I'll be flying for the first time in Emirates Suites later this month and would appreciate any advice from those who have trodden this exclusive carpet before. It's not actually my first time in Emirates First but that was in 1996 and things have changed somewhat since then (but I still have the great leather amenity bag that I got on that flight).

I am on EK030 connecting to EK761 which I believe is a 777 with private suites.

Does anyone know:

(1) will I get pyjamas and an amenity kit on either of these flights (just so I can be prepared with my own)?

(2) I only have a short connection (under 2 hours) - how should I best maximise my time in the lounge?

(3) what sort of meal offering would there be on the second leg which departs at 4.40 and arrives as 10.50?

(4) any other advice as to how I can get the best from the flights and the lounge would be appreciated

My return flights are in business on EK766 and EK029 - again if anyone has any pearls of wisdom as to seating, amenities and menus on these flights I would be very grateful.

Many thanks in anticipation.

1. From (recent) memory, you should get pyjamas and an amenity kit on EK30. I think I did.

2. The answer to this partly depends on whether your arriving and departing flights leave from the same part of Emirates' terminal at Dubai. Each concourse has its own First lounge. Travelling between concourses will eat into your stopover time. The answer is also a matter of what your preferences are. At the time your flight arrives from Heathrow food options will be more limited but breakfast should be available, with waiter service.

4. EK29 is a daytime service but pyjamas and amenity kits should be available.

You can order any item from the impressive menu at any time (although last orders for hot food are taken 90 minutes before landing, if memory serves). If you do not intend eating shortly after takeoff it might be a good idea to reserve the items you want in advance (on one occasion they had run out of what I wanted).

One thing to watch out for, possibly. When I left from the First lounge in concourse A the display at the gate went from showing nothing (not even flight number/destination ) straight to "final call" and there was no member of staff present allowing passengers through. When someone turned up, she said "It does that". I had a minor panic thinking the flight might go without me!

Apart from the A380s� showers, I prefer the 777. It has fewer First suites and the fuselage is larger. Perhaps the suites are larger, too.

Enjoy your first First experience!

Thanks! I appreciate your reply and tips.

If anyone is interested in a trip review, I will be happy to post one.

Speaking personally, a trip review would indeed be welcome.

I'm in a very similar situation to yourself, in as much as I am booked to travel EK next month on several sectors - my first trip with them in many years, since taking a fair few EK flights in the 90's and very early 00's (happily in premium cabins only) and my memories of which are nothing but positive.

As you say, things have changed somewhat over time. Many (most?) of the changes I am in no doubt have been for the better, but from what I read here on the forum, it's not ALL been good. But then I guess that applies to life in general .........

To answer my own questions:

(1) I got PJs and amenity kit on EK030 (LHR to DXB) connecting to EK761 (DXB to JNB) - this was in First Class. I also got an amenity kit on EK766 (JNB to DXB) in Business Class but not on EK029 (DXB to LHR) in Business Class - this was a day flight.

(2) I had to change concourse in Terminal 3 and this did take up some time as it involved taking a train. I did not get to see much of the lounge but I did have time for a back massage which was very energising.

(3) The flight from DXB to JNB which departed at 4.40am offered a continental breakfast, a hot breakfast, a selection of sandwiches (light bites) and a selection of pastries (sweet delights).

(4) The FAs on the 4 flights came in 2 types - those who could not do enough for you and those who could not have cared less. In fact, there was only one who could not have cared less - the others were all a credit to the airline.

If there is interest in a fuller flight report (details of lounges, menus, wine lists and so on) please speak up and I'll be happy to give warts and all details!

Thanks again to Seat64A - I agree that the 777 was preferable in First Class to the A380 - the suite did seem larger and even though the cabin was full on the 777 and only had 5 seats occupied on the A380 the service was still attentive and impeccable.

I'd also say that the angled business class seat on the 777 was extremely comfortable to sleep on and did not feel claustrophic like the A380 seat.

