Emirates First Class Lisbon to Dubai

Emirates First Class Lisbon-Dubai

While most people would fly nonstop or take a normal connection from Lisbon back to the US, there are a few crazies that willingly fly the wrong way to spend 24 hours on airplanes. But when it’s in Emirates First Class, this is a no brainer. Rough start to the evening with understaffed Lisbon passport control and the a bus gate as Lisbon has way too few real gates. Then an hour delay as dysfunctional Lisbon ATC tried to figure things out. But on board, simply amazing as always even in old First. Wonderful service, great food and fabulous wines making Emirates First Class an absolute joy to fly.

Emirates contracts with TAP to use their Premium Lounges at Libson.  There are two Premium Lounges, one in the central part of the terminal and another after passport control.  I opted to for the larger main lounge.

And my last yummy Porto Tonic of the trip.  

Great plane spotting from the lounge with Junior's Air France flight to Paris.

What a mess at passport control with 3 agents handling hundreds of non-EU pax.

A half hour later...

And a bus gate.  Of course, it's Lisbon.

Nice touch as 7 First Class passengers get their own bus for the winding 10 minute drive around the airport.

Our beautiful 777-300ER.

My Suite 2A

Predeparture Dom.

Wow, sensational white wines tonight...

Tonight's menu...

Once we're finally in the air, starting with the fabulous Y from Chateau D'Yquem.

Breaking out the Zaltos.

Showtime Emirates First style.

Creamy green pea soup with mint, served with horseradish crème fraiche.

Moving on to the amazing 2015 Latour Chevalier-Montrachet.  4.5 rating on Vivino and retailing for $800+

Fried hake starter was delicious, with regional-style salada algarvia, shimeji mushrooms and vegetable julienne.

And wonderful main Bacalhau assado, roasted cod with lobster bisque, duchess potatoes, sautéed asparagus and peppers.

Moving on to an exceptional Rioja.

I was able to get 4 hours of sleep prior to arrival at Dubai, where a personal First Class assistant met me at the gate for a private golf cart ride to transit security. 

With the late departure from Lisbon and late arrival at Dubai, I only had 20 minutes to spend in the lounge.

But just enough time to enjoy a glass of fabulous Mouton.