What Make Emirates Airlines Special?

The NY Times has an interview with Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, the chairman of the Emirates airline in Dubai.  Emirates began its first service in the United States last June and is already showing a profit.  The airline says that it is not subsidized by the goverment of Dubai and it recently snapped up some of the Airbus A380s as well as the Boeing 777-300ERs.  For long-haul airlines, the focus is less on price and more on onboard service which is why Emirates ranks high.  They spend money on roomier cabins and amenities.  Emirates offers private cabins in first class with doors and room service.  Plans for the A380 include a first-class cabin with a shower.