whimike

I would love to also play the op-up game. Unfortunately, in 40+ flights I have seen an op-up 3 times. 0 times ex-USA thanks to their alphabetical upgrade scheme. If I want to fly F, I have to pay for it.

chinatraderjmr

I would venture to guess that 203/204 might even be more busy in F over 201/02 once it goes to a 380. The timing is better for some (like me) but it's the aircraft that keeps me on 201/02. I can't be alone.

ukdoctor

My op ups ex uk is 0 just like you. However ex DXB I've been op'd up 7 times this year .I fly only once a month .

All you need to do is to check how busy the flight is and purposefully book on a busy flight.
Luckily all my trips are personal and I can choose when I fly.

Ex DXB the op ups are based on status anyway.

Emirates202

You're probably right. I've flown to Australia a few times on EK originating in JFK. To make a connection to flight 412, 204 is perfect, but because I didn't want to take the 777, I left the night before on 202. I didn't get the comp hotel either as I could've taken 414 that leaves at 2am. Just got a room at the DXB hotel. But now with 204 going A380, I won't mind taking it. The 777 is great, smaller F cabin, but the shower is what keeps me to the A380 .

-ek202

Ahmed777

Does anyone know how the op-up system is based in South Africa? Assuming you don't bribe the previously disadvantaged check-in lady first

chinatraderjmr

& the Bar behind C. . 2 reasons for the 380 over the 777 on the same route.

The only problem w the bar & shower together on the same flight is many a time I've taken a "mid flight" shower, gotten back in my pajamas & gone back to the bar for a drink or two. I could never figure out why people always stare at me back there (I'm good looking but not THAT good looking . I was on a flight ex ICN & my GF was working the flight in C (she won't work the same cabin I'm sitting in . Anyway, she pulled me aside and told me I look ridiculous to other passengers. It never dawned on me that many people have no idea about the showers on board & the reason they stare is my hair is still wet & w the pajamas on I look like I just poured a bottle of water over my head & had to change into something dry

***its not very common to see someone onboard a plane w wet hair (especially 5 hours into the flight)

Emirates202

Haha. It must have been an interesting sight! I always shower about an hour or two before landing. I've actually only showered right after take off once, on the DXB-BKK-HKG flight. I showered and went straight to sleep, and showered again on BKK-HKG prior to landing. I don't always visit the bar, as I could drink what I'm drinking at the bar in my seat, but if I'm feeling restless, it's a good place to walk back to and have a conversation (and of course a drink ).
I know that you also fly 202 and 201 often, so do you notice that the bar is much busier on 201 than 202? Whenever I'm back at the bar on 202, it's pretty empty. It's probably bc it's a night flight, but I prefer it being empty, as its not as peaceful when it is so crowded, like on 201.

chinatraderjmr

Night flights the bar is usually quieter I've noticed which is nicer for me. I can sit & have a drink & chat w the crew or the 1-2 passengers that are also night owls like me. I take the ICN-DXB flight often as well (not as often as JFK) & that's a great flight to hang out in the bar. The whole flight is over night @ it's very quiet so just nice to hang out

As far as the showers, it's funny. I never use it before landing as I'm either going home, to a hotel, or to a transit lounge after landing so I've never seen the showers as a necessity before landing but I'm a very restless flyer (I love to walk around, stretch every few hours, etc) and I've found taking a shower is a great way to break up a 14 hour flight. Makes it much easier to sleep, etc (but hay, Ive been told I'm strange)

Emirates202

Even if I'm going home, or to a hotel, I prefer to shower on the plane so I feel fresh, and I don't have to do it when I get home or to the hotel! I've gotten so used to showering before landing, so when I'm on a AC without showers, or any other airline for that matter I get pretty disappointed haha. I don't like showering in lounges for some reason. I've only done it a few times.
I hear on the flights out of MAN that the booze is always flowing back at the bar! Seems like a flight I want to be on (except for the fact that its so crowded)

Zol

Folks let us stay on topic, this is about upgrades and not shower preferences

ung1

Everyone seems to be using the logic that 'we have all at some point been recipients of upgrades so why deny others this opportunity'.

Conversely, as someone who always ends up on flights that are almost full but never over sold, and has never been upgraded, what should my reaction be?

I flew MEL-DXB earlier this year as the only passenger in F, while both J and Y had only a couple of spare seats. Being the only passenger vs having several passengers in the cabin does make a difference in terms of attentiveness of the crew. I didn't pay for the whole cabin, but if I'm getting something I didn't pay for (nicer cabin ambience), why would I want it taken away?

ayeaway

^ How the heck do you get from the original post to waffling on about showers?

Maybe a few could have a look a the first post.

yanny baba

Generosity, public spirit, selflessness, you get the picture....

Emirates202

My bad. I apologize on behalf of myself and chinatraderjmr

I honestly don't remember how the conversation got to shower preferences!
Sorry again haha!

-ek202

I just went back and read my previous posts. Quite interesting how we went from upgrades to where and when we like to shower!

ayeaway

Went back and had a look.

Still quite intersting. But not relevent