I love luxury travel but I begrudge paying top dollar for it. This blog is dedicated to experiencing the champagne lifestyle on a beer budget and using your frequent flier points wisely is one of the best money saving hacks there is. That’s exactly what we did for our recent trip to New Zealand. We blew a heap of points to fly across the Tasman on Emirates A380 Business Class for nix. Was it worth it? Read on for all the details …
Pre-Flight
The special privileges start even before you board when you fly on Emirates A380 business class. If you fly any route except the one we chose, you will be transported to and from the airport in chauffeur driven style. I gotta say, I was a little miffed about missing out. On arrival at the airport, a dedicated queue for check in makes the process much less of an ordeal and there was no one in front if us when we arrived. In Sydney, your business class boarding pass comes with an express pass which allows you to avoid the masses exiting the country. Sydney airport is under going major renovations and the express path entrance is currently near The Coffee Club. Once you have purchased your duty free and sorted your tax refund head straight to the Emirates Lounge Sydney for a bite to eat and to sample the premium booze before boarding. The A380 is the world’s largest passenger airline and boarding that many people is chaos when you are in the economy cabin, but the business class only boarding line makes it a breeze.
Emirates A380 Business Class Cabin
Emirates have 3 configurations on their A380’s and our version had 76 seats in business at the rear of the upper deck. The seats are cleverly offset and extend under the seat in front to make the most of the space. Each seat reclines to meet up with the foot rest creating a fully flat bed. We chose the ‘couples’ seats in the middle where the seats were closest together with the personal bar on the aisle side. The bar in each seat is a bit of a gimmick as the drinks are not cold and I’m not sure why you would drink a hot juice when you can order a chilled one from your attendant or visit the funky bar at the rear of the cabin. I couldn’t resist stepping behind for a quick pic! Unlike the out-of-this-world bathrooms when we flew in first class on Emirates A380, the bathrooms in business are your standard airline affair albeit with posher toiletries.
Food & Drink
Airline food has a notorious reputation for being appalling at the back of the bus, but airlines have been working hard over the last few years to shake that reputation and give their premium customers restaurant quality fare in the air. Passengers on Emirates A380 business class can expect monthly menu changes which are designed to showcase local flavours. On our flight we were served a three course lunch. All guests was served an entree of Wagyu Bresaola but could choose a main and dessert of their liking. I chose the Chicken Biryani while The Hubs went for the Thai Green Prawn curry and we both opted for the Chocolate and Caramel Dome for dessert. The dessert was the winner of the bunch in my book.
Emirates A380 business class passengers are spoiled for choice when it comes to having a tipple. Start with a chilled glass of Moet & Chandon NV as you settle in and choose from the small but premium wine list. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of Chablis Premier Cru La Chanterie Michael Laroche 2013 with lunch but decided on a classic Cosmo to sip with my movie. The flight across the Tasman was a shade under three hours and I made the most of the bar menu as The Hubs offered to drive our hire car from airport rentals when we arrived in Auckland. The man is a saint, what can I say 🙂
Entertainment & Connectivity
Emirates’ ICE (Information, Communication & Entertainment) system will keep guests entertained on even the longest of fights. I’d been meaning to catch Bad Moms for ages but never found the time so I was thrilled to find it on the movie menu. I just love Mila Kunis. Noise cancelling headphones come standard but honestly the A380 is whisper quiet anyway so you barely need them. Free in-fight Wifi is still a bit of a rarity but Emirates A380 business class passengers get a complimentary 10MB. It’s only a $1 for a gig after that, but it’s pretty temperamental so I gave up trying after a while. You can even use your own mobile phone on all Emirates A380s.
Emirates is clearly a premium airline and their business class offering is head and shoulders above our recent experience on Air Asia X business class trip . You can check out my other airline reviews here. While I would never shell out the $’s required to fly business, I love using my points to spoil myself. The flight across the ditch en route to our New Zealand road trip was very short so is a great way to sample the service for not a whole lot of points. If you are heading to NZ for the first time you should check out my New Zealand essentials guide which will help you plan an epic trip.
