Originally Posted by
typical
With respect, EK has a thriving short-haul business and getting Gold flying S/H is challenging, to say the least (if I make it this year, it'll be through sectors and not miles).
Thats true, but in my experience its next to impossible to get tickets from DXB to MCT / RUH / JED / DMM / BAH on EK. I fly to MCT twice a month, this year, have never flown EK metal or EK Codeshare. Partly because EK sells out real fast and is always priced higher than WY. And thanks to the recession, work always buys WY because its cheaper. Not sure what I can do with status on Sindbad/WY... but heh if status means that they give me a better sandwich on the DXB<>MCT WY flight... I will be ecstatic!
[For anyone who has not had the pleasure of eating that sandwich :: Its 50% recycled paper 50% animal feed, dry chicken or tuna canned in 1966, juicebox, and a snickers/mars bar 
]
EKs short haul business in the GCC/Levant is a captive market for them. They usually put ratty old equipment on these routes ( AFAIK ) while the shiny new planes are on the lucrative long haul sectors where they compete head on with other large carriers. IMHO the service on RJ in J is better than EK... and before someone flames me for making that statement.... RJ after joining OneWorld is not the same RJ of yesteryear , could it be better, yes.