Emirates to debut new Boeing 777 first class in Europe

Switzerland and Belgium will be the first destinations to see the new Emirates Boeing 777 first class suite. The airline confirmed the first two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the new private suites would start servicing Geneva and Brussels from December 1. The Dubai-based carrier has yet to unveil the suites but has said there will be six in a 1-1-1 layout compared to eight in a 1-2-1 layout on its current Boeing 777 fleet. Emirates is the world’s biggest operator of B777s with 165 aircraft. It will reveal the new suites on first day of the Dubai Airshow, which is being held November 12 to 16. For those heading to or from Switzerland, the new product will feature on flight EK083, departing Dubai at 1450hrs, and flight EK84, departing Geneva at 2040hrs. For travellers heading to or from Belgium, the new product will be available on flight EK183, leaving  Dubai at 0820hrs, flight EK184 leaving Brussels at 1435hrs. Observers will be keen to see how the new Emirates first class 777 cabin compares with the Singapore Airlines A380 suite launched last week. The Singaporean airline’s six new Suites are aimed at providing wealthy passengers with private cabins that are even more spacious and exclusive than the existing product. Stationed on each side of the cabin at the front of the superjumbo’s upper deck, Singapore’s suites are dominated by a plush armchair upholstered with fine Poltrona Frau leather and capable of swivelling 135 degrees while reclining up to 45 degrees. Passengers can either lounge in the chair or relax in a separate 76-inch (193cm) long, fully-flat bed with an adjustable recline to make watching the 32-inch high definition monitor more comfortable. And for couples travelling together, the dividers between the first two suites of each aisle retract to create a double bed. Singapore is the second biggest operator of A380s behind Emirates, which last week accepted its 100^th superjumbo. The Gulf carrier has 42 more on order.