Emirates at No 2 for luxury first class globally

Emirates has emerged as the world number two in the latest luxury list that grades First Class travel across global airlines.

Being the only Middle East carrier to make it to the ‘Richest’ list, the Dubai-based airline has previously won awards for its private suites that offer the ultimate in luxury travel, with the superjumbo A380 also serving up a hot shower on its double-decker Airbus for a quick freshen up before landing.

Life doesn’t get better than this, as Emirates 24|7 counts down the ‘Richest’ top five first class air travel vehicles that one must cut a ticket for at least once in the lifetime.

1. Cathay Pacific

Bagging the top spot was the Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, which narrowly made it to the number one position, as per Richest’s own survey, the Asian carrier is a class apart in luxury travel.

Giving its first class cabins a refresh last year, Cathay collaborated with Foster + Partners, the London-based architects, to design the updated suites.

The result is plush glossy leather that allows you to sink into opulent luxury, with your personal suite complete with closets and bigger compartments to store your knickknacks, along with an adjustable dining table to provide more comfort while reclining and eating.

The in-flight entertainment also got an overhaul with a LCD touchscreen controller to handle the seat adjustments and your light, with Bose headphones to allow a crisper sound to your viewing high above.

Naturally, when its time to snooze, an enhanced bedding, PJs and toiletries by Australian brand Aesop are the tall order.

2. Emirates

If privacy is what you crave on a long-haul flight than it can’t get better that the First Class Private Suites on Emirates.

Each suite comes fully equipped with a sliding door, a personal mini-bar, adjustable ambient lighting, and its own vanity table, mirror, wardrobe, and privacy divider for central suites.

And if you want to stretch out and sleep, the crew will convert your seat to a fully flat bed with a mattress, so you can arrive at your destination totally refreshed.

Also, if you are travelling aboard the A380, don’t forget to enjoy the full shower in the upper deck if you decide to freshen up before your descent.

Plus, if you are one of those connoisseurs who likes fine dining even up in the clouds, then do enjoy the Royal Doulton fine bone china with exclusive Robert Welch cutlery, alongside the finest grapes in the air with Emirates.

3. Air France

You can never doubt the French to get the luxury aspect right for services they offer.

With Air France and its La Première seats, it’s all about opulence, with the French carrier stating: ‘Combining aesthetics and privacy, the cabin comprises between four and nine gently curved seats in elegant hues. Benefit from an unparalleled world of comfort’.

What your get is personalised service in your recliner, comfortable lounge wear to slip into, a dust bag for your shoes, slippers, plus a travel kit consisting of a selection of Biologique Recherche facial and body care products to moisturise and refresh your skin.

Plus, an auto-massage function is the perfect bliss for sorting out thise mid-flight kinks before you land.
 
4. All Nippon Airways

The Japanese carrier has taken luxury and brought the class into its first class cabins with precision that only they can manage.

From the newly fitted ANA First Square aboard the 777-300ER, complete with 23-inch LCD screens to entertain you, international telephones, do not disturb sign, along with lounge wear, slippers and the right bedding to keep you tucked in, in a home up in the clouds.

As for its award-wining menu, full course meals are all prepared on the spot, and vary each time you fly.

5. British Airways

British Airways is on a high with its new and improved first class suites, which is literally a ticket to exceptional comfort and impeccable service in our most elegant surroundings.

What you get is your own private, spacious suite, a fully flat bed with mattress and duvet, delicious and indulgent dining, access to luxurious lounges and spa treatments and so much more.

Aside from a full flat bed and PJs to boot, you can also freshen up at any time with their range of premium skincare products including eye gel, lip balm and moisturiser which come in our signature Anya Hindmarch bag, exclusively designed for First.

Emirates brings the world’s largest passenger aircraft to Dallas/Fort Worth

Emirates, a global connector of people and places, today announced it will bring its iconic Airbus A380 to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), launching the first scheduled A380 service at the airport.

On October 1st 2014, the world’s largest passenger aircraft will touch down at DFW with a daily service between Dallas/Fort Worth, the world’s fourth busiest airport, and the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Dallas/Fort Worth will become the 28th international destination to which Emirates operates the aircraft, joining New York and Los Angeles which are already served by the A380.

