First Class from Borneo

Starting 2026 with 22.5 hours in Emirates First Class: first in the magnificent A380 from Los Angeles to Dubai and then to Kuala Lumpur on the 777-300.

The journey began with me being dropped off at PS LAX at 1PM by my son, Dawson:

Festive mood lingers on:

I really love this water they serve:

The salmon was not available but the trout was just as good:

The warm apple pie was decadent:

Freshening up before going through private security:

Approaching our beautiful ride:

The 4-year old A6-EVS:

There was a bit of a snafu with PS personnel forgetting to check my luggage through to KUL (different PNR) but it was sorted out and I was given two boarding passes and the correct baggage receipt at the gate.

Settled into Seat 1A:

Goodbye Los Angeles:

The menu:

Chose the caviar and lobster gratin:

The lobster gratin was disappointing to say the least.

First Class cabin was rather empty, which suited me just fine.

On the outbound trip from KL I had a teenager who could not stop crowing about how many first class flights he had taken to the passenger in 2A behind me.

Time for some sleep:

The Ukrainian FA Barbara put assorted chocolates on my table. I am proud to say I did not finish it:

I did however snack on a few packets of these delicious chips:

My shower time was set at 1h45m before landing:

More sugary treats with my Americano:

Arrived in Dubai 5 minutes early and ushered to EK’s Concourse B First Class Lounge:

Much prefer the airy dining section compared to that in the Concourse A lounge:

The Dish of the Week (medium doneness):

Finished off with a cappuccino and banofee pie (you know what they say about holiday calories):

Arrived at the boarding gate 5 minutes before boarding commenced. I was victorious in the boarding melee – the first F passenger to board A6-EGP, a 13-year old 777-300 ER:

My classy neighbour:

Asked for the bed to be made (with another set of blankets from business class as a pillow):

Finally watched Brad Pitt’s F1 movie (good):

Managed to doze off for an hour or so intermittently. Body clock was still firmly on LA time so I decided not to fight it and just eat.

Ordered two mains – Spicy Crab curry noodles and Vietnamese Coconut Chicken. Both were just ok:

The Coconut Cake with pineapple compote and white chocolate however was a winner (refer again to previous statement regarding calories consumed whilst on holidays):

Approaching Kuala Lumpur:

Why is everyone acting so surprised at Trump extracting oil revenues from Venezuela? That is exactly what he has been saying from Day 1.

Arrived in KLIA1 at 836AM:

Retrieved bags, re-checked in and made my way to the domestic Golden Lounge:

Boarding the 13-year old 9M-MLR Boeing 737-800:

We waited close to 30 minutes to take off due to traffic. Befriended a very experienced judge who was in 1A and we chatted the whole flight to Kuching, arriving at 115PM.

The 40kgs of goodies arrived safely. Thanks for following along!