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]

Received yet another different amenity kit — contents the same butt a different style bag.


Pre-departure champagne was Veuve which I quite like. Dom Perignon at other times.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Slight difference being this is the Bvlgari 'Green Tea' rather than 'White' collection of lotions and potions. Depends on personal taste, but I prefer the green tea.

 

[kermatu]

I’m going to blame the Imperial for my inattention to detail.

 

[kermatu]

No surprise, but no Imperial on my last couple of flights -- DXB-SIN or SIN-MEL.

My 'conclusion' -- seems like it's on quite a few DXB to Europe and North American routes. Probably the best bet.

 

[kermatu]

My favourite of the three different style amenity kits received. Flat, light, easy to pack. And easily holds the contents of two kits (minus a couple of used / unneeded items).

 

[kermatu]

They smoked me a kipper, so I came back for breakfast.



And a bloody mary. Dubai First lounge.

Staff remembered me from earlier in the month. Were very friendly again.

 

[kermatu]

DXB F lounge breakfast menu.

 

[JohnM]

Where's the bacon?

 

[kermatu]

Where's the bacon?

I'd like to say it was hidden in the Bloody Mary. Maybe next time I'll ask for that.

 

[rock86]

Where's the bacon?

Beef bacon, mmm mmm

 

[Forg]

It’s also 3x the size I got in Emirates F flying only SYD-AKL return.
They obviously don’t pull outbthe big guns for inexpensive “transport stages”.
This might explain why I thought the food was a tad meh (but then on one leg I did order the fried rice - I did expect more given it was their signature dish, but despite the name the description does,make it pretty clear it’s just fried rice).

 

[kermatu]

Will post about my last flights shortly, but first wanted to note chauffeur drive. My flights were booked as QF tickets. This meant there was no CD for my first leg which was just MEL-SIN. Presumably as QF does not offer it, EK pax on a QF ticket can't get it. Bloody Qantas.

Otherwise the CD experience was excellent for hotel pickups in SIN, GLA and DXB. Received a call or text a day before to confirm time, then a text when the driver arrived (always a bit early). Arrivals experience at LHR a little odd as you get shunted into a holding pen while waiting for your car. Took about 10 minutes. No priority for F pax best I could tell, though obviously you get the better car. In DXB on arrival I handed my BP to the F desk and 45 seconds later I was seated in the back of the Merc.

On my way out I had a 7 hour transit in DXB so was offered CDs as well as the complementary hotel stay. I declined.

I was also offered a CD in Melbourne on arrival from SIN, but I suspect this was because the flight was from DXB (with SIN just a stopover) so this is presumably allowed under the QF rules. I was connecting on to a QF flight to NZ so didn't take this up. On a separate ticket so no CD available in NZ.

 

[kermatu]

On my two trips through DXB I took advantage of the free F treatments in the Timeless spa outside the F lounge in concourse A. Wonderful service, great therapists. Really enjoyable and relaxing.

Made the slight mistake of not visiting the spa as soon as I arrived on my first run through (when I had the 7 hour transit). Ate first, which meant when I went to book a session I had quite a wait. Stuffed up my plans for a snooze before departure. On my way home I didn't have anywhere near as much time and had learned my lesson so went straight to the Spa. Snared a booking no problem.

Not my pic, but from memory this is what's available free for F pax. I had the leg and feet treatment.

 

[JohnM]

Hmmm. Normally I don't like massages but I have a long (c. 9 h) layover in DXB between PER and KRT in a couple of weeks. I may give it a go.

I need to arrive in EtOH-free Sudan sober, so it may be best if I don't sit in the A concourse lounge for 9 h.....

 

[kermatu]

Hmmm. Normally I don't like massages but I have a long (c. 9 h) layover in DXB between PER and KRT in a couple of weeks. I may give it a go.

I need to arrive in EtOH-free Sudan sober, so it may be best if I don't sit in the A concourse lounge for 9 h.....

Definitely try the spa. Are you eligible for Dubai Connect too?

The restaurant is great, as I'm sure you know. The alcohol in the lounge actually isn't all that special, so making do with Arabic coffee and the like would be fine with me.

 

[JohnM]

I don't know about Dubai Connect. I'm in J PER-xDXB-KRT. But if it means a method of going downtown on EK's coin, there really isn't anywhere I want to go. Been there, done that in Dubai.

I arrive in DXB at 0530 and depart at 1450. I figured I'd just snooze in the A concourse lounge before the likely Concourse C departure. That's why the massage sounded mildly appealing.

I definitely need to be sober when I hit KRT.

Coming out - if I make it according to most people I speak to - I'm in J KRT-DXB and then a short connect to an EK A380 in F DXB-PER . I think I may be thirsty - very, very thirsty - by then .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't know about Dubai Connect. I'm in J PER-xDXB-KRT. But if it means a method of going downtown on EK's coin, there really isn't anywhere I want to go. Been there, done that in Dubai.

It's a free hotel, with transfers each way included. Hotels located near the airport.

 

[kermatu]

Menu and wine list from DXB-SIN last week. 9:30 am (ish) departure.

 

[kermatu]

Finally had the option and remembered to choose the canapes rather than the nuts.



Took about 15 minutes to prepare and arrive, which surprised me. They were worth the wait though. Really good.

No Imperial on this flight so tried the other much hyped cognac -- the Tesseron Lot 29 XO. Have to say I did not enjoy it at all. Reverted to wine for the meal (after the vodka with the caviar, of course).

 

[kermatu]

After the caviar, had the smoked duck.


It was very nice.

For the main I had the prawns. Poor choice. As you can see, was probably just the J meal put onto a F plate. It was OK, but I probably should have taken advantage of being in F and sent it back and asked for something else. My natural instinct and guilt stopped me. If there's ever a next time I'll do better / be worse.