Three seats in EK F on the 380. Such a problem to have...

[Homer]

Next month Marge, Maggie and I are planning to travel SYD-DXB-LHR on the EK 380 in F. The last time we did this type of thing, on the QF 380 in F, I chose the seats poorly. I know, I know...there’s no such thing as a “bad” F seat. But on that occasion I selected 2A, 2F and 2K (despite the QF First “Host” suggesting otherwise when we arrived at LHR) and Maggie, in 2F, was in the middle. The problem was that I needed to walk towards the forward doors, around the staircase at the front and back up the second row in order to get to her seat (either that, or jump over the partition separating row A from row F). As she was only three at the time this happened quite a lot: changing the video channel, encouraging her to eat, etc, etc. The next time we do this I will probably choose 2A, 3A and 4A (or the equivalent on the other side) if I can. But I digress.

Anyway...

I’m trying not to make the same mistake next month on our first F experience on EK’s 380. According to SeatGuru, EK has a 1-2-1 configuration (unlike QF’s 1-1-1) so I am wondering whether I should select 2A, 2E and 2F or go with 2A, 3A and 4A (or the equivalent on the other side)?

Would anyone with EK 380 F experience like to comment?

 

[samh004]

I have heard that the middle suites can be joined together, which could be good for Homer and Marge after all I don’t imagine you’ll want to look out the window too much. But I can’t find any reference online, so perhaps I’m thinking of a different airline?

 

[ejb]

I have heard that the middle suites can be joined together, which could be good for Homer and Marge after all I don’t imagine you’ll want to look out the window too much. But I can’t find any reference online, so perhaps I’m thinking of a different airline?

I believe you may be thinking of SQ.

As I have no EK F experience (or any other F) I will leave it to others (Dave Noble comes to mind) to guide you in seat selection.

I trust you enjoy the trip and we would all love to live the F life through your TR.

ejb

 

[haydensydney]

Depends on how young Maggie is I guess... If I was in your situation, and if the sprog could be left to their own devices, you and Marge grab the middle two seats and the little one could have the window seat.

PS... I believe the middle seats are out of sync to the window seats, so you may want to factor that in i.e. you may want the young one to have the row in front of yours, so you can see what they're up to

 

[browski]

I'd probably go 2A, 2E, 3A.
But in reality I'd make the wife and kid fly discount economy on a LCC.

 

[Dave Noble]

I’m trying not to make the same mistake next month on our first F experience on EK’s 380. According to SeatGuru, EK has a 1-2-1 configuration (unlike QF’s 1-1-1) so I am wondering whether I should select 2A, 2E and 2F or go with 2A, 3A and 4A (or the equivalent on the other side)?

Would anyone with EK 380 F experience like to comment?

Whether you go in row 1,2,3 or 4 will make no difference. I would suggest going with A,E,F or E,F,K , there is no difference. The 2 in the middle do have a movable partition so that you can communicate with the person adjacent and the single seat at the window is easily accessible either by peson in E if the other if the kid is in A or by person in F if the kid is in K

I wouldn't go for A,A,A unless you do not want to be able to communicate with each other for the flight

Unlike the QF layout on lower deck there isnt a row which is isolated off

As an aside, if you want to have a shower before arriving in Dubai, I would suggest making a booking for the shower for 1.5 hours before arrival as soon as on board

I would also consider taking the morning departure ex Sydney , since the 777 tends to be much less busy than the evening 380 and much more chance of a quiet cabin with empty seats in the 8 suite 777

Dave

 

[Heleigh]

I flew in Sept 09 on ek 380 and was seated in 3A and could see into 2E middle seat which shares a partition with 2F. Seat guru will show the seating plan well.

My suggestion is you and mrs sit in 3E and 3F and 3 yo is seated in 3A, yes, one of you will have to walk around but the other will be accessible to young one.

There are sliding door to each suite for privacy.

You can go to youtube and view a video, I tried to add the link but I don't have enough postings to add the link.

Hope this helps

 

[Dave Noble]

If planning to walk around occasionally then I would suggest ( if available ) to take row 1; that way just need to pass through the 1st class bar to the other side without walking up and down the cabin

 

[Homer]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. So it looks as though we’ll go with a row, rather than a column, if that makes sense. We’re currently in 4A, 4E and 4F. Seatguru cautions against row 1 and, as I don’t expect to need to get up and walk across the aisle, I guess I’ll just leave it there.

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. So it looks as though we’ll go with a row, rather than a column, if that makes sense. We’re currently in 4A, 4E and 4F. Seatguru cautions against row 1 and, as I don’t expect to need to get up and walk across the aisle, I guess I’ll just leave it there.

