QF vs EK in F to DXB

[MrMNJ]

Ok Folks, here's my quandary for the week...

I'm booked QF MEL-DXB and connecting EK to DXB -FRA ( All in F).
Departing MEL at 22:55 with 1hr 25 min stopover at DXB.
Changeover seems a bit tight to me, but this was how it was booked for me, on the QF website. If I miss my connection, the next FRA flight is 6 hrs later...

There is an earlier flight on EK 407 departing MEL at 21:25, which leaves me around 3hrs in DXB.
I can't decide if I should change to this flight to give me more breathing space.
i have flown EK F several times, and all my other sectors are on EK F this time around. QF I have only been on once before and was keen to try this again.TBH I can't recall if it was any better than EK, but it certainly was less gaudy interior!

Have been to DXB First lounge several times also, not fussed about missing out on time there. Would like to experience the QF first lounge though, and I believe I can as it will still be a QF flight on EK metal.

So I thought I'd ask you knowledgable folks here- what would you do in this situation? Do you have a preference of one over the other? Would you cop an increased risk of a missed connection to fly on QF instead of EK? Isn't freedom of choice a great thing?

 

[Jaryd]

I'm jealous. That is all.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm pretty jealous too. I really quite like the DXB F Lounge and hate super short transits so I'd take the earlier 2125 EK flight and relax in DXB. Plenty of time for a spa appointment, shower and leisurely breakfast before boarding the flight to FRA.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I wouldn't even consider a connection as tight as that, given Qantas' current ability to run on time. I have had 4 out of 4 international flights delayed in the last 3 months, with 3 missed connections and 1 near heart attack from running to make the other one. Qantas F is OK, but no better than EK (and I really like EK's order anytime menu - almost starved to death in Qantas F last year, when I went to sleep after boarding and found when I woke up that all that was on offer was a steak sandwich, which I dislike!), so I wouldn't risk a missed connection to fly it.

 

[boomy]

IMO EK F is better then QF F in almost every aspect. Actually, someone just posted the drinks menu on QF 9, not impressive is an understatement. Now add the tight connection to the equation and it's a simple decision really.

 

[amaroo]

IMO EK F is better then QF F in almost every aspect. Actually, someone just posted the drinks menu on QF 9, not impressive is an understatement. Now add the tight connection to the equation and it's a simple decision really.

Not just QF9 ... the wine menu on our QF 1 & 2 last month was just cheap and nasty.

 

[kermatu]

While I have only had a small number of F experiences, and both are very good, EK wins for me as well. Food and wine better, and timing / ability to eat anything off the menu at any time is a big plus (I was able to as well on QF once, but I recall stories of others only being offered a steak sandwich or something similar - as per FM's message - in F if they didn't eat at the designated time).

On timing, I have been stuck twice on EK flights which park at remote stands, not the gates in Dubai. Even in Business it can add close to an hour parking, exiting craft, then the bus to terminal. F would save a few minutes. I haven't heard of this happening to Qantas (presumably as the plane goes straight on so always gets a gate). But I will leave plenty of time for transfer in future as a result.

I agree EK seems the right choice.

Oh and I am jealous too. May be some time before I fly F again.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Unfortunately, or fortunately, EK F wins all the time over QF. For us. And sometimes even on price. Our current trip to BNE- SEA would be some 5-10K more on QF and the only real F flight would have been SYD-LAX, that's if they didn't do a FM and change planes on us. And only one airline so less chance of luggage going to XYY.

EK F has better food, far better wines, and generally better crews ( not that QF crews are bad but in F one expects a little more. One QF F crew out of LHR could not make proper scrambled eggs and toast for example.)

The wines in particular on EK are much better - Nice Gran Crus French whites and reds, St Henri and even Grange on the rare flght. Plus Hennassy Paradis ($850) a bottle, although it's becoming rare now.

In Australia one can use the QF F lounges (generally) or if not then the EK lounges are very good IMHO. The one in Rome is excellent for example. The lounges in DXB are great with very good food, wines like Penfolds 777 ( don't know when I ever saw that on QF).

