- Emirates is swapping its Melbourne–Singapore–Dubai route for a direct overnight hop to the Gulf.
- Travellers in the pointy end can expect a more spacious 1-2-1 layout.
- Premium economy also sees a refresh, while first class remains the ultimate private retreat.
Emirates has dialled up its Melbourne—Dubai route to a total of three daily flights, swapping out the Melbourne—Singapore—Dubai journey for a direct overnight trek from Tullamarine to the Gulf. Sadly, this has come at the retirement of the short hop between Melbourne and Singapore — a tragic outcome for points-hounds everywhere — but in its place comes a dedicated route to Dubai that sets you up perfectly for the morning wave of flights out of Dubai and into Europe, the UK, or Africa.
If you’re lucky enough to be flying up the pointy end — and with these new cabins, you really are a lucky pup — or if you’re holding Skywards Gold or Qantas Gold, you can nurse an early morning glass of fizz in the Emirates Dubai Champagne Lounge right after touchdown… because who doesn’t love a livening flute of bubbles with their breakfast?
Emirates Business Class Gets An Overdue Upgrade
The real star in all of this is Emirates’ revamped Boeing 777, which has finally ditched that cramped 2-2-2 layout — or, even worse, the 2-3-2 layout that the airline held onto for a shamefully long time — in favour of a far more civilised 1-2-1 layout. Everyone gets direct aisle access and the seat itself is lifted from Emirates’ A380 business class blueprint. Here’s what you can expect:
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- 20.7” wide seat
- Fully lie-flat bed
- 23” HD screen
- AC, USB-A, and USB-C power
- A personal (non-chilled…) mini-bar
There’s even a small ‘grab-and-go bar’ in the cabin, so you’re never more than a few strides away from a hard-earned snack or drink between luxury meals. Critics might say that this is both overdue and underwhelming, given that competitors like Singapore Airlines have been offering this level of business class cabin to customers for several years now. Though technically not wrong, these haters can’t deny that this new layout is still leaps ahead of the old 777 setup.
First Class and Premium Economy
If you can’t quite afford or spare the points for business then fear not, there’s something in this for you too: Premium economy enjoys an overhaul, offering a 2-4-2 layout with 24 seats, sporting a roomy 38-inch pitch and 8-inch recline. If you’re at the other end of the spectrum and have more money than sense, then there are private first-class suites available for the ultra-flush.
The other two daily Melbourne–Dubai flights will be serviced on the superjumbo A380, which for many is the sentimental favourite for its in-flight bar and first-class shower. Over time, Emirates plans to revamp 81 of its Boeing 777s, which itself is a time-buying tactic as it repeatedly delays further Boeing 777-9 purchases.
Emirates also has ambitions to bring some very fancy Airbus A350s into its fleet, featuring an “S Lounge” business class seat with wireless charging, advanced in-seat lighting, and 4K screens as well as complimentary Wi-Fi courtesy of ViaSat’s Global Xpress. Sadly, there are no confirmed plans for these flights Down Under, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed…
