FlyerTalk Forums - Trip report: Emirates Boeing 777-300ER Business Class from DXB to BRU

This is my 5th flight review on Flyertalk!

On November 11th 2014, I flew Business Class in a Boeing 777-300ER of Emirates from Dubai (DXB) to Brussels (BRU). Flying the Boeing 777-300ER was a totally different experience as compared to the Airbus A380, since Emirates does not display the same Business Class product on both aircraft types (you can read at review of my A380 flight here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...s-dxb-syd.html). While the Boeing 777 still offered a pleasant onboard experience, its Business Class is somewhat inferior to the one of the Airbus A380 fleet, with the latter featuring full flat-bed seats, space, and a well-appointed bar on the upper deck.

- I took a lot of photos during the flight. You can find them here: http://theluxurytravelexpert.com/201...usiness-class/
- I also made a youtube clip of my flight experience. Hope you like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9cfYb7iixs

* Trip: DXB-BRU
* Airline: Emirates
* Aircraft type: Boeing 777-300ER
* Aircraft ID: A6-ECT
* Flight Number: EK183
* On time departure: yes (07.05 am)
* On time arrival: yes (12.05 pm)
* Miles: 3202
* Flight time: 7 hours
* Seat: 9K
* Class: business (D)

1. EMIRATES BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGE AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Although conservative and functional in design, the airline’s lounge at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 is vast and impressive, overlooking the main concourse and its shops. It’s so huge that you will never have a problem finding a quiet spot to relax. A tasty breakfast available from various (warm & cold) buffet stations, as is Moët & Chandon Champagne. The shower rooms are a real treat if you want to refresh while waiting for a connecting flight. Treatments can also be booked at the lounge’s Timeless Spa. An office space caters to those working as they travel. Evidently, free high-speed WiFi is available. The lounge gives direct access to most gates.

2. THE BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

Not surprisingly, Business Class on the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER is located in the front of the plane, between First and Economy Class. A first Business Class mini-cabin contains 2 rows of 14 seats and feels quite intimate, while a second and larger cabin contains 28 Business Class seats spread over 4 rows. In between the 2 cabins is a galley kitchen, the Business Class lavatories and the main exit doors.

The 2-3-2 layout in Business Class means not all passengers have aisle access, and that those in seats A, E and K will have to scramble over their neighbour’s legs. Nevertheless, this “traditional” layout is quite good if you are traveling with a group of friends or family (in comparison: the A380 with its staggered 1-2-1 configuration seems to be designed more for the solo traveler).

The cabin offers a warm feeling, with a lot of classy burled walnut veneer, gold trim and pearlised plastic that frames the seats (some may find it kitsch though). The mood lighting during the flight was very enjoyable: the colors of the ceiling changed with the local time. Quite impressive are the stars on the ceiling. Called StarLight, this amazing feature is unique to Emirates and it is pretty amazing laying flat on a bed at 35,000 feet, opening your eyes and seeing stars.

3. THE BUSINESS CLASS SEAT

All Business Class seats on the 777 are identical with a width of 20.5 inch (52 cm) and a pitch of 60 inch (150 cm). There is plenty of storage space in the overhead bulkheads but storage space around the seat is rather sparse (just a small box in front of the seat to store your shoes). All seats come with in-seat power supply (so you can use your laptop for the duration of the long-haul flight). Each window Business Class seat has 3 windows that come with 2 electronically controlled shades: one paper-type shade and then a black-out shade. When not travelling with a partner, a privacy divider can turn your seat into a little self-contained pod. All seats can be reclined into a flat-bed: while it was not a full lie flat-bed but an angled lie flat-bed, it was very comfortable. A duvet was provided by the crew to enhance the sleeping comfort for those who were in need of that.

What are the best Business Class seats on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER?
- Seats in row 6: at the front of the small first cabin, these bulkhead seats immediately behind first class have a little extra legroom for manoeuvring (and hopping over the aisle passenger if in a window or middle seat). In addition, the smaller cabin is quieter and further away from the noise and bustle of Economy Class.
- Seats in row 8: at the front of the larger second cabin, these bulkheads again have a little more legroom. But they are also bassinet crib seats, so business travelers are slightly more likely to be moved for a passenger with an infant.

