Airline Profile: Emirates
The Facts:
| Founded | 1985 |
| Alliance | None |
| Hubs | Dubai International Airport Dubai World Central Airport (Future) |
| Headquarters | Dubai |
| Fleet Count | Around 269 |
| Skytrax Rating | 4 (out of 5) |
| Type of Airline | Full Service Carrier |
| Parent Company | The Emirates Group |
| Travel Classes | Economy Class Business Class First Class |
| Frequent Flyer Program | Emirates Skywards |
| Website | emirates.com |
| Competitors | Qatar Airways Etihad Airways |
Analysis:
5 Things To Know About Emirates
- Fleet: It is now secret that Emirates has a fairly unique business model, which, through its massive hub in Dubai, allows it to have extremely large-scale hub-and-spoke operations. To do so successfully, Emirates relies its scale of operations, which requires high-scale frequencies on large jets. Consequently, Emirates is the largest operator of two of the largest aircraft: the Airbus A380 and the 777. In fact, Emirates (currently) only operates those two aircraft types, with almost 115 A380s in its fleet (with a few more on order, though they are starting to retire their oldest ones) though it operates two different variants of the 777 (about 130 777-300ERs and 10 777-200LRs). Emirates used to have a much more diverse fleet, operating A330-200s, A340-300s, A340-500s, 777-200s, 777-200ERs, and 777-300s (non-ERs) all within the last four years, showing their success in fleet standardization. However, Emirates does have three further aircraft types on order: the 777-9X (115 of which are on order, though it’s possible that some will be cancelled), 50 A350-900s, and 30 787-9s. Long-term, the 777Xs will likely replace their fuel inefficient A380s (which will likely become more obsolete post-COVID) and older 777-300ERs, while their 787s and A350s will also likely replace some 777s and operate on long and thin routes, such as Dubai to Orlando.
- Route Network: Emirates takes the hub-and-spoke business model to the extreme, with it operating only one major hub in Dubai, which serves mainly as a connecting point between numerous points on earth (due to its convenient location between the east and west) and as a gateway to the quite popular destination of Dubai. Emirates has been able to use Dubai’s location to build cup a hub in which it routes people traveling between thousands of possible city pairs through Dubai and on to their final destination. They have also built up a scale pretty much unparalleled, through operating only A380s and 777s on all routes with numerous frequencies to most destinations which has led to lower prices and, for the most part, convenient schedules. For example, during normal times, Emirates would operate over ten flights between Dubai and London (over multiple airports), in which it would operate (being a very rough estimate) about 5,000 seats on that one route, illustrating the capacity which it operates at and bases its network around.
- US Routes: Emirates operates an extensive route network to the US, operating to 12 destinations, which I believe is the most out of any non-North American or European airline. Those include (during normal times) Boston (A380), Chicago (A380), Dallas (777-300ER), Fort Lauderdale (777-200LR), Houston (A380), Los Angeles (A380), New York JFK (A380), Newark (777-300ER), Orlando (777-300ER), San Francisco (A380), Seattle (777-300ER), and Washington DC (A380). Of course, most of those routes have been temporarily cut and have the aircraft types have been downgraded. All of those destinations are served nonstop from Dubai, though Emirates also does operate fifth freedom routes between New York JFK and Milan (A380), as well as between Newark and Athens (777-300ER), both of which (when operating) would continue on to Dubai. In addition, to North America, normally, Emirates would also operate nonstop flights between Dubai and Toronto, as well as a one-stop flight from Dubai to Mexico City via Barcelona, with seats being additionally sold on both individual segments.
- Lounges: Emirates operates both First and Business Class Lounges, which all first class passengers can access, while Business Class Lounges are accessible by most business class passengers and select elites. Emirates operates lounges at many airports worldwide, while its flagship lounges are at its hub at Dubai Airport. Emirates operates seven lounges at Dubai International Airport (all in Terminal 3), though its main lounges are in concourses A and B. At both concourses, both the first and business class lounges stretch the length of the entire concourse, making them among the largest airport lounges in the entire world. Additionally, at I believe all gates (which have an actual jetway) at concourses A and B, passengers can board the aircraft directly from both the first and business class lounges, which is an extremely convenient feature. However, since the lounges are so big and stretch the length of the concourse, they have been described as being too big and not feeling intimate as many other airport lounges. Both Emirates’ first and business class lounges are quite similar to each other, with two main differences being a sit-down restaurant at the first class lounge and complimentary spa access.
