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]

I seem to have lost a few photos which is annoying as I had undoubtedly the best cheese board on this flight. I asked for a 'small sampler' of all the cheeses but, of course, received a massive platter with all the accompaniments and three different types of crackers (which was a bit of a disappointment from previous boards). I grazed slowly over the next half hour, listening to music, enjoying the view. Oh, and a glass or three of the 1963 Graham’s Colheita Port. Just delightful. Another must-drink if ever in EK F.

 

[pagingjoan]

I just realised it’s $3000 a bottle. Wowsers.

Only a sample of one, but this was the first EK F flight in a series this month where the cabin has been close to full. I think 12 of 14 taken. The others I’ve been on have had 2 pax and 4. Wonder if reward seats might be tough on this sector?

Have just tripped over this thread, and have enjoyed the write up, thanks, kermatu.

Adding a data point: I had three EK F flights and one EK J flight in five days two weeks back - with cabins averaging around 10% occupancy. Flights were MUC-DXB and back and DXB-MEL and return. Quite a contrast with all my QF F flights, where it is most unusual to see a vacant seat.

 

[kermatu]

Have just tripped over this thread, and have enjoyed the write up, thanks, kermatu.

Adding a data point: I had three EK F flights and one EK J flight in five days two weeks back - with cabins averaging around 10% occupancy. Flights were MUC-DXB and back and DXB-MEL and return. Quite a contrast with all my QF F flights, where it is most unusual to see a vacant seat.

Thanks. I've enjoyed populating the thread, although sad now the run is over!

Yes, I noted the extreme difference with QF on the first of my flights. 2 pax in F on the A380. Not the only extreme difference with Qantas' F product...

Only one of my flights was close to full. DXB to LHR where my guess is 12 of 14 seats occupied. Two others were half full (4 of 8 GLA-DXB and DXB to SIN. Other three were like yours.

While I was lucky to be in 1K or 1A for most of the flights, I think the high walls and ability to close the doors makes the EK cabin much more private than the QF cabin. I only closed the doors once on my flights (though the crew did it for me a couple of times).

 

[pagingjoan]

Thanks. I've enjoyed populating the thread, although sad now the run is over!

Yes, I noted the extreme difference with QF on the first of my flights. 2 pax in F on the A380. Not the only extreme difference with Qantas' F product...

Only one of my flights was close to full. DXB to LHR where my guess is 12 of 14 seats occupied. Two others were half full (4 of 8 GLA-DXB and DXB to SIN. Other three were like yours.

While I was lucky to be in 1K or 1A for most of the flights, I think the high walls and ability to close the doors makes the EK cabin much more private than the QF cabin. I only closed the doors once on my flights (though the crew did it for me a couple of times).

Yes, agree with your assessment. There is a stark difference between QF and EK F these days, in terms of cabin fit out and condition, bathrooms (!), food and beverage choices, quality of PJs and amenity kits etc.

It had been a while since I had flown EK and those flights were sandwiched in between QF F flights in close proximity, so there was an easy basis for comparison. Sadly, not much of it was in favour of QF, although my personal experience of service in the F cabin on QF is usually excellent. Even there, I could not fault the EK service. It was impeccable on each of the fights.

 

[kermatu]

Yes, agree with your assessment. There is a stark difference between QF and EK F these days, in terms of cabin fit out and condition, bathrooms (!), food and beverage choices, quality of PJs and amenity kits etc.

It had been a while since I had flown EK and those flights were sandwiched in between QF F flights in close proximity, so there was an easy basis for comparison. Sadly, not much of it was in favour of QF, although my personal experience of service in the F cabin on QF is usually excellent. Even there, I could not fault the EK service. It was impeccable on each of the fights.

The QF F bathroom is a joke. Not just size, but the amenities inside. The EK 777 bathroom is also quite small. Quite a shock after the A380 shower suites!

Food so much better on EK (although not always perfect). The range of drinks is just a world apart from QF (and other F products I've experienced). And flexible service.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Food so much better on EK (although not always perfect).

I dunno why... the EK menu is never adventurous, but with the number of dishes it never seems boring. QF on the other hand seems to try so hard, but is totally boring. I don't know how many combinations of the same thing QF can do... quinoa, tagine, preserved olives, preserved lemons, steamed ling fish. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, a sauce. QF dishes rarely have any.