And, touch wood, we've not had the issue of a 380 go out of service and have delays etc. Although this is obviously possible, with so many aircraft hubbed in DXB, it seems less likely with EK.

So, as a QF WP, I'm being drawn more and more to EK. We are now EK WP so we have the choice of whether to fly on EK metal on QF or EK tickets.

 

[Hvr]

Surely the shower on Emirates would tip the scales? If you shower as late as possible before arrival in DXB then you have more time to enjoy the lounge there.

 

[MrMNJ]

Thanks for your replies...

The verdict so far overwhelmingly in favour of EK!

OT a little bit, but my personal experience with EK has been tainted by a bad sector MEL-DXB on my last EK F trip, where my suite 2A was not operational.
No power to the seat, doors and no IFE. After a 1hr delay on the ground trying to fix it, they gave up.

First was full, and I struck a compromise where they gave me the last spare business class seat to watch the IFE, but I had my meals and sleep in my non-functioning
"suite". The business class seat was also non-functional (could not recline), which was why it was spare, but at least the IFE worked.

Compensation as a full fare passenger was a voucher for EK (USD$600) which was both nowhere near the price of my ticket, and annoying as I usually book on QF codes. After much discussion with local ground staff in Melbourne, I managed to get a return J MEL-AKL for my troubles. Reading another thread on this forum, I think I did quite well.

This is why I was a little reluctant to change my flight to EK. However, common-sense prevails. (Thanks to you all who posted...)
Hard and soft-product issues notwithstanding, for scheduling reasons I should go with the EK flight. Still have a couple of months to go so will be easy to change.

I was also very interested to read your thoughts on dining and beverage differences between the two. I also guess that the late-night departures on QF would be underwhelming?

Addit: Please don't be jealous folks - at least I won't be taking it for granted I fly Y way more often than J or F. Recently I was middle of the centre row on a MH 772 (not my fault, was swapped in for who-knows what reason). Chose to go hungry instead of eating that concrete "pastie" again.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Surely the shower on Emirates would tip the scales? If you shower as late as possible before arrival in DXB then you have more time to enjoy the lounge there.

It certainly adds to it! Plus even if you're not showering, it's just luxury to have a bathroom one can move ones arms about ( in fact play cricket on EK) is what one would (should) expect for an trip in F. No?

 

[Kangol]

I wouldn't even consider a connection as tight as that, given Qantas' current ability to run on time. I have had 4 out of 4 international flights delayed in the last 3 months, with 3 missed connections and 1 near heart attack from running to make the other one. Qantas F is OK, but no better than EK (and I really like EK's order anytime menu - almost starved to death in Qantas F last year, when I went to sleep after boarding and found when I woke up that all that was on offer was a steak sandwich, which I dislike!), so I wouldn't risk a missed connection to fly it.

Can you ask to have the meal held for you at a later time? I've flown QF F 3 times and have always eaten at the designated time so I've never asked.
I'll be in F on QF9 in a couple of months and with the later departure, I am thinking of eating properly (pigging out) in the F lounge and maybe delaying the main supper meal.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Can you ask to have the meal held for you at a later time? I've flown QF F 3 times and have always eaten at the designated time so I've never asked.
I'll be in F on QF9 in a couple of months and with the later departure, I am thinking of eating properly (pigging out) in the F lounge and maybe delaying the main supper meal.

Hopefully they would - others have said they have done this for them in J. We like you have always been model passengers and eaten when asked to, so have never needed any special service. This time we had been travelling for 24 hours and just couldn't keep awake, so asked for a bowl of soup and to go to sleep. It didn't even occur to me to ask for something to be kept (and Tbh I would have just assumed that in F there would be something more than a steak sandwich available). Live and learn I guess - or move to Emirates, where the whole menu is available anytime.

 

[vantage03]

Going against the grain here but I would take QF F over EK F anytime (except if that meant having to fly to LHR instead of direct to Europe)...

The food on EK in F is DREADFUL. Yes they have caviar, and I appreciate the ability to order anytime, but any meat dish is beyond inedible. QF menu sizes do seem to have shrunk recently though.

