The Emirates First Experience - What to Expect?

[Noah Count]

@Le_Champion I might bearer of bad news some times things don’t work as planed. A month or so back our plane arrived and as we passing the B gates I was wondering were we were headed. Eventually arrived at the C gates at the far end, offloaded onto a bus and it took around 45 minutes to be driven back to the B gates and after taking the lifts and escalators was back in the area I am somewhat used to.

I have been through DXB more times than I care to remember, sometimes things may not work out as planned.

 

[Flyfrequently]

There is another secret hack to get free buggy when you're walking around the main terminal but that won't be posted here

Ankle wrapped in a crepe bandage, limp and/or walking stick @trippin_the_rift ?

 

[AIRwin]

Heard from a friend that J lounge in concourse B has now been consolidated into the F lounge separated by a barrier

 

[Le_Champion]

Couldn't find a first class thread so just thought I would post that my first (and probably only) EK F flight coming up from Sydney into Europe redeemed through Qantas points in March before the price increase went through.

Taking EK415 with roughly a 2.5hrs stopover in DXB. Looks like a 777 change in aircraft into Europe with the lighter loads.

Any tips from fellow travellers?

 

[MELso]

Thread 'The Emirates First Experience - What to Expect?'

Jun 25, 2016

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...

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[umberloidster]

Couldn't find a first class thread so just thought I would post that my first (and probably only) EK F flight coming up from Sydney into Europe redeemed through Qantas points in March before the price increase went through.

Taking EK415 with roughly a 2.5hrs stopover in DXB. Looks like a 777 change in aircraft into Europe with the lighter loads.

Any tips from fellow travellers?

Enjoy it, you'll have a blast!

Only tip I'd give is when disembarking at DXB, don't do what I did and walk past the dude carrying an iPad with my name on it. He was there to escort me to the F lounge so I could maximise my time in there, a really cool part of the experience when I spotted him on the return leg.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I've booked a First reward seat on EK from Sydney to Christchurch and I can't help but to not overlook that it's not that great value compared to something like Business from Melbourne / Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore taking into consideration the points + taxes compared to the regular cash price.

I'm not usually one that counts cents per point etc, but it seems like 82.1k-90k points + taxes for a $3.5-$4k fare seems a more efficient and rational use of points compared to 78.4k points + taxes for a ~$2k fare.

What pushed me over to book this though was / is :
- It will be my first time in First
- Being able to visit the QF First lounge in SYD
- The novelty of having an A380 and First class on a short haul tag flight
- Caviar and Dom Perignon on such a short flight (I've checked the menu in the app and even though it's an early morning flight, it states that Caviar is included)
- EK wouldn't normally be on my radar
- QF / JQ / VA / NZ don't come anywhere close to EK First (no First, usually narrowbodies etc)

Am I the only one who thinks this, or is it completely justifiable to have this hesitation / thought?

I just have a feeling that this isn't a rational decision

 

[SOPOOR]

I've booked a First reward seat on EK from Sydney to Christchurch and I can't help but to not overlook that it's not that great value compared to something like Business from Melbourne / Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore taking into consideration the points + taxes compared to the regular cash price.

I'm not usually one that counts cents per point etc, but it seems like 82.1k-90k points + taxes for a $3.5-$4k fare seems a more efficient and rational use of points compared to 78.4k points + taxes for a ~$2k fare.

What pushed me over to book this though was / is :
- It will be my first time in First
- The novelty of having an A380 and First class on a short haul tag flight
- Caviar and Dom Perignon on such a short flight
- EK wouldn't normally be on my radar
- QF / JQ / NZ don't come anywhere close to EK First (no First, usually narrowbodies etc)

Am I the only one who thinks this, or is it completely justifiable to have this hesitation / thought?

I just have a feeling that this isn't a rational decision

As a zero status, sopoor and a serial whinger about the Emirates rewards program
I'd say just enjoy it as a first and last time for an extreme opulent experience unless you have Miles left over

I paid approx $1800 in taxes for a one way to EU, and it hurt

 

[VPS]

I've booked a First reward seat on EK from Sydney to Christchurch and I can't help but to not overlook that it's not that great value compared to something like Business from Melbourne / Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore taking into consideration the points + taxes compared to the regular cash price.

