The Emirates First Experience - What to Expect?

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I'm heading back to AU in a couple of weeks and decided to give EK F a whirl BKK-SYD, as probably won't get the chance again anytime soon.

Have chosen my seat (1A), but if there's a better seat I should choose - let me know, it's pretty empty right now; had the entire cabin to choose from. Booked the Chauffeur as well, hopefully no problems finding my place, but I'm sure they'll contact me if any problems there.

Menu from this month looks rather good, and they have JWB on board, so I'll be very happy with that (of course I'll try their other whiskeys as well!!)

Any tips from those of you who have flown this route in F? I'm actually really looking forward to it, and hopefully the experience is a hell of a lot better than what was on offer in Y (on the 380) last year, where the crew seemed to be invisible and not at all interested. (A short, relatively empty flight, maybe they were chilling out.;))
 
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Slightly off topic...

On the airlines where you get PJ's, I assume they ask your size or is it one size fits all if not what sizes are available?

Emirates do have multiple sizes, but the first time I was just given L without being asked so I assumed it was one size fits all. Next time I was asked and requested something smaller.
Qantas always ask.
 
On the 777 I go for the second row. It has three windows, and only 2 in row 1. It's further away from the Galley as well, which is up the front. Business is behind, but I didn't notice any disturbance from them. Both times on the B777 in EK F, I've been the only one in F: two FAs all to myself. They made up another seat for me to sleep in (row 2 again). I have gone for the K side mostly, as there's two toilets on the A side up the front, and the crew seemed to gather up the front on that side of the galley to chat throughout the flight.

I was given second helpings of caviar, though that was the first time I'd had it so was offered more. I felt slightly bad for having them open various wine bottles just for me to try a glass, but I figured this was part of the experience. The main meals were nice, though for me, they just didn't seem to have the 5-star-factor that I would've expected in First... they seemed like very nice Business Class meals. And it certainly was order what you want, whenever you want it. Just keep in mind, there's a little time lag once you order it while they prepare it. I guess if my flights had more passengers, they might run out of something, or may limit quantities.

Before take-off, they keep coming back and forth to offer you various items: Champange, Arabic coffee, dates, magazines, newspapers, PJs, amenity kit. I have always found the F FA's to be extremely helpful and pleasant. The crew are always from a wide range of nationalities which makes it very interesting if want to talk with them.

Mention that it's your first F flight, and they may even go out of their way to make it extra special for you (e.g. provide a bag at the end of the flight for you to take your kit with you).
 
On the 777 I go for the second row. It has three windows, and only 2 in row 1. It's further away from the Galley as well, which is up the front. Business is behind, but I didn't notice any disturbance from them. Both times on the B777 in EK F, I've been the only one in F: two FAs all to myself. They made up another seat for me to sleep in (row 2 again). I have gone for the K side mostly, as there's two toilets on the A side up the front, and the crew seemed to gather up the front on that side of the galley to chat throughout the flight.

I was given second helpings of caviar, though that was the first time I'd had it so was offered more. I felt slightly bad for having them open various wine bottles just for me to try a glass, but I figured this was part of the experience. The main meals were nice, though for me, they just didn't seem to have the 5-star-factor that I would've expected in First... they seemed like very nice Business Class meals. And it certainly was order what you want, whenever you want it. Just keep in mind, there's a little time lag once you order it while they prepare it. I guess if my flights had more passengers, they might run out of something, or may limit quantities.

Before take-off, they keep coming back and forth to offer you various items: Champange, Arabic coffee, dates, magazines, newspapers, PJs, amenity kit. I have always found the F FA's to be extremely helpful and pleasant. The crew are always from a wide range of nationalities which makes it very interesting if want to talk with them.

Mention that it's your first F flight, and they may even go out of their way to make it extra special for you (e.g. provide a bag at the end of the flight for you to take your kit with you).

Thanks for all the info, kevrosmith, appreciate your time and explanations greatly. Currently I appear to be the only F passenger (I can change to any seat I wish currently), but I'm sure that could change as we get closer to the departure date.

