What Are The Best Seats In Each Class On Emirates' Airbus A380s.

Emirates is the largest operator of the Airbus A380, with 120 aircraft in total. However, with nearly 500 seats onboard, choosing the best place to sit can be a bit of a challenge. Here's your guide to the best seats on Emirates' A380s.

Economy

Depending on which aircraft you're on, Emirates' A380s can seat anywhere between 399 and 557 passengers in economy class. This means strategically choosing your place on a long-haul flight is important to a comfortable experience.

The economy cabin is laid out in a 3-4-3 configuration, with all seats on the lower deck on the three/four-class A380. Unless flying with family or friends, avoiding the middle seat is the top priority, so seats B, E, F, and J should be crossed off the list. From there, things get a lot easier.

The best seats are definitely the ones titled 'bulkhead' below. These are usually home to emergency exits or galleys, offering much more legroom than a standard seat. Rows 41, 52, 67, and 80 are all safe bets. However, proximity to the galleys and washrooms can be a bit disturbing on overnight flights due to the commotion.

Perhaps the best seats in the A380 Economy are in rows 68 and 81 (A and K). With no third seat in the row ahead, passengers have unlimited legroom without needing to sacrifice storage space. This makes 67 and 80 (B and C) a good choice too, especially if you're traveling in a pair and would rather avoid sitting next to a stranger.

Don't fret if you don't get one of these seats. Emirates' economy is considered one of the most comfortable in the world!

Business class

Emirates hasn't shied away from huge business class cabins on its A380s. Seating anywhere from 58 to 76 passengers, the cabin is laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration. However, not all seats are made equal, and choosing well is important to maximize the experience.

For starters, if you're flying solo or love window views, go for seats in the A or K rows. Due to the staggered layout, these seats are actually next to the window, while B and J are closer to the aisle. Moreover, A, E, F, and K also offer more legroom when fully flat, an important consideration for taller fliers.

The only seats to avoid are ones in rows 25 and 26. Since the onboard bar and bathrooms are located here, noise can be an issue for many. Luckily, on my flight this week, row 25 didn't turn out to be an issue!

Instead, trying to secure seats upfront is your best bet. If traveling with someone, I'd recommend E and F since you can dine with them and get more privacy thanks to the console. If you're still stuck in the middle, take seats D or G so you can have your own space.

First class

With only 14 seats, it's hard to say which seats are the best on the A380's first class. Laid out in a 1-2-1 layout, the middle seat obviously lacks windows, which can be a drawback if you enjoy the natural light and view. A and K are the best choices for the full first class experience.

With a bar right ahead and behind first class, sticking to rows 2 and 3 is the safest in terms of noise. Other than that, there is little to pick if you find yourself in this cabin!

Coming soon: premium economy

If you're lucky enough to be on Emirates' last six delivered A380s, the airline also now has a premium economy cabin. While not on sale just yet, passengers can pay to book the seats as an extra in the economy cabin while choosing seats. Here, the twin seats in the 2-4-2 layout are the best pick, especially the front row, 33, per our review of the cabin.