Emirates charges $2K to fly J angled seats!

[FlyingFiona]

I'm looking at a QF redemption on EK next year and Seats Aero says EK145 (DXB-AMS) is an angled flat (not lie flat) bed. Do they really still have those? Or is Seats Aero outdated?

And if so what's with them charging the same insanely high co-payment as they do for the shmicko A380?

 

[WilsonM]

I'm looking at a QF redemption on EK next year and Seats Aero says EK145 (DXB-AMS) is an angled flat (not lie flat) bed. Do they really still have those? Or is Seats Aero outdated?

And if so what's with them charging the same insanely high co-payment as they do for the shmicko A380?

Yes, they still have those.

And they charge the same cash fares as well regardless of plane type. It's pretty rare to see airlines differentiate at that level.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Thanks for confirming. It just hurts when they claim their surcharge fees are exorbitant because "their product is worth it." Recliner seats ain't! So I will find another way there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

To be fair it’s a fairly gentle angle from what i understand. But there’s also the 2-3-2 configuration, so someone gets stuck in the middle.

There’s a small sub fleet of 777s that have been fitted with flat beds, and in a 2-2-2 configuration, but not in any great numbers.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Thanks, that's helpful to know.

I've found a creative (read: complex!) alternative way of getting to Europe for the same $$ and a lot less points, but it would require an overnight transit from a paid fare to a reward fare in DEL. I am sure I investigated that option for a different trip in the past and dismissed it after reading someone was made to sit by the check in counters for 8 hours until the connecting flight opened for check in but I'm getting off topic...

 

[AIRwin]

So I will find another way there.

CX via HKG or CI via TPE?

 

[WilsonM]

There’s a small sub fleet of 777s that have been fitted with flat beds, and in a 2-2-2 configuration, but not in any great numbers.

Also worth noting there's another sub-fleet of 777s that have a newer version of the A380 J, but again, not in great numbers

 

[FlyingFiona]

CX via HKG or CI via TPE?

No, it's for April and I have a small window of flexibility so there's neigh on no award flights unless I go for a crazy routing. I did briefly consider: MEL-CGK-KUL-SIN-DEL-HEL-CDG becuase even with one paid J class flight between KUL-SIN and a hotel in both CGK and DEL it would still come in under the price EK are charging for their copayment. But I also value my sanity so perhaps I will consider the EK option now that MEL_Traveller has allayed fears over the angled bed. That copayment still hurts though and on principle I don't want to pay them for that (and most likely a severely overcrowded and unpleasant lounge experience in DXB).

 

[anat0l]

I thought EK retrofitted all of their 777s that had the 2-3-2 angled J.

Did they keep some for those routes where it's not premium heavy and they have lots of Y seats?

 

[FlyingFiona]

Here are the seat maps which I assume confirms they haven't retrofitted?

(What's so special about 8A and 8J that they are blocked for booking??)

 

[anat0l]

Here are the seat maps which I assume confirms they haven't retrofitted?

(What's so special about 8A and 8J that they are blocked for booking??)

View attachment 471285

View attachment 471286

Nope - you're absolutely right. I checked Aerolopa and the non-refitted B777s exist. Wow.

Like I said, I wonder if they deploy them on routes which they suspect are not so premium heavy. DXB/AMS somewhat surprises me, though if they had to deploy a B777 of this kind to operate a route, if the choice was between DXB/AMS or DXB/LHR for example (an extreme example, yes), then naturally the superior aircraft goes on the LHR route and the inferior one goes on the AMS route.

Strangely, I wonder what is the market in places like BRU or VIE (compared to AMS), which are both regularly serviced by the newest B777 with the new F suites and newest J seating.


8A and 8J are bulkhead seats (rows 6 and 7 form a mini cabin). Not sure if they are also bassinet positions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Nope - you're absolutely right. I checked Aerolopa and the non-refitted B777s exist. Wow.

vast majority are still 2-3-2! Gonna take awhile to do their 120+ fleet.

The booking I was looking at in Feb 2026 was still angled/2-3-2.

 

[elanshin]

Also worth noting there's another sub-fleet of 777s that have a newer version of the A380 J, but again, not in great numbers

Isn't that growing at a very fast rate as they're refurbishing 1 every 2-3 weeks or so?

Iirc their goal was to get all the 777s they intend to keep for a while refurbished by 2027 (around 80 or so planes)

 

[FlyingFiona]

I just found a Qatar J paid fare CGK-CDG (my desired destination) for the same price as EK's copayment for a reward fare CGK-AMS. And I'll get actually flat seats! And a better transit lounge.

 

[kelvedon]

I just found a Qatar J paid fare CGK-CDG (my desired destination) for the same price as EK's copayment for a reward fare CGK-AMS. And I'll get actually flat seats! And a better transit lounge.

May not be relevant if you have status, but some Qatar J tickets exclude lounge access and seat selection.

 

[anat0l]

May not be relevant if you have status, but some Qatar J tickets exclude lounge access and seat selection.

Will likely affect the lounge you access in DOH if you have status alone, viz. true J passengers get access to a better lounge than those with "Business equivalent" status.

Still, a QR J fare for the price of a EK copay, that's still amazing. Makes you wonder what the EK cash price is, and how is it competing with QR.

 

[kamchatsky]

I just found a Qatar J paid fare CGK-CDG (my desired destination) for the same price as EK's copayment for a reward fare CGK-AMS. And I'll get actually flat seats! And a better transit lounge.

Good to hear, just check that it is not Business Lite fare which excludes lounge access.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Thanks! I double checked. It's Business Classic so lounge access is included (but seat selection is not, I can live with that).

 

[kamchatsky]

How much is the ticket if you don't mind me asking? It said a lot about the value of redeeming in EK and pay huge fuel fines, when you can just pay for QR J using cash instead, and you get a better product.

Do you know if it is Qsuites?

 

[futaris]

QSuites are on QR40/QR41 DOH-CDG.