I flew DXB-MAD-DXB the other day on a J-Y ticket.
On the flight to MAD in J, it was very uneventful. Service lacked (as usual), no welcome by any crew (not that I care about it, but you will see my point in this post later). Pretty much a very plain flight. The crew were least bothered and just wanted to get done with their work.

I returned back the next day, thus had the same crew. Only this time I was in Y. The service honestly was impeccable. They immediately recognized the PLAT status, was escorted to my seat, SFS came by and introduced himself, got first dibs on the my meal preference, asked if I wanted any drinks from up front, asked if I was comfortable / needed anything throughout the flight. Had 2 seats blocked next to me. Not that all the above really matters (the seats blocked were nice - more room), but this just shows the inconsistency between cabins, with the same crew. I actually enjoyed my Y sector much more than J. It was like night and day.

Just makes you wonder if EK are trying to lure their passengers to fly Y rather than their premium cabins? It sure felt like that. To be honest, from all my years of flying, it seems like J is the new Y, and if you want great service, F is only the way to go (and Y at times)

Since Platinum was introduced I have traveled in all three classes on many occasions and might as well have been invisible in terms of status. I have never had any of the little extra touches you mentioned I have simply received what I paid for - a seat in the cabin I paid for and the respective standard service levels, at best. Not complaining, just saying.

I also feel there are huge differences between crews, not sure if between class. I'm only Gold, not Plat. On some flights, I get the same as torontoflyer: welcome from SFS/Purser and crew, meal dibs, asked if I'm OK, need drinks, snacks, Godiva choc in Y and on others I'm not even acknowledged and get the same lackadaisical treatment as everyone else.

I just did an ULH in Y with EK where no one, neither the purser or any sfs ever came to check on me/ acknowledge my presence....

Welcome to my World.

Have to say that I am not looking forward to it much...

Think about the cabin crew! 100% mix from around the world. Pretty low pay. Living in Dubai which sooner or later will wear off. Constant fatigue crossing the world. One week in LA the next Sydney. No staff bonus the past few years. Add it all up they don't give a sh!t about you or service.

While some DO love the job, I think most do not.

I think they are paid ok. Agree on the bonus though. EK should wise up and start paying bonuses again.

Have to agree with you. Flew LGW-DXB and DXB-CMB-SIN in Y earlier this month. The first flight was the worst I have ever experienced on EK, with stressed-out staff and injury, by food cart, added to insult The second flight was just the opposite, with the crew being very welcoming, attentive and proactive, befitting my Gold status. One of my best flights in Y on EK.

During the brief layover in CMB, I had the opportunity to have a long chat with a flight attendant from the UK. She told me that most cabin crew hated flights to London, because of the crowding and unruly passengers, and they also hated flying the 380's, because of what they considered to be draconian regulations (how many FA's have you seen smile in J/Y on a 380?).

This little episode has decided me not to seek Gold in 2015. I don't have to, as I am Gold with Star and One-world, but I am just amazed at the number of pax who seemingly put up with this crap.

and there are tons of staff perks re flights and discounts across Dubai...

... and they fly less than EY crew, and they know.

Because all the major one world and star alliance crew are so much more pleasant I suppose! Good luck getting a smile on BA.

The BA lot are all ancient.

Give me the EK fitties anyday!

I was forced to fly BA two weeks ago. Got summoned to head office and they paid and it was allegedly cheaper on BA than EK. I say allegedly because I didn't see the fare myself.

Haven't flown a legacy major in years and the contrast was stark for me. Metal seemed ancient, with few bells or whistles. Some of the CC were very nice and friendly, but most looked haggard (and some of the CC on the ME airlines are nice and friendly too, with none in recent memory haggard). Service felt clunky and like scattershot. All round experience was meh.

I have my gripes with EK, EY and QR but my money will largely go to those three. Service is increasingly becoming hit and miss, but I'm not bothered if I don't get recognised or acknowledged (and I do often enough), unless the Gold chap sitting next to me is and I'm not. It's not a published benefit anyhow, just something nice that happens once in a while.

Well said. I recently flew BA after a long period of inactivity and found it quite a shock. The worlds' favourite airline has fallen a long way from its peak.