No matter, if the next flight is your first, or just the latest. Flying isn’t splendid experience anymore and economy class flying can be a very tense experience.
It’s important to plan ahead and get the best seat to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Nearly 45 million of us were flying on-board of Emirates aircrafts in the past year. You can visit more than 150 destinations in 80 countries with an easy transfer via DXB airport.
In this post, we will be having a closer look at the A380 aircraft.
As a frequent flyer, I have “tested & verified” all the different aircrafts and seats to help you choose the most suitable seat on your next journey.
Note, that the perfect economy seat doesn’t exist and I am just suggesting the best seat possible based on my own experience + describe the good/bad for each selection.
Emirates has 3 different types of passenger aircrafts in it’s fleet :
- A380 – 67 aircrafts ( up to 617 passengers )
- A330 -18 aircrafts ( up to 278 passengers )
- B777 -135 aircrafts ( up to 442 passengers )
The best seats on the Emirates A380 aircraft
In my personal opinion…A380 is the best way to fly in economy class today, because :
- the latest comfy seat design
- 10inch personal touch screen with touch* remote control ( *the newest A380’s )
- 19 inch wide seat
- spacious feel and quite cabin
- very steady in the air
- generous washrooms
- space to walk or stretch
The Best Seat :
Row 68 + 81 A/K ( both window seats )
Why? :
- Unlimited leg room
- No need to stack your TV during take-off/landing
- No need to disturb anyone while leaving the seat
- No disturbance from other passengers
- Easy to lean against the wall ( great for a little nap )
- Right next to the emergency exit door
- Middle of the plane – centre of a gravity and least turbulence
- One of the first to get served in this section of the plane
- Feels somehow private and quieter
Not so good :
- Only 4 seats on the plane
- Gets cold during long haul flights
MORE FROM TRAVELLERCZECH :
IS PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS ON SINGAPORE AIR WORTH IT ?
CHECK OUT DUBAI’S NEWEST THEME PARKS !
FIND BEST VILLA IN BALI / HOTEL REVIEW
2nd Option :
Row 51 D/G ( last middle row in the first cabin / left or right aisle seat only )
Why ? :
- Slightly limited recline ( but very small difference )
- Very spacious feel thanks to the emergency doors on each side
- Private feel ( no row of seat on each side )
- No kids nearby as this is the last row
- Proximity to the lavatory isn’t bothersome as there is lot’s a space around
- Front cabin is the smallest one and offers less crowded feel
- Front cabin = one of the first to disembark
Not so good :
- Gets colder due to close proximity of emergency door
- Last to be served in this cabin during meal time
3rd Option :
Row 50 A/K ( last side row of front economy cabin / window seat only )
Why? :
- Front economy cabin is the smallest and feel quieter and more private
- No one behind you ( esp. good with touch screen TV’s…no “knocking” )
- Unobstructed view from window seat in this row
- Spacious feel
- Ideal for those who wish to sleep most of the flight
Not so good :
- Slightly limited recline
- Not easy to get out due to passengers sitting next to you
4th Option :
Row 43 / 67 / 80 – 12 Emergency door seats
Many travellers prefer emergency seats, but these are difficult to get as they are reserved for Skyward Gold members, downgraded passengers from business class and “friends”.
Seats are narrower and you have to stow the TV during take-off and landing. I also feel kind of exposed seating on those, but if you have a long legs this the the best.
You can always ask for those at the check-in…so get there early!
Don’t forget :
- adapter for earphones
- lower back cushion for more comfortable journey
- get on the plane early to assure space in the overhead bin as they get full very quick
- ear plugs or invest into a good pair of noise cancelling earphones. Bose are the best.
- scarf and eye mask
- select your seat during booking and check-in as soon as you can to assure your desired seat. Emirates now offers check-in 48 hours prior the scheduled departure !
- check few days before departure if your seat wasn’t swapped due to change of the aircraft !
Thank you for visiting
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What an informative site!!! I’m a retired state pensioner and which I could fly the world, but alas the money is just enough to live. My sons, are however, flying me to South Korea in mid September to visit my youngest. This will be my 60th present from them, so I’m trying to make the most out of this experience to last me for many years to come.
I have cardiac issues (open heart surgery patient) and was wondering if Emirates may upgrade me to Business Class because of that, or would that be wishful thinking?
