Emirates 777 Business Class Review: Amazing Refresh!

On the backend of my recent trip through Africa, I got to try out a few Emirates business class products, their flagship A380 and Emirates 777 business class. Initially, I was way more excited about the A380; however, I may prefer the 777 thanks to its new look.

Come along as I take you on my unexpected journey through the recently refreshed Emirates 777 Business Class. In this comprehensive review, I’ll walk you through my pleasantly surprising experience, breaking down the aspects that turned my initial skepticism into genuine admiration.

Are you curious about the details of this refresh project? Join me as I delve into the specifics of the newly updated 2-2-2 seating configuration, the meticulous attention to detail in the cabin design, the exceptional service that redefined my expectations, and the palate-pleasing Emirates business class menu served on board.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone curious about the transformation in premium air travel, this review is your guide to understanding why the Emirates 777 business class refresh stands out.

Flight Details

Booking

This Emirates 777 business class flight was booked as part of my Aeroplan return itinerary from Africa between Cape Town and Vancouver. Along with business class flights on Ethiopian Airlines, Air Canada, and a leg on Emirates A380, this trip cost just over 200,000 Aeroplan points.

Check-in

As mentioned in my Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa lounge review, I had some challenges obtaining my Emirates boarding pass. My trip started in Cape Town on an Ethiopian Airlines 787-9 flight. Although Emirates is a partner through Aeroplan, they are only an interline partner with Ethiopian and not affiliated through an alliance. As such, I was not able to get my Emirates 777 business class boarding pass until I saw an agent at the airport in Addis Ababa.

Initially, this wasn’t an issue. I was spending around 20 hours in Addis Ababa and had a hotel and food tour booked. This got scrapped as there was an issue with my Ethiopian Visa, and I couldn’t leave the airport. I was able to get the last room at the airport hotel; however, when I tried to enter the Addis Ababa lounge, I realized I didn’t have a boarding pass to get in. The airport was completely dead, and there wasn’t going to be an agent at the Emirates counter for several hours.

Thankfully, staff at the Ethiopian Airlines lounge let us in after explaining the situation and showing my itinerary. This was a good thing as the Emirates staff didn’t show up until about an hour and a half before boarding. Something to note if you find yourself in the same situation.

The Emirates Lounge in Addis Ababa

Even though Emirates is not a Star Alliance partner, they have an agreement in place to use the Ethiopian Airlines lounge in Addis Ababa. You will see a sign out front indicating this.

The Ethiopian Airlines lounge is massive, with plenty of seating options. That said, depending on the time of day, you may struggle to find a seat or have the place completely to yourself. The lounge was packed on my first pass through ADD, and we struggled to find seats. This left us only enough time to enjoy the Ethiopian food and a quick drink from the bar.

The lounge was completely dead on my Emirates 777-200lr business class review visit. As such, the features that make this lounge unique (the coffee ceremony, massage room, buffet) were closed or unattended. Food did trickle out about an hour before the flight, so we did get to enjoy some Ethiopian cuisine in Ethiopia one last time. That said, it was disappointing not to be able to get the most out of the lounge.

For more details, please check out my full review of the Addis Ababa Ethiopian Airlines lounge.

On the positive, I would get a much better lounge experience at the Emirates Lounge in Dubai during my layover.

Refreshed Emirates 777 Business Class Cabin

As we stepped onto the plane, I was instantly surprised by the cabin. It was super roomy, looked brand new, and not what I was expecting. I asked one of the flight attendants, and they confirmed that this was. Indeed, it is one of the brand new refreshed Emirates 777 business class cabin.

Emirates is actively working on refreshing all their Emirates 777 business class cabins, with the 777-200lr being the first to be completed. Aside from a beautiful new seat, the biggest change is the removal of the three seats in the center row. Gone too is the Emirates first class cabin, which has made room for more business class seats, 38 in total.

Emirates Boeing 777-200lr Seat Map

Looking at the Emirates Boeing 777-200lr seat map, you can see that the cabin is now in a 2-2-2 formation. Row five has a lone pair in the center row, making it more private if you are traveling with a partner. Otherwise, I recommend the bulkhead window seats (1A, 1K, 6A, and 6K) as this will give you a bit more privacy, a window view, and a little more space for getting in and out.

It is interesting to note that, as of publishing this, Seatguru is still showing the old seat map, so word of warning if you are using that website to pick the best Emirates 777 business class seat.

Emirates 777 Business Class Seats

These redesigned seats offer enhanced luxury and functionality, providing passengers with a premium travel experience. Featuring a sleek design and thoughtful amenities, the seats are meticulously crafted to cater to the needs of modern travelers.

With added privacy, ample space, and the convenience of customizable settings, passengers can recline into a fully flat-bed position for optimal relaxation during long-haul journeys. The introduction of these revamped seats reflects Emirates’ commitment to elevating passenger comfort and ensuring a truly enjoyable flight experience.

The cream-coloured seats are very elegant and highlighted with the traditional gold and brown accents you will find in the Emirates fleet. The refreshed Emirates 777 business class seats are some of the most attractive in the sky.

