Your very own private suite in the sky, the finest wines and a chance to shower at 38,000 feet. And, as I’ve experienced myself, you might even snag the whole first class cabin to yourself!
While the Emirates first class experience might seem like a pipe dream, it’s actually much more accessible than you think. In this post, I’ll talk you through how you can experience this luxury for yourself.
In a nutshell, Emirates operates a range of fifth freedom routes, including a trans-Tasman service. There’s an opportunity to try out this exceptional product for a very low number of Qantas Points – with award seats up for grabs on many dates in the future (more on that below).
A three hour first-class jaunt on the Emirates A380 between Sydney and Christchurch (plus a pre-flight visit to the excellent Qantas First Lounge) can be yours for just 64,500 Qantas Points one way and just $181 in carrier fees.
But first things first: Is 64,500 Qantas Points for 3 hours in Emirates first class worth it?
We get it. We love our Kiwi neighbours, but a trans-Tasman journey between Sydney and Christchurch might not immediately provoke excitement.
But it’s all about the experience. With unprecedented appetite for travel, it can be notoriously hard to locate first class redemptions with Qantas Points, and most Emirates routes command obscenely high carrier fees.
This short and sweet taste of the pointy end fully deserves its reputation as one of the best first-class experiences in the sky.
Here’s what you can expect:
A visit to the flagship Qantas First Lounge in Sydney
When you travel the Sydney to Christchurch leg, you’ll score pre-flight access to the amazing Qantas International First Class Lounge at Sydney Airport.
The Qantas First Lounge at Sydney International Airport is consistently ranked amongst the best in the world – and an Emirates first class redemption is your ticket through the frosted door.
Once ensconced in this private space, you’ll enjoy Neil Perry inspired a la carte dining and bottomless Champagne. Unfortunately, this Emirates service is a morning departure, so there’s no time to visit the First Lounge Spa.
RELATED: One blissful day in the Qantas Sydney International First Lounge
However, provided you rise early, you’ll have more than enough time to enjoy a decadent breakfast, a glass or two of Champagne and a chance to watch the sun rise over the tarmac.
You might score an accidental Emirates first class VIP experience
Step onboard the Emirates A380, as that’s when the magic starts. And what could be more magical than having the first-class experience all to yourself?
This is an experience I enjoyed myself when flying this redemption recently. Since Emirates often flies an empty first class cabin on this route, your chances of bumping up from first class to a private jet experience is a very real possibility.
Nabbing one of the best first class products in the sky for just 64,500 points is unquestionably a steal. But scoring the entire Emirates A380 first class cabin to yourself? That’s next level!
You’ll stretch back in your very own private suite
Either way, a private enclosed suite is yours to stretch out in for the duration of your flight – and it’s a fine way to travel indeed. The Emirates first class suite on the A380 features closeable doors, mood lighting and soft leather seating.
You’ll also enjoy a range of amenities and entertainment at your fingertips, including your very own mini bar, excellent IFE system, high-quality noise-cancelling headphones, Emirates writing kit and Byredo in-suite amenity kit.
Sip wines worth up to $500 or more (and a cognac worth an eye-watering $1700 a bottle!)
If you’re a wine lover, you’re likely to know that Emirates first class boasts one of the finest wine lists in the air.
First up, you’ll have the chance to enjoy excellent vintage Champagne, including Dom Perignon vintage (retailing for around $400 per bottle). You may even be fortunate enough to find the more premium Dom Perignon P2 on pour (fetching $800 or more per bottle).
Emirates is renowned for offering decadent still (non-Champagne) wines, and you’ll often encounter rare first growth Bordeaux in first class. In fact, some of the bottles I spied on the wine list last time I flew this route commanded retail prices of up to $500 or more per bottle.
Prefer something sweet? Perhaps a nip of the legendary dessert wine, Chateau D’Yquem Sauternes, to complement your breakfast. This drop retails for upwards of $600 for a 375ml half bottle.
Or, if wine isn’t your thing, you can go one better with one of the most prestigious cognacs available – Hennessy Paradis. This top drop is currently listed at Vintage Cellars for an eye-watering $1,700 per bottle. On my recent flight, the crew were only too happy to pour me a sample before wheels up.
Take a shower at 38,000 feet
If you’ve always wanted to shower in the sky – this could be the chance you’ve been waiting for.
The Emirates A30 boasts a shower suite that is exclusively available for first class passengers. It’s bookable for a 30-minute block once during the flight. During this time, 5 minutes of water can be used. A dedicated shower attendant is on hand to maintain the suite between passengers.
Given the short flight time, you might not find time for this experience – but if you have the opportunity to try the first class shower out, it’s well worth it!
And let’s not forget the chance to visit the Emirates A380 bar…
Plus, there are plenty of award seats available to book well into the future
While Emirates first class space (and premium reward seats in general!) can be notoriously difficult to come by, it’s surprisingly easy to find on this fifth freedom route. There are plenty of award seats up for grabs well into the future – providing a compelling opportunity to lock in this experience with a stash of points.
Here’s what you can expect to outlay in points plus carrier charges for your first class seat between Sydney and Christchurch on the Qantas website:
And here is an overview of widespread first class award seat availability across the time period of early September 2024 to early October 2024:
Are you tempted to book in a three hour Emirates first class experience?
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