Short trip to NYC flying EK & SQ F

[v1nce007]

I'm looking forward to the next instalment

 

[diningdecadence]

ohhh contemplating similar trip - if only that 15k miles limit pushed the midwest/ texas into the picture for the 192k points cost!

how many showers/ amenity kits/ caviar/ d'yquem!!!

 

[Danger UXB]

Boarding pass scanned. Fastening seat belt

 

[boomy]

Time to board the first EK flight:
EK405 A380 MEL-SIN 7h 55m

Our F suites were 1E/F, chosen for all 4 sectors.

Sweet, looks like we scored the refurbished F cabin.



Can tell it's the newer F by the larger size (and quality) of the screen and also by the larger control tablet.



The seat



The suite



I know many don't like EK's style with so much 'bling'.
My opinion about that is slightly different. To me flying F is a fantasy, something out of this world and I love how all kinds of hard products can be so different from each other. Although my prefers style is refined luxury, I'm not moving in to live in EK's suite so even if they throw in an exaggerated amount of fake wood and gold it's all good, all part of the fantasy

Pre-departure crew go around the cabin offering Arabic coffee, dates and a glass of Champagne.



Only one more pax was in the F cabin after all the doors were closed. Now I understand how come we had the QF F lounge all to ourselves before boarding.

On this flight all the F crew were Korean (all four of them). I found it very interesting but loved it. Anyone who ever been to Korea or just flew with a Korean airline knows they are masters of customer service.

 

[boomy]

Noticed there were no slippers in the suite so asked the FA for a pair. Her answer was: "We encourage our guests to put on slippers only after takeoff but if you like I can bring them now". It's ok I can wait...
Interestingly this was the only time I've been told that when flying EK, on all other flights, before and after this one, always given PJs and slippers prior to takeoff.



EK NC headphones are ok but not Bose quality.



Bulgari men amenity kit.



Bulgari women amenity kit.



Over the four flights we received new amenities on each sector. EK have two different men and women kits.



One of the best airline amenities. They contain all the essentials include good quality perfumes, something most kits don't have. Nice gifts to bring for relatives.

 

[Pushka]

My SIL loves the EK amenity kits. I think she expects one each time I fly

 

[blackcat20]

The new EK lounge looks good.

 

[mmchow]

Love the look on the male amenity bag; bottom left.Top left seem to be oldish? I had that 2 yrs ago.

 

[boomy]

Love the look on the male amenity bag; bottom left.Top left seem to be oldish? I had that 2 yrs ago.

I like both male kits, they look better than the women's IMO but it's still Bulgari so I'm sure my mom will love them. On recent trip to Italy I got my dad hand-made leather bag and the men kits will match well so looks like I'm all good with gifts next time I visit the family

 

[boomy]

Wine list.

Champagne



White



Red



Dessert & Port

 

[boomy]

coughtails



Spirits



Dinner menu (MEL-SIN)





Light Bites



EK menu is Dine on Demand, meaning pax can order whatever they want whenever they want it during the flight.

 

[Pushka]

Doh. Just realised I am doing this exact flight in April in F. Award booking. Shower time?

 

[boomy]

Doh. Just realised I am doing this exact flight in April in F. Award booking. Shower time?

I can already say this was the most enjoyable flight of all 4 sectors we had on EK for number of reasons:

- It was the first flight (well, long haul, the QF Dom doesn't count) so we were obviously most excited.
- Almost empty F cabin combing with the most amazing service ever experienced on any ME carrier.
- Ideal departure time to maximise F&B enjoyment (although I was doing my best to pace myself and not overfeed or get too drunk on the first sector ).

 

[Pushka]

So it seems they dont upgrade to fill up the cabin then?

 

[boomy]

So it seems they dont upgrade to fill up the cabin then?

J was more than half empty so no reason to upgrade anyone to F on that flight. Some report suggest EK are normally quite generous with QF WP upgrades.

 

[diningdecadence]

any paradis?

 

[boomy]

any paradis?

You mean this little number?



Yea I had one or two glasses (in the first hour ).

 

[TomVexille]

Yea I had one or two glasses (in the first hour ).

You would have to with the average champagne they serve...

 

[boomy]

After takeoff the champagne glass was refilled and a plate of canapés was served.



After three course meal in the QF F lounge we were not very hungry but still felt like trying some of the specials, starting with caviar.



We don't usually get to eat proper black caviar at home, actually we NEVER eat caviar at home so for me it's one of the nice perks when traveling F and on this trip I'm going to have enough of it for the whole year

Another dish I love to eat when flying on ME carriers is the traditional Arabic mezze with glass of nice red.
Asked the FA for advice which red should I have and she said: "Let's do wine flight and then you can taste them all". How can I possibly refuse to that offer?

 

[TomVexille]

After takeoff the champagne glass was refilled and a plate of canapés was served.

Asked the FA for advice which red should I have and she said: "Let's do wine flight and then you can taste them all". How can I possibly refuse to that offer?

Now THAT'S service