Published in Forbes Magazine

by Eric Rosen  (Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own)

Back in May, Emirates announced that it would be unveiling its all new first class suites at the Dubai Air Show in November, setting the aviation world abuzz. Since then, news sites and blogs alike have speculated on what exactly these new suites would look like, all the technological and service bells and whistles they would offer, and where the airline would be putting them into service first.

The airline finally put those questions to rest this weekend at the Dubai Air Show 2017 when it opened the doors to the first of its Boeing 777-300ERs containing the new suites. Here is what we now know.

The airline’s new 777s will feature just six of the new suites in a spacious 1 – 1 – 1 configuration compared to the current 1 – 2 – 1 configuration of its flagship first class cabins. Each will offer up to 40 square feet of space per passenger and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.

The suites were created in collaboration with airline manufacturer Boeing, seat manufacturer Rockwell Collins, electronics pioneer Panasonic, the Jacques Pierre Jean Design Studio and Seattle-based industrial design firm Teague. They were inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedan with a pared-down palette of cream, champagne and light gray tones and specially designed overhead compartments and full-length closets for hanging clothes.

They can also be placed in a new “zero-gravity” position inspired by NASA technology meant to impart a feeling of weightlessness and relaxation.

While suites on the side of the aircraft will contain binoculars for passengers to use and enjoy the views from their windows, those along the center of the plane will have “virtual windows” using real-time projections from cameras on the exterior of the plane.

Passengers will be able to make service requests of the cabin crew and order dine-on-demand meals using a video call function. Suites will also have individual private service windows where drinks and small plates can be served without disturbing the passenger.

Fliers will be able to view 2,500 channels of entertainment or stream content from their own devices over the suites’ 32-inch HD LCD televisions. They will receive brand-new Bowers & Wilkins Acitve Noise Cancelling E1 headphones created exclusively for Emirates and designed to optimize sound quality in an airplane cabin environment.

Frequent fliers will find familiar touches such as personal minibars stocked with drinks and snacks within each suite as well as wireless tablets with seat and entertainment controls.

Passengers in first will also be treated to “inspiration kits” including the airline’s signature Hydra Active moisturizing pajamas, Bulgari amenity kits and Byredo fragrance and skincare products. Extending the partnership with Mercedes to the ground, first class passengers will enjoy chauffeur service in S-class cars when arriving or departing the United Arab Emirates.

Apart from the new first class suites, the airline’s forthcoming 777-300ERs will feature refreshed seats in business and economy as well. The business class cabin will be laid out in the same 2 – 3 – 2 configuration currently found on Emirates’ 777s and will have lie-flat leather seats with 72 inches of pitch and personal minibars.

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