F LI G H T
Revıew
WORDS ANDREAS SPAETH
or a cheese and basil omelette. I opted for the latter, followed by a nap. The main meal was a delightful kaiseki bento with duck, eel and squid alongside a chilled bottle of Nanbu Bijin sake. Unfortunately, the wifi did not work on this flight.
Arrival We arrived in Tokyo 15 minutes early. Haneda is the most convenient airport in the city and while there was a long line at immigration, the process was smooth and efficient. In no time, I was on my way to my hotel in Roppongi, thanks to the airline’s excellent chauffeur service for business class passengers.
An updated business class cabin offers a mixed experience
Background Launched in August, the refreshed Boeing 777 cabin serves routes like Brussels, Zurich and Tokyo Haneda, with plans to roll out to six US destinations by February. Emirates eventually plans to refurbish 81 planes.
Boarding The boarding process in Brussels was a breeze as I was the last premium passenger. Dubai was a different story, with its typically crowded gates, but arriving late worked in my favour and I boarded swiftly.
The seat The new 1-2-1 setup eliminates the middle
seats of the old 2-3-2 layout, but there’s a lack of privacy. There are no sliding doors or partitions – just you and the aisle. The seats themselves are comfortable, made from soft cream leather, with a generous 20.7-inch width and up to 44-inch pitch. When fully reclined, the bed measures 78.6 inches, and with a padded mattress cover, it’s quite cosy. Two USB-C ports and updated power outlets are practical. One downside is the lack of personal storage.
The flight Emirates doesn’t provide amenity kits on shorter flights, though slippers and eye-shades are
G O OD - T O - K NO W
The window seats – especially 3A (my seat) and 6A – are recommended, offering more personal space and privacy
76 BUSINESS TRAVELLER
at every seat. I was surprised by the lack of printed menus. Instead, passengers scan a QR code using the IFE system. The wifi worked instantly, with Skywards members given free messaging services, though full internet access comes at a cost (from US$9.99 to $19.99). The dining experience
started with a preordered fish sayadieh – a baked cod dish served with fragrant rice. It was filling but not particularly memorable. The poached scallop appetiser was more pleasing, and the
meal was paired with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2015 Champagne. Unfortunately, my
seat adjustment buttons malfunctioned during the flight, but I could still control my seat through the touchpad. We landed in Dubai
on schedule, around midnight. The following morning, I boarded my onward flight to Tokyo. This time, Emirates provided a lavish Bulgari amenity kit and a pair of light, silky pyjamas. Breakfast choices
were a Japanese kaiseki bento, banana pancakes
V E R D I CT
The updated Boeing 777 Business Class offers
a refined experience but is not groundbreaking. The window seats provide excellent privacy, but
aisle seats lack seclusion. The lack of personal
storage space and a dine- on-demand service are also drawbacks, but for a reliable
long-haul business class experience, this is a solid option.
B E S T F O R
The seat’s comfort and quality of the inflight service remains top- notch in Emirates’ updated 777 cabins
PRICE
Return business class flights from Brussels to Tokyo start from around £3,800
CONTACT
emirates.com DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025
IMAGES COURTESY OF EMIRATES; NOBUTOSHI KURISU; CHAD SLATTERY
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