New Experience

[mstyson]

I thought I'd try out Emirates Airlines because of the many favourable comments about the ariline. Realised how valuable my loyalty is with Qantas, Air NZ and Virgin Atlantic when Emirates slugged me $60 excess baggage, squashed me into an uncomfortable seat delayed me 45 minutes. The disappointment with Emirates has confirmed my loyalty to Q, NZ and VA.

 

[NM]

Sorry to hear of your disappointment. Out of interest, what route and aircraft type were you travelling?

Most of the good reviews for EK are for travel in the premium cabins and their newer long-haul aircraft (A340-500). Their economy, especially on regional aircraft confgs like their 777s do not get the same regular positive wraps.

 

[mstyson]

The flight was Sydney to Auckland. Glad it wasn't a long haul - I would have hated it! It was a cheaper fare than the other airlines but ended up just as expensive because of the excess luggage charge. It's taught me a lesson - remain loyal to one or two airlines and appreciate all the benefits.

 

[Mr Somerset]

One of the worst economy experiences I've ever had was with EK, from BNE-LHR and back.

Their economy seats are extremely narrow and uncomfortable, and to top this off our IFE didn't work, neither did the overhead light, and my footrest was broken.

Our compensation? A half eaten box of chocolates. Marvellous.

Somerset

 

[anat0l]

It amazes me that EK is regularly hailed as one of the best airlines in the world (and I almost wouldn't dispute that at all, they are certainly not one of the worst), yet there seem to be many complaints about their service on board, particularly in WHY, as well as ground support.

Most people probably could not complain, since their fares are quite competitive. Also, some people probably do not complain because of general apathy, or simply because they just wanted to get from A to B without caring about the service as such. (As seasoned flyers, we know what we want and are looking for.)

As for premium cabins, I hear that EK is one of those that come on top; probably will be furthered when their A380s with their showers and top-class (many puns there) suites come into mainstream service.

QF I hear has a very simple, sometimes quite lifeless appearance of style even in their premium cabins, but the service is hard to beat. The problem is that sometimes that service can be very good or horrible; the consistency is sometimes not there.

 

[oztripper]

I have flown with most airlines that operate out of Australia, and found that none of them really give a toss about their customers. Once, on my way back from Lax to Syd via Auk, the plane was delayed 8 hours. Staff at Lax managed to get me to Auk on another flight but although there were plenty of seats available to complete my journey to Syd from Auk at an earlier time, Air NZ would not put me on a flight any earlier as I had a `discounted ticket`. This despite being a Silver at the time and having been loyal to that airline for 10 years. I have not flown with them since.
Sad to hear the tale of the EK flight as I go Chc every month and would not even think of using another airline after using Emirates; but we all know a horror trip is always around the corner!

 

[mstyson]

My flight from Syd to Auckland on Emirates was not bad, but simply disappointing. After all the hype about it being such a brilliant airline perhaps I was expecting too much. It was just another average experience for me. But enought for me to confirm my loyalty to Qantas as number one.

 

[JohnK]

I thought I'd try out Emirates Airlines because of the many favourable comments about the ariline. Realised how valuable my loyalty is with Qantas, Air NZ and Virgin Atlantic when Emirates slugged me $60 excess baggage, squashed me into an uncomfortable seat delayed me 45 minutes.

Now that is something I did not take into consideration while researching flights for a trip to BKK in March. The return airfare SYD-BKK with Emirates is ~$780 which is by far the cheapest option. I will be travelling with golf clubs so all up would need to check in 2 bags plus a carry on bag. I would estimate somewhere around 32kgs all up and a little more on the way back. As a non status Emirates frequent flyer there is a high chance I will have to pay excess luggage charges and pot luck on what seat I am allocated.

Hmmm. How much is status, FF points and comfort worth?

 

[Keith009]

As for premium cabins, I hear that EK is one of those that come on top...

Not with JCL! A lot of their aircraft are still fitted with cradle style seats, even the A345. And the JCL cabin in the A380 looks exceedingly tight. Good TT fares though, but I'd avoid them for long haul.

 

[Snowmoo]

We'll never be flying Emirates again after trying them on Syd-Dubai last year. Staff were very rude and uncaring. Not too mention incompetent when they failed to serve dinner to a few rows that is until I had to tell them.

Then they had the audacity to stop in Syd at the cargo bay area and bus us around which took another 40 mins. Hence we were 4 hours late.

Wrote to them to get a letter for insurance as we missed our connecting flights and they failed to respond 3 times until wrote a very angry letter to them and they came back with the usual grovelling letter of apology.

Never again. Would rather fly Qantas or another one world carrier to get to Dubai the long way and also get the status points.

 

[markis10]

We'll never be flying Emirates again after trying them on Syd-Dubai last year. Staff were very rude and uncaring. Not too mention incompetent when they failed to serve dinner to a few rows that is until I had to tell them.

Then they had the audacity to stop in Syd at the cargo bay area and bus us around which took another 40 mins. Hence we were 4 hours late.

The audacity of Emirates to stop at a remote standoff parking bay is in fact a decision made by Macquarie Sydney Airport, airlines have no control over bays and who gets what, which is why the airport actually compensates the airline for non-aerobridge parking bays requiring bus transport.

 

[anat0l]

We'll never be flying Emirates again after trying them on Syd-Dubai last year. Staff were very rude and uncaring. Not too mention incompetent when they failed to serve dinner to a few rows that is until I had to tell them.

Then they had the audacity to stop in Syd at the cargo bay area and bus us around which took another 40 mins. Hence we were 4 hours late.

Wrote to them to get a letter for insurance as we missed our connecting flights and they failed to respond 3 times until wrote a very angry letter to them and they came back with the usual grovelling letter of apology.

Never again. Would rather fly Qantas or another one world carrier to get to Dubai the long way and also get the status points.

When you say "rude and uncaring", do you mean they were really rude (perhaps not maliciously) or do you mean 'don't have an attitude, no nonsense' regimental type? Notwithstanding also cultural differences (small possibility) or the classic having-a-bad-day (of which QF staff are not innocent of).

Not that any of the reasoning above makes their 'rudeness' (if in earnest) acceptable at all. More so if they forgot to serve some rows.

There are some people who couldn't care less if they were served by an FA who was a human or a robot.

 

[Snowmoo]

Well a good example was when I asked for a drink and a chocolate and was given it. Then not more than a few mins later my wife asked for the same thing and was told that they don't do that in economy.

It wasn't until I pointed out on my tray table that the chocolate bar and drink I had requested not more than 5 mins ago from another FA and was subsequently given to me that she huffed and puffed back to the galley and got my wife what she asked for.

Small things like that irk me because it is a total uncaring attitude and total lack of professionalism.

Not saying that Qantas or any other airline isn't immune to the problems like we experienced, but it wasn't just us on that flight who had problems. Maybe an off day, but at least admit your mistakes, apologize to the customer and try to improve next time. That's what customer service is all about ain't it?