I intend to check in on all your travels as it sparks the adventure still left in my heart and takes me right to where you may find yourself at any given time.
Good luck on your travels and fly safe. Thanks again for a great site!
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*wish I could fly the world… (Senior moments) 🙂
I would like to take the 68 A or K seats, but my health conditions will prevent me from accepting the T&Cs to book these seats. It would be great to be able to elevate my legs during the flights though.
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Many thanks for your message Mandy. I totally understand, but I don’t think they will make any special arrangements. They only upgrade if the flights is overbooked or their frequent flyers. You can of course ask during check in at the airport but there isn’t really any other way.
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Many thanks for your reply. I thought so. I will try my best when checking in. Travel safe and keep well.
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Hi, i was just wondering which rows have the box under the seat so that the legroom is restricted on the a380?
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Hello Fiona, if I remember well, there are no boxes under the seats at all. Maybe some older types have, but they very thin and never decrease leg room so don’t worry about that.
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thanks
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Hello, I would like to ask if seats in 68 + 81 A/K has USB port for charging mobile devices. Thank you very much.
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Hey, I didn’t notice any USB port. Better get power bank or ask neighbours if you can use theirs .
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Wonderful guidance ! Thanks., We three of family plan to travel in A380 from Dubai to Los Angeles in the last week of april. Can I book the seats now itself? I prefer leg space. and view of possible. Is 81 A ,B,C or 81 H,I J suitable? are they payment seats? If so how much?
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Hello and thanks for your message. You can book any seat bu you have to pay a fee otherwise wait unitl 48hrs prior departure to choose for free. The website will tell you how much you have to pay.
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What a great write up – i have never been on an A 380, and not enough money to fly business class. Therefore economy for me, I feel like I know the economy class layout! Your photos really put me in the picture. Taken your advice. Many thanks for your help.
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Thanks so much for your comments. I am glad you have enjoyed it. You realy shoudl try atleast once. It is a treat to fly on such an amazing aircraft!
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Fantastic article. Thank you very much. Great foresight for us travellers that plan ahead. I am not travelling until August but I am ready to book my flight now and those 68 A & K seats look very attractive. I checked and the seats are still available. Am I right in saying that you have to pay a £55 upgrade fee. Wow ! That’s £110 return. Can anyone confirm this? Otherwise, I won’t rush to book so early and leave my money in the bank for a few more months !
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Many thanks, i am glad you enjoy my post. Unfortunatley you have to pay that price. Those seats are hardly available and if you dont book them, they give them to gold skywards members.
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Hi!
Great tips, thank you.
I will be traveling on Emirates for the first time this year and doing my first long haul flights.
One quick question for you, with regards to seats 68 + 81 A/K, I note that you stated that one of the advantages of these seats is that there is no ‘stacking’ of the TV during take off or landing. Why is this the case? Also are the seats 68A and 81K?
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You are most welcome. Glad I could help. Yes, I could watch the TV until we landed and the crew was not asking to turn it off as they do in an emergency and first rows. Not sure what the reason but its good 🙂 Have a great flight.
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Hi, thanks for your efforts, a great guide. I would just like to point out that the seats are 18 Inches wide and on one A380 version the seats are 17.5 inches wide.
I am trying to find out which A380 has the narrower seats so I can avoid it, this is how I found you, no luck so far.
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Great work guys… I was wandering if you had any views on row 79 (seats A+B) on the Emirates A380 (V1). I like th thought of not having any one behind me but I am concerned of the limited recline (if any). Please advise.
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Thank you 🙂 no worry about the recline.The difference is very small. I also like no one behind me knocking on the seat screen.
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Thank you for your reply concerning seats in row 79….Much appreciated…. Steven
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Hi Guys…
Great job on this website. Any chance you can give me a write up on seats 79 (A+B) on the emirates A380 (V1). I like the thought of not having anyone behind me, but I am concerned whether the seat has limited recline. Please advise…
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All These comments may be true , though now you will be paying extra / more if you want them more than 48 hours in advance . UP TO 185 DOLLARS MORE……….
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Yes, unfortunately, this is the case with most of the airlines nowadays. If you have a long-haul night flight its worth the pay and get better seat.
