EK F MEL-AKL, better to check in in person at 4.30am on day of flight?

[RichardMEL]

No F class will indeed be a shocker, esp if someone wants to pick that class.

Well if there's no F class then it can't be picked can it?

not entirely sure what you're saying here.

Also note re Champagne - he Veuve is in the AKL lounge (and MEL too I presume). On board J class has Moet (IIRC) and the Dom (normal and Rose). So requesting VC on board may be a bit difficult, but anyway Moet is acceptable in J If you're not really a bubbles pooch then perhaps it doesn't matter anyhow.

If you were the only pax in F on EK406 were you offered the spa/shower? I know you said you wouldn't partake, but I think even the most laid back pooch would want to at least try it to claim they'd "done it" (SHOWERED people!! ) at 39,000 ft as you would have seen those F lavs are amazing.

As for op ups (not really the sort of thing I'd ask for up front, but anyway that's just me) it seems SG perhaps may have better luck than this jaded WP1 who's got 0/4 or so from EK. Not that I'm whining... anecdotal evidence suggests Golds may be seen as easier targets by EK to share the love and perhaps get the loyalty returned. So you never know you may get a surprise on the 407.
Blackcat20 oh bugger I am on 406 on Monday morn (J) and back on Tues in F. "missed you by THAT much!"

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Should have taken ipod pix on runway 34 with the tail cam.
After Mon will see how to download pix from iPod to here.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The CSM offered many times.
Oodles but I am not that sort.
It was used as the cabin crew hideaway too.
Can be used as a spa too the door message said.
Signs are the left and right showers, then the single word Aft.
As I mentioned I inspected the whole of F, walked left and right aisles and to J bar.
Make sure you have camera and sd card.
Am going to photocopy and laminate my 2 BPs.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Blackcat, watch for an old bearded male pooch with a hat in his mouth.
Will try to be by those froseted sliding doors at AKL int opens to the public zone opens... when 406 gets into AKL.

 

[RichardMEL]

The CSM offered many times.
Oodles but I am not that sort.
It was used as the cabin crew hideaway too.
Can be used as a spa too the door message said.
Signs are the left and right showers, then the single word Aft.
As I mentioned I inspected the whole of F, walked left and right aisles and to J bar.
Make sure you have camera and sd card.
Am going to photocopy and laminate my 2 BPs.

Oh well - each to their own I guess. Just that if it was ME and it was my First time (in First) and potential for future experiences was small (as you have suggested elsewhere) I'd try to lap up every single part of it. Given the limited number of carriers who offer showers on board I'd jump for it, even on a 3-4 hour flight. I've done it (OK yes, on DXB-MEL which is much longer) and it's magnificently over the top. Still, your choice.

btw by "spa" all they really mean is the amount of product in there (you may have noticed all the skin products and stuff in the bathroom in addition to the shampoos and stuff) so for a bit of pampering on the warmed floor and stuff.

As long as you enjoyed yourself. Now you have tried out one of the QF F lounges and flown EK F.. the mystery is solved.. maybe the dog will find a new bone to go after!

 

[blackcat20]

Have just checked in for our flight. Very efficient and friendly. Emirates lounge is ok but it's no F lounge. Just saw an EK A380 land from BNE...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Have just checked in for our flight. Very efficient and friendly. Emirates lounge is ok but it's no F lounge. Just saw an EK A380 land from BNE...

That was the A380 A6-EDV that was scheduled to fly DXB/BKK/HKG on 25 Dec but instead flew DXB/BKK then positioned BKK/BNE as EK2549 to operate BNE/AKL/BNE on 26 Dec as EK434D & EK435D for the pax whose 25 Dec BNE/AKL/BNE EK434/EK435 flights were cancelled and had to overnight in BNE. That a/c was meant to fly as EK2671 BNE/DXB this morning at 0330 however flew BNE/MEL as EK2671. Note sure when it's goiing now.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

No sign of Blackcat.
ETA 14:00, been here since then.
Now processing.
Edit: like ships in the night, looks like its a meet miss.
2nd edit: Ok.
Confirmed missed OP.
Now going to get BP for my MEL bound flight.
Will see if they will give me an F seat J side.
Time of edit on bottom of thread is ADL time.
Working on NZ time of the probable meet.

