Even the short hops allow you to experience all the features.

right but on a 2 hour short hop, are you really going to be able to eat, shower, sleep and hit up the bar? I mean I'm sure you could but I'm sure it would be rushed.

Here's what j did multiple times to maximize my Emirates experience. Overnight in the lounge. Checkout ALL the f and c lounges at dxb. Try to drink as much of the Paradise as possible. Had the opportunity to try the special edition one that costs $3k.

I didn't take the DP to the bar in hand but did go in my PJ =)

Had my first experience in F as well. Did the 777 and 380. 380 all the way over the 777 as the bar is so much fun. I think as others have noted, have some drinks, appetizers, then wander to the bar and enjoy. At some point wander back for your main meal, shower and take a nap!

Everytime a crew member freshly open a bottle of DP, I feel obliged to not waste any drop of it :D

I find the wearing of PJs to be wanky and unnecessarily conspicuous. I can't help but laugh when I see people waltzing off to the bar in their PJs to show who they think they are. I never wear them, but always take them as a gift to members of Ethiopian, Ugandan and Nigerian families whom I visit multiple times a year. They are really appreciated (and used more than once - they last for many months). They give much more pleasure than the single use posing exercise afforded on board. They also love the slippers and dental kits.

Re the DP, I agree. Overrated, and as a bubbly it can hit you hard at altitude. I stick to JW blue with a couple of repeats on the 13 hour hops from MEL to DXB. I don't eat much, I have a couple of appetisers and the fruit.

I love the service, never really had a bad experience in all the years I have flown EK F. Cabin crew always super friendly, helpful, professional and fun to chat with.

Tried the shower once years ago, and I've ignored it since. For me (but not for everyone) it's a novelty. I have the luxury of not needing to feel fresh for early meetings etc. these days and I can take things at a much more leisurely pace. If I'm staying in Dubai in the hot months and not transiting, I shower in the apartment. However, if an A380 ran between DXB and LOS, EBB and (to a lesser extent) ADD, I would consider using the shower before hitting the muggy air on arrival, no matter how short-lived the fresh feeling.... Although they are nothing like Dubai in August!!!

For me, the best way to maximise the EK F experience is to get a good, long sleep, which is really easy on that comfortable seat when configured as a lie flat bed. The privacy doors help too.

Funnily enough I think JW blue is totally overrated and that's one drink that to me is way overhyped (read overpriced). I really like DP but also not to the level that some people on these forums seem to. EK's beverage program investment is impressive, and I kind of wish they would invest more in their food. It's always fine for me but I'm rarely blown away by the main courses especially when most of them are the same as J.

Each to their own I guess. I'm no connoisseur of any spirit, I just know what I like.

And I couldn't agree more with your comment about the food. The mains do not excite. The appetisers are not fab but seem more palatable. Maybe I'm becoming like most other older persons, I just don't eat as much these days!

Having said all that about DP, I frequently have a "welcome aboard" glass and quite enjoy it!

I agree with you on the PJ's thing, I don't even wear PJ's at home, I hate them. I sleep in shorts and a t shirt... Of course I'll take em for family that uses them but I have zero interest in them. Or the slippers. Kit's are nice not because of the junk in them but I actually use them as for my shower toiletries at the gym, work trips, etc they come in handy. And I don't have to constantly empty sort them out. I even use one of them to store some extra cash in a safe SHH.

Regarding the DOM P, I'll take it over Krug, I thought Krug was the most disgusting Champagne I ever had and I wouldn't pay $6 for it. The taste was not sharp, clean and crisp. Did not taste anything like a BRUT. Only thing I like is the box design is very useful... DOM P is good, is it $150 bottle good, I think I rather spend that on Wagyu than DOM, however I'm always open to trying new champanges. I think maybe something like the P2 could be well worth it, never had it. Only had the 06, and 09. I hear the 08 which hasn't hit our NJ NY Metro liquor stores blows the 2 of those away so I'll def give it a try.

I like some of the Pol Roger vintages and the Louis Roederer BRUT, Bollinger, Tattinger are all decent. Between the $40-60 of those mentioned and $150 Dom I don't see the difference worth it. Maybe my taste buds can't recognize it. That being said FREE Dom is perfect!

Haven't tried Perrier Jouet Champagne one that I would like to try, and if anyone has some good suggestions feel free! I love a crisp brut.

I like that Emirates has a good wine program, so I'm looking forward to sampling them... JW Blue is nice but I can get that anywhere, some of these wines and champagnes you can't buy by the glass so you really have to be all in on em and I like being able to sample them without wasting $150 cough cough KRUG. Kinda like open bars you can sample stuff to expand your horizons. My girlfriend who has zero problems with drinking any kind of alc spit it out she thought it was so vile...

What about Henkel Trocken for bubbles instead?

Totally agree on this one..actually..the absolutely best wine proramme in the air and it would be a waste to limit yourself to the Dom. Even their business wines are way better than F wines in LH or BA..the other day i enjoyed a wonderful super Tusacan 2010 Tignanello (going for about 50 €) both in the Business lounge and on board. In the air they often ivest approx. 100€ into their Bordeauxs..I am not aware of any other airline (maybe QR) investing so much. And for the F maximizers: why not order a bottle of Paradis going for 850 USD..so you only have to drink one bottle rather than 6 bottles of Dom:)))))

You must have spent the last ten years flying Air Berlin in eco:p

I do agree with you. It's free (disregarding the ticket cost!) and not at all unpleasant.

This is a terrible pun and I mean no disrespect by it at all, I just have to say it:

Americans always talk about how they stand for and value their freeDOM!!