Emirates long-haul economy

[JohnK]

How bad is the 777? How does seat width and leg room compare to a QF A333? I know one can look at seat measurements but these don't really mean that much unless you have experienced the seat for yourself.

I am guessing the A380 would be more desirable?

 

[casanovawa]

I flew a EK 777 a few years ago... Like in a 747 in economy I sat way down the back in one of the twin outside seats rather than the triple ones and was I guess pretty average Y, on their A380 I've only flown in F so can't help there..

All things being equal I'd usually pick an A380 over 777...

 

[Altair]

I did it years ago.
IMO don't fly the EK 777 or any 777 in economy if it is 10 across.:shock:
Yes there is more legroom, for me that is not too much of an issue. But the shoulder room is tight, think flying in a 737 in Economy for that length of time. It is tight and even if you have aisle access you will be bumped by passing traffic.
I would consider it if on an A330 or A380 but not in their 777.

 

[dodgeyhack]

I've only had one 777 flight where I wasn't op-upped. But I found it very uncomfortable. It wasn't the width - I had an empty seat next to me, but the seat in general. Had a numb bum an hour into the flight and was never comfortable after that despite having a bit of room to move around. I don't remember much about the leg room, but the A380 is a vast improvement. I find that reasonably pleasant in Y.

 

[AnnaB]

I did it years ago.
IMO don't fly the EK 777 or any 777 in economy if it is 10 across.:shock:
Yes there is more legroom, for me that is not too much of an issue. But the shoulder room is tight, think flying in a 737 in Economy for that length of time. It is tight and even if you have aisle access you will be bumped by passing traffic.
I would consider it if on an A330 or A380 but not in their 777.

We got the new planes with 10 across flying China Southern. OMG! :shock: I had hubbys shoulder in my chest and he didnt know where to go but he is almost 2 metres tall. Luckily for us, the plane was fairly empty so we could move across, but never again. Or at least if I can help it. I didnt know Emirates started with 10 across on their flights as well? Doesnt that really go against their adds of being the best airline in the world?

I flew Emirates a few years back, got the 777 and I found the seats really comfortable. One of the few times I have been able to sleep flying economy. Guess its all about personal preference.

 

[JohnK]

I would consider it if on an A330 or A380 but not in their 777.

The timing MEL-KUL is pretty good and only 28,000 QFF points then cheap Air Asia flight ~AUD100 to CNX.

Other option is CX SYD-HKG-BKK for 42,000 QFF points and ~AUD100 to CNX. Fuel surcharges roughly the same with both.

 

[TomVexille]

I didnt know Emirates started with 10 across on their flights as well? Doesnt that really go against their adds of being the best airline in the world?

Emirates started the trend of 3-4-3 on 777s and theirs have always been configured that way. And many airlines claim to be the "best" but they all can't possibly be the best.

 

[dajop]

To be honest, although everyone seems to get into hysterics, I felt the EK 777 not that different to QF A330 in economy. Both have been flying the route between MEL & SIN for some years (until this month, when 777 has been replaced by A380), and in economy I definitely prefer the EK 777 to QF's 330, overall service, meals and IFE seem better and seats feel no more cramped, and maybe even less cramped than the A330. (In fact seat guru suggests seats are of similar width, 17" on EK vs 17.2" on A330, but EK has 32" pitch vs 31" pitch, which is probably true). If anything the aisles felt narrower, and more prone to being bumped when in aisle seat.

Having said all that, in last two years I have taken neither, much preferring SQ 777 with its more spacious 3-3-3 layout, or their A380 when it operates on the route, although that may change now that EK A380 is a permanent fixture on the route.

 

[openseat]

I've had a few trips on the EK777 in Y. It has been always uncomfortable relative to other Y flights, especially the A380. It's a noisy plane to start with. The overhead lockers do not line up properly for 10 across meaning you get a crotch in your face if your seated in the aisle while someone reaches above and across you. The aisles are way too narrow, meaning complete chaos during boarding and deplaning.

I'd rather take the SQ 777. Even though the IFE screen is woeful, the room is wonderful.

 

[Mattg]

There is a noticeable difference between EK Y on the 777 & EK A380/QF A330 Y. I would take the latter two any day.

I found the Emirates 777 seats alright in terms of comfort and legroom - in fact, leg room is not bad. But the seats are narrow; they have to be with 10 across in Y.

 

[dajop]

There is a noticeable difference between EK Y on the 777 & EK A380/QF A330 Y. I would take the latter two any day.

