A few random thoughts on EK F/J Trip to Europe

[mel-world]

This is not a trip report but rather a few random thoughts on the following itinerary that I finish tomorrow: MEL-DXB-GLA//MAD-DXB-SIN//KUL-MEL

- Good that I can do this itinerary on one airline, especially without touching LHR (I flew GLA-AMS-MAD on KLM and SIN-KUL on SQ). Anytime you do not hit LHR is a blessing. Saved money as well by taking a short European sector and staying 24+ hours in MAD rather than Long-haul directly from the UK. (I did have business in Spain but still a saving.)

- The EK F/J passenger pick-up/delivery service really saves time and money, especially with EK408 arr in MEL at 0205 on Thursday. I used it in MEL, GLA, SIN and again in MEL all included in the fare.

- Their lounges in MEL and KUL are excellent although combined.

- Really great being able to upgrade J to F on EK 407 MEL-DXB on the day of the flight for only 45,000 points. A similar upgrade on SQ (if you could get it) would be much more - even after their new Saver arrangements just announced.

- The showers on the EK 380s are something else - you can really arrive refreshed. And they are real showers not a hot spray. Worth the points for that alone.

- I also like the gate to gate IFE but especially their tail and nose cameras on all flights.

However...

- I do find the EK 777 J class seats particularly uncomfortable. Not only are they narrow but the cushions seem hard and the 'lie-flat' is really a lie straight but still at an annoying angle. The adjustment seems strange to me.

- I found the quality of the crew variable. A couple of the sectors were as good as SQ (my normal choice) and the multi-national mixture is excellent but a couple of the sectors left a lot to be desired. Off-hand, more interested in socialising and no checking of the cabin between service runs.

- Their MD, Tim Clark tells us that he believes that EK is 'only about half way there' in building the network. If so, I will not want to be transiting DXB if they get much bigger. Yes, they are expanding the airport with a new terminal being finished but three of the four movements at DXB (both arrivals and one departure) were from remote stands via a bus and a long ride too on a couple of occasions. Walking down from the top deck of a 380 to the tarmac with hand luggage is difficult for many people - especially the elderly and those with kids. Yes, they have a bus for F/J and a separate security check but all very time consuming and inconvenient. Not sure this is going to be fixed any time soon, even with a new terminal.

- Once in the terminal, especially during the key transfer window between 0500-1000, the terminal is bursting. The toilets and showers cannot cope, the J lounge is like a zoo at feeding time although the shops seem to to be adequately staffed to take your cash.

- The DXB F lounge does not allow access for Skywards Gold or inbound F passengers transferring to J - that is disappointing and a definite black mark.

- With all the airlines in the gulf region expanding, there are delays both on the ground and in the air. Our flight from MAD to DXB travelled the last 90 mins at minimum speed and took a long scenic tour of the gulf region so as not to be early for its slot. Yes, once efficient airports like Changi are suffering longer delays but if all the gulf airlines are expanding at the same rate as EK says it will (plus a few QF flights a day), the situation will only get worse.

I guess air travel is getting to be the same hassle worldwide but the experience is becoming harder to enjoy despite my 40 years love of flying. Maybe I am just getting older and grumpier!!

 

[serfty]

Thank you for the thoughts - random? not INHO - quite pertinent really.

I guess it may become better (aside from ATC congestion related problems) one the new terminal is fully operational.

 

[browski]

Although the current Dubai airport is quite new and construction on the new T3 extension terminal is almost finished.............this is still ultimately only going to be Dubai's second smaller airport. Yes...........they are alreday building bigger, second one.
World's largest airport 'needed' says Dubai's ruler


.......it is planned to be used exclusively by EK. They are using it for cargo, but pax should be starting soon

 

[mel-world]

Although the current Dubai airport is quite new and construction on the new T3 extension terminal is almost finished.............this is still ultimately only going to be Dubai's second smaller airport. Yes...........they are alreday building bigger, second one.
World's largest airport 'needed' says Dubai's ruler


.......it is planned to be used exclusively by EK. They are using it for cargo, but pax should be starting soon

I can find a second major airport space in Dubai (on Google) but your report is 2 years old already and there is at least 5 years of development work to be done before EK could have enough terminal space to move so this is not a short to medium term solution as all airline operations would need to be moved at once. There are certain advantages for EK at DXB as there are not many other airlines using the facilities but once the number of new EK destinations expands (as predicted by the EK President), there will still be space and movement challenges for some time.

