Emirates Airlines first class is a bucket list item for frequent and infrequent travelers alike. The airline's reputation for luxury and top-notch service make its first class experience highly sought after.

Emirates offers first class on the A380 and the Boeing 777 and the experience is slightly different on each.

Here's what you need to know before flying Emirates first class, including the best perks, which plane to find them on and how to book.

The best Emirates first class benefits

1. Private Emirates first class suite (Boeing 777 only)

(Photo courtesy of Emirates)

Emirates offers a first class product on both the A380 and Boeing 777, but the Boeing 777 is the only aircraft with fully-enclosed private suites. In fact, these exclusive spaces are the world’s first private inflight suites.

On the Boeing 777, you get a large private suite, which Emirates bills as “your own private hotel room in the sky.” The suite is spacious, spanning 84” at its longest point and consisting of up to 40 square feet. It affords maximal privacy thanks to floor to ceiling doors. It has mood lighting, virtual windows and even temperature controls if you get too hot or cold.

Annoyingly, some of these suites are technically "middle" seats, meaning no window. However, these middle suites have faux windows with HD projections of the view from outside. And if you get one of the real window seats, they'll even let you borrow binoculars to see outside.

2. Semiprivate first class seating on the A380

(Photo courtesy of Emirates)

On the A380, the first class seats still have a door for privacy, but the doors don't go all the way to the ceiling. The space is still luxurious, but it's smaller than the suites. They're 82” long suite (versus 84" for the Boeing 777 version) with a seat that reclines from upright position to a full-flat bed.

Though if you're sitting next to a buddy, you can combine your spaces thanks to the configuration of adjoining centre suites (which have an electrically operated privacy divider that can be raised and lowered)

However, the A380 offers something that the Boeing 777 doesn't: a shower spa.

3. Emirates first class shower (A380 only)

(Photo courtesy of Emirates)

If you want to take a shower when you’re flying first class with Emirates, you can do so only on the A380 — a lavish feature first introduced in 2008. You can access one of two shower spas on the upper deck. The "spa" is really just an oversized bathroom that has a shower, sink, mirrors, vanity unit, a changing area and even a large TV screen embedded in the wall that shows a live flight map.

The shower cubicle offers water temperature control, and there are nice touches including a hairdryer and full-length mirror. But what makes this spa nicer than likely your own bathroom is the heated floors.

You don't even need to pack your own shower kit, because the shower spa offers hair and body products, such as Irish brand Voya shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. You even get a Bulgari amenity kit that includes the company's signature fragrance: Eau Parfumée au Thé Blanc.

4. Caviar and Dom Perignon at 40,000 feet

(Photo courtesy of Emirates)

You can expect delicacies like black caviar in the chef-designed meals prepared with fresh seasonal local ingredients and gourmet snacks served on fancy chinaware.

Emirates also caters to people with dietary restrictions. For example, passengers who don't eat meat and dairy can opt for Emirates' three-course vegan meal — or just pick vegan snacks à la carte.

Food options vary depending on the length of your flight. Drinks range from complimentary Dom Perignon champagne and fine wine to juices, coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and spirits.

An example dining menu for a long-haul flight includes caviar, cream of mushroom soup and Arabic dips for appetizers. For the main course, you can select from a pan-fried beef tenderloin, Bzar chicken, fried tapioca-soy dumplings or a pan-seared salmon trout. For some light bites, a tofu poke bowl, stir-fried vegetables, or a lamb and rosemary pie is available.

5. Bulgari and Byredo amenity kits, moisturizing pajamas and headphones

(Photo by Sally French)

Bulgari amenity kit (in first and business class)

The amenity kits provided in Emirates first class are fancy, too. When you get to your seat, you will find a Bulgari amenity kit that includes a fragrance (the Eau Parfumée Au Thé Vert) and other skincare necessities for your flight. The Bulgari kit is available to first and business class passengers.

Byredo wellness kit (first class only)

The Byredo wellness kit is only offered to first class passengers on the Boeing 777. The products in this kit include a cleansing face towel, toner, eye cream, roll-on sleep oil and chamomile pillow mist. You’ll also receive a faux leather notebook and branded pen.

Moisturizing pajamas (first class, long-haul overnight flights only)

Pajamas are one of the best perks of flying first class on many airlines. However, Emirates takes it up a notch by offering moisturizing sleepwear that is designed to prevent skin dehydration on long-haul overnight flights. The fabric is infused with shea butter and Argan oil, which is released when you move around.