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Hi, thank you so much for this informative post, I’m trying to pick seats on our first ever Emirates flight and this has helped greatly! We are flying to Bangkok from Gatwick (stop over in Dubai), we usually always book extra leg room for comfort (mainly for my husband’s benefit). With the stop over though that makes it doubly expensive! Would you have any insight on the front row seats (41) as they seemed quite good, but I’ve seen on seat guru that leg room can be a bit restrictive due to the exit door which defeats the object of paying a premium.
I’m also considering 68A/K and I’ll just have the middle seat, but I do like the idea of 67 and 80 being doubles so you won’t be squashed next to a stranger. The main thing I want to avoid is WC queues at my feet and potential bassinets!
Would you say it’s worth waiting for check in to pre book seats, or get in there early and pay the price?
Thanks again
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Hello, the front seats are good but the one near the wall has little bit less leg room, also they are narrower and the tv are foldable one which I don’t like. I would pick other seat. If you wait and check in first few minutes once check in is open you don’t have to pay for most the seat and you should be able to get good one. Depends how busy the flight is which is hard to tell
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Hi thanks for youre article which as helped me chose my seats on my Manchester to Bangkok return flight I picked 51D and 33A X3, would you stick with these as 68A and 68K are available as upgrade at £55 per seat.
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Thanks for your message. Not sure where 33A is, the seats starts usualy with 41,or 43. They are charging too much for the seats in my opinion, so unless it is flight over 7hrs ( mancheser to Dubai may be ) or a night flight , I woudl stay with the free ones.
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33A are on the top deck new economy class
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Hi Travellerczeck! For seats 67s, is there a “seat pocket” storage option for the personal stuff I want within reach throughout the flight?? Is it one storage/pocket per seat? Other airlines only have one pocket on the wall for both seats and that’s not quite fair.
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Hi Dianedeaz, yes there is a wall pocket, but it is very small. Except for the magazine, not much fits in there.
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Excellent site, you can turn a miserable flight into a good flight thanks to people like you posting such good information. Well done.
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Thank you so much 👍 I am really glad my post helped you find a good seat. Happy travelling ✈️
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I am choosing my seats on the A380 and wanted to know specifically about the view, if you or anyone has any idea which window seats (A or K) are the best view for both landing in and taking off from Dubai? I really want to get a spectacular view as I have had such bad luck until now. It seems the left for taking off as it is almost full so far. Anyone??
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Hi, most of take off is towards the sea so you need to sit on left side to see the city ( A ). It cant be guaranteed though.
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Ok, perfect I chose the left.. and I’m just guessing I should book on the right then for arriving back in Dubai? (Although I know it’s not guaranteed). Thanks so much!
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On arrival right is good as the downtown is on your right, but after few minutes the plane do sharp turn to right and for the last 5min of landing you see nothing really.
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Ok, thanks a lot!
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Travellerszech, can you confirm that Row 51 (last middle row in first cabin) is NOT a lmiited recline seat? I have 4 travelers, and I chose Row 50 for us because SeatGuru.com indicated that Row 51 has limited recline. I would definitely switch to Row 51 if it’s truly NOT limited recline. Thanks for all the info. I definitely agree that Emirates A380 has THE BEST coach seats right now.
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It’s very small difference. It feels more private and no one is knocking on your seat because of the seat tv screen. Also the view at the engines and wing is great 🙂
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Haha, on the view !! I can’t imagine anybody choosing a seat on an aircraft based on the view, but each to his own! :O I have switched us to Row 51 — my husband said he’d give up a little recline to have nobody behind us. Thanks for your blog and your prompt reply.
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🙂 if you sit over the wing for example you have no view at all… But the fact nobody sits behind you is definitely a + Enjoy your flight !
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Dear Travellerczech, can you tell us what you mean by a “small” difference in recline for the 51 seats? In your post, it indicates “unlimited recline” which immediately caught my attention, did you actually mean to say “limited recline” instead? I do agree that last row offers more privacy, less noise but the reduced recline is not so great.
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Hello Catherine,
thank you for reaching back to me regarding the seats. The last row has limited recline, but the difference is very small. The sense of space and privacy is worth it.
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Thanks for the trips! I just booked seat 51D per your advice
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You most welcome. Have a great trip 🙂
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Great tips ! Thanks 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 glad to help
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Many thanks. I am glad you enjoyed the post !
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Great article!! Thank you for posting this 🙂
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Thanks so much! I am very happy you have enjoyed my post 🙂
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