Two top Middle East Airlines, Etihad, and Emirates, have been busy over the last two months trying to outdo each other on First Class Suites from the U.S.

March 4: Etihad announced that New York will receive the airlines’ new Surpass First Class (First Apartment) and The Residence on the A380 on one of its two daily flights starting Dec. 1 to Abu Dhabi—with onward connections to over 50 cities in the Middle East, India, Asia and Australia.

Learn more about on the two cabins and how they score against another luxury First Class Suites.

March 15: Etihad started flying a B787 Dream liner from Washington, D.C.

Etihad might have been influenced by Emirates February announcement that it will start flying an A380 on New York-Milan, making Emirates the fifth airline to Europe flying the A380 (joining Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Singapore).

Emirates stands out because it is the only airline that offers an onboard shower for First Class passengers, and it also received a Bennett Suite.

A score of 10—see more on the ratings here.

March 24: Emirates announced a new U.S. route, its 10th, Orlando-Dubai, flying a three Class B777-200.

Not only are these two airlines offering top rated service, but both partner with Multi-Airline Credit Cards (MACs). More on MACs here.

THINK BEYOND THE MIDDLE EAST

While the Middle East is not a major destination for many U.S. flyers, it is an increasingly significant hub, a way to get to Africa, Asia, India, and the South Pacific in comfort—and often at a very good price.

FROM THE U.S., PUBLISHED FARES COST UP TO 167% MORE THAN ON THE REVERSE ROUTE

There are many ways to book the Surpass First Class Apartment: published fares, using Etihad miles, or miles with a partner carrier, including American and Japan Airlines.

Published Fares: Etihad is looking for top dollar from Americans, with fares 167% more than on the inverse routes.

Etihad’s A380 Surpass First Class Fares

American Express International Airline Program: Available to Platinum and Centurion cardholders; offers a free ticket for each full-fare ticket purchased. *Flight from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait is in Business Class.

Fares for The Residence start at a cool $32,029 one-way and $64,086 round-trip.

FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S., PUBLISHED FARES ARE SLASHED

Surpass First Class Connects Australia & U.S.: With the addition of the New York route, you can fly Surpass First Class on all four flight segments to the South Pacific, although layovers would be long (10 hours flying east; an overnight (about 21 hours) flying west). An interesting alternative: Fly Etihad’s B777 on one of the four segments, Sydney-Abu Dhabi, because the layover to the U.S. flight is only 3.6 hours.

Surpass First Class Fare Disparity and Start Abroad Strategy

*All fares are round-trip.,

If you live in the South Pacific, great. If you live in the U.S., and travel to the South Pacific very often, consider starting travel in Sydney.

Likewise, if you travel abroad very often, consider booking flights FROM your destination (an update on that coming next month).

BOOKING WITH MILES & POINTS

At press time, Etihad had almost no Surpass First Class mileage seats available, but based on past data this should change over the coming months. (Keep an eye on FCF’s special Sweet Redeem reports. For example, read our alert survey of Business Class on Etihad’s New York route that was wide open during January.)

There are three different mileage options to be aware of, so you can be ready when award space opens up.

Booking Surpass First Class With Miles: New York - Abu Dhabi (R/T)

*Approximation: based on recent lab tests.

EMIRATES A380 BETWEEN EUROPE & U.S.

Service starts June 1 on the airlines existing New York-Milan route (currently using a B777) with the First Class Suites and an upgraded Business Class seat. Neither First or Business Class is inexpensive, and yes, there are many ways to book it: published fares, 2-for-1s, using Emirate miles or Japan Airlines miles (transfer from Starwood).

Emirates A380 Published & 2-for-1 First Class Fares: New York - Milan

*4-day advance only.

PUBLISHED BUSINESS CLASS FARES

Spring and Summer Business Class fare promotions go for $3,119 round-trip, a savings of $1,421 (31%). Booking deadline is April 14 and fare is valid for travel through Aug. 31. Fourteen-day advance purchase required (fare basis code: OCMPRUS1).

Wait for Easy Up Fares? On March 23 Emirates offered a $1,897 round-trip Business Class fare (more in FCF Alert here), a savings of $2,578 (58%) when compared to the regular fare of $4,540.

BOOKING EMIRATES WITH MILES OR POINTS

Emirates doesn’t belong to a major airline alliance, but is a member of both the Amex and Star wood “points alliance,” which makes these top-rated seats very accessible.

Booking Emirates A380 New York - Milan With Miles & Points (R/T)

*Approximation: based on recent lab tests.

BUT ARE THERE ANY SEATS?

Emirates is not so stingy with First and Business Class mileage award availability (see chart below), and at times Japan Airlines award space for Emirates flights is close to the airlines own.

Survey of Award Availability: Emirates New York - Milan

Handful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 4 to 8 days during the months indicated in the chart. Worth pursuing if you’re flexible.
Hopeful: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 9 to 12 days during the months indicated.
Hooray: Our most recent research shows that award space is available for at least one person about 13 days or more during the months indicated.

Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats; in green at least four seats