Hey, I was wondering if there was any way of knowing which aircraft will take me to my destination. I don't mean model (a380, 77w, etc) but I mean, the actual aircraft (Example: the a6-EEF). And if so, with how many anticipation can we know? I'll be flying on an a380 for the first time, and i kind of wanted to know if i'll be getting the new business class products.

PS: question is before getting to the airport/gate (in case someone suggests that )

Hopefully others more knowledgeable than me will be able to answer your question (assuming an answer is indeed possible .......). But of course even if an aircraft can be identified in advance, there is every possibility of a last-minute switch due to operational/technical issues etc. The best-laid plans and all that ....

From a personal perspective, I often think it would be more useful to be able to establish something about the crew rostered to a particular flight you're about to take. After many years of flying and having now experienced 81 different airlines around the globe, I am more convinced than ever that it's the crew who can make a flight memorably special (whether good or bad ....!!) rather than a/c equipment, facilities or 'hard product' as the jargon has it these days ........

No chance of knowing in advance. Although the more planes are delivered in 2014, the greater chance of sitting in a new plane.

For security purposes is this information not kept secret until it's really required.

So if you find out it's an old A380, then what?

Funny how we can consider an EK A380 as "old"... Just fly US carrier or Jet Airways or some exotic Chinese carrier and you'll learn the real definition of old! And the best would be US carrier where both soft and hard products are old

Biman Bangladesh still has a DC-10!

IranAir is truly special.

There was a thread somewhere where people were moaning about "tired" 380s.

Lol we are very spoilt with Emirates.

That would be me. A6-EDK in J. Seats very worn out and scratches on TV and panelling.

I have travelled a lot, and this would be the first time travelling a Middle East airline (haven't travelled in the Luxurious Asian Airlines either). I did travel in some of the good European ones (Lufthansa, British, Iberia, Alitalia).. but i mainly fly in American ones. I know what old planes are. I was just wondering because I'm very excited to meet Asia, and I'm a person who likes to know as much information about the trip, as possible.

I won't be sad if i get the "old" ones. I just want to know before i travel them, I'm anxious and can't wait. Spent over 70k in tickets and would like to start enjoying it before the actual flight.

Just out of curiosity, scratches on panelling may be normal wear and tear, but scratches on TV? Can they be wear and tear or are they deliberate vandalism?

I'd say it is vandalism. They we're quite deep, as if a knife or some sort of sharp object was used.

The seats and panelling is wear and tear (and that is understandable), but there is a point at which they need to be replaced.

In short, avoid 26J on A6-EDK.

They were selling tickets for their last ever flight to BHX ( yes!) for that aircraft not so long ago. It will be scrapped after hence it's a one way ticket.

That information is kept secret. However you can always tell what airplane you'll be on if you're outside of DXB by checking the inbound aircraft's registration.