Would you pay $1800 AUD to fly first class for three hours on an Emirates A380? I recently did this on a flight from Christchurch to Sydney, following an unforgettable trip filled with stargazing in hot springs, hiking to glacial lakes, and enjoying the best meal I’ve had in New Zealand. But for now, let’s get back to the first-class experience.

First Impressions

First class on the Emirates A380 is nothing short of luxurious. The seat is not only comfy but also decked out with a pillow, mattress topper, and blankets. Instead of seeing other passengers, I saw mirrors, adding an extra layer of privacy. One of the standout differences between first class and business class is the incredibly attentive service. As soon as I sat down, a crew member came over to explain the seat features and, of course, pour me a drink. Looking at my glass of bubbly, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How did I get here?”

Exploring the Suite

Luxury here includes seat belts for not just yourself but your bag as well. Naturally, I started pressing all the buttons. There’s a mini-bar with chilled drinks, including sparkling and still water, and snacks. Storage compartments are everywhere, perfect for someone like me who loves storage. Coat storage between the suites, and a quirky little storage section where I wasn’t quite sure what to put. The toiletries from BYREDO are a treat, and there’s even an Emirates pen and notebook under the table for those who like to write.

Dining and Entertainment

While the champagne was tempting, I knew there was a big meal ahead, so I diverted my attention to the purple orchid on the wall. The power points are cleverly hidden, built into the table and area next to the bag. As I fiddled with the lights and aircon, the crew served dates and coffee, with options of plain dates or dates with almonds – the latter being absolutely delicious.

The food and drink menu was extensive, and the hot towel was a nice touch. If you’re indecisive like me, you can check the entire menu on the Emirates website before your flight. Although it’s not customary to give out toiletry bags on short flights, I got lucky this time, thanks to the friendly staff. This bag, valued at around $230 to $325, included essentials like a dental kit, deodorant, hairbrush, and a luxurious gold-plated Bulgari mirror.

In-Flight Features

The in-flight tablet controls everything in your seat, from entertainment to flight details and seat configurations. After takeoff, I tried the doors, which open and close at the press of a button. Though they have handles, I didn’t need to use them. Despite the short flight, I managed to sample all the snacks. The dragées – chocolate-covered almonds with a crispy shell – were my favourite.

The Dining Experience

Dining in first class is decadent. They kept the Dom Perignon flowing, accompanied by a generous serving of caviar with various toppings and garlic bread, my favorite. I did an obligatory caviar bump with vodka before diving into the meal. The duck entrée was delightful, prompting a happy dance from me.

The Shower

Yes, there’s a shower on the plane! It’s massive, with bench space doubling up as the toilet. Emirates provides various sustainable Voya toiletries and essentials like nail files, shaving kits, and a loofah. You get around 30 minutes in the shower area, with 5 minutes of actual shower time. The hair dryer is limited to 5 minutes. Full-sized Voya products and hand towels add to the luxury. After hanging my clothes, I started my shower. It felt fantastic, especially after a long day, and I returned to my seat to find chocolates piled on my plate.

Final Thoughts

After the big meal, I decided to lie down and rest, concluding my first-class experience. If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, please give me a thumbs up. To see my next adventure around Lake Tekapo, hit subscribe!

Watch the video on YouTube

And you can also see the business class version