Have you traveled on Emirates A380 business class? I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I paid for my Emirates A380 business class flights using frequent flyer points. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Ada says
What a great review! I had a chance fly business class first time few weeks ago and holy molly what a change. It was an overnight flight from Singapore to London so 14 hours made really big difference. Unfortunately it was with BA but I am dying to fly with Emirates business class one day! Especially for that cool bar we see everywhere ! But I have to admit the food looked better in BA
Divya says
Faaaancy! IT’s so nice to spoil ourselves sometimes, isn’t it? I have never flown business class and this post took me through a ride of what it would be like 😉 I’d love to fly business some day. Great post! 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Divya. Keep saving those points ?
Kim-Ling says
Now you’ve got me wondering how to maximise my points so we can do the same! That looks and sounds like an awesome and unforgettable experience! The chocolate dome dessert alone has won me over! :p Bummer you missed out on the chauffeur service – good to know it’s on offer for other flight paths though!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I am a point collecting junkie lol. I maximise every trick in the book! My health fund even gives me 10 points for everyday my Fitbit clicks 10,000 steps. I never miss a day. That’s 7300 points a year (The Hubs has one too) without even trying ?
Priyadarshini Rajendran says
I have traveled on Emirates before, but not on Business class. A380 business class sounds worth splurging on. Thanks for sharing!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Especially when it’s points and not real money lol
Alice Chen says
Wow! This looks awesome! I’m glad you were able to use Frequent Flyer Miles to get such a great flight! I’ve been wanting to redeem for business/first class tickets but I always end up in the economy section to save miles for the next trip lol
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I usually do that too Alice lol. A splurge once in a while is nice though ?
Leslie says
I’ve never paid or used points/miles for business class but that does look tempting.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Emirates have spoiled me for every other airline lol
gingeybites says
What a fab treat! The food and the cocktails both looked great! Yummy 🙂 The A380 is so great as a long haul aircraft, even the economy seat is more spacious than any other we’ve flown.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Totally agree. If only I could only fly A380’s everywhere ?
Sarah Kreuz says
OMG that has to be the nicest plane ride I have ever seen! thats for sharing this, i was actually curious be cause I saw ad for them and figured it was going to be nice so I’m glad i got to see your take on it! PS the champange is NECESSARY when flying in style. haha ! kudos!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
You should see first class Sarah! ?
Grace Silla says
This all looks so luxurious and that footroom solution is genius! I have flown business class yet but hopefully someday!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It is actually really cool Grace because it allows more seats to go in without compromising the space!
Viviane Feeney says
holy moly! My jaw dropped to the floor at the first pic of the bar man. You lucky duck; hoping that one day I will accumulate the points to do the same, not that it’s that important anyway. But dang girl that must have been such a treat for you! Happiest of travels x
Viviane
https://dreamtraveleat.blogspot.com.au/
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It was a defo a treat Viviane and not something I can do every trip but every now and then will have to do lol
rosie says
OH my heavens! this looks amazing I want to try this so bad!
Life is just Rosie
Instagram
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I hope you get the chance soon Rosie ?
Traci @ Waltz Me To Heaven says
I love this post! I’ve never flown on this airline but their advertising is great and makes me want to. I hope you had a great trip.
Traci
waltzmetoheaven.com
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Jen Aniston does a great job Traci and trust me I’m with her when she says can we fly around a little longer lol
James Smith says
I have to agree with you about the dessert, it looks like a winner! In business class can you have as many desserts as you want? I’d have at least 4-5 of those if this was the case! I’m not sure if I’ve seen Bad Moms yet, I’ll check it out. It must be hard to stay sober, firstly with the drinks in the lounge, then the bar in the seat, or was the bar in the seat only soft drinks?
