849 eur for a one-way ticket in the cheapest First Class in the world.

It sounds tempting, until you realise you’ll only be in the air for2 hours and 45 minutes. But we needed to get from Bangkok to Hong Kong anyway. And it’s on this route that you can experience Emirates First Class on the Airbus A380 without having to buy an expensive long-haul ticket.

I’m interested in travel in all its forms.

I’ve written about Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class, a regular Etihad flight in Economy, a long-haul low-cost flight with Air Arabia, and even a boat trip around Greenland. Emirates First Class was another experience I wanted to try for myself.

What’s it like when you only have a few hours to enjoy the whole first-class experience? And was it worth the money?

• Route: Bangkok BKK – Hong Kong HKG, flight EK384
• Aircraft: Airbus A380
• Seats: 1A and 2A
• Price: 849 eur for a one-way ticket per person
• Flight time:2 hours and 45 minutes

Why we bought First Class tickets

This flight wasn’t just a quick trip for the sake of the aeroplane. We were travelling on from Bangkok to Hong Kong, so we would have bought the ticket anyway.

For a standard economy seat with luggage on the same route, we’d have paid 123 eur per person. The difference compared to what we paid for First Class therefore works out at roughly 725 eur. That’s still a lot of money for just under three hours. In terms of cost per mile flown, this option certainly doesn’t look good.

A return ticket usually costs between 1228 eur and 1433 eur , so if you want to experience two flights, do consider this option as well.

Check current prices – emirates.com

What’s more, we each received 1,574 bonus miles for the Aegean Miles+Bonus programme, which is where I’ve mostly been collecting miles for a long time. It’s a nice bonus, but even that doesn’t make the ticket a financially worthwhile purchase.

The low price is made possible by the short flight distance. Emirates flies to Bangkok from Dubai and continues on to Hong Kong on the same aircraft. You can, however, buy tickets for both legs separately.

You’ll be paying for just a few hours’ flight, but during that time you’ll enjoy a First Class cabin and service on the A380. And as an aviation enthusiast and writer of articles on all kinds of travel, I simply had to try it out.

A relaxing morning in Bangkok and the Emirates lounge

Our flight departs at 14:15. At first glance, it’s a convenient time, but the morning is too short for a proper day out in the city. So we’re having a quiet morning at the Lebua at State Tower hotel and, after ten o’clock, we’re heading to the airport in a Bolt.

• 👉 My review of my stay at the Lebua at State Tower: excellent value for money
• 👉 The best way to get from the city centre to BKK Airport

There’s no queue at the priority check-in. Security (via the fast-track) and passport control are just as quick, and in about ten minutes we’re at the satellite terminal.

Emirates has its own lounge here, so it’s quiet and peaceful with few people around. Plus, there’s a magnificent view of the apron.

The selection of hot meals is rather limited; the cold buffet is significantly better. I wasn’t particularly impressed by the food, but I’d happily have lunch here before a flight.

There are also showers available, though I don’t need them this time.

Our A380 arrives from Dubai with a slight delay. Boarding is quick, however, and we take off from Bangkok more or less on time.

First impression of the cabin: plenty of space, but not exactly understated

We take our seats in 1A and 2A. There are five of us in First Class, so I have time to take a leisurely look around the cabin.

We’re flying in the classic, older version of Emirates First Class.

The seat is really spacious and everything looks luxurious at first glance.

At the same time, there are mirrors, reading lights and so many decorative details that it’s a bit over the top for my taste. I understand why this style has its fans. But I wouldn’t decorate my flat like this.

Personally, I preferred the more understated and spacious Etihad First Apartment. In contrast, Lufthansa’s older First Class seemed a class below to me. And the new Allegris First is, in my view, a class above this Emirates cabin.

This is, of course, just my personal assessment, not a ranking that everyone has to agree with.

What features of the seat will you actually make use of?

• Privacy: The door closes, but the cabin isn’t fully enclosed right up to the ceiling. If someone leans in from the aisle, they can see inside.
• Storage spaces: There’s plenty of space, even for all the bits and bobs you want to keep to hand.
• Power: A universal socket and two USB-A ports.
• Air conditioning: A dedicated vent above your head and one right by your seat. I appreciate this more than yet another ‘golden’ detail.
• Minibar: Four small bottles of water and two glasses of delicious chocolate-covered almonds. They disappear quite quickly.

We don’t get the usual toiletry bag on such a short flight. The bits and bobs are in a small removable box in the tray table; toothbrushes, combs and other essentials can also be found in the toilet.

