I travel regularly In J from LIS-BKK-LIS and have always receive an excellent service from LIS-DXB-BKK. In my opinion EK have improved a lot, over the last twelve months, especially in their catering department. I agree there are some agitated staff out there, but some people do have a tendency to complain a lot when they are residing in a hotel, restaurant or on a plane. You only have to work in these environments, for several years, to know that you become less tolerant of bemoaners. I would never knock the staff on EK, because I know how hard they work. I do agree that the 777 provides a much better service, but the staff on the A380 have improved a lot in the last 12 months as well.

My only gripes with EK are:

The lounge catering in DXB is a lower standard than other EK lounges around the globe. However I now use the C terminal lounge that I believe is far superior than either B or A.

DXB boarding is chaotic especially for Business passengers. I always stand in the economy line just to avoid being punched by a Y passenger who thinks you are queue jumping.

One half hours circling over DXB

The dimise of the Skywards program especially the points increase.