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.;))
 
A wine carafe is standard equipment on board. When your crew member asks your menu choices do suggest your red wine selection could be opened to let it breathe. Most crew will be happy to do this; some will decant the equivalent of a few glasses into the carafe and bring the carafe to your seat.
excellent idea, letting it breathe makes a huge difference!!!
 
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I'm flying EK F in less than 2 weeks. EK435 BNE - DXB and EK31 DXB - LHR. Can't wait. Unfortunately no F Lounge in BNE. I'll spend about 3 hours in the QF Lounge before the EK Lounge opens. I'm going to have to try and contain my F&B consumption on ground so I'm still standing and in a position to enjoy the Dom and Paradis. I hope the F Lounge in DXB is good. Gotta remember to book my massage once I arrive.

Sadly only J on the way back and out of dreaded Stansted on a coughpy 777, so not even a EK Lounge. But at least A380 for final leg back to BNE.

So I'll get to try out EK F & J planes and lounges...hmmm.....am I looking forward to the flights or ground component more....lol.
 
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there is not much reference to the onboard bar in these first class trip report, is that because its better to be staying in your nice seat?? or is the bar not as good as the photos make it out to be?
 
there is not much reference to the onboard bar in these first class trip report, is that because its better to be staying in your nice seat?? or is the bar not as good as the photos make it out to be?
Can’t speak for the F pax as I haven’t flown F with EK but have flown multiple J flights with them on the A380 and love the bar. I find it a great place to hang out and chat with other passengers or staff. Quite a relaxing way to exchange travel stories and I’ve even picked up some decent tips and advice from staff on various destinations. I don’t like being confined to my seat all trip and enjoy chatting to pass away the time
 
there is not much reference to the onboard bar in these first class trip report, is that because its better to be staying in your nice seat?? or is the bar not as good as the photos make it out to be?
In multiple legs in F with Emirates, I have never gone to the bar. I am always travelling with Mr FM, so not looking for companionship and prefer just to sit and read, or watch movies and drink bubbly. :)
 
Can’t speak for the F pax as I haven’t flown F with EK but have flown multiple J flights with them on the A380 and love the bar. I find it a great place to hang out and chat with other passengers or staff. Quite a relaxing way to exchange travel stories and I’ve even picked up some decent tips and advice from staff on various destinations. I don’t like being confined to my seat all trip and enjoy chatting to pass away the time
im quite a chatty fellow, more a good listener and enjoy listening to any topic even if doesnt interest me,

I too would find it nteresting to sit at the bar, im intending to have a decent chat with the bar staff if its culturally accepted to

lets hope the emirates staff arent snobbish :)
 
im quite a chatty fellow, more a good listener and enjoy listening to any topic even if doesnt interest me,

I too would find it nteresting to sit at the bar, im intending to have a decent chat with the bar staff if its culturally accepted to

lets hope the emirates staff arent snobbish :)
Definitely not snobbish. I have had some lovely chats with them. The ladies who look after the showers tend to be less chatty, but still very sweet.
 
im quite a chatty fellow, more a good listener and enjoy listening to any topic even if doesnt interest me,

I too would find it nteresting to sit at the bar, im intending to have a decent chat with the bar staff if its culturally accepted to

lets hope the emirates staff arent snobbish :)
I have always found the staff very friendly and willing to chat especially on the overnight flights in the evening. On one of our MEL-DXB trips one of the bar staff was a Slovenian lady and when we mentioned we would be heading to Slovenia she gave us some great recommendations on restaurants and interesting places to see and things to do.
 
It's my understanding that F is at the front of the plane and the bar is at the very back. So to go to the bar, you have the length of the plane to traverse there and back. Doesn't sound that bad you say, but you have to remember you've already downed 2 bottles of Dom, so you're a little wobbly. The other thing is, the bar is a business bar and the top shelf F drinks aren't available. I have read on some reviews somewhere that you can let the F attendants know you're heading to the bar and you'd like your Dom available whilst there and they take a bottle down for you. Not sure if this is true or not.

