What it’s like to fly in Emirates Business Class

I always feel a little daunted ahead of a long-haul flight. Nearly 24 hours in the sky (with a pitstop in Dubai) felt like an awfully long time. But the stomach churning quickly eased as soon as my chauffer pulled up outside my house, right on schedule. This was my first experience flying Business Class with Emirates, where the luxury treatment begins as soon as you step outside the front door.

What is the Emirates Lounge like at Heathrow?

I was escorted to Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 and fast-tracked my way through Business Class check-in and security, heading straight for the Emirates Lounge: I planned to arrive with time to spare to make the most of the exclusive facilities.

Their dining area served a gourmet buffet, with options including beef steak with peppercorn sauce, grilled seabass and grilled prawns. I selected a couple of dishes, poured myself a glass of complimentary champagne and headed to one of the cream leather armchairs that faced the airport tarmac, as if it was a cinema screen. Washroom facilities with showers also allowed passengers to freshen up before boarding the flight if needed.

What is Business Class Emirates like?

After boarding conveniently took place directly from the Emirates Lounge, I found my pre-selected seat aboard the Emirates Airbus A380 flight, where a partition between me and my neighbour provided privacy. Once sat, a member of cabin crew handed out complimentary drinks (I opted for a glass of Moët & Chandon, and I soon learnt champagne is acceptable at any hour), a menu of the flight’s meal choices and a hot flannel. In these circumstances, it didn’t take me long to settle, and I began scrolling through the endless in-flight entertainment, which I could operate with touch-pad controls while relaxing back in my cream leather seat.

Depending on the length of flight, one or two three-course meals are served to everyone in Emirates Business Class, with customers free to choose from three starter, main and dessert options: several dishes highlight Arabic cuisine as a nod to the airline, such as the Mezze platter appetiser. Dinner was served on plates and bowls, with silverware and a cloth serviette adding an extra touch of sophistication. No single-use plastic packaging in sight.

One of highlights of flying Business Class on the Emirates Airbus 380 is its swish bar area. Open for the flight duration, the bar attendants were delighted to concoct a drink of my choice at any time, whether a cocktail or a coffee. Tables and seats either side of the bar allowed a space for passengers to socialise with one another.

During the flight, a bag of toiletries was handed to every Business Class passenger, filled with mini essentials such a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturising lotion and a hairbrush, allowing to freshen up at any point throughout the flight. Designer perfumes was also placed in every Business Class toilet.

Complimentary loungewear is provided if wanted, but the optional seat mattress, eye-mask and blanket were all I needed for the perfect night’s sleep. The seats reclined fully into flat beds, and once the cabin light’s switched into night mode, I could gaze up at the stars (faint lights on the cabin’s ceiling that resemble the night sky) before drifting off in total comfort.

Booking information: A Business Class return ticket to Sydney starts from £5,665pp. emirates.com