Some Emirates observations after almost a year away
Jun 15, 2016, 8:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,657
Some Emirates observations after almost a year away
So I flew a few roundtrips with Emirates in the last few weeks after almost a year away (and having held Skywards elite status from 2008-2015).
Some observations and commentary :
a) Why on earth are remote parking stands still being used when the entire Concourse C is now exclusive use for Emirates? All my arrivals were at remote stands, including one where it took over 45 minutes from touchdown until the bus reached the terminal.
b) The streamlined Terminal 1 experience has become a definite product differentiator against Emirates now that Concourse D is open. I average no more than 30 minutes from touchdown to curbside using eGate flying into T1, thanks to the reduced taxi times and the shuttle train directly to immigration. Terminal 3 with remote stands can take 90 minutes.
c) Is there a new policy on Emirates to make passengers put their seats upright during meals? I know they have done this when someone is sitting behind you (as is common sense), but I specifically select 50G so that I can recline and sleep as I very rarely choose to eat on board. However, on two flights I was woken up by crew and asked to put my seat upright during the meal service. Including one flight where I was the only person in my row and there was nobody either in front or behind me, plus I had the DND sticker displayed. Complained to the SFS who apologised and said the crewmember was new and was just following policy.
d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
e) Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A is a disgrace. Standing room only (or sit on the floor) at peak departure time. 10 minute line for the sole bartender on duty and not even self-service drinking water available.
Some observations and commentary :
a) Why on earth are remote parking stands still being used when the entire Concourse C is now exclusive use for Emirates? All my arrivals were at remote stands, including one where it took over 45 minutes from touchdown until the bus reached the terminal.
b) The streamlined Terminal 1 experience has become a definite product differentiator against Emirates now that Concourse D is open. I average no more than 30 minutes from touchdown to curbside using eGate flying into T1, thanks to the reduced taxi times and the shuttle train directly to immigration. Terminal 3 with remote stands can take 90 minutes.
c) Is there a new policy on Emirates to make passengers put their seats upright during meals? I know they have done this when someone is sitting behind you (as is common sense), but I specifically select 50G so that I can recline and sleep as I very rarely choose to eat on board. However, on two flights I was woken up by crew and asked to put my seat upright during the meal service. Including one flight where I was the only person in my row and there was nobody either in front or behind me, plus I had the DND sticker displayed. Complained to the SFS who apologised and said the crewmember was new and was just following policy.
d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
e) Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A is a disgrace. Standing room only (or sit on the floor) at peak departure time. 10 minute line for the sole bartender on duty and not even self-service drinking water available.
Jun 15, 2016, 8:16 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
So I flew a few roundtrips with Emirates in the last few weeks after almost a year away (and having held Skywards elite status from 2008-2015).
Some observations and commentary :
a) Why on earth are remote parking stands still being used when the entire Concourse C is now exclusive use for Emirates? All my arrivals were at remote stands, including one where it took over 45 minutes from touchdown until the bus reached the terminal.
b) The streamlined Terminal 1 experience has become a definite product differentiator against Emirates now that Concourse D is open. I average no more than 30 minutes from touchdown to curbside using eGate flying into T1, thanks to the reduced taxi times and the shuttle train directly to immigration. Terminal 3 with remote stands can take 90 minutes.
c) Is there a new policy on Emirates to make passengers put their seats upright during meals? I know they have done this when someone is sitting behind you (as is common sense), but I specifically select 50G so that I can recline and sleep as I very rarely choose to eat on board. However, on two flights I was woken up by crew and asked to put my seat upright during the meal service. Including one flight where I was the only person in my row and there was nobody either in front or behind me, plus I had the DND sticker displayed. Complained to the SFS who apologised and said the crewmember was new and was just following policy.
d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
e) Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A is a disgrace. Standing room only (or sit on the floor) at peak departure time. 10 minute line for the sole bartender on duty and not even self-service drinking water available.
