The Emirates First Experience - What to Expect?

[Noah Count]

In your view, in terms of points value, how much percent difference is there between the "fair value" of regular and game-changer EK F? (ie. do you think objectively there is 20% premium in fair value for game-changer?)

Not sure what you mean around 'points value' the points required for any EK F redemption is the same based on the point A-B route. You do not have to pay extra points to travel on the aircraft with the GC seats. The service will be the same, it is just a different seat. My reason for wanting to travel on the product is entirely personal, I am also old enough to have travelled EK F when recliners were the norm and the IFE movies were on tapes.

 

[drcam]

I know the points required is the same. But how different is the hard product (would you, for example, be willing to pay a 20% points premium on it had the airline asked for it).

 

[MELso]

There are basically three F configurations on EK's 77Ws at the moment.

1. The 'new' Gamechanger suite with floor to ceiling doors, zero G and virtual windows. How to spot: does your plane have 6 seats in F?
2. The refurbished 'old' F suite. How to spot: does your plane have 8 seats in F, 1-2-1 in business and premium economy available?
3. The unrefurbished 'old' F suite. How to spot: does your plane have 8 seats in F and 2-3-2 in business.

As for the points value, F is F (and Qantas doesn't charge a premium anyway). Savour it because it's brilliant. I appreciate that if you haven't had a shower, visited the bar or tried GC, these may all swing the decision though. If you want to do more complex routings, then you have to work out if the extra faffing is worth it to you (unless EK flies both A380s and 77Ws to your destination and you can choose a reward on either aircraft).

My upcoming flight from DXB to SEA is onboard a refurbished 77W (with SYD-DXB on an unrefurbished A380). As I want to end up in SEA, it made the most sense. While I could have flown SYD-DXB-ORD (to get Gamechanger) or SYD-DXB-LAX (to have A380s right through), I opted against ORD because I would have had another 7-8 hours travel time (4.5 hours flying plus a buffer) while LAX had more travel time and was pricing at two separate legs as the total distance was over 15,000 miles (SYD-DXB-SEA was 14906 miles ).

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Am I the only person in the world who doesn't jive with GC seats?

- They are sloped beds
- The zero gravity thing basically means the seat shakes a lot
- Nowhere to elevate your feet except when flat
- Main screen IFE too far away

Give me a380 F seat any day over GC F.

 

[boffman]

Am I the only person in the world who doesn't jive with GC seats?

- They are sloped beds
- The zero gravity thing basically means the seat shakes a lot
- Nowhere to elevate your feet except when flat
- Main screen IFE too far away

Give me a380 F seat any day over GC F.

Agree. I’ll be sad when the a380’s stop flying. No more onboard showers (and no more SIA F suites either)

 

[TheRealTMA]

Agree. I’ll be sad when the a380’s stop flying. No more onboard showers (and no more SIA F suites either)

It will be long past my fly days when EK stop flying A380s!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Happened to crossover to the dark side last week when cancelled SQ J LHR-SIN-M EL and flew EK F LHR-DXB-MEL and I must admit it was a pleasant surprise.

Lounge: First surprise though was no dedicated F lounge in LHR T3 but rather a mixed F and J Lounge - is this concept normal for EK? Food offerings in lounge were outstanding - we had a 20:40 dep LHR so we chose to eat in lounge rather than onboard.

Seat: Comfortable enough with reasonable adjustment. The fixed dinner table I find rather disappointing compared to SQs distance and level adjustment on 777

Food: Menu onboard is simply spectacular and with dine on demand it is akin to going to restaurant. On 004 we only tried cheeseboard only which ws fantastic - a big step up from SQ. On 2nd flt we both had the Wagyu Tenderloin which was superb - perfectly cooked - again rarely do you get that quality on SQ

Champs: Here is the downfall - Dom I just do not rate at all so this is a real let down

Red Wine: Wine offerings just so expansive and the reds on offer just slaughter SQ - and I mean totally slaughter

Service: EK service was excellent but it just lacks the polish, consistency and attentiveness of the SQ girls

Bed: With mattress topper bed quite comfortable - better than SQ on 777 but the bed on SQ380 would top EKs (See finally something on SQ380 which I like)

Overall it was a really good experience except for the later dep ex LHR - I love SQs midday or thereabouts deps ex EU and knocking over the longer leg first makes entire trip easier IMHO.

