A brand and needed new experience to one of the most hated products in the skies.

Emirates has been one of the most recognized airlines in the world, they have a major footprint, it’s the biggest operator of the biggest plane in the world, the Airbus A380, and its fleet only consists - until recently as they introduced the A350 to the equation - of just two types of planes, the A380 and the 777.

on the A380 the Business and first experience has been great, lounge bar in the back of the plain, modern 1-2-1 configuration in business and showers for first class travelers.

Sadly, on the 777 the experience left a lot to be desired, the old 2-4-2 just didn’t have a place in on of the most important airlines in the world, thankfully Emirates started aggressively retrofitting their 777s, making them a 4 class configuration and taking their business class product to the likes of their A380.

*New 4 class 777 consist of First-Business-PremiumEconomy-Economy*
*Image credit to aeroLOPA*

Thankfully I was able to book the newly scheduled 777-300ER on their fifth freedom route from MIAMI to Bogota.

Fifth freedom flights are great to get value out of Emirates Skywards miles as those were not hit by devaluation, and imposed taxes are usually on the low side.

*Roundtrip price Business class MIA-BOG*

I Paid 65.000 skywards miles that I transferred from American Express + $286 for roundtrip, in the new business class, an excellent price, and plenty of availability.

First impressions are WOW!, they did an awesome job bringing new live to a dated plane, it’s the same seat as they have on their A380s but with a modern twist, a more modern color pallet, a more sober wood appliances but the same luxury feel from one of the best airlines in the world.

window seat with more privacy, closer to the window

Getting into the seat it gets even better.

The seat feels big and spacious, the color scheme calming, a big screen, with a not so necessary small one to control it -classic Emirates-, you get a small cabinet with some water and light snacks, a good pair of noise cancelling headphones and a great charging station, with two 27W USB-C ports.

being a 6’0 man the little coffin-like food space offered by some airlines always kills me, usually on the reversed herringbone seats alas American, Avianca, Cathay, Airfrance etc.

so it was a pleasure to find this amount of space in the Emirates seats, I can easily move, and as a side sleeper this give plenty of room to accommodate.

Once the airplane is in cruising altitude you can take the small tablet out to control the big screen, or play different stuff like the flight route or adjust the seat.

Food service was rapidly served, starting with some champagne and warm nuts, follow by a full course meal.

I ordered the Arabic mezze with the fish and cheese as dessert. it was plentiful, not the best but great for such a short flight.

Bathrooms are other category that has a big impact in the overall experience, a dreaded, filthy one would make you suffer if you find yourself in the situation of really needing one, fortunately Emirates bathrooms are pristine, and BIG!, there’s plenty of room, nice lighting, tolerates and even a real orchid for the ambiance.

if only had the showers like in the A380s it’d be perfect.

Finally, after dinner service is done, they shift the lights and turn the beautiful starry ceiling up, its time to turn down the bed, they provide a nice pillow and a blanket, and if you’re traveling with someone you could pick the honeymoon seats that are closer to each other to have a more intimate time.

Overall a great experience, hard and soft product, Emirates turned their 777s from the lower tier to the top with this retrofitting, and for 35.000 points per way there’s plenty of value there, along with the bast network and fifth freedoms that remain untouched on the recent devaluation.

Emirates retrofitted 777 Business Class

Ritz-Carlton Reserve Nekajui