After your successful lobbying to have Hennessy Paradis restored to its rightful place in the F bar, another serious EK first world injustice has come to light: the removal of Balik salmon from the DXB F lounge to be replaced with smoked Scottish salmon rolls (not knocking Scottish salmon of course, but it's not balik ) in the current food cycle.

This, along with the 16 months absence of chocolate rolls from the bread basket (unpleasant apple turnovers replaced them, yet pain au chocolate is still printed on the menu) must not stand - when will the cost cutting end? Dom to be replaced with Taittinger Brut?

Since EK definitely doesn't listen to Skywards members of any tiers, but sometimes have been known to listen to iOs, I call upon you all to use the powers and privileges of your lofty stations to right this terrible wrong and restore harmony to the hallowed halls of the DXB F lounges. Balik must return!

Be the heroes Flyertalk needs (yet we probably don't deserve) - contact your EK reps today!

I'm in the first lounge at a gates now will investigate and report back!

Balik salmon is still here.

I can also confirm the first lounge is still full of qf plats.

Phew, I was in there the other day for breakfast and lo and behold, no balik!

Hmm. No surprise there.

So which carrier's pax have had the best of that particular partnership, I wonder ........

If you think QF elites are being spoilt by the EK DXB F Lounge I'm sorry to say that most of us it dislike it (it's discussed at length in QFF elite Facebook groups).

It does not compare to the QF F Lounge at SYD is considered one of the best in the world.

And if you want to compare products EK does not offer personal hosts to F pax to escort them through their ports like QF does.

There is no way imo that the QF first lounge in Sydney is better than the EF first lounge

QF's 1st lounge may be one of the best in OneWorld , but wouldn't be rating it as one of the best

I disagree with you based on:

• EK's 1970s looking furniture
• Quality of food
• Service
• Ambience
• Lighting and space

I'm sure you've spent a lot of time in both the QF and EK flagship lounges, as have I, but I'd rate the QF F SYD lounge as superior to its EK equivalent at Dubai.

Sure, it's not as expansive, although I personally don't count that against it - but the space, design, furnishings and fittings, spa and especially the dining for QF all trump those of EK, imho.

I know which lounge I'd rather be stuck in for three hours.

Another data point for everyone to consider I guess.

I haven't been to either many times but I remember the times I visited both for the first time.
The SYD F lounge has a wow factor that left me very impressed along with the service and attention to detail and available amenities.

The first time I went to the DXB EK F lounge I thought wow this place is huge and then I saw the cafeteria and long wait for a shower... Staff were hard to find as the place was so huge and the food offering was very (for this comparison) uni cafeteria like. Comfortable place to wait for the next flight sure, amazing lounge to be considered one of the world's best? So far I don't think so.

I think people tend to like different lounges for different reasons, and the QF F 'flagship' lounges at their prime stations of SYD and MEL are undoubtedly very, very good with a feeling of personalised service.

But to say that the F lounges which EK provide at their own home of DXB "do not compare to the QF F lounge at SYD" is a harsh assessment IMO.

As harsh as the below, perhaps? You seem to state that we are running rampant in your esteemed F Lounge.

I think both have done pretty well out of it. The EK Plats and IO's who get to escape the very ordinary EK Lounges at SYD/MEL for a dedicated F lounge and Spa.

Personally I really like the DXB F Lounges and I actually rate the service and food in the dining area higher and more consistent than QF F.

Hi m0hamed .... well wrt the lounges specifically, I did qualify with 'IMO' and I realise that others may see things differently. And in my defence, I didn't exactly denigrate the QF offerings at SYD or MEL ....in fact I was complimentary about them.

But my comment about the partnership actually related to the reciprocal benefits overall. I happen to think that it's been of more use/benefit to QF loyalists than EK folk; but again, just my opinion FWIW .....

Not to mention QF Domestic Business Lounges as opposed to the Qantas Pub.