“Emirates is committed to the people and places we serve, and we are bringing our flagship A380 to Dallas/Fort Worth by popular demand,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West.

“The DFW area is at the heart of business, being home to 18 Fortune 500 companies. It is also home to a diverse population and the largest urban arts district in the U.S, and is the established number one leisure destination in Texas. With the A380, we are not only bringing our flagship product to serve our leisure and business customers, but also demonstrating our commitment and confidence in the economic and tourism potential of the region.”

Emirates started flying to Dallas/Fort Worth in 2012 with a Boeing 777-200LR, the first passenger carrier to fly nonstop to the Middle East from DFW. The introduction of the 489-seat A380, powered by U.S.-made GE GP7200 engines, is a direct response to demand with over 370,000 Emirates’ passengers travelling between Dallas and Dubai to date.

“The arrival of the A380 is a testament to the strength of the travel market here at Dallas/Fort Worth and the growing stature of DFW International Airport as a pre-eminent global hub,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “As the first scheduled A380 at DFW, it will provide over 83% more capacity on the DFW to Dubai route, which is especially important for travellers heading to the Middle East, India and Africa. As a mid-continent hub, DFW has outstanding connectivity and is just four hours from every major city in the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“In 2012, not only did Emirates launch service to DFW, but Dallas started living by the mantra Big things happen here,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “The arrival of the Emirates’ Airbus A380 is truly a ‘big thing’ for the Dallas-Fort Worth area and reinforces the growth in our region as well as the value that a carrier like Emirates brings to trade and tourism.”

“The A380 is big, and so is DFW Airport. It’s fitting for Emirates to bring its Airbus A380 to North Texas as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of DFW Airport and recognize its $31.6 billion economic impact in our region,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “The new A380 service will allow us to create even more business connections from DFW to Dubai and beyond.”

DFW Airport is making its final preparations for the arrival of the Emirates A380 with the construction of a second level jet bridge in Terminal D and modifications to the airfield, ramps and taxiways. Terminal D opened in 2005 with A380 capabilities already built into its design, so the final additions to make DFW ready for the A380 are relatively minor.

The Emirates A380 is immensely popular with travellers all around the world. In the month of February, more than 800,000 people experienced a new way of flying when they boarded an Emirates A380.

Emirates passengers in all cabin classes can enjoy WiFi access on board, tune in to the industry-leading ice Digital Widescreen offering up to 1,600 channels of on-demand in-flight entertainment, and dine on gourmet-chef prepared meals, served by an international and multi-lingual cabin crew.

The Emirates First and Business Class experience takes pampering to another level, featuring two onboard Shower Spas available to First Class cabin passengers to freshen up at 40,000 feet; and the popular A380 Onboard Lounge which provides a relaxed social environment for First and Business Class travellers to exchange travel tales and talk business while sipping fine wines and cocktails and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres and delicacies prepared by five-star chefs. Bar staff begin serving drinks as soon as the aircraft reaches cruising altitude and are on hand all the way until descent.

In addition to award-winning products and services onboard the A380, Emirates’ hospitality begins before boarding the aircraft. First and Business Class travellers can also enjoy a complimentary chauffeur-drive service to and from the airport and access to 35 dedicated Emirates’ lounges at airports across its network.

Emirates’ A380 is a wide-bodied double decker aircraft with a capacity of 489 passengers including 14 First Class Private Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy Class.

Powered by GP7200 engines which burn up to twenty percent less fuel per seat than its nearest competitor, Emirates’ A380s have lower carbon dioxide emissions and thirty percent better fuel efficiency than the ICAO global fleet average. This is the most significant advancement in reducing fuel consumption and emissions in four decades. Emirates also stands apart from the rest as the average age of the fleet is less than half that of many European airlines. Emirates is the largest operator of the A380 and continues to work closely with Airbus to further reduce weight of future A380s by using a range of lightweight materials that account for twenty five percent of its structure.

The Emirates A380 service will operate daily as EK222, departing Dallas/Fort Worth at 12:35hrs and arriving in Dubai at 12:20hrs the following day. EK 221 departs Dubai at 02:45hrs and arrives at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport at 09:45hrs the same day.

 

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