I'm not usually one that counts cents per point etc, but it seems like 82.1k-90k points + taxes for a $3.5-$4k fare seems a more efficient and rational use of points compared to 78.4k points + taxes for a ~$2k fare.

What pushed me over to book this though was / is :
- It will be my first time in First
- Being able to visit the QF First lounge in SYD
- The novelty of having an A380 and First class on a short haul tag flight
- Caviar and Dom Perignon on such a short flight (I've checked the menu in the app and even though it's an early morning flight, it states that Caviar is included)
- EK wouldn't normally be on my radar
- QF / JQ / VA / NZ don't come anywhere close to EK First (no First, usually narrowbodies etc)

Am I the only one who thinks this, or is it completely justifiable to have this hesitation / thought?

I just have a feeling that this isn't a rational decision

perfectly acceptable decision - Enjoy

 

[CaptJCool]

I've booked a First reward seat on EK from Sydney to Christchurch and I can't help but to not overlook that it's not that great value compared to something like Business from Melbourne / Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore taking into consideration the points + taxes compared to the regular cash price.

I'm not usually one that counts cents per point etc, but it seems like 82.1k-90k points + taxes for a $3.5-$4k fare seems a more efficient and rational use of points compared to 78.4k points + taxes for a ~$2k fare.

What pushed me over to book this though was / is :
- It will be my first time in First
- Being able to visit the QF First lounge in SYD
- The novelty of having an A380 and First class on a short haul tag flight
- Caviar and Dom Perignon on such a short flight (I've checked the menu in the app and even though it's an early morning flight, it states that Caviar is included)
- EK wouldn't normally be on my radar
- QF / JQ / VA / NZ don't come anywhere close to EK First (no First, usually narrowbodies etc)

Am I the only one who thinks this, or is it completely justifiable to have this hesitation / thought?

I just have a feeling that this isn't a rational decision

It’s an emotional decision

Go and enjoy the experience

Dom & Caviar
Maybe even snag a quick shower
And for sleeps sake two refills of Hennessy Paradis

Bon Voyage !

 

[MelbFlyer]

I'd say just enjoy it as a first and last time for an extreme opulent experience unless you have Miles left over

I think yes, it will be a first and a last time for a while at least.

Unless I pay cash for the next time, as I'll drop down to QFF Bronze soon.

perfectly acceptable decision - Enjoy

It’s an emotional decision

Thankyou, I think it definitely is an emotional and irrational decision, but I guess not everything in life has to be a rational decision.

Dom & Caviar
Maybe even snag a quick shower
And for sleeps sake two refills of Hennessy Paradis

Yes, I had a look at how much a bottle of Hennessy Paradis costs and although I'm not normally a straight whisky drinker, I think I'll be having 1 or 2 of these in addition to a glass or 2 of Dom.

I paid approx $1800 in taxes for a one way to EU, and it hurt

This was probably the #1 reason I didn't consider EK when flying to Europe a few years ago - their taxes are exorbitant.

 

[tinkybelle]

I avoid 1 A on all first flights the curtain flips open when people go to the toilets.
Im doing F in January after about 10 years of Etihad and Qatar. I presume nothing has changed.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I've booked a First reward seat on EK from Sydney to Christchurch and I can't help but to not overlook that it's not that great value compared to something like Business from Melbourne / Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore taking into consideration the points + taxes compared to the regular cash price.

I'm not usually one that counts cents per point etc, but it seems like 82.1k-90k points + taxes for a $3.5-$4k fare seems a more efficient and rational use of points compared to 78.4k points + taxes for a ~$2k fare.

What pushed me over to book this though was / is :
- It will be my first time in First
- Being able to visit the QF First lounge in SYD
- The novelty of having an A380 and First class on a short haul tag flight
- Caviar and Dom Perignon on such a short flight (I've checked the menu in the app and even though it's an early morning flight, it states that Caviar is included)
- EK wouldn't normally be on my radar
- QF / JQ / VA / NZ don't come anywhere close to EK First (no First, usually narrowbodies etc)

Am I the only one who thinks this, or is it completely justifiable to have this hesitation / thought?

