Why I Chose Emirates
When I was booking this trip, Emirates was running a really good deal, and I had to take them on the offer.
I booked through the Emirates World Store here in Nairobi, specifically through Emirates Holidays, which got me a package that included return flights and accommodation.
Get this, I paid $ 1,100 for 6 nights, including the return tickets.
On top of that, the package covered my visa fees, and as a Kenyan, a pre-approved visa is required, so having that handled for me was a massive plus.
The other reason I chose Emirates was convenience.
I wanted to land directly at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and have a short taxi trip to my hotel.
I had previously flown to the UAE with Etihad through Abu Dhabi, which meant I had to take a bus from the airport to Dubai, and with Air Arabia through Sharjah, both were fine, but both added extra travel time to the hotel.
Related: Using Air Arabia To Fly To Dubai – Honest Review
I also hadn’t flown Emirates in about six years, so I was genuinely curious to see the changes made, and that curiosity alone made this worth writing about.
A Refurbished Boeing 777
We used a refurbished Boeing 777. That means new seats on all classes, plus the addition of premium economy, which I must say looks amazing.
While we were boarding, I had a quick chance to sit in a premium economy seat just to feel what it was like, and honestly, I loved it. This is a great product that Emirates introduced.
The seat (premium economy seat) is noticeably wider, and you also get an upgraded meal, closer to business class in terms of quality, but at a fraction of the price. Worth keeping in mind if you are considering an upgrade from basic economy.
Choosing the Right Seat
I chose seat 47K, a window seat in a two-seat row at the back of the plane. The rows at the very back have two seats instead of three, which means you only have one person next to you rather than two.
That extra bit of space on the sides made a real difference, and getting to the washroom only meant inconveniencing one person instead of two.
Another bonus of sitting at the back: you board almost first. After business and first class, you are in group two, so you are settled in and sorted while everyone else is still queuing.
If you want a bit more space without paying for premium seats up front, the back rows are genuinely worth considering.
On legroom, I am six foot one, and I had enough space. It was not premium economy level, but it was decent and comfortable for the duration of the flight.
Exceptional Crew – Experience was a 10 Out of 10
The crew was really, really amazing. They definitely lived up to the expectations. I might go as far as saying they are the best crew not only in the Middle East but in the world.
All smiles, attentive, and genuinely willing to help. If you needed extras, they were happy to assist without any issues. I know Emirates has a strong reputation for service, but experiencing it again after all these years reminded me why.
The Food
A few minutes after takeoff, we were handed a menu to browse the different food items. This was a nice touch, which made me feel as if I was flying business or first class. Its the little things they say.
The menu shows you what’s on for dinner and helps you decide on your mains before the crew comes to ask you the best phrase you could hear:Â “Sir, Beef or Chicken?”
The one downside of sitting at the back is that the food takes a while to reach you. And I mean a while.
I was genuinely hungry, kept peeking up the aisle to see how far along the trolley was, and watched a good number of people finish their meals before mine even arrived.
But when it did come, I went with the chicken, which I really enjoyed. There was also a small chocolate dessert that was a nice way to finish. No complaints on the food itself, just on the wait time.
Entertainment – ICE System
Emirates ICE system is still, in my opinion, the best in-flight entertainment out there. The selection is massive.
The one small drawback is that TV series are not always complete, you might find only a couple of seasons of a show, so if you are following something from back home, you may not be able to continue it on the plane.
My workaround was just picking random episodes of something light to fall asleep to, which worked perfectly.
The highlight for me was watching a live football match on board. Yes, live sports. I did not have to miss a thing and did not need to connect to the internet. That alone was brilliant.
Sleep, Charging, and the Little Things
I had brought my own neck pillow, which really helped me sleep well. I added the seat pillow behind my back to make myself comfortable. By the time we were arriving, I did not have backaches or feel like standing up during the flight to stretch.
There is a power outlet at the seat, which was a lifesaver. The only issue is that there is no USB-C port, just USB-A, so if your phone charges via USB-C, bring an adapter or use the outlet directly. I ended up plugging in a full charger.
Takeoff and landing were both smooth, the landing especially. Honestly felt like we floated down. Disembarkation was smooth too, though the ride to the terminal took around six minutes. Minor thing, not a complaint.
What is My Final Verdict?
I have flown both Etihad and Qatar Airways to the UAE, and I can say Emirates just feels a little different. There is something about it that feels more premium, even in economy.
Related: Flight Review: Etihad Airways from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi
It is hard to fully put into words, but the overall experience, the crew, the entertainment, the food, and the comfort make it stand out for me.
Would I choose Emirates again? Yes, without hesitation. And if economy class already feels this good, I can only imagine what business and first class are like. Reviews of those are on the to-do list.