- FlyDubai: For years, FlyDubai, Dubai’s second largest airline, had been completely separate from Emirates, despite both airlines being owned by the government. FlyDubai is quite a different airline from Emirates, only operating Boeing 737s on regional routes, in contrast to Emirates, which only operates wide-bodies and largely flies long-haul. However, since 2017, Emirates and FlyDubai have started codesharing, giving Emirates passengers access to FlyDubai’s extensive regional network to destinations which Emirates doesn’t serve, such as Krakow or Salalah. Both airlines also now have reciprocal mileage and status benefits. Unfortunately, most FlyDubai flights operate out of Terminal 2 at Dubai Airport, located on the north side of the airport, making it quite a haul from Emirates’ Terminal 3, though there is a bus service between the two terminals and FlyDubai does operate some flights out of Terminal 3.
Travel Classes:
Economy:
Economy class on Emirates is in a 3-4-3 configuration on all Boeing 777-300ERs and A380s (lower deck), while it’s in a 2-4-2 configuration on the upper deck of Emirates’ high density A380s, those not equipped with first class. Multiple seat types are available on both aircraft with the main difference being IFE screen quality, though seat pitch is pretty consistent at about 32-33 inches (a bit more than on US airlines). In economy class, power outlets and USB ports are available on all of Emirates’ A380s, as well as on the majority of their Boeing 777s. Emirates’ in-flight entertainment system, known as ICE, is known to be among, possibly the best IFE in the entire world, having (or at least marketed as having) over 4,500 entertainment channels. WiFi for purchase is available on all of Emirates’ A380s and 777s. Passengers traveling in economy class also receive basic amenity kits, something not often found in economy class, including a toothbrush and toothpaste, eye shade, socks, and ear plugs. Additionally, warm meals are available complimentary on all flights.
In terms of baggage allowance, on all flights besides those to Africa and North America, passengers are allocated baggage by total weight and fare type, with Special economy class fare tickets being allocated 20kg of checked baggage, Saver economy class fare tickets being allocated 25kg of checked baggage, Flex economy class fare tickets being allocated 30kg of checked baggage, and Flex Plus economy class fare tickets being allocated 35kg of checked baggage. Additionally, on flights to North America, passengers in economy class are allocated one 23kg checked bag (Special fares), or two 23kg checked bags (Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus fares).
Business:
While flying Emirates business class, Emirates offers a chauffeur service to and from the airport at most destinations, a feature not available on many airlines for business class. In terms of amenities, Emirates offers mattress pads on long-haul flights (though not on short-medium-haul routes), along with the usual pillows, blankets, etc. Full hot meals are also available on all flights, though with an increase in flight length, more courses are generally offered. In terms of baggage allowance, on all flights except those to North America, passengers are allocated up to 40kg of baggage, though each individual bag must not weigh more than 32kg. On flights to the US and Africa, passengers are allowed to check two 32kg bags. Passengers additionally have access to Emirates Business Class lounges, in addition to partner lounges at select airports.
Emirates offers three main business class products, of which there are multiple sub-variants which have been installed over the years:
- B/E Aerospace Minipod: Of the countless airlines which offer the B/E Aerospace Minipod, Emirates by fare offers the most “glamorous” or “flashy” version, with faux wood finishings. Available on the vast majority of Emirates 777-300ERs, these seats are in a 2-3-2 configuration, hardly cutting edge, and aren’t even fully lie-flat, though they are among the closest to fully flat among angled seats. However, the seats do have quite a lot of privacy, for a seat without all aisle access, and they do also have tablets to control the IFE, like in all of Emirates’ premium cabins. Unfortunately, Emirates uses their 777-300ERs on some of their longest routes, such as Dubai to Seattle, which are equipped with these seats, though they are also used on the majority of short-haul routes, in which they are more than sufficient. Still, it’s kind of impressive that this is Emirates’ worst business class seat that they offer, though, if you have a choice, I would recommend choosing Emirates’ A380 business class, or at least their newer 777 business class.
- New 777-300ER Business Class: Emirates’ newest business class is actually not its best; Emirates (relatively) recently in 2016 introduced a new business class product which would be featured on its newest 777-300ERs, in favor of the Minipod, which isn’t fully flat. The new product onboard their 777-300ERs is in a 2-3-2 configuration (like the old product), though the seats are indeed fully flat. I personally was a bit confused as to why they didn’t introduce a product at least to the standard of their A380 business class product, which they had introduced almost a decade before, as most airlines’ latest business class seats do have all aisle access. While the seats don’t have all aisle access, they do have lots of bells and whistles, such as a tablet, a private minibar, a huge privacy divider, and extremely large 23 inch entertainment screens. These seats are available on all Boeing 777-300ERs which have their new first class, along with some other Boeing 777-300ERs, including (I believe) all delivered post-2016.