I actually have some friends travelling on my flight in J, so will no doubt spend some time in the bar with them. If I was travelling solo, I'd probably head down to check it out, but would probably spend most time at my seat.
 
im quite a chatty fellow, more a good listener and enjoy listening to any topic even if doesnt interest me,

I too would find it nteresting to sit at the bar, im intending to have a decent chat with the bar staff if its culturally accepted to

lets hope the emirates staff arent snobbish :)

The times I've been in J the staff at the bar have been very engaging 🍾 🥂 when in F I'm usually far too comfortable to make the long trek to the bar ;)
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It's my understanding that F is at the front of the plane and the bar is at the very back. So to go to the bar, you have the length of the plane to traverse there and back. Doesn't sound that bad you say, but you have to remember you've already downed 2 bottles of Dom, so you're a little wobbly. The other thing is, the bar is a business bar and the top shelf F drinks aren't available. I have read on some reviews somewhere that you can let the F attendants know you're heading to the bar and you'd like your Dom available whilst there and they take a bottle down for you. Not sure if this is true or not.

I actually have some friends travelling on my flight in J, so will no doubt spend some time in the bar with them. If I was travelling solo, I'd probably head down to check it out, but would probably spend most time at my seat.

F staff will most definitely take your bottle of Dom down to the J bar for you 🍾🍾
 
I have very occasionally used the bar in J but never bothered in F. Too far away and awkward (in my opinion) to have F beverages while others don’t. Plus just too darn comfortable in F.

I have found staff exceptional to chat with in F. It feels natural too. I also have chatted with many EK attendants at the hotel in Auckland where they all stay. Usually at breakfast. Not in uniform and usually eating solo / at various times, but quite easy to spot. Most happy to chat. They are mainly the junior / Y staff but also others. Occasionally pilots and pursers in the lounge (not drinking so again easy to spot!).
 
I've drunk once in the A380 bar with the obligatory transport of the bottle of Dom. Each to their own, I'm not a chatty person so the bar isn't a highlight for me. Only other times I spend there are when I walk the length of the upper deck to stretch my legs. You really do appreciate the exclusivity of the F cabin after a while.
 
i dislike the foot traffic in the bar with the J kitchen in the rear, as well as the loos.

When it's quiet it's good though! If you are having a good chat you can also always ask for 2 glasses of your good stuff to share to get around any silly technicalities.
 
A wine carafe is standard equipment on board. When your crew member asks your menu choices do suggest your red wine selection could be opened to let it breathe. Most crew will be happy to do this; some will decant the equivalent of a few glasses into the carafe and bring the carafe to your seat.

I flew in EK F twice in December last year, both times the purser said they had to check if the carafes were available because they were being removed from standard equipment as they kept breaking. Luckily the flight where Chateau Margaux was loaded they had also loaded the carafes! I had quite a few...
 
Back on EK405 this week to SIN. 3 pax in F. Service quick and constant, though one oddity - unlike almost every other EK F flight where the crew suggest drinks or extras, this one I had to ask (even for water and wine with the meal).

Moët Chandon on the ground. But after rejecting a couple of top-ups of champagne, coffee and dates - we were advised of what turned out to be over 45 minutes delay. They broke out the DP at that point.

Menu:
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Canapés were great.

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Caviar the usual.

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Heeded my own advice (check the J menu; skip the mezze platter out of MEL). So next up was the consommé.

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Oh wow. Stunningly delicious. Even better when I drowned two pieces of garlic bread in it.

Scallops next, with some cheeky pieces of lobster from the salad menu:

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Also excellent. Tasted very fresh with a nice salty flavouring.

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Then the lamb which was also a knockout. Literally fell of the bone.

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Once again reality thwarted my plans to have a sweet and the cheese. Couldn’t resist the cheese again.

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After a good snooze, I was offered something about an hour out. Didn’t feel like anything too rich so settled for one of the light bites - quesadillas which I normally love. These were ok, but clearly a J snack.

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All up another great F experience. Not that I’ve taken it that often but I will miss this flight when it re-times.
 

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