I'd love to see a full TR please. I have my first EK F experience in December, three sectors from Germany to Australia and back three sectors on EK A380. The fourth sector is with QF but at 4.5k euros I can live with that.

Europe-Australia return in F? That's a steal! I was looking at DXB-EZE and just that leg return was around 15k USD.

I had my first F last week EK78 from NCE to DXB on a 777 regular seats, and then EK384 DXB-BKK-HKG. That was really nice !

The overall experience is nice : flights, lounge, spa, on board shower that's brilliant. The only thing would be that F service is more about you ask things, than FA provide you things compared to J. For example, if you don't ask pajamas on a day/evening flight, you won't get them. But once you understood that you can ring them (almost you have to) to get anything, then it is high class service.

Next step would be to have the on board massage

Yes, that's one thing I thought EK could do better. If it is around meal time or the FAs notice that a pax has woken up, then they should come and ask if the pax requires anything or would like to eat/ drink. They assume that you'll ring the bell if you need anything and they will attend to you almost immediately. But its not spontaneous and the pax needs to make the first 'move' - that's the one thing I felt EK probably falls a bit short of in F.

httDoubt if we will ever see on board massage on EK. I've never flown Virgin but they used to have it but had to stop. KF used to have it but they have stopped flying anyway.AFAIK no mainstream carrier offers an on board massage nowadays.

Possibly after this case in the lounge.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/virgi...t-6576196.html

So it seems fat business men flying premium cabins stuffed it up for everybody else!

It sure is and it's over Christmas & New Year too, that's why I didn't hesitate to cancel an existing booking and book this . Limos and Dubai connect included too. We could've done it without a long layover in Dubai but it's actually what we wanted.

I posted it in the Good Deal Premium Fares thread in the Mileage Run Forum. KVS followed up with the fare rules. It looks like it is a companion type fare but I have confirmed that we will both earn miles. I haven't decided where to put those miles as Skywards looks to be rubbish. I'll probably stick the QF labelled flights in my BA Exec. Club account.
I've experienced the on board massage procedure with VS. It was pot luck if you got selected for a treatment and then the treatment quality was poor and a lot of faff, it really wasn't worth the effort.

Very similar fares (€4,800) in F ex DUB to SYD/BNE etc over the same period - don't seem to be companion fares....also thinking about cancelling an existing booking but made more complicated as booked via QF as was over €600 cheaper for same routing all on EK operated flights

Fare Conditions:
All fares and seats are subject to availability.
Valid for return travel only departing from Dublin airport.
Minimum stay: three days.
Maximum stay: four months.
Valid only on direct Emirates flight EK 162 between Dublin and Dubai.
Valid only on direct Emirates flight EK 161 between Dubai and Dublin.
Tickets must be purchased at least five days prior to travel commencing.
Stopovers:
One stopover permitted in Dubai in each direction at no additional charge.
One additional stopover permitted in each direction at a charge of EUR 100.
Including a stopover is subject to seat availability and a higher fare may be quoted as a result.
Reservation changes: permitted at a charge of EUR 250 per change.
Reservation changes after no-show: permitted at a charge of EUR 350 per change.
Cancellations before departure: permitted at a charge of EUR 250.
Cancellations after no-show: permitted at a charge of EUR 500.
Child discount: not applicable.
Infants aged under 2 years: charge 10% of applicable adult fare when not occupying a seat.
Valid on Emirates flights only: not valid on any codeshare flights.

Yes, I saw this too (It was 4.5k when I was looking) and did consider it but it's easier for us to go from Munich as opposed to Dubai really.DUB was on the 777, rightly or wrongly we wanted the A380. I also promised my wife I'd take her to Munich after raving about my various trips there and she will love the Christmas markets.

Still as you say it's another great fare. I got the companion fare info from KVS, no idea if it really was as my booking conditions are identical to yours.