A380 substituted for 773ER both ways
Nov 20, 2009 | 9:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
Programs: MUCCI, British Airways GGL
Posts: 1,927
A380 substituted for 773ER both ways
Hello.
I am travelling on EK3/EK4 next year and booked the flights in First Class for the A380 experience. However, last week I noticed that initially EK3 switched to a 773ER but EK4 remained the A380. I spoke with Emirates to express my dissatisfaction (I know they're perfectly allowed to but I'm quite annoyed as I picked them purely for the A380). Now, EK4 has also changed to the 777.
Is it likely that they'll change EK3/EK4 to a 777 without private suites in First as that'll be an even bigger change in product? Do they use the A380 as a selling tactic with no intention of actually using it on EK3/EK4?
If anyone has an experience of First on a 777, I'd be grateful to hear from you.
Many thanks,
tom139
I am travelling on EK3/EK4 next year and booked the flights in First Class for the A380 experience. However, last week I noticed that initially EK3 switched to a 773ER but EK4 remained the A380. I spoke with Emirates to express my dissatisfaction (I know they're perfectly allowed to but I'm quite annoyed as I picked them purely for the A380). Now, EK4 has also changed to the 777.
Is it likely that they'll change EK3/EK4 to a 777 without private suites in First as that'll be an even bigger change in product? Do they use the A380 as a selling tactic with no intention of actually using it on EK3/EK4?
If anyone has an experience of First on a 777, I'd be grateful to hear from you.
Many thanks,
tom139
Nov 20, 2009 | 10:10 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic 3, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), UA Silver
Posts: 6,172
Airbus is still having problems delivering the planes on-time and thus EK will not get as many A380s in the first half of 2010 as they expected. Not much they can do about it.
Nov 20, 2009 | 3:05 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lost in space
Programs: Skywards, KrisFlyer
Posts: 204
I can understand your frustration. I have posted elsewhere as had Flying Fireman about the change of A380 to 777 on the Bangkok route. I recently flew the following four sectors in F
LHR-DXB: 773ER - with Suites
DXB-BKK: A380 - with Suites
BKK-DXB: 773ER - no Suites
DXB-LGW: 772ER - no Suites
The Suites were the same on both A380 and 777. In the end, the product was not too much different. I was fortunate as the crews on each sector were very good and could not be faulted. Once a glass or two of DP was consumed I was quite relaxed.
LHR-DXB: 773ER - with Suites
DXB-BKK: A380 - with Suites
BKK-DXB: 773ER - no Suites
DXB-LGW: 772ER - no Suites
The Suites were the same on both A380 and 777. In the end, the product was not too much different. I was fortunate as the crews on each sector were very good and could not be faulted. Once a glass or two of DP was consumed I was quite relaxed.
Nov 21, 2009 | 1:28 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lost in space
Programs: Skywards, KrisFlyer
Posts: 204
Sorry to disagree. The A380 for the BKK-DXB sector was pulled before 9 September and I was due to fly on 20 October. I was given varying reasons when in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on 10 September and the most plausible was the routine maintenance of another A380. I was informed it was easier for scheduling purposes to take it off the BKK route. Who knows?
Nov 22, 2009 | 12:34 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NY Metro
Programs: UA Silver, BA Silver, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 408
a very similar situation just happened to me and mrs. dearbee. we are scheduled to fly dxb-icn on 12/24 and back on 1/1. all of dec was supposed to be on the A380 but it appears that this has been pushed back one month. the dxb-icn leg has been replaced with 773ER while the return trip remains A380 (for now).
i'm not even going to waste my time and effort calling them. i caught this change early enough and was able to change our seats so that we're sitting in the same row. am i disappointed? of course, but this is EK and EK does as EK pleases.
i'm not even going to waste my time and effort calling them. i caught this change early enough and was able to change our seats so that we're sitting in the same row. am i disappointed? of course, but this is EK and EK does as EK pleases.
Nov 22, 2009 | 8:45 am
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lost in space
Programs: Skywards, KrisFlyer
Posts: 204
No, I found calling them was an exercise in futility. I have however written to them, pointing out the great onboard experience but the disappointment at the inflexibility of the reservations teams. I have had an acknowledgment letter and will enlighten you on their response idc. I'm not expecting much given the experience of other FTs.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:11 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: EK Gold, Etihad Gold, AA Gold, FlyingBlue Silver
Posts: 87
Bait-and-switch
And, unfortunately, you are not going to get a response either. It's called bait-and-switch and Emirates has it down to a science. I've fought that battle with them multiple times and always lost. Last time they substituted a (really) old 777 for a 777 with suites. The FC seats did not even recline flat. On an overnight flight. Very uncomfortable. But they really just don't care ...
Nov 22, 2009 | 11:00 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NY Metro
Programs: UA Silver, BA Silver, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 408
And, unfortunately, you are not going to get a response either. It's called bait-and-switch and Emirates has it down to a science. I've fought that battle with them multiple times and always lost. Last time they substituted a (really) old 777 for a 777 with suites. The FC seats did not even recline flat. On an overnight flight. Very uncomfortable. But they really just don't care ...
Nov 23, 2009 | 1:49 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
Programs: MUCCI, British Airways GGL
Posts: 1,927
Are there really seats in the EK fleet that do not recline fully flat in First? Is it only Suites that have a 1-2-1 configuration?