Emirates is bringing A380 service back to JFK beginning October 31.

They had served New York – Dubai with this aircraft and then moved 380 service up to Toronto where they were only permitted service 3 days a week and could better utilize the extra capacity of the aircraft.

Now, the A380 is still just cool. And Emirates offers one of the most over-the-top first class cabins on that aircraft. Like Singapore’s A380 and Jet Airways 777s (and thus Turkish leased Jet Airways 777s), they offer suites with doors. And unlike anyone else in the sky, they have showers.

I’ve not much paid attention to Emirates, I do realize that they are a Continental partner at reasonable award pricing and a United partner at more expensive mileage pricing. My impression had been that Continental only had access to business class awards on Emirates and not first class, but perhaps that understanding pre-dates Continental’s entrance into the Star Alliance and introduction of first class awards. United certainly publishes first class award pricing.

So the next question becomes, how does someone with miles across many programs but who has never been an Emirates Skywards member secure first class award space on the A380??

Expertflyer says that it searches for Emirates award and upgrade space, and that first class awards/upgrades come out of the “Z” inventory bucket and that first class ‘peak awards’ come out of “A”. My hunch is that peak award seats will be relatively doable, e.g. I see plenty of A space for Toronto Dubai and Paris-Dubai on A380 aircraft. But I haven’t researched what that is, I assume it’s only open to Skywards members at a hefty mileage premium.

Anyone with suggestions how to score first class on this bird, please pass them along in the comments…!