Most people don't eat at the same restaurant every single night, they mix it up. Yet with QF it seems impossible to ever mix anything up given it's all NP.

 

[kermatu]

I dunno why... the EK menu is never adventurous, but with the number of dishes it never seems boring. QF on the other hand seems to try so hard, but is totally boring. I don't know how many combinations of the same thing QF can do... quinoa, tagine, preserved olives, preserved lemons, steamed ling fish. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, a sauce. QF dishes rarely have any.

Most people don't eat at the same restaurant every single night, they mix it up. Yet with QF it seems impossible to ever mix anything up given it's all NP.

You forgot the salad.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You forgot the salad.

QF's ability to share a quarter lettuce amongst an entire cabin will one day get compared to that other miracle involving loaves and fishes...

 

[Happy Trails]

QF has better butter and that's about it.
The stuff they serve on EK looks and tastes like margarine.

 

[pagingjoan]

QF has better butter and that's about it.
The stuff they serve on EK looks and tastes like margarine.

Oh, the QF Champagne is not too shabby!

 

[kermatu]

Oh, the QF Champagne is not too shabby!

Although it's random, at least they also have the good stuff for pre-departure. From memory, it was the cheaper champagne on the ground on EK in MEL and GLA.

 

[pagingjoan]

Although it's random, at least they also have the good stuff for pre-departure. From memory, it was the cheaper champagne on the ground on EK in MEL and GLA.

EK has served premium Champagne pre-departure in F on every flight I’ve taken with them over the years, including in MEL. I’ve not flown from GLA though.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

EK has served premium Champagne pre-departure in F on every flight I’ve taken with them over the years, including in MEL. I’ve not flown from GLA though.

IIRC ex DXB they offered the Dom, with the P2 only being offered in the air?

 

[kermatu]

IIRC ex DXB they offered the Dom, with the P2 only being offered in the air?

I don't believe the P2 was on any of my flights (but I don't drink much champagne so wasn't looking out for it / could have missed it).

 

[kermatu]

EK has served premium Champagne pre-departure in F on every flight I’ve taken with them over the years, including in MEL. I’ve not flown from GLA though.

Very specific reference on my flight out of MEL that it was a simple champagne pre-departure. Think it was Moet & Chandon Imperial. The FA apologised for the fact.
GLA was Veuve Clicquot Brut. Again with an apology (although I actually like this one).

 

[kermatu]

The first leg of EK406 had a couple of delays due to weather then ATC. Wasn't hungry but had room for a cutback version of caviar, then asked for the Nasi Goreng. It was OK but not great.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

IIRC ex DXB they offered the Dom, with the P2 only being offered in the air?

I've had P2 pre-departure in OSL. An excellent way to start a day's flying

 

[kermatu]

So back to my EK404 experience. We landed in SIN a bit late but not too bad. Having eaten well I was happy to just walk a bit so wandered over to the Qantas lounge. It was reasonably peaceful (at least by that lounge's standards). Having both my EK F BP and my P1 FF card out I was offered the P1 treatment and escort - but I declined. Literally just walked around and not seeing the couple of staff members who had looked after me well on previous visits I just left fairly quickly.

After a bit more wandering I worked my way back to the EK lounge. It was about as full as I'd ever seen it - maybe 70% occupancy. But emptied very quickly as we approached the scheduled boarding time. Having arrived a bit late I knew there was more time so was able to relax a bit.

As I'm sure most know, there's no special treatment of F pax in the combined lounge. Nevertheless, this one and the BA lounge remain my preferred lounges in SIN. Hopefully the new QF F lounge will change that.

Easy security and boarding, to my final suite. By this time my heart was already sinking.

 

[kermatu]

Menu from SIN-MEL. Same mains and appetisers as my evening SIN-DXB flight earlier in the month.



Bit disappointed with breakfast offerings for F. But on the plus side you can order anything else in the morning (plus I had a further flight to NZ so would be visiting the QF F lounge).

Scotch and nuts after take-off (initially told I could have canapes then the FA realised there weren't any on this evening flight).

Caviar of course, then a cutback (by request) version of the mezze. Then had the lamb rendang which was very nice.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

(initially told I could have canapes then the FA realised there weren't any on this evening flight).

That's happened to me before.