Emirates kicks off its summer of roadshows in Phoenix

The evening offered a world-class dining experience, as top chefs from Emirates' in-flight kitchen prepared tapas-style plates and showcased their culinary expertise at international food stations with live cooking elements. Guests viewed a large-screen multi-media presentation on the Emirates Group and Dubai, before hitting the dance floor for an evening of outstanding live, musical entertainment.

The real star of the evening, however, was Emirates' private first class suite. Each Boeing 777-200LR making the 16-hour flight from the West Coast to Dubai is outfitted with eight first class suites, designed by Tuscan, Arizona-based B/E Aerospace. Guests gathered around to experience its state-of-the-art technology, including a 23-inch digital widescreen TV boasting over 1,000 channels and a leather flat-bed seat that allows travelers to fully recline and relax while enjoying its five-zone massage system.

One at a time, guests stepped in and closed the electronic sliding doors behind them inside this sanctuary, visualizing a commercial flight experience with extensive amenities including: fresh flowers, a personal mini bar, travel kit, literature pocket, personal stowage compartments, pull-out work/dining table, and a dimming lamp. Mood lighting is also available, casting stars overhead for a good night's sleep and to help relieve jet lag. And all of this is offered via a wireless touch-screen mode controller, so travellers don't even have to extend an arm.

In addition to the eight luxurious private suites in first class, Emirates' 777-200LR is fitted with 42 of its latest lie-flat beds in business class, and generous space for 216 passengers in economy class. The Los Angeles-Dubai flight runs a distance of 8,339 miles, clocking a journey time of 16 hours and 35 minutes from California, while the shorter return flight will be just under 16 hours.

"There is a strong demand for convenient air travel between the U.S. and cities in the Middle East, which has been demonstrated by the success of our services out of New York and Houston," said Nigel Page, Emirates Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Americas.
"Emirates is pleased to launch flight services to the West Coast, and we hope to introduce more destinations in the U.S. as the demand grows."

Emirates has scheduled five additional roadshows up and down the West Coast. Throughout June, top Emirates executives will mingle among some 4,000 travel and cargo agents, visiting next San Francisco, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Jose, before finishing in Seattle in September.