The Emirates First Experience - What to Expect?

[Archphoto]

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.)

 

[Matt_01]

Bottles are left on shelf in front mini lounge at top of stairs on 380, unattended.

It is the same on the 777 in the past I just self served.

 

[TheRealTMA]

It is the same on the 777 in the past I just self served.

It’s served to you on demand but I think so, but normally travel on 380s.

Post automatically merged: May 27, 2023

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.)

Row 2 is wider with extra cupboard on the side for shoes, laptops etc. Go for 2A

 

[kermatu]

Ah, my last EK F flight for the foreseeable future (never say never). SIN-MEL, 10:25 departure 19:30 arrival. 777 service.

Nice to have a daytime flight back to Australia although I had the difficult overnight flight to Auckland on QF after. Didn’t start well when the F check-in agent gave me my boarding passes for MEL and AKL but told me I’d be collecting my bags in MEL. Stood my ground and after checking with a colleague she re-did the bag tags.

Got to the EK lounge after a bit of a delay at the immigration gates. Reasonably busy given there was an A380 flight to Dubai leaving 9:40, but still pretty empty in the first section. When I arrived a sweet Iounge attendant told me to stay where I was and she got me water and a coffee. Came around a couple of times to see if I needed anything else. Standard breakfast fare in the buffet.

Got to the gate which confirmed what I’d seen via EF that this remains a very lightly utilised flight for now. Only 2 pax in F. Maybe 8 in J. Boarded 15 minutes late but still pushed back on time.

No amenity kit upon boarding but Ivan told me one was available, as were PJs, slippers and the tote bag.




Contrary to my previous SIN departure and other recent reports on AFF, DP was the champagne offered. Maybe QF’s consistent inconsistency is rubbing off. Pic also shows the snack basket and notepad which are available.


And the rather pointless mini-bar.

Despite the truncated time for boarding and commencing taxiing, was time for a top up of the DP, 3 coffees and 3 dates.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I’ve just come off two EK Fs including ex SIN. No DP for PDB for me. For some reason I used to like the EK lounge but when the QF F closed I realised what a comparative haven that is. The lounge agent who was also boarding acknowledged the lounge could be better.

2 excellent crews and 2 great flights

For anyone boarding C gates in DXB do not rush down there. The lounge is very small and no lounge boarding and gates are cramped.

 

[kermatu]

Menu from the SIN to MEL





Amuse bouche. Crab salad. Nice strong flavour.


Final round of caviar.

Mezze.

Beef. When ordering I was asked my preference between medium or well done. Said medium but it was overcooked. Not very tender but still very tasty. Big piece which I didn’t finish.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Menu from the SIN to MEL
View attachment 331305
View attachment 331306

View attachment 331307
View attachment 331308
Amuse bouche. Crab salad. Nice strong flavour.

View attachment 331310
Final round of caviar.
View attachment 331311
Mezze.
View attachment 331312
Beef. When ordering I was asked my preference between medium or well done. Said medium but it was overcooked. Not very tender but still very tasty. Big piece which I didn’t finish.

It’s not QFF where they cook steaks for 15 minutes until it’s not mooing. Send it back and ask for a better one!

 

[kermatu]

As I didn’t finish the beef, and sticky date pudding is one of the handful of desserts I love, I requested that. Was told it would take 20 minutes. Needed the break so worked well.

Was very nice.

I’ve failed to mention that after every meal you are offered some incredible chocolates and sweet treats.

This was the first full daytime flight so I was awake enough to both have a couple of rounds and take a pic of them.

Ivan told me what these were but sadly I’ve completely forgotten.

Before descent had the beef from the light bites menu.

Was fine.

Final cheese board. Good quality, but I prefer hard cheese- so the one ex-AMS was the best for me.

 

[kermatu]

It’s not QFF where they cook steaks for 15 minutes until it’s not mooing. Send it back and ask for a better one!

I did contemplate sending it back and asking for the prawn machbous again. Sadly I failed to follow my own advice from years ago. Too polite / gutless.