I have had row 1 and never had any issues with it. All of the rows are pretty equal imo. If you don't want to cross over cabins then 4 is fine, but is the furthest journey to the other side; you can sometimes pass through the galley behind row 4 but often is crowded

Dave

 

[Timtammi]

Such a problem indeed...

I'm SERIOUSLY jealous.

Please do a trip report so some of us can at least live vicariously.

Cheers

Timmi

 

[Homer]

I have had row 1 and never had any issues with it. All of the rows are pretty equal imo. If you don't want to cross over cabins then 4 is fine, but is the furthest journey to the other side; you can sometimes pass through the galley behind row 4 but often is crowded

Dave

Thanks Dave. Seatguru describes 1A as a bit narrower than the other seats in F but I have found Seatguru can be a bit esoteric at times. Row 4 wasn’t available so we are in 3A/E/F SYD-DXB and then 2A/E/F DXB-LHR. Thanks for your advice - I am looking forward to the EK F experience (I’ve previously only tried J on EK and then only short-haul across the ditch).

Now to more important matters than the seat: what champagne do they serve on board? The Dom in QF F is pretty hard to beat...

 

[Dave Noble]

Now to more important matters than the seat: what champagne do they serve on board? The Dom in QF F is pretty hard to beat...

No idea; not drinking alcohol, I don't pay attention to the wine menu ( also means that as far as importance goes, its pretty low on mine ) ... The small amounts of food I have had on EK (most flights don't eat or only eat small amounts) have been very good for airline food ( not that airline food is that amazing )

the only bit I do know is that they do not offer caviar departing Australia since , from what I was told, they are not allowed to bring it with them from DXB to serve ex AU due to AU regulations; you will have to wait for the ex DXB departure for that if liking caviar

If you have time in DXB, they do a nice meal in the first class lounge with (imo) much more and better offerings than QF offers at its home bases so can recommend breakfast there during the connection

 

[Homer]

Thanks again Dave. I have found the EK food, and the service that goes along with it, consistently of a high standard. I just checked their web site and it appears they are serving the 2000 Dom in F; not as good as the ’98 on QF last year but I won’t complain .

Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll get much time in their DXB F lounge as I am keen on taking the 380 out of SYD and we get a grand total of two hours at DXB before hopping back on board for the journey to LHR.

 

[Dalescott]

Firstly let me have a little whinge, I would love for EK to fly 380's out of Melb. Melb is not important enough to get 380's. Does anybody have any idea if and when. But I can speak from experience, and the food is great and the wine is exceptionally good. You would be mad not to enjoy it.

 

[Dave Noble]

Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll get much time in their DXB F lounge as I am keen on taking the 380 out of SYD and we get a grand total of two hours at DXB before hopping back on board for the journey to LHR.

I took the EK413 service in June and decided that for next trip I will take the morning EK415 service since the morning service seems to tend to be a lot less busy and even if it is busy there is a max of 8 passengers in 1st ( on the 777 service DXB-SYD that I took there were 4 passengers in the cabin of 8 vs 16/16 on the 380 service ). Since the suites are the same regardless, it is only the showers and , at the back, the bar where there is any difference

Either way, as a flight goes, should be as decent as being stuck in a metal tube in the air can be

 

[docjames]

If you have time in DXB, they do a nice meal in the first class lounge with (imo) much more and better offerings than QF offers at its home bases so can recommend breakfast there during the connection

I presume given the thread context, that you're talking about QF F lounges in Aus cities. That's a big call given the worldwide kudos given generally to the F lounges in SYD and MEL, and particularly for the food there.

:shock::shock::shock:


Oh to have these fine details to worry about... :mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[Dave Noble]

I presume given the thread context, that you're talking about QF F lounges in Aus cities. That's a big call given the worldwide kudos given generally to the F lounges in SYD and MEL, and particularly for the food there.

Indeed; I was comparing EK F lounge at its home base vs QF F lounge at its home bases and particularly the food offerings

Dave

 

[NM]

I presume given the thread context, that you're talking about QF F lounges in Aus cities. That's a big call given the worldwide kudos given generally to the F lounges in SYD and MEL, and particularly for the food there.

:shock::shock::shock:


Oh to have these fine details to worry about... :mrgreen::mrgreen:

While the QF First Class Lounges in SYD and MEL are excellent and certainly the best in the QF inventory, there are others that consistently receive even greater accolades, such as the EK First Class lounge at Dubai and LH First Class Terminal (yes, its an entire terminal, not just a lounge) at FRA.

Yes, the food at the QF FLounges is certainly good, but the menu is overly extensive when compared with some others.

 

[docjames]

Indeed; I was comparing EK F lounge at its home base vs QF F lounge at its home bases and particularly the food offerings

Dave

Wow.. :shock::shock: