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.)

 

[kermatu]

The headphones.



Sound quality is fabulous. But they are heavy, and don’t quite fit my head (though by my second and then third flight they felt better). Still I preferred the Bose ones I had on SQ. A first world problem, but what are others opinions of these?

 

[kermatu]

Ful medames for breakfast in the B concourse F lounge in DXB. Terrific.

 

[kermatu]

Back to the rest of my Imperial flight (DXB to LHR). The menu:

 

[kermatu]

PDB was Dom Perignon, plus coffee and dates. Had half a glass of DP, but offered refills twice. Both declined. I needed a break. Glad I did too given the Imperial to come.

Slippers and eye shades offered, but no amenity kit nor pyjamas. I had mine from the previous flight so wouldn’t have taken anyway, but didn’t think to ask for them just to see if available. Flight was approx 8am to 1pm so understandable, though I am surprised a kit wasn’t given,

After takeoff, Breakfast was mentioned, but not seriously offered. I declined this too. Though I didn’t state it, this was the first time I’ve actually used any time dining. Seemed like a couple of people around me did too.

Approx 3 hours and cognacs in, went for a stretch. Purser noticed and asked if I’d like to eat soon. Yes please. Told there’d be a 15 minute wait — perfect.

 

[kermatu]

Obviously I had the caviar. No pic. Then went for the antipasti as I’d had my fill of mezze for now.



Small but suited me fine and was very nice.

 

[kermatu]

The barramundi looked the best option for the main but having had an average fish main just prior, I hesitantly settled for the beef Wellington.



So glad I did. A fabulous dish, perfectly prepared.

Cheese and more Imperial cognac to finish (no pics).

 

[kermatu]

That would be great if they knew.

I've researched it quite a bit but all I can find mentioned is that it's on select routes.

Well, I got it again on my next flight. Glasgow to Dubai on a 777. Will see what I can find out about routes.

 

[rock86]

Geez this thread is making me excited, not even that I've already got a ticket but just getting excited that the time is coming closer to be able to book the F rewards in the next few weeks (hopefully I can get the flights)!

 

[perthjay85]

Well, I got it again on my next flight. Glasgow to Dubai on a 777. Will see what I can find out about routes.

Damn you bugger haha
But good to know.

Was it more enjoyable knowing the price of it?

 

[kermatu]

Damn you bugger haha
But good to know.

Was it more enjoyable knowing the price of it?

I just enjoyed it more. I guess knowing how it would taste and that I liked it, rather than just “it’s expensive, so better have it”, if you know what I mean? But yeah, knowing it’s rare and not something I’d likely purchase does factor in.

 

[perthjay85]

I just enjoyed it more. I guess knowing how it would taste and that I liked it, rather than just “it’s expensive, so better have it”, if you know what I mean? But yeah, knowing it’s rare and not something I’d likely purchase does factor in.

Good to hear. I get what you are saying yeah, and it's understandable. Thanks your letting me know it's on these two routes.

 

[kermatu]

So I tried to get more info on the Imperial and routes it may be on. Here is how it played out:

Was handed the menu by my FA (Des’ree — incidentally one of the most outstanding FAs I’ve ever had look after me) after take-off. Had a quick peek and was disappointed not to see the Imperial insert. A minute later Karen, the purser, came around introduced herself, and asked me if I’d like a drink. I asked what cognac they had onboard. She said “oh, we sometimes have a special one, let me check if we do on this flight”. A minute later she came back with the magic insert

She brought the drink already poured. I was a bit sceptical to be honest that it was the Imperial as unlike the previous purser she didn’t know much about it and called it Hennessy Paradis. But she confirmed it was a limited promotion. Her understanding is it is on some routes, but she wasn’t sure which or if there was a list. Upon tasting I thought it was the Imperial.

A bit later when Des’ree asked me about dinner etc, she offered me a refill. This time she brought the bottle so I confirmed it. I asked her about availability. She also said it’s a limited time promo, not sure how long. But she has had it on all her recent flights, other than short ‘turn-around’ flights (under 4 hours). I mentioned I only had it on One of three recent flights but I may have been too early. Anyway, her view is it’s widely available in F, but not for long.

Later in the flight a different FA asked me if I was enjoying the special brandy — yes indeed. I asked her how common it was. She said she’d had it on a recent flight to Seattle, but couldn’t say which others.or how often.

So — I left none the wiser. If I have it on my next two flights I’d say Des’ree is right. Sadly these will be the end of my current EK F run. It’s going to suck flying anything else for a while.

