My $20,000 Emirates First-Class Experience

While I have flown First Class more times than I can count, flying Emirates A380 First-Class was an experience of a lifetime. Although this wasn’t my first time of flying First in A380, but this superseded my previous First Class A380 experience on Singapore Airlines. 

Flight details: Emirates EK212
Route: Houston (IAH) – Dubai (DXB)
Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Depart: 7:10pm
Arrive: 7:45pm
Duration: 14hrs 35mins
Aircraft Type: Airbus A380
Aircraft ID: A6-EUJ
Seat: 2K (First Class Suite)
Cash price: $20,463
Cost to me: $29 (taxes and fees)

On this $20,000 trip, there are 2 segments. First segment was from Houston to Dubai, and the second segment was from Dubai to Mauritius. In this review, I’ll be focusing only on the first leg which is Houston to Dubai. I will post another review for Dubai to Mauritius in a new post.

By the way, this is going to be a very long post, so grab a cup of coffee or a glass of your favorite drink as you read along. Because, this isn’t just flying, it’s the Emirates A380. Being able to shower at 40,000 feet in the air is something many avgeek has at the top of their bucket lists.

While this flight experience didn’t start with the famous Emirates Chauffeur drive, it instead started with a different kind of experience. A Bi-Level Suite upgrade at the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental. Thanks to my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status. As a matter of fact, I’ve had luck with Bi-Level Suite upgrades at multiple Sheraton Hotels. Here is one of them at Sheraton on The Falls

1 Bedroom Bi-Level Suite at Sheraton IAH

The VIP treatment began the moment I took a turn and walked on the red carpet straight to the First-Class check-in counter. While there were tons of people in line at the economy counters, there was no one waiting in line at the First-Class counters. Since there were only 5 passengers in First-Class on this flight, it was expected not to have anyone waiting in line. 

Emirates First Class sign at IAH

I feel very important seeing two check-in agents at their separate counters giving me a standing ovation to welcome me. Checking in was quick, and in 2 minutes I was holding the $20,000 boarding passes in my hands. 

Follow me on instagram: @thepointsengineer

Passing through security was a breeze, as there is a dedicated security line for First-Class, Business-Class, and TSA PreCheck passengers. 

First-Class, Business-Class, and TSA PreCheck gate

Emirates First-Class and Business-Class passengers have access to the contracted Executive Lounge at IAH. While at this lounge, I wasn’t feeling that First-Class excitement here, so I decided to leave and go to The Centurion Lounge which I can access using my American Express Platinum Card. While I’ve been to this centurion lounge a couple of times in the past, on this very day leaving from the Executive Lounge to AmEx Lounge was like jumping from frying pan to fire. It was crowded, and the food on display was subpar. I only managed to get a cup of soup.

Executive Lounge sitting area at Houston Int’l Airport



Food selection at the Executive Lounge IAH



The Centurion Lounge is accessible to AmEx Platinum and Centurion card holders

Boarding time was fast approaching, so I bid the lounge goodbye and walked majestically to my boarding gate. There was no designated line for First-Class which made the boarding process a bit time consuming since both First-Class and Business-Class passengers were on the same line.

Still walking majestically after my boarding pass was scanned, I proceeded to the jet-bridge which leads to the upper deck of the ‘King of the Sky’, the Double-Decker-Super-Jumbo Emirates Airbus A380. The moment I stepped my foot on the plane, the first thing that came to my mind was one of Emirates slogans “It isn’t just flying, it’s the Emirates A380”.

After checking my boarding pass, I was greeted by a Flight Attendant which directed me to another Flight Attendant that led me to my luxurious Suite 2K. She then introduced herself to me and asked me if it was my first time in the suites. I replied, not really. Since it wasn’t my first time flying First-Class in Airbus A380 suites. I then answered her that it was my first time in Emirates First-Class suite. She welcomed me again and offered me a welcome drink. She then asked me the pajama size I’ll like to have. 