The service is also inconsistent at best on EK. At least on QF you know what you're going to get; usually good but not great.

Also all that EK bling is just tacky and dated. There's nothing stylish about it. The suites are small and feel a bit like a flying coffin too - that's just my personal view though and I appreciate it isn't shared by all.

Also, as you've experienced, if there is an issue then you're more likely to get looked after by QF than by EK.

My only concern is your connecting time. If they sold it to you, it must be 'legal', however it's pushing it. From memory DXB min connection is 75min. You don't want to be rushed either.

(For transparency on my opinion above, and we all differ, I've had 5 sectors in EK F and 6 in QF F this calendar year since Jan 15 so far)

 

[pagingjoan]

Can you ask to have the meal held for you at a later time? I've flown QF F 3 times and have always eaten at the designated time so I've never asked.
I'll be in F on QF9 in a couple of months and with the later departure, I am thinking of eating properly (pigging out) in the F lounge and maybe delaying the main supper meal.

On two QF F flights last week, I was offered the menu and told that they could arrange any timing I wanted for meals, along with a suggestion that if I wanted something in particular, it would be held for me. I hadn't asked, on either occasion, and didn't take up the offer but did appreciate the flexibility.

 

[Flying mermaid]

On two QF F flights last week, I was offered the menu and told that they could arrange any timing I wanted for meals, along with a suggestion that if I wanted something in particular, it would be held for me. I hadn't asked, on either occasion, and didn't take up the offer but did appreciate the flexibility.

Which of course is the problem - depending on the crew you get a totally different experience. To be fair we were so exhausted all we wanted to do was sleep, but I would have thought it would only have taken a minute to ask if we wanted something kept. All I can remember is the CSM trying to put pressure on us to stay awake and have the meal, rather than going to sleep straight away, but no suggestion of being able to serve anything later. Maybe they didn't want to disturb other passengers sleep by serving food later on......

 

[Kangol]

Hopefully they would - others have said they have done this for them in J. We like you have always been model passengers and eaten when asked to, so have never needed any special service. This time we had been travelling for 24 hours and just couldn't keep awake, so asked for a bowl of soup and to go to sleep. It didn't even occur to me to ask for something to be kept (and Tbh I would have just assumed that in F there would be something more than a steak sandwich available). Live and learn I guess - or move to Emirates, where the whole menu is available anytime.

Did you send in feedback? I'd say that would be unacceptable, even in J. I'd assume the same, even if the crew were not proactive in doing so.

On two QF F flights last week, I was offered the menu and told that they could arrange any timing I wanted for meals, along with a suggestion that if I wanted something in particular, it would be held for me. I hadn't asked, on either occasion, and didn't take up the offer but did appreciate the flexibility.

That sounds good and I guess it would go without saying that it is a benefit of F - or even J. Sure, it's still public transport but the flexibility of "made to order" meals, compared to Y, wouldn't be so hard with a smaller cabin.

Have any F pax here ever ordered from the J menu?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Did you send in feedback? I'd say that would be unacceptable, even in J. I'd assume the same, even if the crew were not proactive in doing so.

Nope - don't tend to be pushy, except for the rare times when I get a bee in my bonnet like not getting the F Host when travelling on a code share

 

[vantage03]

Which of course is the problem - depending on the crew you get a totally different experience. To be fair we were so exhausted all we wanted to do was sleep, but I would have thought it would only have taken a minute to ask if we wanted something kept. All I can remember is the CSM trying to put pressure on us to stay awake and have the meal, rather than going to sleep straight away, but no suggestion of being able to serve anything later. Maybe they didn't want to disturb other passengers sleep by serving food later on......

I rarely eat when 'told to' on a QF F flight. I will make my selection and ask them to hold it. Occasionally you may get an eye roll as they want to get meal service over with so they can chill. But you're well within your rights to ask for it when you want it.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I rarely eat when 'told to' on a QF F flight. I will make my selection and ask them to hold it. Occasionally you may get an eye roll as they want to get meal service over with so they can chill. But you're well within your rights to ask for it when you want it.

Live and learn - never was an issue really, as the normal meal service worked for us.