A couple of questions to put out there, nothing that important but am curious on the answers.

1. Flew EK380 DXB-HKG this week for the first time, am usually on the earlier flight. Even though this left DXB 10am local time, arrived HKG 10pm local time, and it was daytime throughout - why was the cabin put into "night mode" for most of the flight? Lights off and window shades down (though not mine!).

2. My wife's passport has a different surname from mine. Every time I book us on the same EK ticket, whether through an agent or direct, EK uses her surname for the whole booking (itinerary, e-mails, etc). Hers is first alphabetically but I'm always the lead passenger. Rest assured this doesn't bother me, am just wondering why it happens

You can use your email for the reservation if you want .
Anecdotally its been reported here that your wife's status will also determine your op up chances.I think it was mrtdxb on the forum ???
( i.e Status of the person first alphabetically on a joint booking matters)

It's a strange one this. I pay for the travel and book, wifey is gold yet she is always the lead passenger!

Oh well op ups have been relatively good.

Odd! Well, at the moment neither of us have status with EK, but if either of us is going to get it, it's more likely to be me.

thats because you are both Gold. Welcome to my world where I am gold and the miissus is Silver and she is the lead pax.

Result. While travelling together we still get the occasional op up (especially ex DEL where even Silvers are considered). However its nowhere near my strike rate (Almost 75% op up rate) when I am travelling alone from DEL.

Wait till you travel with a 2 year old. Then, irrespective of who the lead passenger is, your op-up rate will drop to zero.

.

The e-mail comes through to me, beginning "Dear [wife's surname]"

Don't bother with kids!

And THANK GOD FOR THAT! Why do you think we even pay for business - to AVOID beeing stucked between 4 2 year olds

Some 42 year old's can be worse. Especially I they have had a massive amounts of grape / grain based beverages .

Actually, I was talking about a J-F upgrade....

My boss claims j to f with his kid and wife.