Emirates Airlines Review: Free Drinks & Economy Perks

Hub airport: Dubai International Airport (DXB) ·
Fleet size: Over 260 aircraft ·
Destinations: Over 150 cities in 80+ countries ·
Weekly flights: More than 3,600 ·
Year founded: 1985

Six key facts about Emirates that cover its scale and standing:

Is Emirates considered a good airline?

Overall customer satisfaction

Emirates consistently ranks among the world’s top airlines. Skytrax, the leading airline rating body, has awarded it a 4-star rating. Passenger reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor often highlight the quality of food and the generous legroom in economy. NerdWallet notes that economy passengers get a complimentary meal with multiple courses, along with free drinks.

Awards and recognition

Over the years, Emirates has won multiple Skytrax World Airline Awards, including Best Inflight Entertainment and Best Airline in the Middle East. Its ice entertainment system boasts over 4,500 channels, a feature that consistently earns high marks from travelers.

Passenger reviews summary

On review aggregators, Emirates economy scores around 4 out of 5 stars. Common praise includes the drink selection and seatback screens, while some passengers note that older 777 aircraft have narrower seats. A detailed review on Sand In My Suitcase reported three red-wine choices on a Seattle–Dubai flight, including two French reds and one Spanish, a level of selection unusual in economy.

The implication: Emirates delivers a premium-lite economy experience that rivals many full-service carriers on the ground, but older fleet inconsistencies prevent a perfect score.

What freebies do you get on Emirates Economy Class?

Complimentary meals and drinks

According to Emirates’ official dining page, economy passengers receive a full range of complimentary drinks throughout the flight, not just during meal service. This includes fruit juices, soft drinks, wines, beers, and spirits. The airline describes the meal service as multicourse: a main dish with fresh fruits or a salad, crackers and cheese, and a sweet treat of the day. For coffee and tea, NerdWallet confirms Lavazza coffee and Dilmah tea are included.

Amenity kits and comfort items

On long-haul flights, Emirates provides an amenity kit in economy containing socks, eyeshades, toothbrush, and lip balm. While not as lavish as premium cabins, it’s a welcome touch that many budget carriers skip. On the A380, passengers also have access to the onboard lounge (for premium passengers) but economy passengers get a larger seatback screen and more legroom than on the 777.

In-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi

Every seat has a 12–13 inch touchscreen with the ice system offering live TV, movies, music, and games. Wi-Fi is available for purchase, with free messaging passes for Skywards members. NerdWallet highlights the entertainment system as a standout perk.

The pattern: Emirates invests in amenities that directly improve passenger comfort on long flights, using free items as loyalty drivers rather than revenue sources.

Which is better, KLM or Emirates?

Route network and destinations

Emirates operates from its Dubai hub to over 150 cities, while KLM uses Amsterdam Schiphol. Emirates has a stronger network to Asia, Australia, and Africa; KLM dominates European and intra-European routes. If your origin or destination is in Europe, KLM may offer more direct flights. For travelers heading to the Indian subcontinent or Southeast Asia, Emirates’ connections via Dubai are often better.

Onboard service comparison

Both airlines provide free meals and drinks in economy. Emirates offers free beer and wine; KLM also provides complimentary alcohol. However, traveler reviews suggest Emirates has a more extensive wine selection. Seat pitch is similar on most aircraft, but Emirates’ A380 economy cabin has 32–34 inches of seat pitch, while KLM’s 777s offer around 31–32 inches.

Pricing and value

Fares vary by route and season. Emirates tends to be slightly more expensive for long-haul, but the extras (entertainment, amenity kits, better drinks) often justify the premium. KLM’s fares are competitive, especially for European routes, and its Flying Blue loyalty program is more widely integrated with partners.

The catch: Emirates wins the onboard experience but KLM wins on European convenience and alliance network benefits.

Three key differences between Emirates and KLM at a glance:

Why is Emirates not a 5 star airline?