 

[FrustratedQP]

It was available DXB to BUD and ATH to DXB a couple of months ago as was the DP P2.

 

[perthjay85]

Thanks @kermatu for all the hard work your putting into this haha.

And thanks for trying to get some information.
Also thanks @FrustratedQP for that info.

Hopefully it will be on one of my 3 flights in march because I can't see myself travelling much after that unfortunately.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks @kermatu for all the hard work your putting into this haha.

And thanks for trying to get some information.
Also thanks @FrustratedQP for that info.

Hopefully it will be on one of my 3 flights in march because I can't see myself travelling much after that unfortunately.

The extremes we go to for our fellow AFF’ers...

 

[kermatu]

So, some info on my F flight Glasgow to Dubai. It was the evening flight, departing 21:40. On a 777. According to my chauffeur, there will soon be an A380 service to Glasgow, which then goes on to JFK. That will make 3 flights a day out of Glasgow to DXB with one to JFK. Not bad.

GLA at about 6pm is very easy to navigate. All immigration checks seemed to be done at check-in (I was asked why and how long I’d be in Dubai). Only security screening thereafter.

EK has it’s own lounge in GLA. Standard EK offering, which is good.



Hot food started at 7pm. It was fine. But the staff in the lounge were absolutely exceptional. Really friendly and helpful.

Boarding call made about 5 minutes before boarding starts, which gives status pax just enough time to walk out of lounge to the gate, and then board pretty quickly. The concourse is not setup for large numbers of pax, so thank heaven for the lounge. Only one lane for boarding but it was very well enforced at the entrance. I waited two minutes for boarding to start. As soon as F, J and platinums were called I headed for the line. About 10th person. Two in front of me were turned away — you cannot board now. Nicely done. I boarded at 21:20 and assumed we’d be late pushing back. Nope, bang on time. Impressive boarding through one lane and one door on a 777.

There were no other flights from that concourse after 8pm, so that must have helped. I do wonder how they’ll cope with an A380.

 

[kermatu]

Slowing down on these updates. Will try and keep it up. Hope people don’t mind me posting all this. It’s not a common experience for me and it’s come in a nice but finite burst. I’m enjoying it while I can.

The menu. Really sorry about poor quality pics.






No canapés so had to make do with the warm nuts again. I know as soon as I get the next QF pretzel packet I’ll regret saying this — but the nuts are starting to get a bit ho hum.

 

[kermatu]

Took advantage again of anytime dining and while Des’ree took my order quickly she was happy to only start preparing the meal after 30 minutes so I could take care of a few things I stupidly didn’t do earlier in the day (and enjoy the cognac!). Then rather than just start she came to me after about that time (and at least one top-up) to check. I asked for a bit more time — no problem. I felt a bit bad as it was the overnight flight, there were only 4 of us in the cabin and best I could tell 2 were sleeping and the guy behind me just had something light and was getting his bed made up. But there was no rush from Des’ree. I’m a slow eater too so she’d walk past discretely on a regular basis and see how I was going. The other side of the cabin was dark and I think she was actually happy to have something to do. Any awkwardness was mine, not from her.

Caviar to start, of course. With vodka shot suggested.



I rarely have soup but Des’ree suggested I should. I agreed but asked for a small serve. No such thing.



Looks ordinary but was really very tasty.

 

[kermatu]

Then the taste of the UK. I’d seen some negative comments about this mainly relating to it being an odd mix of items that didn’t really complement one another. I don’t mind random tastes so gave it a go. Multiple pics to try and capture it:



Individually most items were really good, so I enjoyed it. but I’d agree it’s an eclectic mix that didn’t quite work. All the pastries in the main plate were delicious but again didn’t really complement anything. The haggis pakora was clever but I’d have been happier with regular pakora. Seemed more like a samosa to me than pakora too.

 

[kermatu]

I was tempted by the gnocchi for the main. But Des’ree said, rather honestly, it was quite dry and lacked some flavour. Perhaps it was a J meal and this was her subtle way of telling me so. She suggested the dumplings or the beef short ribs. I chose the beef.


While it was nice enough, the beef was a bit dry and I didn’t particularly like it. The veggies were all tasty and well prepared. I was also pretty full.

Only had room for cognac for dessert. Hadn’t planned to but then slept very well until 60 minutes from landing. Figured I’d be too late for anything to eat, but again nothing was a problem. Didn’t fancy regular breakfast so went back to the appetisers (which I think are the best part of EK menus). Round 2 of caviar (with shots of coffee instead of vodka) and then the mackerel rilletes with smoked tuna. It was fantastic.