 

[kermatu]

The wine list:

Had this with the Mezze:



And the Penfolds with the beef. Both were excellent.


Interestingly after both were tasted then poured I was asked by separate FAs if I wanted the rest of the bottle poured into my own carafe. As I intended resuming the Paradis I declined, but an extra nice touch and the first time I’ve had the offer.

Fantastic experiences on all my F flights. A great privilege.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The wine list:
View attachment 331320
Had this with the Mezze:

View attachment 331321
View attachment 331323
And the Penfolds with the beef. Both were excellent.


Interestingly after both were tasted then poured I was asked by separate FAs if I wanted the rest of the bottle poured into my own carafe. As I intended resuming the Paradis I declined, but an extra nice touch and the first time I’ve had the offer.

Fantastic experiences on all my F flights. A great privilege.

Note: usually only the top of the list is exclusive for F. Those in steerage (J) behind are also offered the rest.

 

[SOPOOR]

The wine list:
View attachment 331320
Had this with the Mezze:

View attachment 331321
View attachment 331323
And the Penfolds with the beef. Both were excellent.


Interestingly after both were tasted then poured I was asked by separate FAs if I wanted the rest of the bottle poured into my own carafe. As I intended resuming the Paradis I declined, but an extra nice touch and the first time I’ve had the offer.

Fantastic experiences on all my F flights. A great privilege.

Do you live in first class planes?

 

[kermatu]

DO you live in first class planes?

It feels like it for much of this month! But that is it for now. And these were my first Firsts since the pandemic.

Not as frequent a F flyer as some - hence all my photos and detailed posts!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

hence all my photos and detailed posts!

And they are appreciated.

Tks for image of wine list - more ammo for feedback to SQ after 207 on June 8 when we have The Bogan dished again

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

How good are the choccies? I kindly got a little takeaway pack because I enjoyed them so much. They went great with the paradis while down the back chatting away to the crew.

I think the crew are another factor seldom mentioned enough with EK. Everyone is genuinely customer-centric and because they are so well travelled they have stories and tips for everywhere you could think of. EK have done an excellent job of creating an aspirational product unmatched in the air.

 

[Mzungu]

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.)

I have done hundreds of EK F flights, and for me the issue with seats 1A and 1K on both the A380 and B777 is that when other F pax return from the bathrooms they open the curtain and stare straight into the suite as they pass. There is no privacy unless the suite door is closed. The best row is definitely 2 (as well as row 3 on the A380). Avoid rows 1 and 4 if you can. Row 4 (A380) gets a lot of thumping and general noise from the galley and can interrupt sleep.

I also love the JWB and the wonderful Hennessey Paradis!

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

The best row is definitely 2 (as well as row 3 on the A380). Avoid rows 1 and 4 if you can.

I agree with this now. This week I got moved to row 2 due to an issue with the seat and felt so exposed when going back to row 1 on the next sector. The seat felt marginally wider too

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree with this now. This week I got moved to row 2 due to an issue with the seat and felt so exposed when going back to row 1 on the next sector. The seat felt marginally wider too

Totally row 2. Also because you’re not staring at a wall directly in front. Row 2 gives that bit more impression of a spacious cabin.

 

[Ade]

Ivan told me what these were but sadly I’ve completely forgotten.

They are Luxury Lokum and Behul Turkish Delight ... a hand-rolled sweet

Coco Jalila | Product Details

www.cocojalila.com

 

[Mzungu]

I agree with this now. This week I got moved to row 2 due to an issue with the seat and felt so exposed when going back to row 1 on the next sector. The seat felt marginally wider too

Yes, I forgot to mention that the row 1 window suites are marginally narrower than all the other window suites due to the inward curvature of the fuselage starting around row 1. It is noticeably smaller, but not by much.

 

[Mzungu]

Yes, I forgot to mention that the row 1 window suites are marginally narrower than all the other window suites due to the inward curvature of the fuselage starting around row 1. It is noticeably smaller, but not by much.

Please note, the narrowing row 1 suites are ONLY on the A380. All 8 B777 suites are the same size