I just have a feeling that this isn't a rational decision

I think it's a reasonable decision.
I have often considered doing a similar short trip HKG-BKK in EK F.
Having said that, I also agree with your comparative value analysis.
I think I would probably consider SYD-CHC in EK F better value as a paid, rather than an award, flight.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I avoid 1 A on all first flights the curtain flips open when people go to the toilets.
Im doing F in January after about 10 years of Etihad and Qatar. I presume nothing has changed.

Personally I love 1A whether its in F or J and the curtain has never bothered me.
If you're in a closed suite it shouldn't be an issue.
Of course to get 1A on an EY A380 you need to book The Residence.
I did that last year on the AUH-SIN leg of a CDG-AUH-SIN return trip, as an extravagant treat for my partner.
I doubt I will do it again before they retire all the A380s.

One thing that had changed since I last flew F on EY (pre-COVID) is that there is no longer an on board chef / sommelier.
Sadly the ability to order meals which are not on the menu has disappeared with them.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I think it's a reasonable decision.
I have often considered doing a similar short trip HKG-BKK in EK F.
Having said that, I also agree with your comparative value analysis.
I think I would probably consider SYD-CHC in EK F better value as a paid, rather than an award, flight.

Yes, I was also looking at BKK to HKG on EK First as well on a previous trip but in the end, decided on a direct flight to our destination rather than transitting in HKG.

With regards to points, as they are in most part from sign-up bonuses, they're a by-product from my usual spending so I found less hesitancy in using them as I probably wouldn't ever pay ~$2k for a flight from Australia to NZ, even if it was in First.

With that being said, I don't want to "waste" points on low value redemptions either.

I guess I'll just try to think of it as paying that little bit extra for the experience and more exclusivity than business

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I guess I'll just try to think of it as paying that little bit extra for the experience and more exclusivity than business

It certainly is more exclusive, I don't find EK J exclusive at all.
I feel like it's still cattle class, you're just more favoured cattle.
That said, I find EK a bit overrated in general.
I dislike the interiors, there is too much walnut and gold trim.
It's a bit dated and a bit too busy and a lot too much bling.
I much prefer the modern understated luxury of EY cabins.
The EK F suites are private but they are quite cramped. There is no room except the seat/bed itself.
I have seen a review of their new F suites which indicated that they would be more spacious.

 

[MELso]

I've booked a First reward seat on EK from Sydney to Christchurch and I can't help but to not overlook that it's not that great value compared to something like Business from Melbourne / Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore taking into consideration the points + taxes compared to the regular cash price.

I'm not usually one that counts cents per point etc, but it seems like 82.1k-90k points + taxes for a $3.5-$4k fare seems a more efficient and rational use of points compared to 78.4k points + taxes for a ~$2k fare.

What pushed me over to book this though was / is :
- It will be my first time in First
- Being able to visit the QF First lounge in SYD
- The novelty of having an A380 and First class on a short haul tag flight
- Caviar and Dom Perignon on such a short flight (I've checked the menu in the app and even though it's an early morning flight, it states that Caviar is included)
- EK wouldn't normally be on my radar
- QF / JQ / VA / NZ don't come anywhere close to EK First (no First, usually narrowbodies etc)

Am I the only one who thinks this, or is it completely justifiable to have this hesitation / thought?

I just have a feeling that this isn't a rational decision

It’s not a rational decision by any stretch, but it is a hugely fun one and I reckon you’ll have an absolute blast!

I did it both ways after Christmas last year and as an added bonus, they’d loaded Dom P2, so I managed to get the value of my points back solely on the value of the champagne I consumed.

Three tips I have flying to CHC are:
1. Ask for an amenity kit and PJs. They may not be proactively offered on the flight, but will be given on request.
2. Do the caviar but think about skipping breakfast and have a shower instead (if you’ve never had a shower in the air). Yes, this is a little bit of box ticking but it should be done once. (I skipped as I’d previously done EK F and didn’t want to be distracted from downing the whole bottle of Dom P2.)
3. Check the wine thread on Flyertalk. There may be some ‘below the line’ items that are expensive and good (e.g. the Dom P2).