Reply To: Is First on Emirates unrealistic?

[Rob]

A few things ….

Virgin DOES fly to Dubai, albeit with the 787 with the crappy 21-year old Upper Class seat

BA doesn’t have First Class on many of its Dubai flights, hence the lack of seats. The A380s, when used, do have it and there is generally availability because its a 14 seat cabin. A380 F arguably isn’t better than Club Suite on a standard 777 though.

Emirates F is available but it requires an Amex transfer. When I did the 77W a few years ago seats only opened 2 days before departure so I had to fly to Dubai with no return and cross my fingers! Not sure what the current position is.

Arguably Etihad F on the A380 is the best experience (given that only Stansted has the decent Emirates F seat) into Abu Dhabi.

Or do Qatar Qsuite to Doha – technically Business Class but better than First Class on most airlines including BA, and indeed a better seat than Emirates F unless you do the 77W. And I DON’T recommend the 77W with Mum because it is full height suites so you won’t see her for the entire flight, even when you are walking around the cabin.

So … quick summary …. take her to Doha a long weekend on a Qsuite-equipped Qatar Airways flight booked with Avios.