The Ultimate Guide to Emirates' Direct Routes from the U.S. [Plane Types & Seat Options]

Ah, Emirates! What an extraordinary airline. If you're looking for an airline that exudes elegance and extravagance, look no further than Emirates. With its well-deserved reputation, it's no surprise that Emirates is synonymous with luxury and first-class travel. At Upgraded Points, we have had the privilege of experiencing Emirates multiple times, and it never fails to impress us, especially in first class!

But here's something you may not know: Emirates flies to multiple U.S. airports with different seat options, depending on the route you're flying. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a close look at Emirates' U.S. routes and the aircraft they use. So let's dive in!

Emirates Seat Options by Aircraft Type

Emirates operates three different types of planes on flights to and from the U.S.:

• A380 (3-class)
• 777-300ER (3-class)
• 777-200LR (2-class)

Emirates' route network and aircraft selection are relatively straightforward, with each destination typically serviced by a specific aircraft. Take a look at this chart summarizing the flight numbers, corresponding routes, aircraft, cabin classes, and frequency:

Best Points to Earn to Fly Emirates

To book Emirates first class, the best option is to redeem Emirates Skywards miles. However, there have been changes to partner redemptions for Emirates first class. Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines used to offer sweet-spot redemptions, but those options have since been reduced. Currently, using Qantas Frequent Flyer points and Korean Air SKYPASS miles are still viable, albeit less favorable, redemption options.

Emirates First Class Options

Emirates offers first class on all of its routes and flights, with one exception. On select flights aboard the 2-cabin 777-200LR, there is no first class cabin. If you desire to fly Emirates first class, you have two options:

1. A380 first class
2. 777-300ER first class

Emirates A380 First Class

The oh-so-glamorous Emirates A380 First Class Suites is the best offering to/from the U.S.! Image Credit: Alex Miller

The A380 First Class Suites are larger than the 777-300ER First Class Suites, so if you have a choice, flying on the A380 is highly recommended. Each A380 First Class Suite measures 23 inches wide and 86 inches in pitch (78 inches long in bed mode). Let's take a look at the A380 First Class Suites seat map:

Emirates A380 first class seat map. Image Credit: SeatGuru

On the A380, you'll find yourself in one of the 14 enclosed suites with sliding doors, a luxurious minibar, and stylish decor. These 14 suites are spread across 4 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The general consensus is that the best seats are in rows 2 and 3. Solo travelers should opt for window seats, while couples can choose middle seats. You can experience the A380 First Class Suites on the following routes:

• Los Angeles (LAX) - Dubai (DXB)
• New York (JFK) - Dubai (DXB)
• New York (JFK) - Milan (MXP) - Dubai (DXB)
• San Francisco (SFO) - Dubai (DXB) (from March 27, 2022)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) - Dubai (DXB) (from March 27, 2022)

Emirates 777-300ER First Class Suites

The 777-300ER First Class Suites, although our second choice, have their advantages over the A380. These suites measure 20.5 inches wide and 69 inches in pitch, while the A380 suites are 23 inches wide and 86 inches in pitch (or 78 inches long in bed mode). The 777-300ER boasts a more intimate cabin feel with only 8 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration across 2 rows. This seating arrangement offers more privacy and is suitable for travelers departing from non-A380 airports or those seeking a smaller cabin. Here are the routes serviced by the 777-300ER:

• Boston (BOS) - Dubai (DXB)
• Chicago (ORD) - Dubai (DXB)
• Miami (MIA) - Dubai (DXB)
• Newark (EWR) - Athens (ATH) - Dubai (DXB)
• Orlando (MCO) - Dubai (DXB)
• San Francisco (SFO) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26, 2022)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26, 2022)

In summary, for the complete First Class Suites experience, flying on the A380 is highly recommended. However, if you're departing from a non-A380 airport or prefer a more private cabin with only 8 seats, the 777-300ER is a great alternative.

Emirates Business Class Options

Try Emirates business class on the A380! Image Credit: Emirates

Emirates has a range of business class products, with some being more impressive than others. While Emirates is famous for its stunning First Class Suites, its business class seats vary in quality.

Emirates A380 Business Class

Let's start with the A380 business class seat. At first glance, you might think the seat falls short of expectations due to its smaller width and pitch. However, once you settle into the seat, you'll notice a spacious surface adjacent to your seat that serves as an armrest or table. The A380 business class seat stands out for one primary reason: the 1-2-1 configuration. This layout offers more privacy and ensures direct aisle access for every passenger. Yes, there are more seats on the A380, but keep in mind that it's a massive aircraft. Here's a glimpse of the A380 business class seat map:

Emirates A380 business class seat map. Image Credit: SeatGuru

SeatGuru recommends the middle seats in row 23, but we believe that row 25 offers the best business-class seats on the A380. These seats are the furthest from the lavatories and two rows away from the galley, striking a perfect balance. Additionally, the window seats in row 25 provide more privacy compared to the aisle seats. If row 25 is unavailable, remember that odd-numbered side row seats are window seats, while even-numbered side row seats are aisle seats. You can enjoy the A380 business class experience on these routes:

• Los Angeles (LAX) - Dubai (DXB)
• New York (JFK) - Dubai (DXB)
• New York (JFK) - Milan (MXP) - Dubai (DXB)
• San Francisco (SFO) - Dubai (DXB) (from March 27, 2022)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) - Dubai (DXB) (from March 27, 2022)

Emirates 2-Cabin 777-200LR Business Class

Now let's explore our runner-up, the 2-cabin 777-200LR business class seats. These seats are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, providing direct aisle access to most seats (excluding A and K). Compared to our top pick, the A380, the 777-200LR seats have a few advantages:

