Do you mean reward availability?

ExpertFlyer seems to indicate both NRT (EK319) and HND (EK313) will have the new product in September. Does that seem realistic?

No, no one is allowed in, not sure that will change this year

yes

Well I just flew out from NRT yesterday and can confirm it’s the new first class.

There are of course numerous circumstances in which people can fly to or from Japan - I am returning there in a few weeks. Having said that, I think it is unlikely HND will restart by September.

EK put on an event at the Mercedes Benz dealership in Roppongi just before the pandemic (start of February 2020) showcasing the new first class and together with promotional fares, sold quite a few tickets. I think it is safe to say that the new F will carry on this route for a while.

Seems to be utlized mainly on the following routes now, however also here last minute changes do occur especially on destinations such as ZRH:
BRU
FRA
GVA
NRT
CDG
ZRH

What have been the easiest awards to snag during this time with the new F? Are there any US routes that are often getting the new F substituted?

As a few data points, the new F will be on EK 378/379 (DXB-HKT-BKK) and EK 203/204 (DXB-JFK) effective July 2 for the foreseeable future.

is that a typo or are they adding a one stop to BKK via HKT? Flt numbers are the DXB-HKT-DXB.

Not yet eflecting on EF.

It's a tag-on to the HKT flight and completely bookable to/from DXB. It's to supplement the large cargo demand and excess passenger demand ex BKK.

The current DXB-BKK-HKG routing (EK384/385) still remains.

That explains the return time from HKT. Learned something new today!:tu:

Seems the Friday (Saturday 00;10 from HKT-DXB) return flights BKK_HKT_DXB still show old First. Although the outbound (from DXB_HKT_BKK had the new First.

I can’t see there being a different plane in BKK doing the return? No other day of week with this issue. Hoping just not loaded properly, as my HKT-DXB, of course, is on one of the days affected 😕

First two days flights have been flown by A6-EPI and EGS so neither have had the new first.

Correct - seems to be they're blocking 2 F seats, despite the aircraft having a CRC. Not sure what's going on. When I first looked, I saw 6F and figured it would be the new config.

Question to the experts of this thread: I know it's relatively easy with enough flexibility to find a single new F seat available with EK miles on the 777 between Europe and DXB, and that it's almost impossible to find two. But if I book one seat that's available with miles a month out, what are the chances that a second one opens up before departure? Thinking about booking one person in F and one in J and then bumping up the second person to F if it becomes available before departure, but no idea what the odds are of that strategy paying off or if it's more likely I'll just end up alone in J for 6+ hours.