I took my first Emirates Airlines flight of 2025 in April traveling from Dubai to Chicago. The aircraft type was a Boeing 777-300. It was a morning flight from Dubai and was scheduled to arrive in Chicago during the afternoon. Since I had enough time before the flight, I spent most of it in the airport lounge and headed out toward the gate when it got close to boarding time.

The boarding experience was efficient and as I entered the aircraft, the flight crew greeted me warmly and thanked me for flying with them again. I was shown to my seat and a flight attendant promptly came over to greet me. I unpacked my essentials from my carry-on bag and then stowed it in the overhead compartment. Finally, it was time to settle down and relax.

It is always a pleasant experience to see a 1-2-1 layout of the business class seats. The large seat pod with a comfortable seat, sizeable footwell space, numerous storage bins, power outlets with different configurations, a mini bar with snacks and drinks, and other amenities makes Emirates so special to me. The seat in business class is soft and supportive and can be adjusted to the right ergonomic feel. The blankets and mattresses are very comfortable and makes for a cozy flight experience. Slippers were provided along with noise cancellation headphones in a sealed plastic bag.

The entertainment system screen in business class is quite large and includes a touchscreen interface. The entertainment system can also be controlled by the tablet console which comes off from its holder at the press of a button. The tablet can also be used to watch movies instead of the screen in front of the seat. One of the nice touches is the availability of physical control buttons placed right next to the seat to control lighting, volume, seat adjustments, etc. This is so convenient that it should be an industry standard. In other airlines, I have had confusing and frustrating moments trying to figure out where things were and how to use them. I have also noticed that the windows on Emirates Airlines are always clean and it makes it easy to take pictures or videos of the view outside.

As soon as I settled in my seat, a flight attendant stopped by with a tray of welcome drinks. I chose the grapefruit drink and it was very refreshing. As I was enjoying my drink, another flight attendant came by with hot towels which is a nice touch. By this time, I was already relaxed and starting to enjoy every moment of my flight. Soon, a flight attendant stopped by and introduced herself and handed me the meal menu. I was also offered an amenity kit. It is always such a pleasant experience to interact with Emirates flight crew. They are so professional and cordial at the same time and I always enjoy chatting with them.

Once the flight took off and reached cruising altitude, a flight attendant came over and offered mixed nuts. I also asked for their mint lemonade which was promptly brought over to me. All business class passengers were asked if they would like a lounge wear. I gladly accepted one based on my size. The material used in the lounge wear is very comfortable and instantly makes one feel relaxed. As the flight cruised along, I put on my headphones and decided to watch a movie from the entertainment system until lunch was served.

The menu offered several choices for the appetizer, main course and dessert. I opted for the cream of mushroom soup with paprika straws and it was delicious. I selected the grilled beef tenderloin for my main course and I am so glad I did. The beef was very tender and everything tasted great. The cheese plate I selected for dessert had a good selection of cheese and dried fruits, and the chocolates served on Emirates Airlines are some of the best kinds I have had.

After my meal, I decided to use the lavatory before getting some rest on the lie flat seat. The lavatories were located next to the galley area. I found the lavatory to be of decent size and functional. Dental kit and other amenities were placed around the sink area. The sink itself was long and of a good size. It appeared that the flight attendants were proactively making sure the lavatories remained clean and usable.

As I walked over to my seat, a flight attendant asked me if I wanted a mattress for my seat. I accepted the offer and she set my seat to a flat position and placed the mattress on it for me. The blanket provided was soft and comfortable and soon I was tucked in for some blissful moments of relaxation and sleep.

After several hours of sleep, I decided to get up and watch some movies. As I was doing so, a flight attendant stopped by to ask if I was doing okay and if I needed anything. She even suggested I try something from their light bites menu. Even though I was not hungry, I ordered the kheema muttar which is basically minced mutton and green peas cooked with spices and served with paratha which is a fried flat bread. I also got a rose iced tea and the combo went really well together. The kheema muttar was very tasty and the portion size was quite large for a snack.

As time started winding down and we were getting close to Chicago, the crew started making preparations for brunch which was the last meal of the flight. I selected the oatmeal and chia in coconut milk for my appetizer and scrambled eggs with chives for my main course. The brunch came with a croissant but I did ask for a blueberry muffin. Although the oatmeal was not bad, the coconut milk tasted unfamiliar to me and I probably will not order it in the future. The scrambled eggs came with a grilled beef steak but it was too plain for my taste. Perhaps adding a little salt and pepper when cooking the meat might have made it taste better. However, it was a wholesome meal and I felt quite full and satisfied.

Our plane landed around the scheduled time. The whole journey was smooth and I felt very relaxed at the end of it. My whole experience on this flight was extremely pleasant. The flight crew were very accommodating and ensured all passengers were well taken care of. The food options were good, the entertainment system offerings were diverse with good media coverage and options, and the service was one of the best I have experienced in the industry. I would highly recommend Emirates Airlines and I myself am looking forward to my next flight with them.