My first impression of the First-Class cabin (I mean my private jet for that night) was wow wow wow. Emirates is well known for their bling bling all round. Pictures and videos did not do it justice. I’ve seen it in photos and videos, now being there in person and admiring that over-the-top suite with gold trimmings all around was just unbelievable.

After hot towel was distributed, as a non-alcoholic, I started this 14hrs 35minutes that was going to be an experience of a lifetime with a glass of orange juice, instead of champagne as you would expect. And the drink was paired with some warm nuts. And while I was still trying to settle in and get used to the atmosphere, I was offered a cup of Arabic coffee with some dates. 

The Emirates First-Class suite was designed to impress. And boy, I must say it did impress me. I was too excited that I forgot to take note of the exact time we started our pushback. But I paid attention to details on most of the activities of the flight so I could give you a thorough review. I was so thorough with my pictures and videos that the couple in the 2 middle suites behind me came to ask me some questions if I was a reporter or something. I smiled, and just replied “no, I have a blog and a YouTube channel”.

The moment we passed 10,000 feet and still climbing, I tapped the touchscreen TV to take a look at the map. I couldn’t resist but take a picture of the screen when I saw my city (Lagos) on the 32-inch TV.

I play around with the automated mini bar by pushing the open/close button a few times. The mini bar contains some bottles of water (both still & sparkling), and some Pepsi and 7up sodas. Let me quickly say this: a lot of people have criticized Emirates saying the mini bar is pointless since you can have any drink you want in First-Class whenever and however you want it. But in my opinion, the bar actually makes sense. Since sometimes you just don’t want to bother the flight attendants, also since some people prefer a room-temperature glass of water. Maybe that was actually the reason why you’ll find a glass cup in the mini bar. I also play around with the button that releases the dining table a few times.

A moment later, the goodie bag arrived. The bag has an Emirates logo on it, and as expected, it contained the famous Emirates First-Class pajama. The ‘World’s First Moisturizing Sleepwear’, which was designed to prevent skin dehydration. The bag also contained a ‘Bulgari Amenity Kit’ exclusively made for Emirates, a very comfortable looking Emirates slippers, and eye mask. In one of the containments underneath the TV, you’ll also find an Emirates writing pad and a pen which you are free to take.

I am giving this away to one lucky winner on YouTube. Plz Subscribe






Again, you are free to take this with you

The excitement, alongside the fact that I was taking a lot of pictures and shooting videos didn’t make me feel hungry for the first 4 hours during the flight. The FAs came to me a few times, and I was just like I’ll let them know when I feel hungry.

Afterall, in First-Class, the entire menu is available in a “dine-on-demand” manner. Which means that you can order whatever you want, whenever you want it, and however you want it. Another FA came again, addressed me by my last name and said “you should eat something. How about a drink and some snacks”? I said oh yea, as a non-alcoholic, I requested for Virgin Mojito. The good stuff without the hard stuff, and it was accompanied with some potato chips.

A moment later, I was ready to start savoring their drinks and devouring their food. I then ordered my favorite appetizer. The particular one I’ve been craving for. CAVIAR: served with traditional selection of finely chopped onion, grated egg, sour cream and lemon, served with melba toast and blinis. And a shot of vodka that missed its way and landed on my table.

Caviar, served with melba toast and blinis

If you’re reading this far into this review, I’d like to say thank you. 

After finishing with the caviar, I decided to take a little walk before stuffing myself some more with food. I walked through the main Business Class cabin, and the other small and cozy Business Class cabin then all the way to the back of the aircraft where something amazing is situated. At this point, I was in the world-famous Emirates A380 Onboard Lounge. A bar which serves both First and Business Class passengers. Being my first time at the lounge, I looked around for a minute and just admiring all the beauty. I was like I’ve been seeing it on videos, and now I am seeing it live. I feel so privilege. Especially with the fact that I only paid $29 in cash for this experience of a lifetime.

I was taking some pictures of the bar, and the FA inside the bar asked me if I wanted to come behind the counter and take pictures. I didn’t hesitate to say, “I’d love to”.

