Premium cabin pax will avoid repeat travel on a route where such switching is executed without warning, and means a significant drop in product quality paid for. Lufty found this out to it's cost on the JFk FRA TATL 5 years ago. I would certainly never fly EK again if they downgraded the acft on my 14.5 hour regular route without warning. (cannot happen luckily)

Of course this only applies on routes where you have a choice at comparable cost, not if you are a captive

They may get away with that but it does make people feel shortchanged. Emirates frequently does this on EK500 where they replace the 777-300ER with one of the older air crafts that feature the old cradle seats in J and no suites in F. I would assume if you were expecting a suite in F and a lie flat showed up, you are bound to get angry. I don't think the J folks would mind it as much but if I were an F customer paying top dollars and I see that the product that I have is just a glorified J seat (and in the same configuration as J, 2-2-2), and I have not had any advance notification, I can't help but feel being taken for a ride.

Actually, I disagree, and I think it's a bigger deal in J. Because a J customer who was expecting a lie flat and a whole lot of sleep in now stuck in a reclining seat. Given that the majority of people pay for J to be able to arrive at their destination well rested, this is bad.

In F, on the other hand, you're still getting a completely flat bed. Sleep wise, it doesn't make that big a difference, and service etc would all still be up to standards. So having Skycruisers instead of Suites isn't all that big a difference, also especially since you're likely to have a free seat next to you as the cabin capacity goes up from 8 to 12.

Well, that's a matter of personal choice. I for one would feel extremely frustrated if my F mini-suite was suddenly changed to a skycruiser. I'd rather much prefer the privacy of a suite and if not, I would rather be in J. Service wise, there isn't much difference except for Dom in F and Moet in J. I was in J last night on EK500 where they switched the flight and I have to admit that I didn't feel that bad. Maybe because there is hardly anyone who sleeps on this flight an so it doesn't matter whether it is a lie flat or a cradle. Maybe on longer flights it would matter more.

However, the point being discussed here is that would customers notice it and feel angry or not and my point is 'yes', most would (at least frequent flyers would and the J cabin on EK500/501 is usually full.) Whether they do anything about it is another story. I will, at least on my upcoming flight in F. Wait to see what strategy EK follows on those flights.

J or F I would be with that kind of unannounced product downgrade ..

I agree. Recently while flying Cathay, they actually had the courtesy to call me and inform me about an equipment change and apologize for it. I was truly surprized. Never happens with EK :)

Believe it or not I had a call in Dubai last night from a UK telephone number and it was someone from EK to tell me that the aircraft type for my flight back from LHR on Saturday will be a 777 rather than an A380. I am going on Thursday returning on the flight in question (EK30) on Saturday afternoon. They called to notify me of the change and to ask if I would still like to take the same flight or change to a different flight that would still be a 380. I stuck with my chosen flight but was impressed I had received the call. We all probably were expecting changes to A380 schedules while they sort out the wing crack issue (I asked the guy if that was the reason and he confirmed that this was so) and I suspect that they are struggling a bit with the lower capacity but I was not pressured in any way to take another flight simply offered the chance so I am not viewing the call with cynicism. Given that EK 29/30 was only due to go to a 380 from a 777 starting this week I am not surprised they have chosen this flight to leave as a 777 but again I was impressed to even get a call and have posted this in light of my earlier post in this thread. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come in customer service? We can only hope.

An update for the Aircraft change would be great for sure however the 1 thing that I would really like to see happening with EK is to be able to change & rebook flights online just like SQ & now CX too allow you. This would really change the game & save a lot of effort & $$$ for everyone flying EK & perhaps ease the load on the call center as well.

Who said you can't on EK? Go to MMB and the option is there to rebook :)

Surprisingly good news! Ek more than any orther airline needs rto do this, cracks or no cracks, because of the wiidely differentiated long haul hard product in J and F.

Mate,

Pls help us.

I have never seen a possibilty to change an EK flight on EK online. If u have then I am missing something more than my pretty small twins now:confused:.

Not that I do it myself but someone still does it for me & I still would like to have the option in my hand if i may????

Enlighten

EGT

Damn option does not work for me when
I do the booking through a TA and try and change it en route Always have to call EK Having never made a private booking on EK I've no idea if it works in that case.

This feature has been available for over a month now although there still seems to be some issues. Discussed further here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emira...ng-online.html

Thanks mate but some how none of my discounted tkts allow any changes online.

Message says CALL EK Reservations for help. ...??

I still have to ask OTD to look into it as always.

Not good. Hopefully EK get this smooth quickly.

EGT

h
 

Is there no dedicated I/O line where the agent picks up the phone, Welcome Mr EGT ;)