J pax using F shower on EK?

[robtemt]

Just had this article pop into my feed: Will Emirates Charge Business Flyers For Its Onboard Shower?

I'd be really disappointed if I was in the F cabin and they allowed other pax come through and use the shower. Part of paying (or using more points, etc.) for F is the privacy. Anyone believe they'd really stoop that low?

 

[Danger]

Emirates is now selling F lounge access. It all seems very strange for an airline that considers itself ultra premium.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The shower thing won't happen.

 

[Pushka]

The shower thing won't happen.

There just isn't enough time given they are also the toilets. It's just an idea from another source.

 

[kermatu]

They'd be mad to offer one of the clear F benefits to J customers for a fraction of the cost of F>J. Why purchase F?

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've seen a J passenger being given access to the shower on DXB BNE leg. Not sure why. Perhaps he was one of their invitation only elites. Strange that he wasn't upgraded to an F seat.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Emirates CEO warns: "Hyper-change is the only constant" as the Carrier Cuts Costs - Paddle Your Own Kanoo

There is already talk of what else Emirates can sell to further bolster its coffers through cross selling. Options are said to include:
- Business Class passengers paying to use the onboard shower,
- Chauffeur car service for economy passengers in Dubai,
- Premium meals and beverages available to order.

Then there’s the issue of premium economy. Rumours have swirled for months that Emirates could be adding PE onto their aircraft. It’s now known that within two months Emirates will have completed their feasibility study on the project.

In the meantime, Emirates has followed the lead of the legacy carriers by cutting and slashing costs wherever possible. In just a few weeks the cuts have included:
- Hot towels removed from economy and severely cut in Business,
- A reduced bar service with cabin crew ordered to restrict the amount of alcohol they give to economy passengers,
- Pre-selected meal choices reduced,
- Pre-departure drinks for economy passengers on Indian flights stopped,
- Newspapers and magazines removed from economy class.

Where else can Emirates go? Are we about to see a basic economy fare added? Or a buy on board meal service introduced? Whatever the case, Clark claims this is down to an “evolving customer base – each having distinct needs and mindsets.”

Also Emirates Is Considering Radically Changing Their Fleet - One Mile at a Time

Emirates is considering placing an order for narrowbody planes, like the 737 or A320, over the next 18 months or so

And previously, Trouble In The Gulf: Emirates Is Delaying A380 Deliveries - One Mile at a Time

In and of itself this might seem minor, but it reflects a major trend we’re seeing from the Gulf carriers. Clearly they’re forecasting weaker global demand for air travel, while also being under immense financial pressure from their respective governments. For years the “big three” Gulf carriers were run primarily with the purpose of bringing people to the UAE and Qatar, with financial performance being of secondary importance.

However, it seems the Gulf carriers are largely being cut off by their governments. So I suspect we’ll continue to see huge cuts across the board — just lately we’ve seen Emirates start charging for many economy seat assignments, Etihad lose patience with their equity partners, and Qatar making significant cuts to their soft product.

To go hand-in-hand with Emirates delaying delivery of A380s, they also recently fired many of their cabin crew recruiters, which shows that their growth will substantially be slowing down.

Expect a lot more changes over the coming years, this is just the beginning.

Anyone believe they'd really stoop that low?

In a word, yes. Maybe not the F showers given the practical considerations, but Clark is evidently willing to take the airline in any direction deemed necessary.

Which could perhaps one day include 737s or A320s with buy-onboard meals and BYO newspapers

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I've seen a J passenger being given access to the shower on DXB BNE leg. Not sure why. Perhaps he was one of their invitation only elites. Strange that he wasn't upgraded to an F seat.

Don't suppose this was roughly two years ago? We may have been on the same flight.

 

[Quickstatus]

May be a downgraded F passenger?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Don't suppose this was roughly two years ago? We may have been on the same flight.

Can't remember accurately but it may have been. Did you enjoy the shower?

 

[flybynight]

Revenue enhancement / cost cutting is inevitable and I no longer bother about what is on offer. I've always been disappointed with the Emerites J offering anyway so now avoid them. Never really thought that F was that great and my wife prefers J. I've come around to thinking that shorter flights in economy and then indulging in truly luxurious accomodation at stopovers and destinations makes a lot more sense and still leaves a few thousand dollars left over. My ego isn't so big that I have to fly up front.

 

[jb747]

Maybe the F passengers just weren't washing....

 

[TheRealTMA]

Maybe the F passengers just weren't washing....

Hmm. I've heard in space no one can hear you read but washing in F?

 

[por930]

I have flown F and J in Emirates quite a few time now, and would not be too impressed if there was this procession of people using the shower. They are also the toilet. Maybe Emirates have worked out that very few pax in F use the shower so considering selling this resource to other pax.

As for Emirates selling space in their J and F lounge, it is not such a good idea for the pax who paid for the F or J ticket. The J lounges in Dubai now are always very full..sort of like a Qantas club lounge at 4-5 pm in Sydney. By increasing the pax in there will make it very unpleasant. The enjoyment of the Dubai Terminal A, F lounge is the lack of pax there. This lounge's facilities are exceptional, especially the quiet areas, which are superb for a few hours sleep between flight. If they start selling lounge space to any pax with some $ to spare, sort of takes a major benefit away of F and J pax.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'm against the shower use for J.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Emirates Is Now Offering Free Lounge Access To Select Economy Passengers - One Mile at a Time

 

[ftm]

Emirates Is Now Offering Free Lounge Access To Select Economy Passengers - One Mile at a Time

I read this in the local travel news yesterday. Can't imagine I've ever had $US200 value out of the lounge! I need to eat and drink more clearly! That's an expensive cup of coffee an bottle of water.

 

[robtemt]

Emirates Is Now Offering Free Lounge Access To Select Economy Passengers - One Mile at a Time

Not the EK lounge though.....

Fly Emirates from Bangkok to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East and get a complimentary 4-hour access to the Marhaba Lounge while waiting for your connecting flight in Dubai. Enjoy an open buffet offering a variety of hot and cold cuisine and unlimited beverages, freshen up with the shower facilities or stay up to speed at the fully equipped business centre with complimentary Wi-Fi access. This offer is valid for bookings on EK351 or EK377 for the Bangkok-Dubai sector.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Not the EK lounge though.....

Correct. Just something to keep the premium cabin pax wondering what the next dilution will be.

Perhaps ice-cold metal cutlery in Y

 

[dajop]

Not the EK lounge though.....

Fly Emirates from Bangkok to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East and get a complimentary 4-hour access to the Marhaba Lounge while waiting for your connecting flight in Dubai. Enjoy an open buffet offering a variety of hot and cold cuisine and unlimited beverages, freshen up with the shower facilities or stay up to speed at the fully equipped business centre with complimentary Wi-Fi access. This offer is valid for bookings on EK351 or EK377 for the Bangkok-Dubai sector.

Yes I used this lounge pre-QF using my Emirates Mastercard from Citi. Not sure if it is the same now but to "freshen up with the shower facilities" came at a small cost in the order of $30 or so from memory.