 

[browski]

I can find a second major airport space in Dubai (on Google) but your report is 2 years old already and there is at least 5 years of development work to be done before EK could have enough terminal space to move so this is not a short to medium term solution as all airline operations would need to be moved at once. There are certain advantages for EK at DXB as there are not many other airlines using the facilities but once the number of new EK destinations expands (as predicted by the EK President), there will still be space and movement challenges for some time.

Maybe the project has stalled? Maybe it will now be cargo only? My bet is they'll have it operational for EK years before SYD2 even breaks dirt.

 

[mel-world]

Maybe the project has stalled? Maybe it will now be cargo only? My bet is they'll have it operational for EK years before SYD2 even breaks dirt.

I think we will all be pushing up the daisies before SYD2 is even located. I am so glad I do not have to use that airport any more than absolutely necessary. I rarely fly QF and will even go via AKL to avoid SYD if flying to the Sates and not able to take a direct flight from MEL.

 

[Zulu0929]

Having lived in DXB (until recently) and travelled with EK for many years, all you say is on the button. It is always nice to receive an upgrade to F from J out of DXB, but they won't let you in the F lounge in DXB. A bit of dangling carrot thing I suppose. Only ever had one problem with an upgrade request out of LHY a couple of years ago, which was very unpleasant, but they recitifed it with a rebate of some of the points used at the time.

The other very annoying occurance is following a long 12 hour trip to find that the aircraft parks on the edge of the airport (near SHJ) and then one has a 10-15 minute trip on a bus. This will only get worse/more frequent as EK expands further.

 

[legroom]

.....

- Really great being able to upgrade J to F on EK 407 MEL-DXB on the day of the flight for only 45,000 points. A similar upgrade on SQ (if you could get it) would be much more - even after their new Saver arrangements just announced....

Could someone shed light on the issue of using QFF points to apply for upgrade with EK operated / codeshared flights ?

After the merger, of course.

Would that be in the realm of possibility, or would only EK points be acceptable?

Is there any precedent with previous mergers ?

What would be your guess here ?

Thanks

 

[globalexplorer]

Although the current Dubai airport is quite new and construction on the new T3 extension terminal is almost finished.............this is still ultimately only going to be Dubai's second smaller airport. Yes...........they are alreday building bigger, second one.
World's largest airport 'needed' says Dubai's ruler


.......it is planned to be used exclusively by EK. They are using it for cargo, but pax should be starting soon

I was at this airport a few weeks ago and it is largely completed inside by the looks of it but I would go so far as to guarantee that it will never be used by EK as it is absolutely miles from nowhere between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The transit time from the airport to Dubai would be a nightmare (and an expensive one if you take a taxi) and well in in excess of an hour (much longer in peak hour). I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the airport for all carriers other than EK and EK passengers get to enjoy the better and more conveniently located terminals in Dubai, a subtle way of creating a strong competitive advantage for the local carrier.

 

[mel-world]

I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the airport for all carriers other than EK and EK passengers get to enjoy the better and more conveniently located terminals in Dubai, a subtle way of creating a strong competitive advantage for the local carrier.

