Emirates' fully enclosed Boeing 777-300ER first class suite remains an exceptional product, but service lapses on flight EK183 from Dubai to Brussels undermined the experience, according to a recent flight review.
The reviewer, who last flew this route in 2019, paid 102,000 Emirates Skywards miles plus approximately $700 in taxes and fees for the journey (which included a prior A380 flight from Mumbai to Dubai). The aircraft features six first class suites in a 1-1-1 configuration, with middle suites offering virtual windows displaying live exterior feeds.
Suite 1K included a 79-inch fully flat bed, large table, personal closet, oversized plush chair, multiple lighting options including customizable color, and both universal AC and USB-A and USB-C power. The reviewer took a 4-hour nap and found the bedding superb. Emirates' ICE entertainment system provided hundreds of movies, TV shows, and live TV. Complimentary OnAir internet worked reasonably well, though not at high speed. Noise cancelling headphones were from Bowers & Wilkins.
Meals offered à la carte breakfast and lunch throughout the flight, paired with an exceptional wine and spirits collection. The Dom Rosé 2010 Champagne upon boarding impressed, as did a caviar course and Arabic mezze with humus, grape leaves, tabbouleh, falafel, and fattoush salad. However, the pan-fried lamb loin main course arrived overdone and largely unfinished. Breakfast choices felt limited, with the omelet described as "utterly forgettable."
Service proved inconsistent. Breakfast dishes sat untouched for over 20 minutes after the reviewer finished eating. Upon waking from a nap, the reviewer was ignored for nearly 30 minutes despite having the suite door open. When meal service finally began with only 90 minutes remaining in the flight, courses arrived slowly. The lamb main course came late, having been left in the oven too long. The reviewer waited after finishing each course without proactive attention from flight attendants. With 40 minutes until landing, the reviewer flagged a flight attendant to request cheese and dessert. The FA appeared stressed, managing service for five of the six first class passengers simultaneously.
The reviewer noted never being proactively offered an amenity kit; staff said they were "on request only." Slippers and pajamas were offered, along with Byredo skin products in the suite. The cabin had two spacious lavatories shared by crew.
The reviewer concluded that the hard product exceeded even the JAL A350-1000 suite, but observed the experience around the seat was less consistent than an excellent prior Emirates A380 flight from Mumbai to Dubai. Drink refills were not offered throughout service.