As for sleeping gear, we’re provided with a pillow and slippers, but no pyjamas or bed linen. But that’s to be expected on a 3-hour flight.

A nice touch is the wicker shopping/beach bag, which we can take home with us.

Halfway through the flight, I recline my seat for a while.

I’m not sleeping; I just want to see if I could sleep comfortably here on a longer flight. As far as I’m concerned, yes. There’s plenty of room both lengthways and widthways – it’s really comfortable!

The First Class cabin has a 1–2–1 seat configuration.

The middle pairs of seats always have the option of a partition between them, which you can choose to use or not. This means the middle seats are easy to use whether you’re travelling as a couple or on your own.

The service, caviar and shower we didn’t have time for

Even before take-off, the cabin manager asked us how we wanted to spend the short flight.

We could have full service, or opt to rest and have our beds made up. We chose full service.

If I’d mainly wanted to catch some sleep, I probably wouldn’t have bought a First Class ticket for just under three hours, but I’ll buy an inflatable pillow for 4 eur and fly with AirAsia.

We’re served a welcome glass of champagne, along with the food and drinks menus.

Traditional Arabic coffee and dates are, of course, also standard on Emirates.

Before take-off, I also manage to have a look at the famous shower.

I’d already experienced this in the Etihad Residence, where we even had our own bathroom. However, Emirates strikes me as brighter and slightly more pleasant. But, understandably, we don’t use it on such a short flight.

I just have to take a peek from our first floor down the staircase. I simply love the Airbus A380 for that feeling alone.

Admittedly, it isn’t exactly a thing of beauty from the outside, but it is a monumental aeroplane.

The in-flight meal service begins immediately after reaching cruising altitude, about 20 minutes after take-off.

We start with caviar. I’m no connoisseur and wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in a blind taste test between the caviar I’ve eaten on Emirates, Etihad or Lufthansa. But I like the taste. I’m definitely not just eating this for the photo.

I could easily have another portion, but that would be a bit embarrassing, so I’ll pass.

This is followed by a full meal:

• Starter: Arabic mezze. Brilliant.
• Main course: Rigatoni with Gorgonzola. Good, although I simply find Italian pasta tastes best in Italy. Like at the restaurants we tried in Rome, for example.
• Dessert: Chocolate tart with passion fruit jam. This combination works a treat.

I’d happily spend over 41 eur on a similar lunch in a restaurant. Of course, I immediately deduct that amount from the price of the flight in my head. It’s not really a saving, but it works as a justification for the purchase for a moment 😀

In the area by the showers and the staircase, there’s a small bar selling sandwiches and sweets.

We’re not visiting the main bar this time – which is on the upper deck of every Emirates Airbus A380 (shared by First and Business Class) – and are saving it for the much longer return journey from Tokyo to Dubai.

For the rest of the flight, I browse through Emirates’ vast selection of in-flight entertainment.

No sooner have I had a chance to look round than we’re already descending into Hong Kong.

As we say our goodbyes, we’re given a box of chocolate treats.

Was it worth it? 849 eur?

I think so. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to most passengers for a First Class flight lasting less than three hours at that price.

If you just want a comfortable flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong, the difference compared to Economy Class is hard to justify.

I wanted to experience Emirates’ First Class and find out how its service compares to Business Class.

What’s more, the flight fitted our itinerary perfectly. I enjoyed plenty of space, privacy, excellent food and, above all, an experience that I relished from the moment I boarded right through to the last piece of chocolate. The extra cost was well worth it for this experience.

But I admit that I’m quite a special case, and most people will simply fly with HK Express or Thai Airways for a sixth of the price.

At the end of this trip, we flew from Tokyo to Prague with Emirates in business class via Dubai. We booked the tickets using miles, and I’ll describe both legs in separate reviews. That’s when I’ll be able to properly compare what First Class offers over and above business class on longer flights.

It’s only fair to mention the other side of the coin: in just under three hours, you won’t have time to enjoy everything Emirates First Class is famous for. We didn’t use the shower , and I only tried out the bed. If your main aim is to enjoy a long flight and get a proper night’s sleep, this leg of the journey won’t give you that.

However, if you want to experience First Class at the lowest price in the world and your journey takes you from Bangkok to Hong Kong, go for it. When searching, compare the price of First Class with a standard ticket and check the aircraft type.

• 👉 Book flight EK384 – emirates.com

I certainly don’t regret it.