What happens then with the EK/QF code-share arrangement under this scenario? QF passengers bussed between airports if connecting with EK to/from anywhere? I think not. There are so many airline arrangements in place that this would likely be impracticable. The more I think of it, the more I believe that loyal QF passengers are getting a bad deal out of the upcoming agreement. As a loyal Aussie, I would love to fly on QF internationally more often but they are quickly reverting to type of only offering even reasonable connections to Asia through SYD and I would do anything to avoid that SYD transfer. In DXB, I am sure QF passengers will have no advantage over EK premium pax who enjoy their own transport around the airport (if using a remote gate) and premium transfer security. Do QF F and J use a new QF lounge(s) or the existing EK lounges - I guess it might depend on their onward carrier? The EK J lounge in the main terminal is often as overcrowded as the concourse. The only positive change I can immediately see is the limo transfers now starting for their premium customers. A cynical person could think they were forced into this lest they loose more of these these pax to EK.

 

[legroom]

The more I think of it, the more I believe that loyal QF passengers are getting a bad deal out of the upcoming agreement. As a loyal Aussie, I would love to fly on QF internationally more often but .....

(my emphasis)

I agreed

I opened a thread today pointing out that the difference for a return J trip (SYD AMS) on QF-codeshare EK-metal flights is about $4,000.

Yes, four thousand dollars - not a typo

Same flights, same destination !

QF code costs a cool extra four grands.

 

[clifford]

The other very annoying occurance is following a long 12 hour trip to find that the aircraft parks on the edge of the airport (near SHJ) and then one has a 10-15 minute trip on a bus. This will only get worse/more frequent as EK expands further.

Well, no. With the opening of Terminal A, there are plenty of gates available. The real issue is slots on the runways.

And I don't believe the "new" airport will ever be opened to major carriers. Dubai would lose a lot of visitors if this ever happened.

Just my 2 bob's worth, but I do visit Dubai many times a year.

 

[mel-world]

Well, no. With the opening of Terminal A, there are plenty of gates available. The real issue is slots on the runways.

Do any members know when Terminal A is being opened - I have a flight thru DXB shortly? The last time I was there we pulled up short and were bussed to the existing terminal.

Mind you, I understand the new terminal is only for the 380 so if you travel to/from MEL via SIN or KUL, you may still have a bus trip although with the 380s moving, Terminal B should handle all the long haul 777s.

 

[serfty]

Terminal A has indeed opened.

So has the First Lounge ...

 

[geordieladinoz]

Has anyone experienced transit times between the 2 terminals? Family will have a 1hr 40min transfer later this year going SYD-DXB-NCL and will be on the A380 first leg. As its in the schedule I am sure EK will ensure pax transfer but will be a very rushed process I guess.

 

[mel-world]

Terminal A has indeed opened.

So has the First Lounge ...

Thanks for the update. Any impressions of the new facilities?

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the update. Any impressions of the new facilities?

See this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ds/new-dxb-concourse-a380-terminal-46549.html

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well, no. With the opening of Terminal A, there are plenty of gates available. The real issue is slots on the runways.

And I don't believe the "new" airport will ever be opened to major carriers. Dubai would lose a lot of visitors if this ever happened.

Just my 2 bob's worth, but I do visit Dubai many times a year.

Agree

Emirates SkyCargo is growing very fast just like their passenger division, taking that out of DXB will assist.

 

[clifford]

As its in the schedule I am sure EK will ensure pax transfer but will be a very rushed process I guess.

Well I wouldn't bet on it.

If your incoming flight to DXB is on time, then you should make the transfer.

But if not, who knows? EK will in general not hold flights for connecting pax. They'll just put you on the next available flight.

 

[mel-world]

Well I wouldn't bet on it.

If your incoming flight to DXB is on time, then you should make the transfer.

But if not, who knows? EK will in general not hold flights for connecting pax. They'll just put you on the next available flight.

I have had experience with this. I was delayed (by a technical fault - the incoming EK aircraft - not me) and arrived in DXB in time to make the connection but not in time for the bag to make it (they said). I was delayed 8 hours despite protestations by me and an a number of other pax that we would be happy for the bags to follow on the next flight as long as we could get to our destination as quickly as possible. Not just a problem with EK by the way.