EK F SYD/MEL to AKL

[PaulST]

Hi all,
Sorry if this topic has been discussed before but all of the threads I found when I did a search were old and I didn't want to bring up too much old (possibly outdated?) information.

Anyway, I'm considering splurging out and booking flights from either Melbourne to Auckland and then back to Sydney on an EK A380 in first class. The reason for starting in MEL (I'm from Syd) was because the time you leave is far nicer and I'll be able to properly enjoy the F lounge. The EK flight from SYD leaves at around 0700am.
So my questions are:
Do you miss out on anything because it's a very short-haul F? Amenity kits? PJs? Chauffeur pick up/drop off?
What is the AKL F lounge like? I understand that the SYD and MEL QF ones are quite impressive.

How often do QF have F sales? A work colleague just bought similar flights for $2K return. I see that the standard prices around $1400 one-way.

*I'd be booking on a QF flight number as to get the SCs.

Thanks!

 

[TomVexille]

Definitely no Chauffeur Drive, I'm not sure about amenity kits and PJs but my gut says no, AKL "F" lounge is just a smaller section with self serve. IMO the champagne in the EK lounge is superior.

 

[mmchow]

Flew F SYD-AKL on EK A380 and MEL-AKL-MEL on EK 777-300ER- definitely no PJ and amenity kit as it is a fairly short flight (~3:30 in total). Emirates lounge in AKL is so so, nothing to spectacular compared to QF F Lounge. I've booked mine directly with EK and according to their site, no chauffeur across the Tasman but surprisingly I've got mine in both ways.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the replies. I wonder if they'd have any spare PJs if you asked? I still wear my QF ones sometimes.

 

[Pushka]

No amenity kits and no chauffeur drive F, Auckland to Brisbane, A380. I did get to have a shower as I asked but no one else did (I think there were a few op ups). The flight was way too short. No PJ's.

 

[Pushka]

No amenity kits and no chauffeur drive F, Auckland to Brisbane, A380. I did get to have a shower as I asked but no one else did (I think there were a few op ups). The flight was way too short. No PJ's.

Auckland F lounge on EK is non existent except for this:

 

[boomy]

Thanks for the replies. I wonder if they'd have any spare PJs if you asked? I still wear my QF ones sometimes.

It's a three hour flight, no need for PJs.
Skip the AKL lounges, they are cough and everything is better onboard anyways.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I got the amenity kit on my flights. They definitely give you one if your having a shower. plus the little kit thats in the vanity within the suite.

 

[Steady]

I got the amenity kit on my flights. They definitely give you one if your having a shower. plus the little kit thats in the vanity within the suite.

This is my experience also - came back from the shower and there was an amenity kit, PJ's and an Emirates calico / hessian shopping bag on my seat.

 

[djfuzz]

What preferable departure times are you seeing from MEL rather than SYD? I thought they both departed way too early to enjoy the lounges properly ...

 

[Pushka]

I didn't receive the kit and I did have the shower, a couple of months ago.

 

[boomy]

Didn't get any special kit or PJs on AKL-BNE this year, Just the basic kit in the suite which is only for women IIRC.

 

[tuapekastar]

QF J lounge at AKL rates roughly alongside domestic QF lounges. QF F lounge at AKL is a smaller and bit nicer lounge, but not a patch on the MEL/SYD QF F lounges. The one and only EK lounge at AKL is a combined J/F lounge and as such is a very nice J lounge (considerably better than either QF lounge at AKL).

 

[Pushka]

Didn't get any special kit or PJs on AKL-BNE this year, Just the basic kit in the suite which is only for women IIRC.

Yes. These were there:

 

[Pushka]

The EK lounge is nice but gets packed around 5pm





And these are apparently superb.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you miss out on anything because it's a very short-haul F? Amenity kits? PJs? Chauffeur pick up/drop off?

From what I've seen (someone with experience will be able to confirm)... looks like meals are served on a tray (same as business) and the menu is the same/similar to business class?

 

[Steady]

From what I've seen (someone with experience will be able to confirm)... looks like meals are served on a tray (same as business) and the menu is the same/similar to business class?

No trays on my flight - breakfast or dinner (edit - late April 2015)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No trays on my flight - breakfast or dinner

good! that seems an improvement.

This trip report from aussieflyer (.net) shows a tray (but was 2013): http://www.aussieflyer.net/2013/09/emirates-trans-tasman-first-class-on.html

 

[Pushka]

No tray on my flight either.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Yeah My report is getting on a bit now, I've only been flying biz on that flight since. You can view the menus on the Emirates website, First and business really are not much different.

Dining | The Emirates Experience | Emirates Australia


Here are EK407 F menu for today: http://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...7-AKLMELDXB-F-23C_A380.pdf?h=88d2671a55442080
and J menu: http://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...7-AKLMELDXB-J-23C_A380.pdf?h=88d2671a55442080

All 3 main courses in J are also offered in F for example.... and all the desserts are the same! Presentation may be on a bigger plate in F , that's about the only difference.