First Class Upgrade
 

Just managed to bag myself my first trip in F from DXB to Man on EK21 for 25K miles. I have checked and this is suites as it stands.

I presume this will allow me F lounge access in Dubai, what other benefits will I get? Also, seat tips appreciated please, all 8 available on seat map right now.

You'll get F lounge access. Lounge in Dubai is very nice so get there early to enjoy a nice restaurant style meal. You're also entitled to a complimentary massage (15-20 mins) or they will give you a discount off a longer treatment.

As for seats, bag a window seat. If its a 777 I would say any window seat is fine.

Your chauffeur pick up in DXB if you need one will be a Merc rather than the Volvo.

2k...

This route is always suites now generally....odds are in your favour - there is probably more chance of being downgraded to a 2 class than getting sky cruisers but you never know....

In fact when is your flight - they are running that as a 380 at the moment...

Think you're getting mixed up, it's EK19/20 that's on an A380 temporarily at the moment.

Why 2K? I'd have thought all 4 window seats were identical, not so?

I prefer 1A on a 777 with suites. In reality all the suites are the same, but I guess it's just preference. And I also like 1A because when they connect the jet bridge to door 1L, it is easier to be the first one off.

I'd go for 1A on the 777..

Given the flight is less than 2 weeks away and I'm still the only F passenger who's reserved a seat (1A), I guess the 2 class aircraft is very much a possibility?

I guess it depends on the outbound from man as well and the loads on your flight in y and j...

I've been on a flight out of man in j with no pax in f at all.

Raptor23 - seems you're right to be wary of a switch to a 2 class, given the frequency with which this happens on 777's serving the likes of MAN and LGW.

Based on EKsource.com data, there was no F class provided on as many as 14 days over the past month alone for EK21

Thanks, had a look there myself, the last 10 days of Sept included 8 days with a 2 class aircraft, the first 3 days of Oct have all been 3 class, plus, the seat map now shows another first class passenger so fingers crossed.

Checking the inbound is a good idea as well. My travel is very flexible and I havent booked paid F for nearly 3 years due to this issue of aircraft switching. I book J fares and upgrade to F using miles (I only book the J tickets where an immediate upgrade is available if I really want to travel in F. )

I then cancel the upgrade if the inbound is 2 class or the one with old seats. (LGW is now becoming notorious for frequently switching to two class). No hassles and the miles are credited immediately.

How does one check the inbound? (in this case EK22) without a paid for Expertflyer account?

Also - if the aircraft is switched to a 2 class, what happens to me seat wise? I originally had a lovely 7K seat which will no doubt be not available when the aircraft is changed and I will end up with a last ditch middle seat in J. Will EK be sympathetic towards this and give me a small amount of miles as recompense?

Check the inbound from DXB here:

http://www.flightradar24.com/data/

If it's switched, get on line and choose a new seat via "Manage Existing Booking"

It's worth checking your seat choice a few days prior as I found out recently when a switch had been done 3 days before the actual flight.

Ukdoctor's comment that LGW is "now becoming notorious" for equipment - and hence class - downgrades is certainly borne out by the fact that six out of nine LGW departures in just these first few days of October did not carry an F cabin.

With this sort of practice now seemingly routine, perhaps EK should either come clean and not take bookings for F seats at all, or treat the route with more respect.

I think of late they have stopped the bait and switch game at Gatwick and most flights are sold as 2 class. I do however feel sorry for the revenue F pax (particularly the EK noobs ) who would have booked their trip of a lifetime months in advance.

Not every pax is informed that they have the option of switching flights to LHR on the 380 in F and the compensation is not automatic anyway.