Time flies when you’re seated in Emirates’Business Class. Just ask this journalist, who flew on the award-winning airline’s inaugural nonstop flight between Dubai and Fort Lauderdale. Three gourmet meals, one 78-inch-long lie-flat seat and 14 hours later, and I was ready to take on Dubai—the city of old and new—mosques, marvels, shopping malls and all. To see the City of Gold through my F1.7 lens, flip through the photo slideshow below.
The perks of flying Business Class aboard Emirates’ Boeing 777: 78-inch-long lie-flat seats with plenty of legroom for starters.
When the lights go down, the “stars” come out on Emirates’ Boeing 777.
Tasty Peruvian dishes, greenery, weathered wood tables and jaw-dropping views at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai’s Garden restaurant.
Don’t look for light switches in the rooms at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai—they’re all controlled by a bedside tablet.
Jumeirah Mosque is said to be the most photographed mosque in Dubai.
Look up, down and all around at the breathtaking Jumeirah Mosque, which is open to non-Muslims.
The walls, mats and ventilation system featured in this traditional home—at the Dubai Museum—are made from dried palm leaves.
Playing “guess that spice” in Dubai’s Spice Souk with our Arabian Adventures tour guide Azel.
Sorry for the blurry photo, but these camels were on the move in the Dubai desert.
The Arabian oryx is the United Arab Emirates’ national animal.
Everyone scrambles for the best seat in the house when the sun sets in Dubai’s desert.
Keep your eyes peeled at City Walk Dubai—an urban living concept featuring shops and entertainment venues—for colorful street art.
Mouthwatering food art at City Walk Dubai’s Boutique Le Chocolat.
Street art at City Walk Dubai.
This kids play area at City Walk Dubai’s Hub Zero is like a scene right out of the Plants vs. Zombies video game.
These lovebirds are the first to greet guests at the fully immersive vertical tropical forest, The Green Planet.
The Green Planet’s bio dome is home to this vertical tropical forest complete with birds, butterflies and two friendly sloths.
Talk about science coming to life! We had an up-close view of butterflies emerging at The Green Planet.
The Burj Al Arab overlooking Jumeirah Beach.
Experience the action, adventure, romance, comedy and music of a Bollywood film at Bollywood Parks Dubai.
The fantastical Baby Brent’s Luncheonette restaurant at the new Motiongate Dubai theme park.
LEGO-themed family fun abounds at Legoland Dubai. Just look at this cute Lego camel.
The Burj Khalifa is an architectural delight both inside and out.
Views from the Burj Khalifa’s At.Mosphere restaurant.
Fine dining at 1,450 ft. inside the Burj Khalifa’s At.Mosphere restaurant.
The Dubai Mall is home to dozens of shops, an aquarium, a cinema, an ice rink and this gigantic 155-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton called the Dubai Dino.
43,055 sq. ft. of pure bliss at The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City’s Heavenly Spa by Westin.
The swanky The St. Regis Bar at The St. Regis Dubai.
How’s that for a backdrop. The pool at the One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai in front of the Dubai skyline.
At Emirates Cabin Crew Training Facility, we got a glimpse of the airline’s A380 First Class Shower Suite.
This full motion simulator at Emirates’ Cabin Crew Training Facility imitates possible real-life emergencies for the practice of safety and emergency procedures.
It’s first class all the way inside Emirates’ First Class lounge at the Dubai International Airport (DXB).
