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Emirates “Old” First Class Review – Boeing 777 (Still Worth It?)

Eating Caviar on board Emirates "old" First Class

I boarded my Emirates First Class flight with extreme excitement. It took years to find a points deal I was satisfied with, which hilariously enough… people complain about on the internet. “It’s not the shiny new product!!”

Those people are crazy… you still want to experience this in your life. This is my Emirates “Old” First Class Review

FLIGHT REVIEW SUMMARY
Route Dubai (DXB) to Beijing (PEK)
Aircraft Boeing 777
Cabin Emirates First Class "Old" Product
Flight duration ~8 hours
Points cost 118,000 Emirates Skywards + $450 USD
Cash cost $6,000+ USD
Champagne Dom Pérignon
Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Do not pass this up because it is the old product

How Much Does Emirates First Class Cost

On this flight from Dubai To Beijing, I spent 118,000 Emirates Skywards + $450 dollars. Yes, that it quite a lot, but this was a bucket list experience for me to try. 

The cash ticket alone for this Emirates First Class flight is well over $6,000. This is the flight you have seen in countless Instagram reels.

Emirates First Class Products

This particular product catches flak because it is the “Old” First Class on the Boeing 777. 

There is another First Class that is still older, BUT it is on the Airbus A380. Which means there is an ON BOARD shower and lounge…which is incredible.

And there is the NEW Emirates First Class “Gamechanger” that everybody wants instead of what I did.

I’ve been lucky enough to try numerous First Class products, but Emirates was a special one that I craved to try. The marketing, the products, the uniforms, the stories….I just HAD to try it.

The Lounge At Dubai Airport

There are a few lounges to chose from at DXB, so I went to both. They were very good with countless options, good food, and incredible service.

Definitely felt a tad outdated in comparison to Qatar’s Al Safwa Lounge that I reviewed, but still fantastic.

Considering I had a migraine, the shower was excellent, and the smoothie was so good. So I was extremely happy and fortunate to be there.

An Emirates Airbus a380

Emirates First Class Boeing 777 Suite

The old product is still absolutely insane. I was led into this massive suite and was quickly introduced to my attendant who would be taking care of me (still in love with her). 

As soon as my bags were secure under the TV, I was informed I was the only one in Emirates First Class that day. That means for 8 hours, I basically saw nobody else besides my attendant. It was a private flight.

Quickly, I had Dom Perignon, arabic coffee, dates, bags of candy, etc. It was a bright and sunny afternoon taking off from Dubai as I watched CNN. This flight was on pace to be fantastic.

We discussed that I was going to go to bed quickly since I was at DXB for far too long. Which means lunch first, then nap. 

the cabin inside of Emirates "old" first class. Very cool

Emirates First Class Food & Drink

I was brought out possibly the largest caviar serving in the history of the world as I drink the entire Dom P bottle. It was an unrivaled moment, and something that you can hopefully feel soon.

Next came a tremendous beef dish as I watched Harry Potter. She just kept bringing me more food and treats. We could’ve done that forever, but I had to sleep in order to be alive in China.

Eating Caviar on board Emirates "old" First Class

The bed was made for me in another seat, because in Emirates First Class, you do not sleep where you eat. I closed the door and had some of the best sleep of all time in that little cube.I didn’t want to miss this entire experience of course, so my new friend woke me up at the time we agreed on.

She quickly arranged my other living room and set up some new drinks and snacks I can indulge in. Oh ya, I forgot to mention the Emirates pajamas were a game changer. Very comfortable. 

We chatted about how naturally, she wanted to live where I lived, and I wanted to live where she lived. A very classic life scenario.

I watched some more nonsense on TV and just relaxed as we eventually arrived into Beijing. You really couldn’t ask for anything more. 

As a big fan of many “top” airlines, it’s sad to see many people try to be niche and say Emirates is number 12 or something insane in the rankings. I’m not saying it’s my number 1, but everybody should know where they stand, especially in First Class.

Moral of this story, DO NOT pass up on Emirates First Class because it’s the OLD product. That’s an irrelevant complaint. You will get an incredible experience.

I’m someone who “feels bad” asking for things from flight attendants, but she made it very clear that she truly enjoys helping and to not feel bad. It was truly constant and amazing service, only shared with very few airlines I have experienced.  

Emirates First Class Vs Business Class

Now Emirates Business Class was the first ever “non-economy” I tried, and my first ever experience leaving my own country. AKA it was a very special experience. 

That being said, Emirates First Class is significantly better, and the price reflects that. Some of the business class products have a middle seat…which nobody wants. Sure, it has a very comfortable bed in the sky which is light years better than economy…but we are being picky here. Of course it’s a luxury to experience any airlines business class.

On the a380, there is a bar and lounge you can access. It was one of the coolest aviation experiences ever (one day I hope to do the shower). 

Quite frankly, Emirates Business Class is very expensive to redeem, so in my opinion, definitely try and go for First Class if you have the amount of points. It’s a crazy time. Along with my ANA First Class Review, I was the only person in the section…so it’s essentially your own private Boeing 777.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Emirates old First Class worth it? +
Absolutely. The old Emirates First Class product on the Boeing 777 gets an unfair reputation online. The suite, the service, the Dom Pérignon, the caviar, the pajamas, and the bed are all exceptional. Anyone telling you to skip it because it is not the new Gamechanger product is wrong. Book it if you can find the points availability.
What is the difference between Emirates old and new First Class? +
The new Emirates First Class "Gamechanger" product features wider suites, a more modern design, a virtual window on windowless middle suites, and updated interiors. The old product on the Boeing 777 is a more traditional enclosed suite. Both offer full lie flat beds, Dom Pérignon, caviar, and the same exceptional service. The experience gap is smaller than the internet makes it seem.
How much does Emirates First Class cost with points? +
On Emirates Skywards the cost varies by route and zone. The Dubai to Beijing route cost 118,000 Skywards miles plus $450 USD in fees. You can transfer points to Emirates Skywards from American Express Membership Rewards and other transfer partners to top up your balance.
What do you get in Emirates First Class Boeing 777? +
Emirates First Class on the Boeing 777 includes a fully enclosed private suite with a sliding door, a lie flat bed in a separate seat, a large personal screen, Dom Pérignon champagne, caviar service, full dining with dine on demand, Emirates pajamas, a premium amenity kit, and dedicated one on one cabin crew service.
What champagne is served in Emirates First Class? +
Emirates First Class serves Dom Pérignon champagne. It is available from boarding and throughout the flight on demand. It is one of the most talked about aspects of the Emirates First Class experience and lives up to the reputation.
Is Emirates First Class better than Business Class? +
Yes - significantly. Emirates First Class is a fully private enclosed suite compared to Business Class which is an open pod. The service in First Class is one on one with a dedicated attendant. The food and drink are also in a completely different league with caviar and Dom Pérignon versus a standard Business Class menu.