The highlight of the new Emirates 777 business class seats, for me at least, has to be the mini-bar at each seat. This is built into the divider between the seats, has two levels, and enough room for four drinks. Upon boarding, mine was stocked with sparking water, a 7-Up, and a glass; however, you can request it to be stocked with anything you like.

Above the mini-bar is a small pop-out table large enough to rest a drink on. Below the mini-bar is a deep pocket, which was perfect for my notebook and laptop.

The seat itself is very comfortable. Since they are not pod-style, they are also very roomy, with no footwell to cramp up in. Instead, a permeant footrest is jetting out from the seat or bulkhead in front. It utilizes this footrest when the seat is converted to a lay flat bed. I gave this a go and can confirm it is very spacious, and I would have no issues sleeping in it on a longer-haul flight. The twinkling stars in the cabin with dimmed lights certainly help.

Emirates 777 Business Class In-flight Entertainment

Another personal highlight of the new Emirates 777 business class seats is the in-flight entertainment controls. Not only is there your standard remote control with a touch screen, but a tablet as well. This can be used for several tasks and functions, such as selecting movies and shows, playing games, reading magazines, checking the flight map, and looking through the menu. You can even watch a show or movie on the tablet or have it running on a larger screen as well.

As for the screen, it is large and bright. The system has a wide selection of movies and television shows to entertain you. I was able to easily load up a playlist of movies and shows using the tablet, then pressed play and let it run for the duration of the flight. The included noise-cancelling headphones were decent, although I did wish I had my Bose QuietComfort, as they just can’t be beaten.

Emirates 777 Business Class Service and Amenities

Service on this Emirates business class review 777 flight was excellent and up there with the likes of Etihad and Oman Air. It began with a glass of champagne then a hot towel. Extra points for noticing my glass was almost empty and the top up before taking off.

The flight attendant in my section saw that I was taking photos and offered to answer any questions I had, which was very thoughtful. This level of attentiveness continued throughout the flight and can be seen in the attention to detail in the cabin. The flowers in the bulkhead wall, for instance, were real and smelt fantastic. What a nice touch.

Emirates 777 Business Class Amenities Kit and Lavatories

The Emirates business class amenities are one of the nicer ones out there. Kits boast a chic silver shade crafted from vegan leather with lilac accents. Each kit offers a selection of Bulgari products, including the iconic BVLGARI OMNIA Amethyste Eau de Toilette. This fragrance blends pink grapefruit and green sap with Damascena Rose Absolute and warm, woody notes for a delightful aroma.

Passengers also receive Omnia Amethyste face and body emulsions, a Bulgari lip balm, and essential amenities such as a dental kit, sustainable wheat straw double mirror, deodorant, tissues, and a foldaway hairbrush to keep refreshed during the flight.

The lavatories on my Emirates 777 business class review were kept clean and featured toothbrush kits, combs, and more products by Bvlgari.

Emirates Business Class Food and Drink

The trend of high-quality products and services continued with the Emirates business class food service. On brand, this was one of the better meals I have had in the sky and was highlighted by a beautiful presentation and a great selection of mains.

Emirates Business Class Menu

The Emirates business class menu on my 777-200lr flight kicked off with a selection of juices (orange, pineapple, mango, and tomato) and a list of refreshing mocktails. I also noted the option to get an iced americano, which is a nice touch given the warm climates the airline serves.

Next up was an extensive list of cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, scotch whisky, and cognac. This is highlighted by a blended Chivas Regal 18 Year-Old whisky which is velvety smooth. After my champagne I enjoyed a Bloody Mary to kick off my sampling of the Emirates business class menu.

The next page of the Emirates business class menu included a nice paragraph on Emirati cuisine and dishes to try when visiting the UAE, which is nice. That said, there isn’t much of that translated onto the Emirates business class menu, or at least on this month’s offering.

Highlights of the Emirates business class menu on my flight definitely included the Chilli coriander salmon and the Wood apple cream cake. Both had a lovely plating factor and were fresh and delicious. I had the lamb for my main, which was also great; however, my partner’s ricotta ravioli was better.

We finished this up with some Amarula (because we didn’t get enough of it in Africa), coffee, and a cheese plate.

Final Thoughts on This Emirates 777 Business Class Review

My journey aboard Emirates 777 Business Class was a delightful revelation. Despite initial hesitations about the 2-2-2 seating formation, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a newly refreshed cabin that quickly became one of my personal favorites among the skies.

The meticulous attention to detail, coupled with exceptional service and a fantastic Emirates business-class menu, truly elevated the entire flight experience. Emirates has successfully curated an environment that exudes comfort, sophistication, and convenience. From the moment I settled into my seat until touchdown, every aspect, from the refreshed cabin ambiance to the impeccable service, surpassed my expectations. This flight has undeniably solidified Emirates’ position as a top contender in the realm of premium air travel, making it an experience I would eagerly embark on again.

Thanks to the Emirates 777 business refresh initiative, I may just do that sooner rather than later, as this project includes the 777-300er running between Seattle and Dubai.

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