Originally Posted by
gorbatzjov
Upgrade priority:
1. IO passengers
2. Platinum passagers (Flex Plus, Flex, Saver, Special)
3. Flex Plus passengers (Gold, Silver)
4. Flex passengers (Gold, Silver)
5. Saver passengers (Gold, Silver)
So it's mainly based on highest priced tickets rather than status to the dismal of many frequent flyers.
Other than that, yes, you are right: Eco > Prem; Prem > Bus; Bus > First.
We have PE Flex Plus tickets ex LHR for a Dubai holiday later this year booked through Emirates Holidays and we've just been upgraded to Business on the outbound EK8 in a couple of weeks. No lounge access allowed, though. I'm a Skywards Blue with no status, so I'm guessing Y and PE are full.
On my only overnight EK flight in PE last year, I found the seat far too hard to sleep on, maybe because it was new. Virgin 787 PE seat is the the best IMO. YMMV.