I'm looking forward to the whiskey & spirits (beers as well if I like the selection), especially the Royal Salute 21yr on offer!:mrgreen: Caviar has never appealed to me in the least, but the rest of the menu online looks superb.

Shall mention it's my first F flight to them - although they'll probably figure that out when my eyes impersonate saucers upon boarding!:D

Great that you can order whenever, and the slight delay doesn't concern me at all. I figure it's the same as eating in a fine restaurant: the food isn't slapped in front of you five minutes after ordering, you need to wait for it to be prepared (which makes it all that more enjoyable!);)

I note you can use wifi onboard (yes!) and the USD1 for 500MB seems ideal as I'll need to be in touch with various clients. Hopefully that will give me a chance to send through some work that may need to be completed at short notice, as well as allowing me to receive anything urgent from them too.

The iPhone will definitely get a workout as I shoot the experience, but I won't bore you guys with the results - shall save that for the family instead.:p
 
The WiFi is not very reliable. There is a free 10mb trial which is enough for a few emails. I rarely go to the hassle of entering in my credit card for a $1 transaction. I get quite annoyed at having to do that when sitting in F. EK should give you an access code instead.
 
The iPhone will definitely get a workout as I shoot the experience, but I won't bore you guys with the results - shall save that for the family instead.:p

You're on a frequent flyer forum... the results will not bore any here in the slightest... in fact, I'm sure each of us would love to hear your experience to compare how it differs from our own. :cool:
 
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The WiFi is not very reliable. There is a free 10mb trial which is enough for a few emails. I rarely go to the hassle of entering in my credit card for a $1 transaction. I get quite annoyed at having to do that when sitting in F. EK should give you an access code instead.

I was thinking of giving the free trial a whirl, and if I needed the extra, grab it if I felt it was worth the trouble. Otherwise, I'd just leave anything that isn't urgent for when I get to the lounge in SYD for my next flight.
 
I note you can use wifi onboard (yes!) and the USD1 for 500MB seems ideal as I'll need to be in touch with various clients. Hopefully that will give me a chance to send through some work that may need to be completed at short notice, as well as allowing me to receive anything urgent from them too.

I wouldn't count on that. I've never found it at all usable, even with the paid $1 version. Though I did get lucky once and emails had downloaded while I was watching an episode of something.
 
I posted photos here and got slammed for it by a poster here (those posts were removed btw but it still rankles). Good to see others thinking as I do. :p
 
I posted photos here and got slammed for it by a poster here (those posts were removed btw but it still rankles). Good to see others thinking as I do. :p

I don't understand why someone would slam you for sharing your experience to help others understand what their experience might be like. That's a shame. I shared my photos because I had noticed yours.
 
Absolutely, thank you for the photos! We have just booked our first F flight, and these pics add to the anticipation! We're only doing AKL-MEL, so miss the caviar unfortunately I believe.
 
I don't understand why someone would slam you for sharing your experience to help others understand what their experience might be like. That's a shame. I shared my photos because I had noticed yours.

That was actually why I said: "I won't bore you guys with the results. . . " - didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't understand either; it was great to see Pushka's and your photos kevrosmith, lets others see what they can expect. In no way did I see it as a "Look at me! Look at me!" post from either of you. Rather, a great way to show what it's like from personal experience - advertising photography doesn't always show what it's "really" like. ;)

This forum would be ultimately dull and boring without the photos - I feel they are often the best part, especially the "View from my office" thread!!

Thanks again guys - appreciate all the comments and photos.
:mrgreen:
 
I posted photos here and got slammed for it by a poster here (those posts were removed btw but it still rankles). Good to see others thinking as I do. :p

I appreciated the pics very much Pushka! Don't be miffed - seems some people may not appreciate that not everyone has experienced F (or J) or even half the places around the world we all post left, right and centre.:D

Seeing photos helps explain the experience, encourages discussion and then the want to visit a place we may never have thought of, simply because the shot looks great!
 

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