In this article: 8 sections
Emirates business class is one of the best-known premium products on flights from the US. It flies nonstop to Dubai from many US cities, connects onward to India, Africa, the Indian Ocean and Asia, and its A380 has a bar on board.
What you actually get depends heavily on the aircraft, so if you read only one section, make it the one on the A380 and the 777. The rest covers the chauffeur, Dubai stopovers and the US cities Emirates flies from.
Where Emirates flies from in the US
Emirates serves around a dozen US airports, including New York (JFK), Newark, Boston, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Orlando, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Schedules and aircraft change by season, so check the current schedule for your city.
Nonstop flights to Dubai take roughly 12 to 16 hours, shorter from the East Coast and longer from the West Coast.
Emirates has also operated New York flights with a stop in Europe: from JFK via Milan, and from Newark via Athens. Where those flights run, you can book the transatlantic leg on its own, which means Emirates business class to Milan or Athens without going anywhere near Dubai.
A380 vs 777: which business class you get
It’s the first thing to ask when you book Emirates business class, because the two planes are very different.
The A380
On the A380, the entire upper deck is premium. Business class has a 1-2-1 layout, so every seat has direct aisle access, and each seat reclines into a fully flat bed. Many A380 business seats include a small minibar and storage beside the seat, and the entertainment screens are large.
The highlight is the onboard lounge at the back of the upper deck. It is a bar with snacks, drinks and a few places to sit, open to business and first class passengers. On a 14-hour flight, being able to get up, stretch and talk to someone is worth more than it sounds. (The famous onboard showers are for first class only.)
Emirates uses the A380 on several of its busiest US routes, but not all of them.
The 777
Emirates flies several versions of the Boeing 777, and the business class seat depends on which one you get. Older cabins have seven seats across, with a middle seat that has no direct aisle access. Emirates has been refurbishing many of its 777s with newer cabins, but the version can vary on the same route. There is no onboard lounge on the 777.
If the A380 matters to you, ask your agent which aircraft is scheduled before you pay. If your city only has 777 service, ask which version it is so you know what to expect.
The ground experience
In Dubai, Emirates runs large business class lounges in its home terminal. In some areas of the terminal you can board the A380 directly from the lounge level, which makes a connection much easier.
At several of its larger US airports, Emirates operates its own lounge. At others, business class passengers use a partner lounge. Check which applies to your departure city.
Chauffeur service
Emirates includes chauffeur-drive service on many business class tickets in eligible cities. A few things to know:
- It depends on your fare type. Emirates sells business class in several fare types, and some do not include the chauffeur.
- It depends on the city. The service is available in many cities, but not all, and coverage in the US varies. Do not assume it is included at both ends of your trip.
- There are distance limits, and you need to book it in advance through Emirates.
If the chauffeur matters to you, ask your agent to confirm that your fare and your cities are eligible before you pay.
Dubai stopovers
Every Emirates trip from the US to India, Africa or the Indian Ocean connects in Dubai, and many travelers turn that connection into a stay. You can usually build a stopover of a few days into an Emirates ticket, and Emirates sells hotel packages for stopovers in Dubai. For some long connections on eligible fares, Emirates provides a hotel through its Dubai Connect program.
A few practical points:
- US passport holders can currently get a visa on arrival in the UAE. Check the latest rules before you travel.
- Dubai is most pleasant from November through March. Summer is very hot.
- Two or three nights is enough for a first visit. Plenty of travelers stop on the way home rather than on the way out.
Have your agent price the trip with and without the stopover so you can see the difference before you decide. Browse business class flights to Dubai to start.
Where Emirates business class makes the most sense
- Dubai itself, obviously.
- India, with one-stop service from many US cities to Mumbai, Delhi and other cities.
- The Indian Ocean, including the Maldives and the Seychelles.
- Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Nairobi.
- Parts of Asia, where a Dubai connection can be competitive on fare, though the total trip is longer.
For the same destinations, compare Emirates with Qatar Airways through Doha, Etihad through Abu Dhabi and Turkish Airlines through Istanbul. Seat, schedule and fare can all differ on the same dates.
Booking tips
- Confirm the aircraft on every flight in your itinerary, including the connection out of Dubai.
- Read the fare type. The cheaper business class fares have stricter change rules and may exclude extras like the chauffeur.
- Plan the connection. A connection of two to four hours in Dubai is comfortable; a very long one may qualify for a hotel.
- Avoid peak dates if you can. Holiday periods and Dubai’s busy winter season fill premium cabins early.
You can read more on our Emirates page.
