Like the OP. I am also booked on EK18 MAN to DXB (I think that the OP was on the inbound to MAN, in the same seat as me) on Sunday 15 September. This was originally a 3 class A380 but has now been changed to a 2 class. As a result, Emirates changed my selected seat from a window (K) seat to an outside aisle seat (J) in Business. The swap could have been worse, it could have been to a 777.

My return flight EK17 in October is still showing as a 3 class A380 on the Emirates’ seat selection map. My next booking for February on EK18 and 17 are also both currently showing as 3 class.

Just a point on the upper deck layout of the 2 class. I don’t know how many different versions there are, but whenever I have been in upper deck economy, the economy has always been split into two sections, either side of the exit door to the air bridge. Business class starts after the economy cabin to the right as you enter the aircraft. If the flight is not full, the rear economy section may be left empty, but anyone seated in that section will disembark before any business class passengers. In my experience, the forward economy section passengers will be held back. However, if there is no air bridge to the upper deck, such as ‘C’ gates (and some ‘B’ gates) at Dubai, all passengers will have to disembark via the front stairs, so business passengers will get off last.

On a brighter note, I have grabbed a window seat again as one was since released.