The flight to Dubai is a mere 3 hours and we decided to splurge with a First-Class experience on Emirates Airline. The Emirates service from Cairo to Dubai uses an Airbus A380-800 – one of the largest airplanes operated – that includes a double-decker cabin with First and Business Class on the upper deck.

After enjoying the traditional double security check with pat-down, ahem, we made our way to the Emirates Lounge where we enjoyed some breakfast and coffee. As we made our way to the gate, we noticed three jetways – one for the upper deck and two for the lower deck. We wouldn’t even have to climb steps!

Once inside, we were greeted by multiple flight-attendants and given our “orientation” to the First-Class suites. There’s a lot of tech in these suites and a lot of extras buttons. It starts with the electronics pad which controls the multitudes of seat positions, including full lay flat, and the entertainment, and lighting.

There‘s a hidden beverage center with still water and sparkling water, that pops up with a button. There were at least 10 different snacks – from M&Ms, to three different types of nuts, and many types of fancy chocolates. There were toiletries, a beautiful leather toiletry kit with more toiletries, pajamas and slippers. And a nice big bag to carry all the swag, which may or may not have been full when we left. Wink.

Promptly we were offered Dom Perignon while we waited for the plane to fill up. After take-off came the caviar. I opted for a beautiful salad with seared tuna for lunch, while Marsh had a yummy roasted chicken. For dessert, he had a caramel torte and I choose the fruit and cheese. Finally, out came the chocolates and a 40-year-old port wine. Everything was top notch.

The lavatory is about the size of a home bathroom, sans a bathtub. But there is a shower, a regular sized toilet and vanity. It was very spacious and beautiful. There is an attendant that cleans the bathroom after each usage.

As you would expect, the service was impeccable. Most of the flight attendants were of eastern European nationality, spoke English and were gorgeous (both the men and the women!). Our only complaint was that the cabin got warm towards the end of the flight and we couldn’t figure out how to get more airflow going.

Emirates First-Class is a very fun and enjoyable experience, for sure.

Once on the ground and through immigration, it took about 45 minutes to reach our hotel for 6 nights, Raffles Dubai. It was 8pm so we had been traveling for 12 hours and we were tired. We met up with Kathryn and had a nice dinner at Matagi, the Japanese restaurant in our hotel.

Tomorrow: A bit of relaxing and Dhow Dinner Cruise