I echo a lot of what was said above.
However, I believe that EK benefits from having DXB as a hub.
- easy access / close to center of town
- few weather issues other than the occasional fog or sandstorm
- easy check-in (especially on the F/J side where it takes less than 5 minutes to go from entrance to air-side)
- generally good connection experience
Airlines bear a lot of anger and frustration due to external issues such as weather related IROPs, airport experience, congestion, delays, etc. which strain airline operations.
EK is somewhat shielded from this. But when things do go wrong you do end up seeing a lot dissatisfaction on this forum towards EK (deserved or not).
Nevertheless, I am sometimes frustrated with prices ex-Dubai as I am with the value/benefits of the Skywards program, especially with the recent devaluation.