- New 777-200LR Business Class: In 2018, Emirates started retrofitting their 777-200LRs, their longest range aircraft (I believe they usually would fly to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando), with new cabin products in which they would entirely eliminate first class and introduce new products in economy and business. The seats they used are actually the same as on their new 777-300ERs, though the seats are in a 2-2 configuration, eliminating the middle seat in the center section. I found this rather odd, since the same seats are in a denser configuration on their -300ERs, so one would think they would install the seats with the same capacity on a different variant of the same plane. I’m not complaining though–2-2-2 is better than 2-3-2!
- A380 Business Class/Safran Skylounge: Emirates features a consistent business class product on all of their A380s, in which they use the Safran Skylounge seat, the same seats as on ANA’s 787s (though they–ANA–are retrofitting them off of their 777s!). The seats are staggered and are in a 1-2-1 configuration, making them actually pretty standard (though it’s still and excellent product) among airlines. However, the seats, to Emirates standard, do also have lots of accessories, such as a minibar and tablet. Please note, however, that there have been numerous different versions of this seat installed onboard their A380s, though the only major changes have been to the seats’ finishings and the IFE. Perhaps the most interesting feature of Emirates’ A380 business class is its access to the onboard bar/lounge at the rear of the cabin, also accessible by first class passengers. The onboard lounge at the rear of the upper deck is perhaps the most iconic feature of the Emirates A380, of which there are actually two versions, the newer of which also has sit-down tables. Emirates also will be installing this same business class product onboard their 777Xs, albeit without the onboard lounge.
First:
Emirates’ first class product is available on the majority of its A380s and 777-300ERs, while it is not available on their 777-200LRs. It is known to be among the world’s best first class products, with top-class amenities such as a chauffeur service (like in business), world-class dining, complimentary pjs, and Bulgari amenity kits. Passengers also have access to Emirates First Class Lounges, in whcih you can board the plane via the lounge at Dubai Airport’s Concourses A and B. In terms of baggage allowance, on all flights except those to North America, passengers are allocated up to 50kg of baggage, though each individual bag must not weigh more than 32kg. On flights to the US and Africa, passengers are allowed to check two 32kg bags.
Emirates has two different first class seats, both of which are among the best in the world:
- Original First Class Suite: Back in 2003, Emirates shook the world and introduced what back then was almost undoubtedly the world’s best first class product onboard their A340-500s, which became its flagship aircraft until the A380 was introduced. The suites have had their fair share of changes since them, with updated entertainment screens and slightly different aesthetics, though they have stayed more or less the same since. Today, their original suites are available onboard all of their three class A380s and onboard all three class 777-300ERs which have eight first class suites (their newer 777s have only six). The suites aren’t the biggest in they sky anymore–Emirates manages to fit 14 suites on their A380s in the same space where Singapore Airlines manages to fit only 6–though they do have fully closing doors and are known for their over-the-top (and by now somewhat iconic) aesthetics, with faux wood and gold colored finishings. Suites are also equipped with a (larger) personal minibar, a tablet to control the seat and IFE, and even a personal snack basket. Onboard the A380, passengers have access to two distinct features not available on the 777: the onboard bar behind business class, and the iconic onboard shower suite, making Emirates one of two airlines (the other being Etihad) to offer onboard showers to first class passengers.
- New 777 First Class: In 2017, Emirates debuted their new 777 first class in 2017, which is debatably the world’s best first class seat. Only available on 777-300ERs as of now (those which only have six first class seats), the seats are in a 1-1-1 configuration and are the first airplane seats to have closing doors going the entire length from floor to ceiling, giving the seat an enormous amount of personal space and full privacy. The seats (quite obviously) go fully flat, and have tons of cool features (some of which not available on any other airline), such as a (larger) personal tablet, a vanity kit and mirror, a curtain to separate the seat from the windows, a minibar and snack basket, a storage compartment closet enough to fit any carry-on, a coat closet, a personal seat thermostat control, a video conferencing feature (to talk to FAs), and perhaps the coolest feature of them all: virtual windows for middle seats. So while the seat doesn’t have a separate seat and bed, like Etihad and Singapore Airlines do on their A380s, there are plenty of other features that make up for that, making it perhaps the world’s best first class seat. Unfortunately, the new seat is only available on a few 777-300ERs, though Emirates does plan to install them on their 777Xs, along with retrofitting them on some A380s (though I have my personal doubts about that, the way things have been shifting lately).
Further Reading:
- Review: Emirates 777-300ER New Business Class From Hamburg to Dubai
- Airline Profile: Qatar Airways
- Airline Profile: Etihad Airways
Have you ever flown on Emirates? Share about your experience below!