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
They certainly didn’t offer seconds on the dessert James but I guess there is no harm in asking lol. 4 or 5 might have been pushing your luck though! The personal bar was only water and juice but everything was free flow so glad The Hubs said he would drive at the other end lol
Michaela Terese Harrison says
If only I could do that! The real glasses, the leg room and the food brilliant. One day if I win lotto in my dreams. I would take photos too the first I would be upgraded. How can I get this.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
If I win lotto Michaela I’ll be in first every time lol. It was kinda hard to take photos without looking like a weirdo but I tried to be as subtle as I could lol
Vicki Louise says
76 seats in Business class?! I know the A380s are huge, but my word! Your picture makes it almost look like economy the number of seats there are up there! Obviously when you take a closer look the seats are much more plush and nowhere near what you get in economy. Love the onboard bar too – and the food looked great! This was definitely a good use of your points!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I know right. The whole top deck was business and first and it was full! Honestly I’m happy with any away on an A380 but it was nice to see how the other half live lol
Cathy says
This looks and sounds so amazing! I normally fly American Airlines business class, it’s nice, but not like this. This looks like first class! I’m all about using miles on longer flights too. Love your review, I need to fly Emeritas!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
You should see the first class in my other review Cathy! Mind blown ? I’ve flown AA quite a bit but never business. Their economy is pretty basic but they always got me from A to B safely so that’s the main thing!
Soraya says
Oh my goodness! What an amazing experience to have. I absolutely LOVE Emirates, even when I am back in cattle class. But to be able to experience Business (AND FIRST CLASS) would be amazing. Your lunch of Chicken Briyani sounds so yummmmmy! And I must say, the dessert sounded good. I love that you have a selection of premium wines and champagnes, like Moet & Chandon. Keep them flowing!!! It’s super cool that there is a bar on board as well, because sometimes you just need to get up from your seat and move around…hang out by the bar and get a cocktail. What a wonderful experience you have had! Lucky!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I’ve now been spoiled and never want to go back to the back of the bus lol
Rhiannon says
I laughed the whole way through the paragraph after “Emirates A380 Business Class Cabin”! You’re totally right – who needs hot juice in their life?! And toiletries are what make or break a bathroom for me – the posher the better! 😉
Of all the airlines, I like Emirates food the best. Although once I made the mistake of pre-ordering vegan instead of vegetarian (in economy) and ended up having some sort of variation of spinach, mushroom and tomato for every meal. It was a 15 hour flight, so that’s a lot of meals!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Exactly what I thought about the juice Rhiannon. I can understand if you didn’t have any other option. Not that I actually ordered any juice. I had to try and get through as much of the wine list as I could lol. I’m always scared of ‘special’ meals. I ordered the ‘healthy choice’ selection once and got fish (which I hate!). Never again lol
Sylvanmist says
Thanks so much for this look into what it’s like flying business class! You’re a very good writer and your pictures gave me a good sense of what it’s like-as I probably never will get there myself lol. I have flown on an A380 before in economy class and it was the nicest, super smooth flight I have ever been on, so I can only imagine how much nicer an upgraded class would be. Again great writing, I enjoyed the read!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thank you. Never say never, I thought that as well but sneak in a few premier trips every now and then these days. I agree the A380 is sensational. If I could it would be the only way I fly ?
Stephanie says
Looks so luxurious! That food looks yum!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It was pretty good Stephanie ?
Kelly says
Thanks for sharing and so glad you were able to use your points and have this amazing experience. I am not a high roller so I rarely get to experiencethis kind of luxury, but now I know that it’s worth it and that if I ever get a chance, I should take it and book with emirates. Thanks!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I’m hearing you Kelly that’s why I love using my points to get a little taste of how the other half live lol. This is the shortest route that Emirates fly the A380 on so it was a great taste for not a lot of points outlay comparatively.
Noemi of Pinay Flying High says
I remember the first time I was upgrade to an Emirates A380 business class flight, I was going to Paris on a business trip and I just can’t contain my excitement! I started taking photos as soon as I was inside and I’m pretty sure I looked like a lunatic to the normal business class passengers. I can never afford the business class fare of Emirates so I am only able to be in it if it’s a business trip or upgraded with my skywards miles.
P.S. I’d totally want the flight to go longer than 3 hours if I’m on a business class of A380, I may ask the pilot to make the flight longer. Lol.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I totally agree you need more than 3 hours! We were late boarding so they were trying to make up time as well! It was a great taste and I’ll be definitely looking for opportunities for a longer trip in Emirates A380 business class ?