Emirates has just completed the first flight of its new 777 equipped with glorious first class suites inspired by Mercedes-Benz. Those lucky (or rich) enough were treated to what Emirates says is the world’s first fully enclosed suite, measuring a spacious 40 square feet. The private rooms feature “zero-gravity” seats, virtual windows, and active noise cancelling E1 headphones from Bowers and Wilkins developed for exclusively for Emirates (but based on B&W’s P7 wireless cans). The rooms were also fitted with a pair of Safari binoculars, an entertainment system featuring 2,500 channels and wireless remote, a super-wide 32-inch full HD LCD TV (Emirates says it’s the largest widescreen digital touch TV in the world on any aircraft), and custom-controlled mood lighting and climate allowing passenger to adjust the cabin’s temperature to 18 to 26 degrees Celsius / 64 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
The virtual windows are a feature on the otherwise windowless cabin suites along the middle aisle, and project a high-definition view of the outside using real-time cameras mounted on the plane. The NASA-inspired zero-gravity seat features a “buttery-soft” leather and a lounging position that Emirates says removes any pressure from the elbows, back, and neck in order to achieve maximum comfort.
There’s a total of six suites on the new Boeing 777, all with floor-to-ceiling doors, curtains, a service window (you can pull down and yell for more snacks), and a video call function where passengers can, more politely, request room service. Customers who fly in the suites will also receive a complimentary chauffeur service which uses Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars.
Emirates calls the suites a “hotel in the sky” and I’m inclined to agree, given the opulence. But to be fair I’d expect the best, given the millions Emirates spent upgrading its cabins. If you want to see for yourself how the super rich fly, there’s a video of a nice man named Doyle who takes you through all the features you’ll probably never experience.