• Significantly wider (22.5 inches vs. 18.5 inches)
• Newer seats (recently retrofitted)
• More intimate cabin (38 seats vs. 76 seats)

Here's the seat map for the 2-cabin 777-200LR (note that we used ExpertFlyer for this illustration as SeatGuru hasn't updated the Emirates 777-200LR seat maps for the 2-cabin configuration):

Emirates 777-200LR 2-class business class seat map. Image Credit: ExpertFlyer

For seats with direct aisle access, choose seats B, E, F, and J. The best seats on the new 2-class 777-200LR are in row 7. These seats are far from the lavatories, ensuring minimal foot traffic around you. As a reminder, you'll find these seats on the following flights:

• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) - Dubai (DXB)
• Houston (IAH) - Dubai (DXB)

Emirates 777-300ER Business Class

Lastly, let's talk about the 777-300ER business class seats, which should be avoided if possible. The seats are angled-flat and arranged in a crowded 2-3-2 layout. However, they are still an improvement compared to economy class. Based on SeatGuru's recommendations, row 6 offers the best seats due to their distance from the lavatory. No passengers will walk by your seat since the first-class cabin is in front and the lavatory/galley is behind. The next best seats are in row 11, located right in front of the economy cabin, although they might be slightly noisier. The 777-300ER operates on most of Emirates' U.S. routes:

• Boston (BOS) - Dubai (DXB)
• Chicago (ORD) - Dubai (DXB)
• Miami (MIA) - Dubai (DXB)
• Newark (EWR) - Athens (ATH) - Dubai (DXB)
• Orlando (MCO) - Dubai (DXB)
• San Francisco (SFO) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26, 2022)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26, 2022)

In conclusion, fly the A380 for direct aisle access and the overall best experience. If you prefer a smaller cabin with more privacy, consider the 2-class 777-200LR. If neither option is available, the 777-300ER is your fallback.

Emirates Premium Economy Options

Emirates currently offers premium economy on A380 flights between New York (JFK) and Dubai (DXB). This new cabin class provides an enhanced travel experience with additional space, comfort, and amenities.

Emirates Economy Options

Emirates has a well-earned reputation for offering high-quality amenities and excellent service even in economy class. However, not all economy class seats are created equal. Let's explore the different options available.

Emirates A380 Economy Class

Emirates A380 economy class. Image Credit: Emirates

Starting with the A380, each economy seat measures 18 inches wide and has a pitch of 32 to 34 inches. The seats are arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration. When it comes to choosing the best seats, there are a few winners and losers. The top economy seats on the A380 are 81A, 81K, 68A, and 68K. These seats have no seats in front of them, providing ample legroom. Row 81 is particularly favorable due to its distance from the lavatories, minimizing foot traffic. You can find the best economy seats on the A380 on the following routes:

• Boston (BOS) - Dubai (DXB)
• Chicago (ORD) - Dubai (DXB)
• Miami (MIA) - Dubai (DXB)
• Newark (EWR) - Athens (ATH) - Dubai (DXB)
• Orlando (MCO) - Dubai (DXB)
• San Francisco (SFO) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26, 2022)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26, 2022)

Emirates 2-Cabin 777-200LR Economy Class

Moving on to the 2-cabin 777-200LR, the economy class seats are narrower at 17 inches but offer a pitch of 33 to 34 inches, which is better than other economy seats. The 2-cabin seat map is not available on SeatGuru, but according to ExpertFlyer, the best seats are the side seats in rows 39 to 40, which have only two seats per row. These seats provide more privacy, especially for travelers flying with a companion. Avoid seats 41A and 41B due to their proximity to the lavatories. You can find these seats on the 777-200LR 2-class planes, which operate on the following flights:

• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) - Dubai (DXB)
• Houston (IAH) - Dubai (DXB)

Emirates 777-300ER Economy Class

Lastly, let's discuss the 777-300ER economy class seats, which are considered the "worst" among Emirates' economy seats. Measuring 17 inches in width and 32 inches in pitch, they are the smallest seats. While we recommend avoiding these seats, we understand that they may be your only option on some routes. If you find yourself on a 777-300ER flight, we recommend selecting seats in rows 46 to 48A/B or rows 46 to 50J/K, as shown below:

Emirates 777-300ER economy class seat map. Image Credit: SeatGuru

The nonstop U.S. routes operated by the Emirates 777-300ER include:

• Boston (BOS) - Dubai (DXB)
• Chicago (ORD) - Dubai (DXB)
• Miami (MIA) - Dubai (DXB)
• Newark (EWR) - Athens (ATH) - Dubai (DXB)
• Orlando (MCO) - Dubai (DXB)
• San Francisco (SFO) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) - Dubai (DXB) (until March 26)

In summary, there may be some differences in size among Emirates' economy class seats, but the winners are clear. The A380 offers a few excellent seats that you should aim for if possible. The 2-cabin 777-200LR comes in second place due to its increased pitch. Lastly, the 777-300ER has the smallest seats, making it the least desirable option.

Final Thoughts

Emirates undeniably offers some of the best first class products in the world. Their business class products range from impressive to average, and premium economy will soon be available on their long-haul flights to America. While there are clear winners and losers in economy class, Emirates maintains its commitment to providing quality amenities and excellent service throughout its cabins.

In conclusion, if your travel plans allow for flexibility in choosing an airport that operates the A380, we highly recommend flying Emirates for its exceptional first class experience.