Emirates A380 First Class Review (After My Second Time)

Flying Emirates A380 First Class is like living out the dream you didn’t even know you had — being adorned in gold, showering at 35,000 feet, and sipping champagne while you do it — and let me tell you, it’s every bit as decadent and surreal as it sounds.

This wasn’t my first rodeo in this ultra-luxe cabin—it was my second time—and the magic is just as real on round two. Imagine walking onto a plane, settling into a private pod with your own sliding door, and essentially living in a mini five-star hotel room for the next 15 hours with every need you have taken care of, or even anticipated. There’s enough space, comfort, and pure extravagance packed into this cabin that you almost feel guilty for being here. Almost.

The Seat: A Five-Star Suite in the Sky

Each First Class pod has its own sliding door, so once you’re tucked in, you’re in your own bubble of plush leather, gold accents, and privacy. First Class on the A380 is never full, which makes the experience feel so exclusive it’s almost like having your own personal butler (although it feels awfully wasteful, too). The flight attendants have this down to an art: they’ll anticipate your every need, yet never hover or break the peaceful cocoon you’re floating in. I tried setting up my bed myself once, and they looked at me like, “Please, that’s my job, I insist,” before turning it into a proper haven.

The best part? You don’t have to wait for set meal times. The “eat whenever” policy is nothing short of liberation at 35,000 feet. Feel like caviar and champagne at 2 a.m.? Go for it (even though, full confession, I’m sober and can’t stand caviar). But I do love their endless sparkling water and snacks—and the mezze platter. That mezze platter alone is worth the miles and money. It’s a gorgeous multi-course spread that feels way too luxurious to be real. Highly recommend you order it.

How I Booked It

Both times I flew Emirates first class, it was all the way to Cape Town via Dubai to lead my women’s Africa safari, which means 24 hours in the air alone. Normally I’d dread that kind of endless travel, but in first class, I look forward to it.

I paid 187,000 miles plus Emirates’ staggeringly high taxes and fees ($1200), which are the same for business class. While first class mileage seats aren’t as readily available as business class, I went ahead and initially booked business and kept checking as the dates got closer to see if they released any first class seats, and they did. I build up miles through normal spending on credit cards with elevated welcome offers. These are my current favorite offers.

I had to accept a longer layover as part of the change, but even that was totally fine with the private transfer, amazing lounge, and included airport hotel. See the whole experience in my video:

The Shower: Because Of Course There’s a Shower at 35K Feet

Yes, there’s a shower. Five whole minutes of pressurized, purified water in a bathroom that feels larger than my first Newport Beach apartment. With a heated floor. And it’s cleaned after every single use.

At the start of your flight, they’ll ask when you’d like your “shower reservation,” and my go-to is always right after dinner, just before settling in for some sleep. It’s wildly refreshing, and there’s nothing quite like feeling as if you’ve just walked out of a spa while actually floating through the clouds.

They have everything from PJs after you step out, to all the toiletries you’ll need, razors, and a hair dryer.

The Bar: Because Of Course There’s Also a Bar

As if the shower weren’t enough of a unique offering, there’s a bar onboard too. You’ll head back through business class, which first shares the bar with, to the back of the plane to enjoy it. There are gilded seatbelts and snacks like fine chocolates and baklava available, as well as top shelf liquor and a nice, big mocktail menu.

I tend to just pop by for the novelty factor, but if you are flying with a group, it could be a nice place to convene mid-way through your flight to say hi.

Aesthetics and Ambiance: It’s Gold, Gold, and More Gold

Everything is adorned in gold. From your pod’s finishes to the detailing on the menus, it’s the Emirates way: so far over-the-top it wraps back around to tasteful. They even have stars in the ceiling, so it feels like sleeping under the night sky—minus the bugs and temperature drops.

Normally, a design this excessive would be laughable, but Emirates goes so boldly in the direction of “extra” that it all works perfectly. You can’t help but smile and feel like you’re in on the joke—and what a beautiful, opulent joke it is.

Food and Service: Haute Cuisine and Impeccable Attention

The food on Emirates A380 First Class isn’t just “airplane food”; it’s a full-on gourmet experience, with a menu as extensive as it is thoughtful. The options are abundant and luxurious, with everything from the top-shelf champagne (Dom Pérignon, if that’s your jam) to a decadent caviar service. Now, I’ll admit, the caviar and champagne go right over my head—I’m sober and not exactly the caviar type—but even I couldn’t help being impressed by the elegance of it all.

But let’s talk about the rest of the menu, which is where Emirates truly shines. The multi-course mezze platter is an absolute star. This Middle Eastern spread is a feast of vibrant flavors, with everything from hummus and baba ghanoush to warm, soft pita that makes you wonder if they somehow have a tandoor hidden in the galley. And for snacks, the selection is just as indulgent—think fine cheeses, fresh fruit, and more. Every dish arrives fresh and beautifully presented, as if you’re at a fine dining restaurant instead of cruising through the sky.

As for timing? You can eat whenever you want, which feels like the ultimate luxury. No need to plan your appetite around the airline’s schedule. You get to set your own pace, whether that means dining at a leisurely 11 p.m. or just grazing all flight long (which, I’ll confess, is my personal preference). The flight attendants are constantly checking in, but never hovering. They keep you stocked with whatever you want—endless sparkling water in my case—with a quiet attention to detail that makes it feel like they’re there just for you.

I tried to be low-key by setting up my bed myself, but they were having none of it. Before I knew it, one of the attendants was already there, fluffing the pillows and arranging everything to perfection, making sure the whole experience was restful and ridiculously cozy.

Flying with Emirates First Class is like having a personal hospitality team, chef, and luxury concierge all wrapped into one, and it’s done with a warmth that feels genuine, even when the cabin is decked out like a gold-plated palace.

Lounges and Layover Magic: The Emirates A380 First Class Follow-Through

When you finally touch down in Dubai, the pampering doesn’t stop. If you have a long layover, be sure to book the “Dubai Connect” on the desktop site (it’s not accessible on mobile for whatever reason) via ‘manage my booking.’ You’ll go through customs, enter the UAE, then you’re whisked away in a private BMW to a hotel—because, of course, they’re not about to let you slum it in some basic lounge for more than an hour. If you have a long layover, here’s a solo female guide to Dubai.

But even if you decide to stay at the airport, the First Class lounge in Terminal A takes up an entire floor and has basically every amenity you could think of. You want a massage? Fifteen minutes of pure bliss. Hungry? Order a Wagyu burger. All of this—and I mean all of it—is covered, even though I only used miles (187,000 of them, to be exact) and paid $1,200. Still, somehow, you’re treated as if you paid top dollar.

Although I flew solo for this journey, I took note of the free terminal strollers, as we often fly with my toddler and brought him on this same leg in business class last year. Emirates is one of the most family friendly airlines we’ve ever flown.

In a world where flying has become a sometimes grim exercise in tolerance, Emirates First Class reminds you of what travel could be. It’s like they took every wild, extravagant idea from luxury travel, cranked it up, and made it happen—all at 35,000 feet. If you have the chance, do it. It’s an experience you won’t forget. And if you’re like me, you’ll be trying to figure out how to do it all over again as soon as you’re back on the ground.