After a few drinks and some chit-chats with some of the other passengers at the lounge, I started feeling hungry even though I had some snacks at the bar. I headed back to my hotel room in the air, I mean my Emirates First-Class Suite 2K for dinner.

I then ordered Roasted Salmon as my main course. The salmon was paired with fish broth, steamed oak Choi and mushrooms with herbs. Alongside a glass of Virgin Mojito and a glass of water.

For dessert, since I was already stuffed. I requested for just chocolate. And then I thought I should also have a feel of that Emirates unique ‘tea-with-altitude’ experience. I then requested for green tea with lemon.

The best way to enjoy the Emirates Signature Tea

At this point, we were already halfway into the 14hrs 35mins flight to Dubai. So, I thought I should get some sleep. I then pushed the button from the tablet to request for room service. An FA responded, and I asked that my bed be prepared for me to sleep.

According to my calculation, sleeping in First-Class on this $16,000 flight would cost about $1,103 per hour. I was able to get four hours of sleep, and that is a total of $4,413 hahaha.

One thing I didn’t mentioned earlier was about the shower. Yes, Emirates does have 2 showers fitted in their Airbus A380 only. You’re probably saying a shower in the air? How can that be possible? Yep, all those questions of yours are legitimately reasonable. And so is the shower.

This is the main highlight of the Emirates A380 First-Class. A perk that sets Emirates apart from the other airlines. Although you can find a shower onboard Etihad A380 also, but Emirates was the first commercial airline to have fitted a shower in their aircraft.

These showers are available to only the 14 First-Class passengers. After take-off, one of the shower attendants came to me and ask me if I’d love to shower during the flight and when.  I booked my shower for 2 hours before landing, which is a perfect time.

By the way, you’ll find the shower attendants wearing like a red vest on their uniform, and they wear pants/trousers instead of skirts like the rest of the flight attendants.

The shower attendant asked me if it is my first time taking a shower onboard, and I was like of course it is. Only one percent of the one percent have been able to take a shower at 40,000ft in the air hellooo. 

I must say that the bathroom was spotlessly clean, actually cleaner and more desirable than the bathrooms of some 5-star luxury hotels I’ve been to. The bathroom features a wood and granite sink, a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and glossy wood all around the shower spa. The shower spa also has a huge LCD screen fitted on the wall showing you the current location. During my shower session, I noticed the floor was not heated, but the floor wasn’t cold at all. There was also a towel on the floor which you can step upon.

Although you do have 30-minutes shower session, but Emirates restricts the shower water to run for 5-minutes only. In my opinion, 5-minutes of running water is more than enough in the air. Especially with the fact that you can pause and start the flow of the shower water.
I stepped into the shower cubicle, turned the knob into middle to ensure the water wasn’t too cold nor too hot, and then pushed the on/off shower button. At this point I couldn’t believe it. I was literally taking my first shower on a plane. It felt crazily crazy. I’ve taken a shower at dozens of airport lounges around the world, but this one, is overkill.

Imagine being buck naked, taking a shower and singing in the world-famous over-the-top Emirates’ onboard First-Class shower while flying 650mph at 40,000ft above sea level.

For me, it was an experience of a lifetime. I felt very privilege. I still couldn’t believe it. All these for $29? God bless the points. Really, I could do this every weekend.

Well, the sign says maximum of 2 occupants in shower 🙂



The shower spa, with Dubai skyline on the wall



Walk-in shower

After returning to my Suite 2K, I was expecting a plate of fresh fruits to be waiting for me, but there was none. I reached out to one of the FAs and in no time the plate of fruits arrived with some shortbreads and green tea as requested.

You’ll think 14hrs 35minutes is way too long on a plane. The captain came on a PSA that in about an hour from now, we’ll start our descent into Dubai. And I asked myself, where did the time go?

At this point, I knew I had to do whatever I needed to do left in a rush. So I quickly ordered for breakfast. Crepes: filled with Apple and raisin compote, served with creme anglaise with green Apple, ginger and mint detox drink. And honestly, those crepes were so good that I felt like asking for more.

