Suddenly Emirates has dispensed with Firat class awards and upgrades. The Z class inventory is not shown for any long distance flights.
Is it due to the new Skywards from 2010?
They must be really lucky if they are filling up the first class seats with fare paying passengers as the global economy is down. Dubai appears to be facing a loan payback crisis and may go under administration.
I flew JFK-Dubai last month and there were only 4 passengers in First class. I flew DXB-LHR two weeks ago with 4 empty suites even after a group was brought in from J class
One of the reasons I fly emirates is their easy upgrade availability from any fare. That seems to have disappeared.