Some observations and commentary :
a) Why on earth are remote parking stands still being used when the entire Concourse C is now exclusive use for Emirates? All my arrivals were at remote stands, including one where it took over 45 minutes from touchdown until the bus reached the terminal.
b) The streamlined Terminal 1 experience has become a definite product differentiator against Emirates now that Concourse D is open. I average no more than 30 minutes from touchdown to curbside using eGate flying into T1, thanks to the reduced taxi times and the shuttle train directly to immigration. Terminal 3 with remote stands can take 90 minutes.
c) Is there a new policy on Emirates to make passengers put their seats upright during meals? I know they have done this when someone is sitting behind you (as is common sense), but I specifically select 50G so that I can recline and sleep as I very rarely choose to eat on board. However, on two flights I was woken up by crew and asked to put my seat upright during the meal service. Including one flight where I was the only person in my row and there was nobody either in front or behind me, plus I had the DND sticker displayed. Complained to the SFS who apologised and said the crewmember was new and was just following policy.
d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
e) Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A is a disgrace. Standing room only (or sit on the floor) at peak departure time. 10 minute line for the sole bartender on duty and not even self-service drinking water available.
a) That's unlucky, it happens to me around 10% of the time.
c) haven't noticed this
d) what the heck
e) Not related to EK in any way.
*grabs popcorn*
Jun 15, 2016, 10:15 am
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,045
So I flew a few roundtrips with Emirates in the last few weeks after almost a year away (and having held Skywards elite status from 2008-2015).
Some observations and commentary :
a) Why on earth are remote parking stands still being used when the entire Concourse C is now exclusive use for Emirates? All my arrivals were at remote stands, including one where it took over 45 minutes from touchdown until the bus reached the terminal.
Bus gates are still sometimes needed. Flight gets delayed/gate isn't available for some reason and sometimes it happens.
b) The streamlined Terminal 1 experience has become a definite product differentiator against Emirates now that Concourse D is open. I average no more than 30 minutes from touchdown to curbside using eGate flying into T1, thanks to the reduced taxi times and the shuttle train directly to immigration. Terminal 3 with remote stands can take 90 minutes.
EK/DXB Airport I believe is supposed to be work on updating the other terminals now the D is open. Can't happen overnight, but in general anything in DXB is update very frequently, but again can't be done overnight.
c) Is there a new policy on Emirates to make passengers put their seats upright during meals? I know they have done this when someone is sitting behind you (as is common sense), but I specifically select 50G so that I can recline and sleep as I very rarely choose to eat on board. However, on two flights I was woken up by crew and asked to put my seat upright during the meal service. Including one flight where I was the only person in my row and there was nobody either in front or behind me, plus I had the DND sticker displayed. Complained to the SFS who apologised and said the crewmember was new and was just following policy.
I always fly F or J so don't know there.
d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
At least he kept some type of clothing on over his bottom. I was on a flight (not EK) few years back and guy thought it's a nudist flight I guess.
e) Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A is a disgrace. Standing room only (or sit on the floor) at peak departure time. 10 minute line for the sole bartender on duty and not even self-service drinking water available.
Some observations and commentary :
a) Why on earth are remote parking stands still being used when the entire Concourse C is now exclusive use for Emirates? All my arrivals were at remote stands, including one where it took over 45 minutes from touchdown until the bus reached the terminal.
Bus gates are still sometimes needed. Flight gets delayed/gate isn't available for some reason and sometimes it happens.
b) The streamlined Terminal 1 experience has become a definite product differentiator against Emirates now that Concourse D is open. I average no more than 30 minutes from touchdown to curbside using eGate flying into T1, thanks to the reduced taxi times and the shuttle train directly to immigration. Terminal 3 with remote stands can take 90 minutes.
EK/DXB Airport I believe is supposed to be work on updating the other terminals now the D is open. Can't happen overnight, but in general anything in DXB is update very frequently, but again can't be done overnight.
c) Is there a new policy on Emirates to make passengers put their seats upright during meals? I know they have done this when someone is sitting behind you (as is common sense), but I specifically select 50G so that I can recline and sleep as I very rarely choose to eat on board. However, on two flights I was woken up by crew and asked to put my seat upright during the meal service. Including one flight where I was the only person in my row and there was nobody either in front or behind me, plus I had the DND sticker displayed. Complained to the SFS who apologised and said the crewmember was new and was just following policy.