Skytrax rating system

Skytrax evaluates airlines on seat comfort, service, food, entertainment, and cleanliness. A 5-star rating requires consistent excellence across all cabins, not just first and business class. Emirates’ economy class has been praised, but the airline as a whole has not yet reached the 5-star threshold.

Emirates star rating history

Emirates has been a 4-star airline since Skytrax began its rating system. While it has won individual awards (Best Entertainment, Best Middle East Airline), it has never held the top star level. Common criticisms include the aging B777 seating in economy and inconsistencies in service across different routes and crew.

Comparison with 5-star airlines

5-star carriers like Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and ANA offer wider seats in economy, more premium dining options, and a consistently higher level of service. Emirates, meanwhile, focuses on volume and the Dubai hub experience. Its economy product is good, but not flawless enough for the top rating.

What this means: Reaching 5-star status would require Emirates to standardize seat quality across its entire fleet and eliminate service variability—a major operational challenge given its 260+ aircraft.

Which is the top 3 airlines in the world?

2023 Skytrax top airlines

According to Skytrax, the world’s top 3 airlines in 2023 were: Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and ANA All Nippon Airways. These rankings are based on customer votes across all cabins.

Other ranking systems

NerdWallet and TripAdvisor also rank airlines, but Skytrax is the most cited industry standard. In TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice awards, Emirates ranked in the top 10 for Best Airlines.

Emirates position in top rankings

Emirates typically sits between spots 5 and 10 in global rankings. It consistently places first for inflight entertainment and is highly rated for cabin crew. Its 4-star Skytrax rating places it just below the 5-star carriers.

The pattern: Emirates is a perennial top-10 performer but lacks the consistency needed to break into the exclusive 5-star group.

How to Make the Most of Emirates Economy Class

Choosing the best seat

On the A380, the economy section near the stairs (rows 40–50) offers extra legroom due to the aisle configuration. Avoid seats near the galley or lavatories. Use Emirates’ seat selection tool during booking.

Using meal service strategically

Pre-order a special meal (vegetarian, low-calorie) on the Emirates website to get your meal served first. This is especially useful on long flights. Also, ask for extra snacks or ice cream—the cabin crew often has extras.

Utilizing entertainment system

Download the Emirates app before departure to add movies to your watchlist. The ice system supports Bluetooth headphones on newer aircraft, so bring your own wireless buds.

Step-by-step to maximize your Emirates economy experience:

1. Select a seat in the A380 economy section near the stairs for extra legroom.
2. Pre-order a special meal at least 24 hours before departure.
3. Book a window seat on daytime flights for the best views.
4. Pack noise-cancelling headphones and use the ice entertainment app.
5. Request free wine or beer right after takeoff to enjoy a relaxed start.

The implication: A little advance planning transforms an already good economy product into a genuinely comfortable long-haul experience.

Clarity Section: What’s Confirmed vs. Unclear

Quotes from Experts and Travelers

“Emirates offers a full range of complimentary drinks in economy, including beers, wines, and spirits.”

— Emirates official website, dining page

“I was given three red-wine choices on my Seattle–Dubai flight—two French and one Spanish. That’s unheard of in economy.”

— Passenger review on Sand In My Suitcase

“Emirates is a 4-star airline, not quite reaching the top tier due to some inconsistencies in economy seating across its fleet.”

— Skytrax rating summary

Emirates has crafted an economy class that genuinely feels like a step above the competition. With free drinks throughout the flight, multicourse meals, and the best entertainment system in the sky, it offers a compelling value proposition for long-haul travelers. For the passenger flying from Europe to Asia or Australia, the choice is clear: Emirates delivers an onboard experience that starts with a free glass of wine and ends with a cheese plate, making it the better pick for those who prioritize comfort over convenience.

Related reading: **Qantas Frequent Flyer Login: Sign In, Recover & Check Points** · **Tangalooma Island Resort Guide: Activities, Ferry Cost & History**

For travelers looking to bundle flights and accommodation, the Emirates Airlines review pairs well with a look at Emirates Holidays packages for a complete vacation experience.

Frequently asked questions