Emirates unveils new B777-300 First Class suites in Brussels after initial flight from Dubai [PICS]

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Emirates today unveiled in Brussels completely refreshed interiors for its Boeing 777 aircraft, including its highly anticipated new First Class private suites. For their high demand for such fine product, Brussels and Geneva are the first destinations to receive this new product today.

The Boeing 777-300ER A6-EQH with the special “Year of Zayed 2018” (celebrating 100 years since the birth of the founder of Emirates Airlines) livery arrived well on-time at a slightly foggy Brussels Airport. The Aviation24.be team attended the ceremony at Gate 28 and got the opportunity to visit the completely refreshed aircraft (see pictures at the end of this report hereunder, after the official presentation of the aircraft)

Emirates Boeing 777-300ER A6-EQH in “Year of Zayed 2018” livery arriving at Gate B28 of Brussels Airport

With floor to ceiling sliding doors and sleek design features inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emirates’ new suites take luxury and privacy to the next level. Offering up to 40 square feet of personal space each, these spacious, fully-enclosed private suites are laid out in a 1-1-1 configuration.

From First Class through to the Business and Economy Class cabins, all along the walkways, in the washrooms and galleys, the latest Emirates 777 aircraft boasts a multi-million dollar upgrade that includes newly-designed seats and upgraded in-flight entertainment systems in all cabins. 

The latest Emirates 777 aircraft with these new features enters commercial service today, December 1st 2017, making its debut on flights to Brussels and Geneva.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:

 “The in-flight experience is the heart of our brand and service proposition. The new 777 interiors that we are unveiling today is part of Emirates’ ongoing investment to continually raise the bar and exceed our customers’ expectations. Aside from our new fully enclosed private suites, Business Class features our latest fully-flat leather seats with personal minibars, Economy Class seats have adjustable full leather headrests, and the in-flight entertainment system has been upgraded for all cabin classes. Throughout the aircraft, our customers will see modern and airy cabins, with painstaking attention to detail evident in design touches such as the textured wall and ceiling panels, lighting features, and more.”

On the airline’s new First Class product, Sir Tim said: 

Emirates pioneered the First Class private suite concept back in 2003, and today it’s the industry benchmark when it comes to first class travel. Over the years we have continually improved on our private suites, adding thoughtful refinements and features. We are very excited about our new fully-enclosed suite which is a real game-changer in terms of privacy, comfort, and thoughtful luxury. This is the first time an Emirates product has been so influenced by another luxury brand, but it is a natural fit as both Emirates and Mercedes-Benz have the same unwavering commitment to fine detail, uncompromising quality, and a drive to push the boundaries.”

Emirates’ latest First Class product gives a nod to the design philosophy of the Mercedes-Benz S- Class, bringing together two global brands renowned for innovation, luxury, and comfort. The collaboration inspired several design details in the private suite including the soft leather seating, high-tech control panels, and mood lighting. 

Extending that trademark in-flight experience to exclusive on-ground services, Emirates and Mercedes-Benz have extended their partnership to provide a fleet of the S-Class cars as part of its complimentary Chauffeur-drive service. Emirates First Class passengers arriving or departing in the UAE will enjoy a seamless journey from aircraft to home, and vice versa, in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class car.

Changing the game in First Class – key product features

The new Emirates 777 First Class cabin interior uses a whole new colour palette of soft greys, cream and champagne, conveying a contemporary, open and airy feel, with quiet and timeless luxury.

Created in collaboration with Boeing, Rockwell Collins interior systems, Panasonic, Jacques Pierre Jean Design studio and Seattle-based design firm Teague, each fully enclosed private suite has a floor to ceiling sliding door, and combines smart technologies and intelligent design to deliver function, as well as luxury and comfort. 

 

First Class fully enclosed private suites

The soft leather seat reclines into a fully flat bed and can be placed in a “zero-gravity” position inspired by NASA technology, giving a feeling of relaxation and weightlessness. The roomy suites also have ample space for passengers to change in the privacy of their suites even after the bed has been made.

