Bucket list: Flying Business Class in an A380

Check it off: with an Emirates A380 to Dubai!

As a frequent traveler, there are several things on my bucket list. Flying an A380 is one of them. One of them. And as a little girl, I'd love to sit upstairs on the second floor. Just like when I first went to London and sat on a double-decker bus.

And YES! I can cross this wish off my bucket list. I did it! With Emirates I flew to Dubai this week on an A380. It was a brand-new plane with all the bells and whistles. At check-in, the biggest surprise came… an upgrade to Business Class. OMG! So nice :-). My first thought: too bad the flight is "only" 5,5 hours, haha.

Even though I fly about twice a month, it's always special to fly Business Class. It's a party within a party (aka a working holiday). From the glass of champagne upon arrival to the toiletry bag with mini bottles. Emirates even provided a toiletry bag with lovely Bvlgari products. So, plenty of sunscreen to apply during the flight! LOVE it. And did I mention we were indeed seated at the top of the plane? Wow! When I peek through the window at the person on the other side of the aisle, I can't even see the ground.

7 things you probably didn't know about the A380

In this blog post, I'll tell you all about what it's like to fly to Dubai on an Emirates A380. I could describe it in two words: AWESOME! But I'd even more fun by sharing 7 things you should know about the A380 and Emirates. The upgrade to Business Class makes it even more special, of course. And judging by the enthusiastic comments on my Instagram posts, Economy Class is thankfully just as enjoyable! For example, it's such a super quiet plane. During the flight, you're barely bothered by the engine noise.

1 >> The bar >> A380 >> Emirates

I travel a lot for Your Little Black Book, but this time I even had to rub my eyes. Emirates' A380 has a proper bar in business class. Where you can relax with a good glass of wine, cocktail, or champagne while enjoying a tasty snack. Throughout the flight, you can help yourself to cold snacks like tuna tartare, macarons, and mini sandwiches. After takeoff, there's also a hot menu available with snacks like yakitori and mini quiches. How delicious?

2 >> The cameras >> A380 >> Emirates

What made flying the A380 truly special for me were the onboard cameras. If you fly during the day and it's clear, you can see where you're flying. Cameras are mounted underneath and at the front of the plane, showing the entire flight. It's also remarkable if you arrive at night and see the illuminated runway!

3 >> Wi-Fi on board & calling >> A380 >> Emirates

OMG! How bizarre is this? Emirates has Wi-Fi on board. And that's not just the luxury A380, but also on other flights. So I was able to quickly post a selfie from business class during the flight, even livestream a blog post, and WhatsApp the girls at the office. Almost unreal when you think about what else will be possible soon!

4 >> The food >> A380 >> Emirates

The food in Business Class is a real treat! You can choose your meal a la carte from a carefully curated menu. Starters, main courses, and desserts are served on a linen-covered table by your seat. Luxurious, right? During this flight, I had an incredibly delicious smoked duck starter and a piece of lamb afterward. A cheese board for dessert. Yum!

5 >> The entertainment >> A380 >> Emirates

I don't think I've ever flown with an airline that offers such a comprehensive entertainment package. The screen in business class is absolutely fantastic. Huge and bright! You control the entertainment with a tablet, where you can easily scroll through all the movies. There are so many movies available, it's hard to know where to start. Although? The Brad Pitt movie Fury is always a hit, of course ;-). An added bonus: Emirates' noise reduction headphones. This means you can't hear a thing from the engines while watching a movie.

6 >> The service >> A380 >> Emirates

It won't surprise you that the service in Business Class is exceptional. With Emirates, you'll want for nothing. Whether you want a real cappuccino, an extra blanket, or another glass of champagne… everything is served with a smile. Upon entering Business Class, the flight attendant also introduces herself, and in everything they do, they address you by name. It's incredibly personal, and it makes you feel like a truly valued customer.

7 >> The flatbed >> A380 >> Emirates

Perhaps the best thing about flying business class is the flatbed. Your seat converts into a bed where you lie completely flat. For extra comfort, the crew even provides you with a mattress. You can imagine arriving at your destination feeling super-rested on long (night) flights.

I secretly love creating a little cabin of sorts. Stretched out on the flatbed with my laptop or iPad, watching a movie with my eyes closed. Occasionally sipping a glass of wine or fresh juice... I love flying! As far as I'm concerned, this kind of me-time can't last long enough!

After a 5,5-hour flight from Amsterdam, you arrive in Dubai. I was genuinely sad to leave my cozy place and flatbed ;-).

Make a stopover in Dubai!

Are you going with Emirates Traveling to a destination in Asia or Africa? Tip: With Emirates, you can make a free stopover in Dubai if you're in transit. Highly recommended, because Dubai is a fantastic city that you really have to experience. And the weather is almost always nice, which is also great!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of you that you'll also get an upgrade when you fly with Emirates.