Flew GLA-DXB on 30 Nov and DXB-PEK on 1 Dec with a transit time of 3 hours.
We started off with a bit of a giggle after the Captains welcome PA. Yesterday was the patron Saint Of Scotland, Saint Andrews Day. The captain, who was a fellow Scot, wished everybody a happy
St. Patricks Day and never corrected himself.
The flight departed GLA late due to late arriving inbound. As all FQTV will be aware, when a delay in departure is incurred, the Cabin Crew tend to be rushing about getting things prepared for departure including welcome drinks. Yesterday, these continued to be handed out to passengers during the taxi as we were half way or more to the runway. The aircraft sat at the runway holding point for 5 minutes for I assume, the cabin to be reported secure, and were busy running through the cabin collecing glasses, full and empty.
During the flight we were told we would be served lunch and then ice cream before landing. I pointed out to the CC that I had ordered a Gluten Free SPML. When lunch time came, the tables were set up and the crew got busy dishing out the lunches. On observation, it did seem quite haphasard the way they were doing it. One to the back, two to the middle, one to the front and lastly my tray arrived with the standard side salad, bread (best GF bread on an aircraft and had a look around to check if others had the same as I was getting suspicious if it was GF because it looked too good but all a pax around had different bread), and starter of cold chicken salad.
After a few rounds of wine (not for me) and water top-ups from the crew, plates were removed and others started getting their main dishes served. As I was patiently waiting and wondering where mine was, the crew started to serve others with their desserts. One of the crew members looking after my side (nice wee lassie but gave the impression she was fairly new) stopped at me to take my crockery and cutlery away and I mentioned that I hadn't had a main course yet, to which her reply was "I think that was what was on your tray but I'll go and check". My thought were 'I'm in business here, surely my whole meal won't come on one tray
'. Two minutes later, said Cabin Crew arrived and profusely apologised and sat my main meal down on my plate which what I thought consisted of a nice chunk of fish, a tomato sauce, some vegetables and rice. On closer inspection, the white fish was another chunk of chicken that had obviously been left in the oven forgotten about.
Other pax arround were tucking in to their desserts after being asked there preference and whilst I picked through my bland chicken and rice. The nicest bit on the plate was the 5 green beans
. Once it was noted that I had finished, the crew took my plate away with no mention of dessert. So I waited and waited and eventually as the purser was walking past a good ten minutes later, the other crew member pointed out I hadn't had dessert. She asked if I would like anything and the safest option on the menu was the cheese board so I asked for this without the crackers only to have the reply that the other aisle hadn't finished and would have to wait to see if anyone else wanted them
, was there not something else I would like. My initial thought was, there's plenty but I can't have it. In all honesty, it was maybe a mistake on my understanding as I thought I would have been brought a GF dessert automatically but was asked what I would like from the menu. I wasn't overly impressed with the pursers reply and had a little cream puff (huff) to myself for a couple of minutes
.
The rest of the flight was un-eventful and to boot, despite our late departure from GLA, we had some favourable tail winds and even with holding in air, we still managed to arrive at our B gate early.
Transfer security was a breeze and made my way to A gates. Quick DF shop and headed to A Lounge. Kept a close eye on the Flight Display monitors and as time got nearer for boarding I decided to take a walk along the corridor. Despite all of the flights either side of ours displaying gates open, boarding, final call, gate closed, ours remained blank but being the person I am decided to go and check. Just as I was nearing the gate I heard final call being announced so glad I moved my butt when I did. I overheard another pax behind me who was sat in the same lounge say that there was nothing on the information board for our flight.
On the DXB-PEK flight, the seat was comfy, the service was as requested (no food until breakfast) which came promptly and still the best GF bread in the air that I have tasted (if it is GF, I still have my suspicions
).
Was sat in 23K as previously advised and I did notice the silver flower holder above 23G. Not the best feature
I have also found, and this is personal taste, that the ICE doesn't tend to float my boat. Yeah I found one or two movies to watch (one of which I had watched 4 weeks previously) but I think they could be doing better with their lifestyle and box set selections but as said, that's personal preference and choice and not everybody can be accomodated.
As a relative newbie to EK, my first four flights I had nothing to complain about and although not complaining about these flights (GLA one in particular), my own observations are that any consistant service standards seem to be slipping in line with one or two (well one in particular) other airlines I am more familiar with compared with the hype and high expectations one would have listening and reading about EK
. Think someone needs to get the polishing brush out as some of the service is starting to get a little tarnished
.
Sorry for the rambling.
Safe & Happy Travels
S