For those who have never or recently not seen EK onboard menu here is a FLIPBOOK version for your perusal:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Combined lounges at outstations are common, but generally gives a bit of a better J class lounge.

Not to forget the showers on the EK a380!

 

[Noah Count]

@Cruiser Elite - EK lounges outside of DXB where they have dedicated F lounges around the world most EK lounges are the same ‘look and feel’ be it food, booze etc. IME if you have been to one you have been to them all be it SYD, MEL, SIN, NRT and the list goes on, I have been let into EK lounges that are supposedly not covered by the agreement (in the US) and they are also the same. As for the fizz EK has a deal with LVMH to use Dom and also prevents other airlines from using. In mid 2022 EK F announced they were switching to Dom A2 and upgrading the wine list, if you think the wine list is good now in mid 2022 it was not uncommon to see wines in F with a retail value of $500+, some $1000+ and was handed out like lollie water. That upgrade seems to have been short lived but I fortunate enough to be travelling EK F when it was in full swing. As for service I find it to be very good to exceptional but would agree service on SQ, ANA and JAL have the edge. Welcome to the dark side.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And of course if there are no pics it never really happened huh?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Combined lounges at outstations are common, but generally gives a bit of a better J class lounge.

Not to forget the showers on the EK a380!

Doesn't EK have a separate F lounge in FRA? That is only port I have flown out of on EK prior to this last trip.

Showers on 380 are quite gimmicky IMO - yes I have tried them a couple times but gave it a miss these flights - the bar down the back much more to my liking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Doesn't EK have a separate F lounge in FRA? That is only port I have flown out of on EK prior to this last trip.

Showers on 380 are quite gimmicky IMO - yes I have tried them a couple times but gave it a miss these flights - the bar down the back much more to my liking.

According to google, there’s a separate F lounge at FRA, but per a pointshack review from 2024, no, it’s a shared lounge between the two classes.

 

[AIRwin]

View attachment 462557

Was the lady in suite 3F travelling with you?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Was the lady yes

Yes that is the Ette

 

[AIRwin]

Yes that is the Ette

Oh she looked stunned/stunning?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Oh she looked stunned/stunning?

Maybe it was the wine?

 

[boffman]

@Cruiser Elite - great write up. Couple of observations.
Whilst the tray doesn’t move, the seat can move forward and back without any of its angles changing (not up and down though). You need to use the life remote for fiddly changes.
That Mouton 2004 was fantastic ( and retails for $2k a bottle in AU if you can find it).
The early evening flight LHR-DXB is partly to cater for folk taking a red-eye to work the next morning in UAE. It’s about 7 hrs. I’d rather it was a bit longer so I could get more sleep in before going straight into meetings.

 

[serfty]

Happened to crossover to the dark side last week when cancelled SQ J LHR-SIN-M EL and flew EK F LHR-DXB-MEL and I must admit it was a pleasant surprise.

Lounge: First surprise though was no dedicated F lounge in LHR T3 but rather a mixed F and J Lounge - is this concept normal for EK? Food offerings in lounge were outstanding - we had a 20:40 dep LHR so we chose to eat in lounge rather than onboard.

Seat: Comfortable enough with reasonable adjustment. The fixed dinner table I find rather disappointing compared to SQs distance and level adjustment on 777

Food: Menu onboard is simply spectacular and with dine on demand it is akin to going to restaurant. On 004 we only tried cheeseboard only which ws fantastic - a big step up from SQ. On 2nd flt we both had the Wagyu Tenderloin which was superb - perfectly cooked - again rarely do you get that quality on SQ

Champs: Here is the downfall - Dom I just do not rate at all so this is a real let down

Red Wine: Wine offerings just so expansive and the reds on offer just slaughter SQ - and I mean totally slaughter

Service: EK service was excellent but it just lacks the polish, consistency and attentiveness of the SQ girls

Bed: With mattress topper bed quite comfortable - better than SQ on 777 but the bed on SQ380 would top EKs (See finally something on SQ380 which I like)

Overall it was a really good experience except for the later dep ex LHR - I love SQs midday or thereabouts deps ex EU and knocking over the longer leg first makes entire trip easier IMHO.

For those who have never or recently not seen EK onboard menu here is a FLIPBOOK version for your perusal:

How long did you have in DXB? The Emerates first lounges at Dubai are exceptional.

 

[SOPOOR]

And of course if there are no pics it never really happened huh?

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Thank you for the pics, brings back memories to my first, only and last ek flight