SYD in F
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Exec Club Gold, *G, EK Skywards Silver
Posts: 1,017
SYD in F
I always fly BA but this time I thought it was time for a change.
Special New Year trip to Oz with the missus.
I book J on EY then canx due to uncertainty over what seat will be on board. Then I book J on SQ from LHR via SIN on the 380.
I was happy with that but then I find a fare ex Germany (MUC) - DXB - SYD in F on EK on the 380/777-300er for slightly less.
What can I expect of EK F compared to BA F or J?
Special New Year trip to Oz with the missus.
I book J on EY then canx due to uncertainty over what seat will be on board. Then I book J on SQ from LHR via SIN on the 380.
I was happy with that but then I find a fare ex Germany (MUC) - DXB - SYD in F on EK on the 380/777-300er for slightly less.
What can I expect of EK F compared to BA F or J?
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,546
On the flight to Sydney you can expect that whichever of the flights you are on will have the private suites , dine on demand service and decent IFE
I would rate EK F streets ahead of BA 1st class plus on arrival into Sydney , EK will provide a car for you to take you to your local destination ( 40 Km driven for free )
On MUC-DXB it looks like it has the older 1st product which is still decent
If fares are the same, have a look at doing FRA-SYD on EK since then you can get suites the whole way
I would rate EK F streets ahead of BA 1st class plus on arrival into Sydney , EK will provide a car for you to take you to your local destination ( 40 Km driven for free )
On MUC-DXB it looks like it has the older 1st product which is still decent
If fares are the same, have a look at doing FRA-SYD on EK since then you can get suites the whole way
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NBO, MEL
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite
Posts: 1,354
EK F is a great product. Excellent food choices on demand with a very extensive menu. Good wine choices and spirits. Service is good.^
On the A380 you get showers and access to the business class on board bar (there is a F bar, but very boring).
It is a great way to arrive into Sydney, and an experience you will enjoy.
On the A380 you get showers and access to the business class on board bar (there is a F bar, but very boring).
It is a great way to arrive into Sydney, and an experience you will enjoy.
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
I flew EK F a few years ago (when A380 first came out) and stopped, but have recently started to fly EK again. BA F is not competitive with EK F in 2011, even with BA's "new F" refurb attempt. The T5 lounges are better, but otherwise EK beats BA by a large margin (better food quality, more expensive wines with better selection, better service). Used to be that the supermodel FA selection was the primary appeal of EK, but no longer, now there is real quality and substance in the delivered product. I've flown hundreds of times with BA, mostly in F, and several dozen Concorde flights, and have been critical of EK in the past. But this year EK has won my business, and they did it the old fashioned way -- they earned it.
The limo in SYD is actually for 60 km radius (but cannot be extended officially, even if you offer to pay -- I wanted to go to CBR).
The limo in SYD is actually for 60 km radius (but cannot be extended officially, even if you offer to pay -- I wanted to go to CBR).
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,546
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Exec Club Gold, *G, EK Skywards Silver
Posts: 1,017
Thanks for the replies so far.
ung1 - EY have 2 different J seats.
Dave Noble - MUC-DXB is on the 380 - they are all fitted with the same F suites??
1 of the reasons for trying another carrier is because I feel that the service is poor on BA. Even in F. Once the meal service is done, you don't see any of the FA's in the cabin. If you want a drink, you need to get up off your seat and go to the galley. You are also rarely addressed by name. What's EK's cabin service like?
ung1 - EY have 2 different J seats.
Dave Noble - MUC-DXB is on the 380 - they are all fitted with the same F suites??
1 of the reasons for trying another carrier is because I feel that the service is poor on BA. Even in F. Once the meal service is done, you don't see any of the FA's in the cabin. If you want a drink, you need to get up off your seat and go to the galley. You are also rarely addressed by name. What's EK's cabin service like?
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,546
Dave Noble - MUC-DXB is on the 380 - they are all fitted with the same F suites??
1 of the reasons for trying another carrier is because I feel that the service is poor on BA. Even in F. Once the meal service is done, you don't see any of the FA's in the cabin. If you want a drink, you need to get up off your seat and go to the galley. You are also rarely addressed by name. What's EK's cabin service like?
The service in F on EK is excellent ; frequently check the cabin and respond quickly to the call attendant button; always addressed by name
I would be very surprised if you were disappointed and amazed if you didn't find it far superior to BA's offering
Dave
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK
Programs: EK skywards Gold, BA, VS silver
Posts: 194
On the flight to Sydney you can expect that whichever of the flights you are on will have the private suites , dine on demand service and decent IFE
I would rate EK F streets ahead of BA 1st class plus on arrival into Sydney , EK will provide a car for you to take you to your local destination ( 40 Km driven for free )
I would rate EK F streets ahead of BA 1st class plus on arrival into Sydney , EK will provide a car for you to take you to your local destination ( 40 Km driven for free )
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Exec Club Gold, *G, EK Skywards Silver
Posts: 1,017
Do they give out pyjamas in F on these flights? (MUC-DXB-SYD) ?
Also - I'm on EK419 on the return. Aircraft flies CHC-SYD-BKK-DXB. I'll be getting on in SYD... Does everybody need to disembark in BKK and then reboard or can you stay on board?
Also - I'm on EK419 on the return. Aircraft flies CHC-SYD-BKK-DXB. I'll be getting on in SYD... Does everybody need to disembark in BKK and then reboard or can you stay on board?
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,546
Can you change to EK419 CHC-SYD and connect onto EK413 SYD-DXB rather than stay on 419 the whole way? That way you can have a non stop flight from SYD-DXB and not worry about BKK at all. I cannot remember if have passenger have to disembark at BKK on 419
Assuming you have signed up for a skywards account, you may want to also ensure that you are registered for the miles accelerator for the month too; assuming it is a flex fare, will also be an instant quick climb to gold from the trip ; attain silver on the outbound and gold on the return
Dave
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
40Km driven KM ( not radius ) is the distance limit for free transfer as per http://www.emirates.com/au/english/p...available.aspx
As for Gold status, it is close to worthless if you are flying J or F (or am I missing the benefits, being new to Skywards). Really needs a 3rd tier, fwiw, esp. as Gold is reached after 1 trip
#14
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
The OP is originating in SYD not CHC, so presumably was booked SYD-BKK-DXB as this has a much lower F fare than SYD-DXB (at least that is what I've found). Making the flight switch rather expensive to do.
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,546
I did misread and thought he was actually flying SYD-CHC. I would check on whether there is a flight restriction ( which I didnt see on fares ex MUC ) and if not, keep an eye for A class availability and change to 413 when availability appears
Last edited by Dave Noble; Nov 12, 2011 at 2:14 pm