 

[RichardMEL]

Will see if they will give me an F seat J side.

If you asked for that you may end up in Y since that makes zero sense.

I have a feeling you mean on the right hand side of the cabin, ie: the "K" window suites (1K/2K etc) but really.... do try to be more clear?

good luck with that!

 

[blackcat20]

No sign of Blackcat.
ETA 14:00, been here since then.
Now processing.
Edit: like ships in the night, looks like its a meet miss.
2nd edit: Ok.
Confirmed missed OP.
Now going to get BP for my MEL bound flight.
Will see if they will give me an F seat J side.
Time of edit on bottom of thread is ADL time.
Working on NZ time of the probable meet.

Our flight was a tad late and we wasted a bit of time in Duty Free.... Now over in domestic waiting for our connection.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

With the slight off English she thought I wanted to use points, but I mentioned QF SG, no luck.
F counter was full of pax.
AKL EK F/J lounge not bad, at least it has a good view.
Salmon was great, as was the beef pie, dates an excellent touch.
All up will fly EK with a QF code again.
Noted the collection box for NZ OPCs.
Self processed NZ outwards immi.
Loved it, like our Au e gates. Easier even.

 

[kermatu]

I've always found AKL inbound and outbound very quick.

The dates are a nice touch in the EK lounge. I feel the quality of the food has gone a little backwards the last year. I used to regularly enjoy prawns, salmon, crayfish and even scallops in the cold buffet. Last three visits it's been smoked salmon and at best a tiny bit of crayfish salad on toast. The ultimate first world problem I know.

Hope the flight back is good Poochie.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

NZ immi incoming if you make an effort to speak to the girls with the green t shirts, and they give you a green slip for Au/NZ passports, yes, it's fast.
This is for past the immi stage though, it's where they either just collect the Smartgate tix, or X-ray.
Of course this may still have an X-ray or chat, but this time for me no fuss.

 

[RichardMEL]

Er AP not too sure what you're talking about chatting up chicks to get a slip or something.

I just go through smartgate (easyas, as discussed earlier) then through customs via the AU/NZ passport holder lane. They just say "Exit lane" (just like in MEL and I'm out in minutes)... so again not sure what you're on about with the green shirt girls but whatever works

glad you enjoyed your flight.

And yes, if you asked for an upgrade why would the agents NOT expect you wanted to use (EK) points to do it? I'd love to hear someone utter "I'm QF Gold so how about it?" and see the reaction lol. Well worth a shot I guess.

For the record I had no upgrade love on MEL-AKL myself (not that I expected it) despite fairly full J cabin (J5) and reasonable space in F. I enjoyed 23K just fine for the short flight - absolutely no issue.

F on the reurn was lovely though. Only 3 of us in F on 407. Tough ride

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Wow what a thread . Thanks for the laugh

 

[Virgin Bart]

Glad you enjoyed your trip AustraliaPoochie, but boy do I find your writing style tough to read! Either way, EK F is something for me to aspire to

 

[opusman]

Well I've learnt something, didn't know you could do ODU with EK using points internationally.

 

[TomVexille]

Er AP not too sure what you're talking about chatting up chicks to get a slip or something.

I just go through smartgate (easyas, as discussed earlier) then through customs via the AU/NZ passport holder lane. They just say "Exit lane" (just like in MEL and I'm out in minutes)... so again not sure what you're on about with the green shirt girls but whatever works

There's a new-ish (sometime in the last 8 months) "nothing to declare" lane at customs for NZ and AUS passport holders. That's my guess at least.

 

[kermatu]

There's a new-ish (sometime in the last 8 months) "nothing to declare" lane at customs for NZ and AUS passport holders. That's my guess at least.

Haven't seen it in my last three visits in the past couple of months?? One of which did require me to have a secondary screening at Customs.

 

[TomVexille]

Haven't seen it in my last three visits in the past couple of months?? One of which did require me to have a secondary screening at Customs.

There was a lady directing AU/NZ passport holders with nothing to declare down the crew/wheelchair line and what looked like directly out. I didn't get to use it as I had something to declare.