I completely understand the difference with the A380. Yet the A330, is cramped and uncomfortable too, with inferior IFE and less legroom compared to the 77W. It's seats really are no wider (but aisles are). Maybe the psychology of knowing that all A330s are 8 across and 777s are usually only 9 across is something that makes the A330 seem OK.

 

[Mattg]

I completely understand the difference with the A380. Yet the A330, is cramped and uncomfortable too, with inferior IFE and less legroom compared to the 77W. It's seats really are no wider (but aisles are). Maybe the psychology of knowing that all A330s are 8 across and 777s are usually only 9 across is something that makes the A330 seem OK.

It's true that there is slightly less legroom on the A330s, but I do feel that there is a subtle difference in seat width. It just feels more comfortable to me. The 2-4-2 config could help with that.

FWIW I've flown on A330s in 9 across and that was far tighter than 10 across in a 777.

 

[dajop]

It's true that there is slightly less legroom on the A330s, but I do feel that there is a subtle difference in seat width. It just feels more comfortable to me. The 2-4-2 config could help with that.

FWIW I've flown on A330s in 9 across and that was far tighter than 10 across in a 777.

Yikes, would that be Air Asia.

Actually I was thinking maybe it depends on where you sit. I'd suggest the side seats (bank of 2) on 330 are better, centre bank of 4 on the EK 77W, then centre bank of 4 on 330 then the worst are the side banks of 3 on the 77W.

 

[JohnK]

I'm starting to think EK 777 is worth a try.

The winner for me is the points saving. A return for 56,000 QFF points via KUL/SIN or 84,000 QFF points via HKG and CX economy. That's another beast that needs to be tamed.

The difference is 3 trips on EK 777 or 2 trips on CX A330/777. End of this year I may need to travel more often to Thailand so need to save on costs and stretch points. Relative comfort in economy is only a worry for a few hours. Plus I like the timings of the EK A380 SIN-MEL so could route that way for return.

 

[awkwardpaws]

EK 777s are not so bad, but EK 380s are definitely more preferable if possible. But its not so bad IMHO.

I would recommend checking the loading of your EK 777s (presumably this is in Y?) on EF - often you can score an empty seat next to you because in personal experience, they are often not full load EK planes..

 

[docjames]

The timing MEL-KUL is pretty good and only 28,000 QFF points then cheap Air Asia flight ~AUD100 to CNX.

Other option is CX SYD-HKG-BKK for 42,000 QFF points and ~AUD100 to CNX. Fuel surcharges roughly the same with both.

You get what you pay for....

 

[JohnK]

You get what you pay for....

Are you implying that CX A330 economy is far superior to EK 777 economy and is worth an extra 14,000 QFF points one way?

I am certainly not worried about Air Asia flight. They are fine if they don't crash.

And as it so happens I have found availability on QF128 for the return leg. Don't know why I am procrastinating. Is there likely to be another 35% discount on award flights or earn SCs? Both fairly important at this stage in the game.

 

[docjames]

Are you implying that CX A330 economy is far superior to EK 777 economy and is worth an extra 14,000 QFF points one way?

.

Yes - I was implying I'd rather fly CX 2-4-2 (on A330) than EK 3-4-3 on a 777.

Now if you could get an A380 at the 777 price.....

The Air Asia is the same price either way (and again, anyway, you get what you pay for - in this case, not much for a basic product on a short flight!).


FWIW - I'd now book the QF128 and forget the "extra" points cost (how far away is the travel / will there still be availability if you wait anyway....).

 

[JohnK]

FWIW - I'd now book the QF128 and forget the "extra" points cost (how far away is the travel / will there still be availability if you wait anyway....).

Travel is September/October and awards disappearing quickly.

If I get the EK A380 MEL-SIN on the Monday it gets in to SIN midnight which means I can't get into CNX until lunctime the next day. With the EK777 MEL-KUL I can get into CNX Monday afternoon which is a huge plus. There's availability on the EK A380 on Sunday but would realistically need to be on the 3:00pm SYD-MEL flight and if I finish golf at ~12:30pm at Gordon I'd have to rush back to Belmore then airport. Too tight and too much stress.

The extra day is not the end of the world but would rather not waste it in SYD when I need to be in CNX. It may already be too late then.

 

[Altair]

What about MH to KUL?
Oh RoseAnna EK was one of the first airlines to put 10 across on the 777. Sir TC in fact stated that his passengers preferred the extra pitch and the cheaper fares that 10 across gave. Then other airlines got into the act an the rest is history.