One Of The Best First Class Seats Returns To The UK!

At the start of the pandemic, Emirates pulled what is perhaps it’s most bizarre pairing of product and route, it’s new First Class seat from London Stansted to Dubai. Whilst Emirates’ flies a first class product on the A380 from Gatwick & Heathrow it’s new First Class seat only flies on the London Stansted – Dubai route. This route is serviced by Boeing 777-300ER which features its stunning new First Class product, which is currently one of the best first class seats in service.

What’s is Emirates’ New First Class Seat actually like?

Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER First Class features a 1-1-1 layout, with just six suites in total. Each seat is like a mini hotel room with floor to ceiling walls/door. Each suite has windows (including the middle suite where the windows are TVs with the outside live streamed to them!) Inside the suite you’ll find a leather relcining seat which features a 69″ pitch and is 20.5″ wide. In the suite itself you will find a 32″ TV, iPad sized console, wardrobe & fridge with snacks/drinks.

Unfortutaely the 777 fleet does not have an on-board bar or a shower, you’d need to book a route flown by the A380 if you want those.

You can read more about the First Class seat (including food + drink offerings) on Emirates’ website here – https://www.emirates.com/english/experience/cabin-features/first-class/b777/. If you are booking with points unfortunately you aren’t entitled to the Chauffeur drive. If you still want the experience of being Chauffeur driven you can always book with a company like Wheely.

When can I fly one of the Best First Class Seats?

The route is restarting on the 1st August with a five-weekly service, with a daily service returning from the 1st of September.

How much does it cost?

A one-way flight in First Class from Dubai – Stansted would cost you 85,000 Emirates Skywards miles plus around £250 of taxes. You can transfer American Express Membership Reward points into Emirates Skywards at a rate of 1:1. Transfer are usually instant if your account is already linked, otherwise it may take a few hours.

85,000 Membership Reward Points/Emirates Skywards miles is a fantastic way to experience Emirates’ new First Class seat. As the outbound is overnight with Emirates you may wish to save your points for the return and book business/with another Airlines for the outbound and book First Class for the return leg. If you are looking at collecting Membership Reward points you can view the cards Amex offers here – https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/credit-cards/all-cards/. You can also get a referral & bonus points for applying through one here – https://pointsuncovered.com/amex-referral-link-uk/. Currently the Gold Card (FREE for the 1st) has a 32,000 Membership Reward bonus when referred and spending £3,000 in 3 months. You can read if you’re eligible for a sign-up bonus here – https://pointsuncovered.com/american-express/amex-changes-sign-up-bonus-eligibility/

It’s very difficult to get more than one seat…

If you are planning on sharing the experience I’m afraid you are out of luck! It is very difficult, if not nearly impossible to get more than one reward seat. Closer to departure you may find more availability opens up but you are better off doing this as a solo trip or putting your partner in Business Class. With the outbound, an overnight flight from Stansted perhaps slum it in Business with your partner in First and then take the return in First as it’s a day flight. This way you can fully enjoy the product and everything it has to offer and have a happy partner too!

Conclusion

Whilst there is currently no reward availability it may be worth checking closer to departure as previously that’s when Emirates added availability. Are you tempted to use your points to fly Emirates’ First Class?