When you think about an Airbus A380, chances are you think of Emirates — and for good reason. Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the superjumbo jet, with more than 100 A380s in its fleet.
Flying the double-decker on ultra-long-haul routes from as far away as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Sydney Airport (SYD) via Emirates’ megahub at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates has plenty on board to keep passengers entertained.
Along with onboard showers, one of Emirates’ most famous plane amenities is its bar and lounge social space.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.
Here is everything you need to know about the Emirates A380 onboard bar and lounge.
What is the Emirates onboard bar?
All 116 Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft have a bar and lounge area at the rear of the upper deck cabin (behind the business-class cabin) just in front of the rear galley and bathrooms. It’s worth avoiding sitting in rows 24, 25 and 26 on the A380s outfitted with first-class cabins because they are directly in front of the bar, and you may be bothered by the noise. The rows to avoid on the A380s without first class are 21, 22 and 23, so check your seat map when selecting your seat.
The bar is U-shaped (facing the aircraft’s rear), with seating on either side. There is just enough room for a bartender to stand behind the bar to mix drinks for passengers.
There are two different designs for this social space. The older style has curved bench seating on each side that can accommodate six to eight passengers, as well as a cream, dark gray and wood color scheme.
1 of 3
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
The newer style adopts a lighter color palette, with cream and light brown hues. There’s seating for eight passengers, including a booth on one side and a banquette on the other, both with tables.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
1 of 3
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
There is no easy way to see which onboard social space your next A380 flight will have. Know, though, that there’s no real need to go out of your way to try and fly the newer design over the older design, as the experience is very similar.
No Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft have an onboard bar or lounge.
Who can access the Emirates onboard bar?
All business-class and first-class passengers traveling on any Emirates A380 flight can access the space (regardless of whether the ticket was booked with cash or points and miles) at any time from the moment the seat belt sign is turned off after takeoff to the moment the cabin is secured for landing. It doesn’t matter if the flight is two hours or 14 hours in length.
Emirates passengers in economy or premium economy cannot access the onboard bar, even if they hold top-tier status in the Emirates Skywards loyalty program. The small sub-fleet of Emirates two-class A380 aircraft without a first-class cabin has an additional economy cabin at the front of the upper deck cabin. While these passengers are seated on the same level as the onboard bar, they cannot access it and will be politely asked to return to their seats if they do go to the lounge.
Related: Video: We fly the Emirates A380 in all 4 cabins, including the new premium economy
What is available at the Emirates onboard bar?
The social space offers a wide variety of drinks, including Veuve Clicquot or Moët & Chandon Champagne, rotating red and white wines and brand-name spirits like Belvedere vodka, Bacardi rum, Sipsmith gin, Jameson whiskey, Hennessy cognac and Woodford Reserve bourbon. Soft drinks and still and sparkling water are also available.
1 of 3
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
A comprehensive range of sweet and savory snacks, light bites and fresh fruit are also provided, both on the bar itself and the rear wall between the bathrooms. These will differ depending on the origin, the destination, the time of day and the length of the flight but may include carrot cake cupcakes, jelly beans, M&Ms, apples, savory mixed nuts, a full-size lemon cake and traditional Arabic sweets.
1 of 5
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
There is no charge for anything in this space, and the cabin crew will encourage you to try anything available.
Don’t be shy about asking the crew to mix any drink that takes your fancy — if they have it available, they will do their best to make it for you. They have a cocktail recipe book behind the bar with most classics, or you can share your own recipe.
Is there anything extra offered to first-class passengers?
The 14 first-class passengers on the Emirates A380 share the social space with up to 76 business-class passengers (this is the way most of the airline’s A380s are configured). As a result, the area isn’t large enough to simultaneously fit even half the eligible passengers.
Related: A tale of two cabins: A review of Emirates first class and economy from New York to Mauritius
Fortunately, the first-class cabin crew will phone the bartender when a first-class passenger is on their way from the front of the upper deck cabin down to the back, where the bar and lounge are. Or, if you’d rather not make a fuss, you can just drop in by walking through the first-class galley at the rear of that cabin.
Some alcohol provided for first-class passengers is superior to that offered to business-class travelers, especially the Champagne, the wines and the famous Hennessy Paradis cognac (which retails for around $1,500 per bottle). When preferred drinks are not already behind the bar, the first-class crew will bring them down from the first-class cabin for you to enjoy. Just ask the bartender for whatever you fancy from the first-class menu.
Is the Emirates A380 bar worth the hype?
While several airlines have social spaces on board their aircraft, the Emirates bar and lounge area is among the industry’s best-executed spaces. Emirates could have filled the space with additional business-class seats to gain extra revenue but instead generously dedicated the space to a social area for guests.
The crew will go out of their way to ensure you have a great time, from offering you anything you can think of to taking your photo.
Because of how enjoyable this space is, it’s worth being strategic about how you will use the bar, especially on daytime flights when the space is more popular, with more passengers awake and eager to stretch their legs.
While you can enjoy the bar during meal services, be aware that crew will constantly be coming through the area from the large galley at the rear of the aircraft to serve the large business-class cabin in front of the bar. You might feel like you are in their way, which isn’t relaxing.
The social space tends to be busy directly after the first meal service. If you are on a long-haul flight, you will likely find the space quieter in the middle of the flight, when many business- and first-class passengers are sleeping.
For safety reasons, cabin crew may need to restrict access if the relatively small space becomes full, with passengers being admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Don’t be afraid to ask the crew to take your photograph behind the bar as the perfect souvenir to your Emirates experience. They will likely offer this before you even have a chance to ask.
Bottom line
If you can fly Emirates in business or first class, it’s well worth seeking out a flight operated by the Airbus A380 to experience this fantastic social space, though the first-class seat is better on some of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The crew makes the experience fun and loves to chat about the airline or your travel plans, and you may find other passengers keen to strike up a conversation in this relaxed setting up in the air.
On a 12-plus-hour flight to or from Dubai, it is a wonderful perk to stretch your legs, mingle with crew and other passengers and raise a glass to a completely unnecessary but luxurious feature on board the world’s largest commercial aircraft.
