The Private Traveller

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Experiencing Luxury in the Skies: A Comprehensive Review of Emirates Business Class on the B777-300ER

The Private Traveller

Flying from the UK to Tokyo Haneda we’re initially flying business class on a Boeing 777-300ER (three class) to Dubai; the onward flight from Dubai is a Boeing 777-200LR (two class only - business and economy). I upgraded both our return flights from Osaka to the UK to first, so will write a business class blog on the way there and a first class one on the way back. Both journeys are on different aircraft so will compare the services on both. Please note that while this flight was taken pre-Covid I was delayed in posting it online.

This is the first of a sequence of four reviews :

  1. Boeing 777-300ER Business Class

  2. Boeing 777-200LR Business Class

  3. Airbus A380 First Class

  4. Boeing 777-300ER First Class

Index

  1. Pre-trip

  2. Departure

  3. Flight

    1. Boarding

    2. Cabin

    3. Wash Bag

    4. Departure

    5. Food and Drink

  4. Arrival

  5. Summary

  6. ThePrivateTraveller’s top tips (any areas for improvement?)

  7. ThePrivateTraveller’s absolute highlights

  8. Useful Websites

Pre-trip

Initially having booked business class return, liking the upgrade prices on the return (to upgrade the outbound was just ridiculously priced) I tried to do this online. The website however kept charging me a change fee for both passengers just to upgrade, so I contacted them by email. I was put in touch with their UK call centre and the representative was extremely helpful, could immediately recognise the issue and also confirmed that a change fee should not be applicable for just transferring cabin on the same flights; same days. This was changed very quickly and the service was just exemplary.

Departure

We got picked up by the Emirates limo two hours before departure, the driver was excellent, came early but advised that he knew he was early and more than happy to wait until we were ready and the scheduled departure time. The car was a beautiful navy blue Mercedes estate, excellent condition and the driver was very helpful. It was a fairly quick trip to the airport, we were dropped off and were at the Emirates business class check-in within minutes. There were only a few people before us in the queue (the flight also had first class on this route, though not on the onward Dubai-Haneda route) so there was also a first class check-in too. Check-in itself was smooth, quick and the agent pleasant, we were asked the security questions and given boarding passes within just a few minutes, as well as the lounge access being explained, which we were told would be just opposite the departure gate.

Flight

Boarding

We didn’t have that long to wait in the lounge (Emirates use the No1 lounge here), the flight was scheduled to board at 7:25pm for a 8:15pm departure. After a quick drink and a small bowl of macaroni cheese in the lounge, we head down to the boarding gate with a few minutes to spare. We could see the staff were preparing for boarding and there was a separate first/business class queue, also for platinum/gold Skywards members. Boarding was prompt and soon we’re on the aircraft. Good welcome, we turn left into the small business class cabin behind first class - there are only two rows here (6 & 7) with 7 seats abreast in a 2-3-2 configuration. I know the 3 seat middle combination isn’t universally popular but we have secured the 2 seats (7A and 7B) which give us privacy, albeit with only one aisle exit. In between this small business class cabin and the larger section behind (4 rows again in the 2-3-2 configuration) is the galley and two toilets on either side. Although we’re travelling as a couple, there is a privacy screen which can be raised or lowered electronically between the two seats.

Cabin

It’s a nice cabin, must say it doesn’t have the immediate wow factor of Qatar and their QSuite which we normally take from the UK to Doha, then onward; there’s certainly a dominance of amber laminate walnut wood effect. Although the seats aren’t lie-flat, they are a decent size and equipped with adjustable backrest and footrest, pull out table, two drinks holders in the centre recess and a small pull out drinks mini-table. There’s a decent size in-flight entertainment screen and a pocket in front of that for headphones provided (though we always take our own BOSE noise-cancelling ones after sore ears on a long BA flight to San Francisco many years ago), a handset in the centre console as a telephone and a pull out hand-held controller too. Apart from the overall design, this is where the aircraft age really starts to show. There is a release button below the controller, the controller does undock but I no sooner do so but get the message that the signal has been lost and to return to the 7A dock. I do so and try again, this time I get an error saying that the mode controller battery is low and again to return it to the suite dock. I actually then just bend forward to use the main screen controls to select a film, trying to do it sideways is just downright awkward. There seems to be a great selection of films and the selection process, by category, is quite intuitive.

