Cabin classes
Emirates offers four cabin classes, each benefiting from one of the youngest, most modern fleets in the industry. Even standard economy is more comfortable and better equipped than most rivals. Yes, fares reflect this quality, but Emirates isn’t competing with budget carriers.
It’s a strong choice for inclusive fees, meaning prices often deliver better value than you’d expect once you factor in the hidden add-on charges low-cost carriers love. After a 17-hour flight to the other side of the world, it’s hard to argue the little extra spent wasn’t worth it.
Economy class
Emirates economy offers four fare types (Special, Saver, Flex and Flex Plus), though not all are available on every flight. The differences come down to change flexibility, baggage weights and seat selection (Special and Saver require payment). Even the cheapest Special fare is generous, including a 20 kg checked bag on most routes (or 23 kg on Americas and Africa routes), 7 kg cabin bag, plus a personal item. Enough for most holidays then. And the on-board facilities, from the stylish amenity kit (earplugs, eye mask, toothbrush set, socks and even a bookmark) to oversized windows, Emirates economy class is genuinely impressive.
Despite the 3-4-3 configuration, seats don’t feel cramped. They’re far more comfortable than average, with ergonomic padding, flexible side panels and adjustable leather headrests. You’ll get 33 inches of pitch (legroom) and more than six inches of recline. I’m 6 ft 2 in and my knees don’t quite touch the seat in front. Seat width varies by aircraft: just over 17 inches on the Boeing 777 and 18 inches on the Airbus A380.
Every seat comes with a 13.3-inch TV screen – way bigger than most – for tapping into the huge entertainment vault. You’ll also find power outlets and USB ports to keep your devices charged. Emirates was the first to offer Wi-Fi for everyone, and while basic plans start from just £2.50, Emirates Skywards members get complimentary benefits – ranging from free messaging in Economy to full-flight Wi-Fi for Platinum members.
Premium economy class
Premium economy sits between standard economy and business class, and with Emirates’ standard economy already so good, you may find the upgrade hard to justify. With many airlines, premium economy offers little more than a couple extra inches of legroom. On Emirates it’s a significant, dare I say swanky, upgrade.
Premium economy cabins are available on selected aircraft and are being expanded via retrofit across the A380 and 777 fleet, so they aren’t yet available on all routes. Make sure to check before you book, because it’s quite the experience.
Seats are upgraded to cream leather and are chic and comfy with oversized pillows. You get an incredible 40 inches of pitch, an eight-inch recline, and a cushioned leg rest. While it’s not a lie-flat bed, it’s a serious step up in comfort without the business class price tag.
Baggage allowances get a boost too. For flights between the Americas, Africa, and Europe, you’ll get two 23 kg checked bags. For other routes, you can bring up to 35 kg total, distributed across multiple bags. All premium fares include a 10 kg cabin bag. In my opinion, it’s an excellent premium economy experience and well worth considering for a long flight. I’m not alone in thinking that, so these seats are popular, book early.
Business Class
Lately, Emirates’ business class has been getting all the awards, and it’s only getting better. The airline is actively retrofitting its fleet with a slick 1-2-1 layout, which gets rid of that awkward middle seat and gives everyone direct aisle access. While the A380 and retrofitted Boeing 777s already feature this configuration, non-retrofitted 777s still have the 2-3-2 layout – the retrofit program is ongoing.
In over 70 cities, the business class experience starts at your front door with a chauffeur service to the airport. Fast-track bag drop, security, and lounge access make the whole airport process a breeze. Their lounges are among the best, and In Dubai’s Concourse A, you can even board directly from the lounge to your A380 gate, skipping the gate chaos entirely.
Onboard, it’s flashy but fantastic. Think champagne-coloured leather, polished wood, and gold accents. Partitions give you privacy, and there’s plenty of space to spread out. All seats recline fully flat. A little insider tip for tall folks: on the new retrofitted 777s, the lie-flat beds stretch to about 78.6 inches (6 ft 6.6 in), while configurations vary on other aircraft.
You get a mattress, a comfy pillow, a thick blanket, and an amenity kit packed with Bvlgari products. The 23-inch HDTV and excellent noise-canceling headphones are perfect for diving into the media library. My favourite perk? Each seat has its own minibar. It’s not refrigerated, but you can just ask for ice. And if that’s not enough, the A380 has an onboard lounge and bar where you can relax on a couch and figure out how to never fly economy again.
Business class offers the same four fare types as economy: Special, Saver, Flex and Flex Plus. All include 88 lbs (40 kg) of checked luggage on most routes (or two 70 lb/32 kg bags on Americas and Africa routes), two 15 lbs (7 kg) carry-on bags and the onboard amenities I’ve mentioned.
The differences lie in seat allocation and flexibility. Special fares can only select seats at check-in. Special also doesn’t offer change and cancellation flexibility or include the chauffeur service.
I’ve always liked this approach. It lets you skip features you don’t need and don’t want to pay for. While any long-haul business class ticket is an investment, with Emirates, you really feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.
First Class
Alright, let’s talk about the top tier. Emirates first class is all but unrivalled in quality and sheer indulgence and of course includes all the luxury of the business class service. Once onboard though, things really ramp up.
On the A380, you get a private suite with sliding doors and a “do not disturb” button. The seats are more like beds, and there’s even a stand-up “shower spa” to freshen up before you land. You can book it in 30-minute slots, but you only get five minutes of hot water.
Selected 777s feature fully enclosed suites that are about as close to flying on a private jet as most of us will ever get.
Onboard – entertainment, food and service
Emirates’ onboard experience covers three key areas: entertainment, dining and service. In pretty much every way, I rate it as outstanding, especially in economy. WiFi is available fleet-wide with paid plans ranging from about £2.50 to £16, plus complimentary options for Skywards members, while the ICE (Information, Connectivity, Entertainment) media library is as good as endless, with up to 6,500 channels covering everything from games and music to the latest blockbuster TV and film.
Food and drinks are included in all classes. The economy meal might look standard, but in my experience, it’s always been a cut above average. You can pre-order special meals for any dietary need imaginable. As you move up in class, the dining becomes a truly refined experience.
The service is just as impressive. The crew is incredibly diverse, representing about 135 nationalities and speaking more than 60 languages. Unlike on some airlines, the cabin crew on Emirates seems genuinely happy to be there. Smiles feel authentic, and they handle even the fussiest passengers with style and grace.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
