*Unsponsored review

I remember travelling with Emirates for the first time on a solo trip on my way to Australia a few years ago. It was the second leg of my journey to the other side of the world and I remember being really impressed with the experience. It felt like luxury a la economy. So, when we were planning a trip to Dubai this year, Emirates was the first choice especially as it is often good value for money.

When it comes to long distance air travel, comfort and quality service are essential factors that can greatly improve the overall experience. Since launching in 1985, based in Dubai Emirates has become world renowned and has long been recognized for providing exceptional customer service across all travel classes. So, was it worth it or has Emirates lost it’s shine? Here’s our review.

Check-in and boarding:

We flew out from Heathrow and so this issue is more likely a symptom of the changes at the airport rather than the airline but check in was entirely self-service. We may be alone in this opinion, but it isn’t an improvement on someone checking you in personally. It’s rarely faster and often riddled with confusion. From our passports not being recognised by the machines, to battling getting the tags onto our suitcases, the journey didn’t get off to a smooth start!

We were on the 22.15 flight and so the airport was relatively quiet. We decided to treat ourselves and opt for a paid-for lounge, see our review of the No1 Lounge here and after a couple of ours we were being channelled through to the departure gate. Boarding was in batches and quick even though we boarded and took off late the process was smooth.  

Seating and amenities:

We were on an A380 and sat in row 78 which backed onto a kitchen area. The benefit was that there was no one sat behind us, but the drawback was that it was quite noisy – not ideal over a night flight and so if you’re going to opt for such a seat bare this in mind.

The seats are ergonomically designed and although we’re both quite tall we found that they offered ample legroom. The headrests were adjustable and there was a decent seat recline. The seat was well equipped and we got a blanket, pillow, seat back TV, a USB ports, power outlets to charge our devices and a built-in reading light. Emirates usually provide comfort kits that include essentials like an eye mask, socks, earplugs, and a toothbrush for passengers’ comfort and convenience but we weren’t offered a pack on this flight. I think the flight duration has a part to play in this and on longer flights they may be offered.

In-flight Entertainment:

On the entertainment, one of the standout features of Emirates is its award-winning in-flight entertainment system, ICE (Information, Communication, and Entertainment). There was a decent selection of movies, TV shows, music, games and the screen was responsive and easy to navigate.

Onboard service:

Sadly, this is where Emirates fell short for us on this trip. Although Emirates takes pride in its culinary offerings even in Economy Class and the food did taste good with options for different dietary requirements offered (book ahead) the service was slow with limited options. Our flight left after 22.30 at night and the meal service didn’t take place until over 3 hours after take-off. This meant that we were hoping to sleep on the night flight but the tardy service made this difficult. Also, it seemed they were very short staffed and so it took a long time for us to get served.

Breakfast was the other disappointment. We weren’t offered any breakfast options. By the time we realised they weren’t doing a breakfast service, it was too late, and we just managed to get a coffee. This was a big disappointment as usually, Emirates is an airline renowned for its exceptional service, in any class but unfortunately this was lacking on our trip.

Emirates Lounges:

While Economy Class passengers may not have access to Emirates’ luxurious lounges on the ground, you can still enjoy the comfort and amenities offered at select destinations. At Dubai International Airport, for instance, Economy Class passengers can pay to access the Emirates Lounge, where you can relax, enjoy refreshments, and freshen up before your flight. The lounge provides a serene and comfortable environment with comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, shower facilities, and even spa treatments.

Green Initiatives and Sustainability:

The airline is committed to sustainable aviation practices, and their Economy Class reflects this commitment. They’ve taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint by investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and implementing various eco-friendly initiatives. These measures contribute to a more sustainable travel experience, allowing passengers to enjoy their journey with the knowledge that Emirates is actively working towards a greener future.

The verdict:

All in all, we’d say that although Emirates Economy Class offers a solid travel experience, it didn’t quite live up to our expectations on this trip. The staff are friendly and the at seat amenities one of the best, what the airline is really known for – their service – was poor for us on this occasion. Would we travel with Emirates again? Probably, but we won’t be rushing to do it. Next time we think it may be time to give another airline a try, maybe another jewel in the UAE crown, Qatar airlines.

Thinking of travelling business class? Read our Singapore Airlines Business Class review.