Wash Bag

As well as the headphones provided, which we don’t use, there is also another pack with socks and an eye mask and a bottle of mineral water in the front seat pocket. The cabin crew come through the cabin dispensing two different amenity kits, clearly one male (a very attractive Bulgari grab-style bag) with the following:

  • Bulgari Thé Vert body lotion

  • Bulgari Thé Vert after shave balm

  • Bulgari Thé Vert eau de cologne

  • Toothbrush and (decent sized) Colgate toothpaste in a handy reusable storage tube

  • Fold up hairbrush

  • Decent sized Gillette shaving foam

  • Mini-size Rexona roll-on deodorant 

  • Truefitt & Hill disposable razor 

  • Packet of tissues

Departure

We depart the UK only a few minutes late and it’s announced that the flight to Dubai will be just under 7 hours. We’re given welcome drinks (Veuve Cliquot champagne, orange juice or water), followed by hot towels and the menu card with a separate wine menu, which we don’t take. Meals are going to be dinner first followed by breakfast just before arrival. The menu has three choices for both starter and main course followed by four choices for dessert, then coffees/teas and luxury chocolates. While there is a standard vegetarian starter choice (leek and potato soup) there isn’t on the main course choices, which is disappointing considering they’ve confirmed they don’t have my pre-selected vegetarian meal on board with no spares. I opt to have the soup followed by the cheeseboard, which was an option for a lighter meal if you just want to select a starter and dessert together. [Update on the meal situation - the cabin crew member came back to say that another vegetarian passenger wasn’t going to be having his meal, so I can get one after all]. The crew had to be commended throughout the flight.

As soon as we take off we’re offered further drinks, I just opt for some sparkling water which is served with a small bowl of warmish nuts. The cabin crew come through the cabin offering “mattresses” (an ever so slightly padded cover for the seat) and pillows and blankets were already provided on arrival at the seat. The cabin lighting is good, dimmed after take-off and the two window blinds can be adjusted at the touch of a button. That said, starting to watch a movie (Green Book) I realise that the under-overhead bin lighting is still quite bright and isn’t passenger-adjustable (reflects quite a bit on the IFE screen). 

There were two toilets for the business class sections - these were clean and well appointed with a good supply of small washcloths/hand towels, dental sets, small tubes of Voya hand cream and two full size bottles of Bulgari fragrance for men and women.

Food and Drink

After take-off, dinner takes about an hour to be served, service is attentive and well presented. The leek and potato soup is delicious, served with a cheese straw on the side and a bread roll. There’s also a small salad with Parmesan shavings and a mini bottle of olive oil. Throughout the meal there is the option of additional drinks or wine, I still just opt for the water. The soup bowl is taken away and the main course brought - the vegetarian turns out to be a paneer curry served with basmati rice and peas. For dessert I chose a fresh fruit platter, they also gave a box of two Neuhaus chocolates.

The tray was soon cleared away, I finished watching the film then tried to get some rest. The seat does flatten partially, but does not go flat - now I realise it’s quite a narrow seat and you’re lying at what feels like a 45 degree angle. The cabin lighting has been dimmed, but nowhere near dark and it’s quite warm, which I really don’t like on a plane, especially when you’re trying to sleep. I adjust the air vent to try and get some cool air and dig out the eye mask to keep out the light.

We had opted on arrival to not be woken for breakfast, so did catch some light sleep and really only awoke when the captain announced that the flight was landing. It was a quick change from the sleep suit (not provided by Emirates in business class, first class only) - if I know an airline won’t provide these I bring a previous one from Qatar (by The White Company).

Arrival

On landing we were advised to check the connections board on the in-flight entertainment screen to find out which bus to select when getting off the flight - this was hard to find to begin with, but later a connections button did appear on the main screen and there was a screen prompt every so often advertising what turned out to be channel 94. Finally getting the right screen however the only information showing was that baggage collection was at carousel 12 but the only connecting gate was A7 for Budapest, nothing showing for any other connecting flight of which there must (at the very least) be dozens.

The flight had been due to land at 06:40am (with a three hour ahead time change) allowing 80 minutes for the connection to Haneda - we actually touch down at 06:26am to terminal 3, the dedicated Emirates terminal. Still there is no connection information on screen other than the Budapest flight, where we’re not going.

Summary

All in all it’s been a decent flight - the seat set-up now very dated compared to the likes of Qatar Qsuites and BA’s new Club World direct aisle access seating; I think the worst aspect was probably the non lie-flat seat. Despite that the flight went quickly, food was good and service attentive. Towards the end of the flight the toilet floor was very wet, hopefully (thinking charitably) this is excess water from hand washing but since Naomi Campbell was posting online about cleaning everything on an aircraft with rubber gloves and Dettol wipes you can’t help but think about aircraft or toilet cleanliness.

ThePrivateTraveller’s top tips (any areas for improvement?)

  • The aircraft was a bit dated and not great the seat not going completely flat. Looking forward to the next flight on a newer aircraft and especially First on the A380 on our return!

  • It was ok for us as we had two seats only, but it would be disappointing having to sit in the 3 middle seats if either you were travelling alone or as a couple.

ThePrivateTraveller’s absolute highlights:

  • The call centre experience pre-flight was excellent.

  • Loved having the chauffeur transfer to the airport.

  • Food and service great, after an initial mishap with no vegetarian meal option.

  • Excellent wash bag and toiletries.

Useful websites:

See this gallery in the original post