What are the worst Business Class seats on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER?
- Seats 7A & 7K: these window seats are missing a window, so if you lean back you’re just looking at a wall.
- Row 11: all the way at the back of Business Class and separated from Economy by only a thin wall and curtain, these are right in front of the Economy Class bassinet crib spots.
- E seats: avoid these middle seats if flying alone, and if flying with a partner aim for the window pairs (A&B or J&K) instead.

4. AMENITIES

Each seat comes with a thin but comfortable blanket, a decently sized pillow, a lovely duvet (provided by the crew during the flight), a noise cancelling headphone, flight socks and earplugs. Unfortunately, no amenity kits (like was the case duing my A380 flight) nor pyjamas (like on Qatar Airways) were offered.

5. MEALS

Upon boarding, I was offered the choice between a glass of water, orange juice or Veuve Cliquot. Before take-off, I also received a refreshing hot towel with a nice texture. Amazingly, hot towels were also served on 4 (!!) other occasions during the flight … felt so good.

Forty minutes after take-off, a light breakfast was offered: mango juice, a palette of fresh fruits, fruit-flavoured yoghurt, butter croissant and a pastry.

Two hours before landing in Brussels, lunch was served. As an appetizer, I choose the seared tuna, accompanied by marinated asparagus and caper vinaigrette sauce. It tasted excellent. Instead of the salad, I requested the lentil soup served with crisp toasted Arabic bread croutons. Unfortunately, the soup was cold. The main course was very good: lamb cutlets, marinated and fried, served with herb butter roll, assorted vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. As a dessert, I choose the mascarpone mousse served with mango compote and garnished with fresh berries: excellent!

6. ENTERTAINMENT

Emirates entertainment system, called ICE (information, communications, entertainment) is amazing albeit a bit overwhelming when you are using it the first time. You have three options on how to control the system: touching the screen (problematic given the seat pitch), using a small wired remote, and/or using a touch-screen monitor that is about the size of a small tablet (and also has the seat controls).

ICE has an extensive range of new-release and classic films, television shows, box sets and audio options to choose from. You can choose from up to 1,800 channels of the latest and greatest movies and must-see TV shows, on demand and in multiple languages. You can also relax to music from around the world or play our range of fun games.

My favorite feature are the outside cameras you can access on your screen. The Emirates 777 has one facing forward and once facing straight down (no tail camera like on the A380). When not in a window seat, it can be handy watching the aircraft take off via the cameras.

7. OTHER INFLIGHT & GROUND EXPERIENCES

#CREW: this was the best and most friendly crew that I ever encountered during all my years of flying around the globe: they addressed me by name at every single occasion during the flight, presented themselves individually before take-off, thanked me in person for choosing Emirates, explained the features of the cabin and seat to all passengers individually. They were doing all they could to make the flight as enjoyable as possible. Emirates: if you read this, kudos to them!

#LAVATORY: the 2 small lavatories for Business Class passengers are located between the 2 Business Class cabins. All lavatories were kept very clean during the flight.

#INTERNET: WiFi was not available during this flight.

#VIEWS: normally, the flight path from Brussels to Dubai goes straight over Syria and Iraq, but the plane detoured around the current ISIS conflict area by flying over eastern Iran, which offered some of the most breathtaking scenery that I ever witnessed from 35000 feet.

#CHAUFFEUR SERVICE: one of the great things about flying Business (or First) class with Emirates is the complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfers. Chauffeur-drive must be requested online, up to 48 hours prior to your flight. It is always great having someone greeting you with your name on a sign that escorts you right to your front door in a Town Car.

8. MY VERDICT

- Seat : 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Inflight entertainment : 10/10
- Amenity kit: NA
- Service: 10/10
- Cabin atmosphere: 8/10
- Overall experience: very good: 8/10