I always fly F or J so don't know there.
d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
At least he kept some type of clothing on over his bottom. I was on a flight (not EK) few years back and guy thought it's a nudist flight I guess.
e) Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A is a disgrace. Standing room only (or sit on the floor) at peak departure time. 10 minute line for the sole bartender on duty and not even self-service drinking water available.
Jun 15, 2016, 11:34 am
#4
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
This forum has historically been about EK, DXB and Dubai in general, and the OP used to be a regular poster on here.
Jun 15, 2016, 11:47 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,657
Arguably, more relevant than the stripping Platinum anecdote.
Jun 15, 2016, 1:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Europe
Programs: EK plat, ex-FB gold, Accor plat
Posts: 1,076
a) It is a basic complain here. It's a real pain when it happens.
c) It is clearly not clever to ask if there is nobody behind you or if the guy behind you is sleeping.
d.1) I'd be very interested what kind of "big fuss" was done.
d.2) That has nothing to do with status. "Flying a lot" is not a synonym of "behaving well".
c) It is clearly not clever to ask if there is nobody behind you or if the guy behind you is sleeping.
d.1) I'd be very interested what kind of "big fuss" was done.
d.2) That has nothing to do with status. "Flying a lot" is not a synonym of "behaving well".
Jun 15, 2016, 8:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
a) It is a basic complain here. It's a real pain when it happens.
c) It is clearly not clever to ask if there is nobody behind you or if the guy behind you is sleeping.
d.1) I'd be very interested what kind of "big fuss" was done.
d.2) That has nothing to do with status. "Flying a lot" is not a synonym of "behaving well".
c) It is clearly not clever to ask if there is nobody behind you or if the guy behind you is sleeping.
d.1) I'd be very interested what kind of "big fuss" was done.
d.2) That has nothing to do with status. "Flying a lot" is not a synonym of "behaving well".
Jun 16, 2016, 12:26 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,657
Purser and SFS both came to meet him during boarding. Brought him a bag containing various goodies (not sure what was in it). Meal order taken and served before the service even started for everyone else. Etc...
Jun 16, 2016, 3:31 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
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Posts: 7,801
Jun 16, 2016, 3:37 am
#11
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Posts: 15,657
Jun 16, 2016, 6:27 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Europe
Programs: EK plat, ex-FB gold, Accor plat
Posts: 1,076
If this was in F, the beige bag filled with slippers, pajama and amenity kit is quite standard on LH/ULH flights and is distributed to all pax (at least, to those asking for it).
Anyway, as skywardhunter, I tend to think that this guy was rather a VIP than an average Plat.
Jun 16, 2016, 7:00 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
If this was in Y/J, I want to emphasize to everyone here that it is not standard procedure at all. Please don't think that Plats get special goodies.
If this was in F, the beige bag filled with slippers, pajama and amenity kit is quite standard on LH/ULH flights and is distributed to all pax (at least, to those asking for it).
Anyway, as skywardhunter, I tend to think that this guy was rather a VIP than an average Plat.
If this was in F, the beige bag filled with slippers, pajama and amenity kit is quite standard on LH/ULH flights and is distributed to all pax (at least, to those asking for it).
Anyway, as skywardhunter, I tend to think that this guy was rather a VIP than an average Plat.
Usual contents of those bags are bottles of water, chocolates, eyeshades, earplugs etc.
Still sounds like a weird Platinum pax rather than a VIP - a VIP is unlikely to be in Y after all!
Jun 16, 2016, 7:27 am
#14
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d) Very weird experience on an empty flight (~50 pax on a 77W). Skywards Platinum passenger (crew made a big fuss over him on boarding, etc..) a few rows ahead of me decided to strip down to underwear after his meal and stretched out topless across a row of seats with a blanket covering him. SFS and Purser were summoned and a heated argument ensued that eventually resulted in him putting his trousers and a T-shirt back on.
Jun 16, 2016, 7:36 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
All sorts of strange things on planes - VVIPs clearly taking drugs in the lavatories, a QF CL naked in his suite are among the tame ones!