After rushing my breakfast, I figured I still have a little bit of time, so I beckoned on one of the flight attendants and requested for the bottles of their Dom Perignon, followed by the Hennessey Paradis. I wanted to take a picture of them. She replied, certainly.

She then brought the bottle and said “This is Dom Perignon 2002 Vintage. Emirates is the only airline that offer this onboard”. And the next minute, she brought the Hennessey Paradis Rare Cognac. Interestingly, when I checked the retail price of each bottle, the Dom Perignon 2002 Vintage has a retail price of $450, while Hennessey Paradis Rare Cognac which is the most expensive drink served by any commercial airline (cost over a thousand dollars).

Dom Perignon Vintage 2002 Plenitude 2 (Retail price: $450)



The retail price of Hennessy Paradis Rare Cognac cost over $1,000 per bottle

How did I book this flight?

I booked this award ticket using Alaska Airlines MileagePlan miles. With my MVP Gold 75K status (the highest Elites status on Alaska Airlines), it was easier for me to have accumulated so much miles to be able to book this award booking on Alaska. You can read more about Alaska Airlines Frequent Flyer program here.

By the way, I am giving out a ‘MVP Status’ to one lucky winner on instagram. Follow me on instagram, you could be that lucky winner.

Since this trip was from IAH – DXB – MRU, it cost 200,000 miles. There has been plenty of award seats available on Alaska lately, especially few days before departure. So, if you’re flexible with your travel plans, it shouldn’t be too hard finding availability.

This First-Class ticket is priced at $20,463. Since Chauffeur Drive services isn’t offered on partner award bookings, I’ll peg the price of this ticket at $20,000.

Let me quickly say that if you’re not using points, I can’t personally recommend paying $16k or $20k for this flight. The cash price of this flight from Houston to Dubai is $16,000 while Houston – Dubai – Mauritius cost nothing less than $20,000. Again, this flight only cost me $29 out of pocket, after redeeming 200,000 Alaska Airlines miles. 

Wondering how I got so much Alaska miles? You can read more about that here in one of my previous posts.

IAH – DXB – MRU ($20,463)




IAH – DXB ($16,000)

As I round off this memory that will last a lifetime, about 30 minutes before landing, the captain came on the PSA again and announced about the Emirates Airline foundation. A charity organization which aims to improve the quality of life for children, regardless of location, boundaries, etc. and to help them improve their human dignity.
You can donate in any currency, and nothing is too small. A little change can change a lot.

Final thoughts:

Was it worth it? Absolutely! it was worth every point and penny. It was like being in a world of my own. Although 200K Alaska Airlines miles sounds really much, especially with the fact that MileagePlan miles are not that easy to accumulate, but I must state that it was worth every moment. Spending almost 15 hours in the Emirates Airbus A380, on-demand fine-dining, the shower spa, and the onboard lounge is one of the items on many flyers bucket list. And again, I was privilege to have been able to have a feel of that experience.

If you are yet to fly Emirates First Class, I highly recommend it. In my opinion, no other airline’s First-Class products beats Emirates. While I cannot recommend coughing out a whopping $20,000 cash to go on this flight, I highly recommend you work towards getting enough points to book this experience of a lifetime. 

Realistically speaking, I’m not sure how many years it would have taken me to save up and be able to pay for this flight in cash, or maybe I probably would have had to sell one of my kidneys lol. 

The Airbus A380 was like a big ship in a calm ocean. It was massive, yet quiet. When you fly in Emirates First-Class, you are guaranteed an incredible experience, no doubt about that.

Travel is supposed to be fun, and exciting. And that’s the feel you’ll have the moment you step into the First-Class cabin. The flight attendants always make sure you have an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.

I have flown First-Class tons of times, but this one is my best flight ever. Everything was all glamorous, and I can’t wait to be back onboard another Emirates A380. In First-Class of course.

It was an excellent service, and I couldn’t fault a thing. Well, except the WiFi which was too slow.