 

Zero-gravity position

To ensure all First Class customers have a view, Emirates is introducing the industry’s first virtual windows for suites located in the middle aisle. These virtual windows project the view from outside the aircraft using real-time camera technology. In the other suites, binoculars are available for customers who want to explore the sky outside their windows. 

Passengers can easily communicate with the cabin crew or request for room service using the video call function. The suites also come with a service window where customers can be served drinks and canapes undisturbed. 

Emirates has retained and updated the most popular features of its private suites such as: the personal mini bar for drinks and snacks within each suite; and wireless controls to adjust seating positions, as well as to navigate Emirates’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system, ice.  

Customers can view over 2,500 channels of on-demand entertainment on a 32-inch Full HD LCD TV screen, or project content from their own devices. The viewing experience is now enhanced with brand new Bowers & Wilkins Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones created exclusively for Emirates. These headphones were designed by award-winning audio brand Bowers & Wilkins to ensure the sound was optimised for the First Class cabin environment. 

Each suite is fitted with an inspiration kit which features a luxury Byredo skincare collection found only on Emirates, Hydra Active moisturising pyjamas, and Bulgari amenity kits.

Virtual windows and inspiration kit

There is ample storage within the suite including a cleverly designed overhead compartment and a full-length cupboard for hanging clothes. 

As with any Emirates flight today, First Class customers can enjoy dining on demand service, with a selection of the finest cuisine prepared by gourmet chefs, accompanied by some of the most exclusive wines, champagnes and spirits in the world. They will be well looked after by Emirates’ international cabin crew representing over 135 nationalities.

First class dining

Upgrades across all cabin classes

The entire Emirates 777 aircraft sports a refreshed interior with a light and modern colour scheme, classy textured panels, as well as new lighting and design accents. 

An artistic motif representing the Ghaf (prosopis cineraria) tree, is used as a design highlight throughout the aircraft. An indigenous evergreen plant, the Ghaf is a considered the national tree of the United Arab Emirates and has deep cultural and ecological significance. 

 

Ghaf tree motif in First Class cabin

The design and shape of Emirates’ Business Class seat onboard the new 777 was also inspired by the interior of a modern sports car, with a diamond stitch pattern on the full leather cover, ergonomically designed headrest, and a sleek overall look and feel.

The seat has a pitch of 72 inches and moves into a fully-flat sleeping position. It also has touchscreen controls for the seat and in-flight entertainment system, several personal lighting options, privacy panels between seats, a shoe storage area, footrest, and a personal mini-bar.

Business class cabin
Business class cabin

The Economy Class cabin now features a colour palette of soft greys and blues. The ergonomically designed seats come with full leather headrests that have flexible side panels and can also be adjusted vertically for optimum support. 

Economy class cabin

All cabin classes will be equipped with a new generation of Emirates’ award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system offering improved and superior image quality. Each in-seat screen will feature ultra-wide viewing angles, a capacitive touchscreen, LED backlight and full HD display. 

ice in-flight entertainment system

Emirates and the Boeing 777

Emirates is the largest operator of the Boeing 777 aircraft, one of the most popular and advanced wide-bodied aircraft in commercial operation today. The airline has 165 Boeing 777s in its fleet, and a further 164 on firm order, including 150 of the next generation Boeing 777x aircraft. Today, Emirates operates the Boeing 777 to over 140 cities on six continents from its hub in Dubai.

Also watch the video:

Brussels 1st December 2017

The Ceremony at Brussels Airport and the visit of the aircraft

After the arrival of the aircraft, a short ceremony was held at Gate 28. Speeches were made by Léon Verhallen for Brussels Airport and Jean-Pierre Martin, General Manager for Emirates in Belgium, who were introduced by the Master of Ceremony.

Decoration of the tables

Léon Verhallen, Brussels Airport
Jean-Pierre Martin, General Manager Emirates for Belgium and Luxembourg

Thereafter, the guests and the journalists got the opportunity to visit the aircraft.

Economy class

Business class

First class

© Text: André Orban – Photographs: Bram Botterman, André Orban

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