I am a BA loyalist. Once in a while I fly EK. Have always had good service, nothing to complain about but the bit of extra gold on the plane.

BUT, this past flight on Friday the 8, it was exceptionally good. And frankly I thought the flight time was too short, because of the great service I was given.

It started with my complicated itinerary, on several pnrs. I wanted my luggage to be checked in all the way through. And the somehow managed to do it. Ok that wasn't EK's doing but that was the start of a great flight. Lounge was over crowded, but outside the oyster bar was great.


Am not talking about the food on the plane, which wasn't to my liking, but then we don't fly to eat. The drink was excellent, the movie (Lincoln) great, but the service went out and beyond. And that is what counts.

And the new connecting lounge, heaven on earth of tranquillity. Way above the CCR at LHR.


On one of the legs I wanted to upgrade (at time of booking I was told there weren't any seats available), it was done on the flight in such an elegant way. I was told discreetly the price and when I agreed, I was taken to my new seat and I paid my bill mid way through the flight. (have never done that before).
I could learn to teach myself to overlook the gold.

Well done EK. It is always the human touch that makes a huge difference to me.

How does the upgrade system work last minute? Do you tell the check in person you wish to pay for an ugrade or use miles, if possible?

Yahillwe, a true BA loyalist with a legend that precedes you. Welcome to Bling Air and happy to hear you have enjoyed the flight and the crew did not let you down....I think it is time to stop flying Scone and Tea Airways

Actually I really didn't have time to do the upgrade at check in. I asked and they said there was a seat, and did it on board. The gentleman who did the paper work was very efficient, nice and kindNo miles but paid upgrade.

Thank you for your kind words. I am a BA loyalist, but I do fly EK from time to time... Service has always been great, but this time it was exceptionally great. And even while transmitting, I had a great gentleman helping me, he even served me food before boarding. Mind you it wasn't special services. But a gentleman who offered to help me when I asked him about my connection gate. Too bad I didn't get his name for a very well done. Mind you I am a nobody with the airline, their service was exceptional from the car pick up to final arrival.

Would you care to give some details of your itinerary and carriers, as interlining bags is often a discussion point and good to see you succeeded with it.

I was flying only EK, no other airline. My problem was I was changing flights and going on a different passport. And that is why the complexity of my pnr. It happens to me often and EK have either checked them through from the starting station or done if at transit in Dubai.

It takes them a while to figure it out, but the check in agent has helped me. And I am very grateful, because I usually arrive in the middle of the nights and transfer a couple of hrs later. So obviously am dead tired.

And the old adage holds true, you attract people with kindness and gentility. Am always grateful when they go the extra mile for me, and make sure they know it. I usually gently ask, and when they show it could be a problem and back out gently. It has never given me bad results.

Why does EK do is to me.. I knew the lay out of the old F lounge, then they open a new one... I have relearn it. Not easy with stuff to carry and heels. Why why why?????

Hah, I was also at the new F lounge on Friday 8 Feb (in the morning) before getting on the 380 to CDG - didn't know the esteemed Yahillwe was around!

Ohhhh you are sweet, I was greeting off a 380 fromCDG, catching a connection but it was in the evening. And I am currently here waiting for my flight.

Did you notice that with this new lounge they have less eating areas? Of am I imagining things?

Discovered the lounge thread, but I am a nobody with EK, so am not sure if I can guest anyone. Last Tim I tried, was my son flight Biz and me F they wouldn't let him in the F lounge.

Sat next to am interesting man, he was/is an editor of a daily newspaper.

Anyway, we both had the same impression. The new F lounge has less eating areas, actually there is one main place and one small sushi stand and another whatever you could call it. Why did they change? I do like it, but where is the champagne bar? Where is the beautiful fountain???? I have to admit, I'd prefer the old one. Minus the people sleeping all over.

Anyone else? Thoughts, comments?

What a coincidence. So you were on the same aircraft that I flew into CDG on. Was in 2K haha.

I didn't feel there was a lack of eating areas - casual dining at one end, and proper dining just before that. I was the only one there, with about 10 wait tag at my service.

What did annoy me were the boarding announcements from three different levels. They were already closing the flight for Y, and when I reached the gate they hasn't started boarding yet.

No no no... I was arriving from CDG and connecting..

I leave to CDG this coming thursday the 28th.

And I didn't see the casual dinning in the new lounge, nor heard any boarding announcement. Actually both times I was there it was empty. Last night there were only 3 of us in the whole lounge. There were more employees.

Only dining area was the sit down, and either a la carte or the self service.

Were we in the same lounge? Did your have the fountain? Not mine.

I think we were on the same aircraft. I flew to CDG on the 8th morning, and from what I understood you got on that aircraft on the turnaround, which is the afternoon flight to DXB. So we wouldn't have been at the DXB lounge at the same time, but in CDG perhaps.

I didn't see any fountains at the new lounge - my one complaint is that it is too big. I walked all the way to A9 (at one end) where my flight was to depart from, but they changed the gate to A2, which was right back in the middle near the entrance.

I guess we were on the same plane, but not flight... And yes the new lounge doesn't have the fountains.. But it is way too large for the few people there. But I still haven't found the eating areas. Only one.

Wonder what and who is using the old lounge?

Presumably anyone with a flight departing from the old concourse. I don't know whether your connecting flight was also from the new concourse, but transferring between the two is a major annoyance.

And from April, Platinums (150k+ tier miles) and their guests will also be able to use the F lounges.