theLuxuryTravelExpert

On October 6th 2018, I flew in an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER featuring the carrier’s newest Business Class product from Brussels (BRU) to Dubai (DXB). Flying the Boeing 777-300ER is a different experience as compared to the Airbus A380, since Emirates has installed a different Business Class product & seat on both aircraft types. While Emirates’ Boeing 777 offers a highly enjoyable and luxurious onboard experience, its Business Class product with a 2-3-2 layout is somewhat inferior to the one offered on the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet, with the latter featuring direct aisle access for all passengers and a well-appointed bar on the upper deck.

I made a Youtube clip about the onboard experience, which you can watch here:


1. LOUNGE AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT

Although Emirates operates some of the best lounges around the world, unfortunately, it doesn’t have its own lounge at Brussels Airport. Its Business & First Class passengers get access though to the Brussels Airlines lounge in Terminal B, called ‘The Suite’. The Suite is basically a spacious rectangular room, with floor-to-ceiling-windows on one side that offer nice views of the airport apron. The space is composed of different areas, including a working area, a quiet zone, and a reading corner. A modest buffet is on display in a separate room, next to the main lounge. It offers a variety of snacks depending on the time of the day. I visited the lounge during lunchtime, and the snacks comprised olives, cheese, several salads, soup, and a hot dish (meat balls with tomato sauce and rice). Belgian beer (including Leffe and Stella Artois) is also available at the buffet area. While the lounge is decent, it does not come close to the quality of lounges that Emirates operates at select airports across the globe. I can only hope that one day the Dubai based carrier will open its own lounge at Brussels Airport.

2. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

Business Class on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER is located between First and Economy Class and spread over 2 cabins. 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. The two Business Class cabins are separated by a galley kitchen, the lavatories and the main exit doors. The layout of Emirates’ new B777-300ER Business Class cabin is identical to the carrier’s old Business Class product. The seats are still arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, which implies that not everyone has direct aisle access: passengers in the center and window seats will have to scramble over their neighbor’s legs to reach the aisle. Nevertheless, this ‘traditional’ layout is quite good if you are traveling with a group of friends or family. In comparison: Emirates’ A380 aircraft feature a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, which is much better for solo travelers; also, the carrier is currently in the process of refurbishing its B777-200LR aircraft (used for its longest B777 routes) with a 2-2-2 layout (instead of 2-3-2 across).

Except for some product upgrades (e.g. a diamond stitch pattern on the full leather cover, similar to a Mercedez-Benz sports car), the B777 Business Class cabin still retains Emirates’ signature airplane decor with classy burled walnut veneer, gold trim and pearlised plastic framing the seats (some may find it kitsch though).

3. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

I had selected seat 10A for the 6 hour flight from Brussels to Dubai.

The new B777 Business Class seat is almost identical to the old B777 Business Class seat: it has a width of 20.5 inch (52 cm) and also features touchscreen controls (one tablet and one handset) for the seat and inflight entertainment system, privacy panels between seats (so you can turn your seat into a little self-contained pod when not traveling with a partner), and a shoe stowage area. However, there are 6 major differences which makes this product a welcome upgrade as compared to the old B777 seats:

• The seats are fully flat beds (and not angled flat beds).
• Each seat comes with an ottoman or footrest, covered in soft white leather.
• The seat has a more sleek look and also feels more comfortable.
• There’s a personal mini-bar in the arm rest (similar to what you find on Emirates’ A380s). The bar is on room temperature though (it’s not cooled) and only contains non-alcoholic drinks (e.g. Pepsi, Seven Up, fruit juice, and Perrier).
• The new seat has a pitch of 72 inches or 183 cm (compared to 60 inch or 150 cm of the old seat), making it more comfortable to get in and out of the seat when you are not seated next to the aisle.
• The new seat features the industry’s largest personal in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens at 23 inches wide, which is considerably larger than the TVs of the old seats. In addition, there’s a small storage compartment located below the screen, that contains a bottle of water and a bag with socks & eyeshades upon boarding (but that can easily be used to stow away small personal items during the flight).

What are the best Business Class seats on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER? Click here for a seat map.

• Seats in row 6: at the front of the small Business Class 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 there's a chance you will be moved for a passenger with an infant.

What are the worst Business Class seats on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER? Click here for a seat map.

• Seats 7A & 7K: these window seats are missing a window, so if you lean back you’re just looking at a wall.
• Seats in 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. In addition, these seats also lack a window.
• Middle seats (designated by the letter ‘E’ on the seat map): these seats are flanked by other seats on both sides, so avoid them if flying alone, and if traveling with a partner aim for the window pairs (A&B or J&K) instead.

4. AMENITIES

The following amenities were offered during the 6 hour flight from Brussels to Dubai:

• A thin but comfortable blanket
• A decently sized pillow
• A duvet (provided by the crew during the flight to enhance the sleeping comfort)
• Emirates-branded noise cancelling headphones (you cannot keep these as they can only be powered within an aircraft)
• Flight socks and earplugs

Unfortunately, no amenity kits nor pajamas are offered by Emirates on medium-haul flights. The carrier has phenomenal Business Class amenity kits but only provides them on longhaul flights of more than 8 hours. On a positive note, the lavatories are stocked with toiletries and Bvlgari perfumes (so it’s always possible to refresh a little).

5. FOOD & BEVERAGES

One meal was offered shortly after takeoff. The menu read as follows:

• Appetisers: choice of
  • Roasted tomato soup with herb ravioli
  • Poached prawns with seared scallop and smoky aubergine dip
  • Bresaola served with creamy mustard sauce, green bean salad and parmesan
• A seasonal side salad and freshly baked bread
• Main course: choice of
  • Slow-braised beef brisket served with braising juices, snow peas and mashed potatoes with carrots and onions
  • Roasted duck with balsamic honey glaze, served with spätzle and sautéed Mediterranean vegetables
  • Pan-fried cod with saffron sauce, caramelised fennel, herbed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
• Dessert: choice of
  • Tapioca citrus crémeux served with raspberry compote
  • Chocolate and hazelnut tart served with caramel sauce seasonal fruit
  • An assortment of fresh-cut fruit
• Cheese board, with Garcia Manchego (hard, textured Spanish ewe’s milk cheese, matured for six months), Cantal Jeune PDO (young, semi-soft French cheese) and Colston Bassett Stilton (classic creamy English stilton)
• Fine luxury chocolates

Food was decent and definitely above average for a Business Class product. While I found my starter (prawns) rather uninspiring, my main dish (beef) tasted excellent. The tapioca citrus crémeux served with raspberry compote was an interesting but flavorful dessert.

About ninety minutes before landing, all Business Class passengers were served an ice cream. Personally, I would have loved the addition of another pre-arrival light meal service (especially because mid-flight snacks were not offered on the menu).