Which is the best Emirates Business Class cabin: Boeing 777 or Airbus A380?
When it comes to business class, Emirates is right up there with the best in the industry. However, the airline’s two fleets offer distinct products, with the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 each having their pros and cons. Here’s a look at which cabin is the best.
Right off the bat, the configuration of business class on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 varies significantly. The A380 features an industry-standard 1-2-1, with each seat offering access to the aisle. The 777, meanwhile, offers a 2-3-2 layout, which has some obvious drawbacks.
While Emirates’ decision might seem odd, considering the 777 can be deployed on routes as long as 15 hours, the type also serves short-haul flights in the region. The 2-3-2 configuration, therefore, works on flights of all lengths. However, with only four seats across in the A380, there are a lot more features.
The biggest perk of business class is the lie-flat bed available for sleeping. Here is where the 777 clearly falls behind the A380 in terms of comfort. On the superjumbo, the seat slides down to create a 70-78″ bed (5’8″ to 6’5″ depending on your seat pick) for great sleep. While the bed is a bit tight due to the 18.5″ seat width, much smaller than some competitors, there is little to complain about overall.
Emirates has two 777 business class seats, a new one with an ottoman and a fully lie-flat bed, and the older business class (more common) with no ottoman and an angled-flat bed. While an angled flat seat is more comfortable, and the extra legroom at the end makes for great side sleeping. However, in any other position, the A380 wins out.
While the newer business class seat includes a small, open ottoman at the end, it still suffers from the 2-3-2 layout. Interestingly, the seat design with the extra legroom on the 777 creates a few more enjoyable lounging positions to enjoy the IFE. However, with better storage and a lie-flat bed, the A380 is the easy winner for sleeping and privacy. simpleflying.com