Emirates brings ‘game changer’ first class to Australia
There’s no better way to fly to Dubai or beyond.
By David Flynn, February 28 2025
Just how luxurious can first class travel get? If you’re flying out from Melbourne with Emirates, you might soon find out.
From Monday March 31, the Gulf carrier will debut its ‘game changer’ first class suites on the new daily non-stop Melbourne-Dubai service (EK404/EK405).
The ‘game changer’ suites are fully enclosed, with floor-to-ceiling partitions and sliding doors creating a cosy cocoon above the clouds.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
The interior is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class design, with soft leather seating and high-end materials.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
The seat reclines into a supportive ‘zero gravity’ position which reduces pressure on the spine and joints to alleviate discomfort and muscle fatigue.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
Of course, it completely reclines to become a wide fully-flat bed matched with a mattress topper, plush blanket and feather-soft pillow.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
For the ‘game changer’ suite, Emirates adopted a 1-1-1 layout of three suites per row (with two rows creating six suites in the first class cabin).
And while the middle suite has no view, it’s fitted with ‘virtual windows’ that display a real-time HD video feed from external cameras.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
Each suite also has its own temperature and mood lighting controls, so you can create a ‘micro-climate’ to suit your preference.
Other high-tech touches include a ‘video call’ system for room service from the dine-on-demand à la carte menu, a 32” 4K HD entertainment screen and premium Bowers & Wilkins noise-cancelling headphones.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
And then there are novelty touches: a pair of binoculars (no, you can’t keep them) and a writing set.
Emirates 'game changer' 777 first class.
(Down the other end of the plane, Emirates is now working on a ‘game changer’ seat for economy, having prototyped an all-new design which Clark says addresses the pain points of long-distance flights in economy.)
The Emirates Boeing 777 also sports the airline’s latest business class.
Emirates' latest Boeing 777 business class.
In place of the older 2-2-2 or even worse 2-3-2 business class configuration, there’s a far more private and passenger-friendly 1-2-1 layout so that everyone enjoys direct aisle access.
Emirates' latest Boeing 777 business class.
Based on Emirates’ A380 business class, it has the following features:
- 20.7” wide seat
- fully lie-flat bed
- 23” HD screen
- AC, USB-A and USB-C power
- personal (non-chilled) mini-bar
As we’ve previously reported, the general consensus is that while a huge step up from Emirates’ previous 777 business class, it’s “overdue yet underwhelming” and does little to close the gap against best-in-class competitors such as Qatar Airways.
Read more: First impressions of Emirates new 777 business class
In addition, the revamped 777 business class cabin includes a small ‘grab-and-go bar’ stocked with drinks and light snacks.
This 777 also has Emirates’ well-regarded premium economy cabin – with 24 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, with a 38” pitch and 8” recline – along with a handful of private first class suites.
Emirates' Boeing 777 premium economy.
All in all, this Emirates 777 makes an excellent addition to the two current A380s doing the Melbourne-Dubai run, although those superjumbos are of course the prize pick for their business class cocktail bar and first class showers.
Emirates has committed to upgrading a total of 81 Boeing 777s over the coming years as part of a multi-billion dollar program while waiting for the long-delayed Boeing 777-9.
Also now flying is the Emirates Airbus A350, which evolves the core A380/B777 business class seat into what it calls the ’S Lounge’ business class.
Emirates' latest Airbus A350 business class.
Inspired by the Mercedes S Class, the A350 S Lounge business class gains wireless charging, advanced in-seat lighting, 4K video screens with Bluetooth audio streaming, electric window blinds plus free WiFi using ViaSat’s broadband Global Xpress satellite network.
Emirates doesn’t have any A350s slated for Australia, although the airline believes Adelaide will eventually be upgraded to an A350 from the current Boeing 777-200.
Also in the works: doored business class suites for the long-delayed Boeing 777-9, which Emirates reportedly does not expect to see until 2027-2028.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1279
It will be interesting to see if EK cabin crew actually monitor the 2 toilets supposedly set aside for W pax on the 77W. These toilets actually adjoin 2 Y class toilets and are only separated by an angled curtain on each side of the plane.
Despite being about 75cm narrower than the A380 lower deck, EK still has 8 abreast W seating on the 77W and the same quoted seat width of 19.5". Of course, 8 abreast is not unusual for a W cabin so I assume the aisles on the A380 must be much wider. Pitch on the 77W, at 38", is 2" less than that quoted for the A380 which is often judged to be one of the leading W products of any airline.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 117
The F suites are the excellent new(ish) "Game Changer" fully enclosed suites. Whilst some may lament no shower suites like the A380, the DPR (Dunny Passenger Ratio) up the front is very good with 2 toilets for 6 F Suites, and flight crew.
The A380 is obviously a bit quieter than B77W (noise cancelling headsets fix that); but I would rather be in the new F Suites, and not have the A380 shower, or the Bar that F pax often don't bother with unless meeting up with somebody from J. The shower in A380 F is nice, but not really a big deal when you can shower before/after flights in better showers in the lounges.
16 Jan 2019
Total posts 4
I think the first class cabin on these refurbished planes is still 8 suites (1-2-1 across) according to the seat map, so I'm not sure it fully replicates the product they put in that small batch of 777's with just 6 suites.
Anyone been on who can comment?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 195
All 777 with 4 classes (PE) have the game changer
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 191
Check out the recent review on YouTube how bad are these business class seats and you wish you never book these
Those nice looking seats are like coffins as you cannot push down those elbow rest sides so completely trapped between them can't even move a disgrace!
Etihad - Etihad Guest
10 Oct 2018
Total posts 4
That is the A350 which has a narrower cabin width…
25 Jun 2021
Total posts 31
I have done the new A380 Interior in 1st and that was nice, i did check Biz out and that was a big improvement, only done 2 flights on a 777 in Biz class and was very outdated. I do like the bar on the A380, but in multi-pull flights only ever used the shower once. 777 still way better then the 787 so should be a win win.
04 Sep 2019
Total posts 68
meh, the first class product offered on the singapore airlines A380 is far far superior to this.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 612
Well, apart from the fact that you are comparing an A380 to a B777, yes it does, as does Etihad's A380 first class. Emirates A380 first class is almost 20 years old (launched in 2008), a shame EK didn't do what SQ did and replace first with an all new design. Would have been interesting to see what first class EK would have out on the 'A380neo' if that had come off.
05 Mar 2025
Total posts 1
I agree! The Singapore new 380 layout is so much better as is the Etihad 380 1st suite. Unless you have a separate bed you can hardly ask "how luxurious can first class travel get?". For long distance flights a separate bed so you don't get your seat made into a bed and decide you can't sleep after all is a game changer not a bigger door on a cramped Emirates suite!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 43
I would definitely pop down to Melbourne (from Sydney) to try the game changer if I ever got the chance! btw strange that SeatGuru doesn't show a configuration of the 777 from Emirates that shows the 4-class version?? (https://seatguru.com/airlines/Emirates_Airlines/information.php)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 144
A colleague of mine is flying ADL-DXB-CPH next week. I already gave him the bad news that the A380 on DXB-CHP is the 2-class config. But I'm not sure what 777-200LR is on the ADL-DXB sector. Refreshed J in 1-2-1? or the old 2-2-2? or worse, is it a 2-3-2 (if this was on the 777?)? Apparently he cannot see a seat map, nor does his "manage booking" show a seat assignment.
I've avoided the EK 777s like the plague since 2016, so no experience here.
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