I'm probably changing my allegiance from BA to Emirates for my twice yearly London(LHR or LGW) to Cape Town flight which I do in business or first class. I've just booked my first first class return on Emirates due to depart in a couple of weeks and seem to have encountered my first negative for EK vs BA.

My problem is that my usual check-in suitcase has total dimensions (length + width + height) of 156cm inc handles and wheels vs the 150cm limit for Emirates. I just called Emirates and got a pretty blunt "no" regarding any flexibility. Even worse, they told me that they wouldn't check in the bag at all and that it would have to be shipped as cargo. In comparison BA will check in baggage up to 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (total 208cm) for each piece and even waive oversize fees for bags up to 190 x 75 x 65 (total 330cm) provided it is within the 32kg weight allowance.

Is Emirates really this inflexible even with travellers in first class?

Actually I'd say that I've encountered my first 2 negatives vs BA, one the checked baggage allowances and the other the helpfulness of the call centre staff. With BA one gets a dedicated number for first class ticket holders and the people on that number really are incredibly helpful, waive certain charges in the blink of an eye, etc.

Maybe I'm getting my bad experience from the Emirates call centre because right now I have never flown with them and am a lowly blue tier member with zero points to his name. By all accounts the in-flight experience will more than make up for the worse ground experience that I have had so far.

Of course they'll say no if you ask, rules are rules. If you show up my guess is you'd be fine - but just a guess, don't hold me to it. Can you find a 6cm smaller piece of luggage?

You won't have an issue. The check in staff won't notice - they are only interested in making sure hand baggage is not too big (you are generally asked to show your hand baggage, and they give you a tag to show it's been checked).

Thanks. You're right of course, a cut-off has to be a cut-off at some point otherwise why have it.

I'm actually wondering whether I can get a couple of luggage straps and squish those extra 6 cm out of my case somehow or even take the wheels off (I've done my back in so I'll be travelling with mobility help so that I don't have to lift any of the cases).

I also found "The Ultimate Emirates Baggage Guide Thread FAQ" in this section after making my post and info there seems to contradict what the Emirates rep told me a few minutes ago. That thread says (if I read it right) that it is only once the total dimensions go beyond 300cm when it needs to go as cargo....

I think I'll just turn up with my 156cm case. So long as the penalty if they get awkward is only me paying an oversize charge vs it going into the cargo system then I'm not risking too much, only money, and at least I would still be sure (as anyone can ever be) that it would come out on the carousel when I arrive.

I use a North face rolling thunder 36" (total 176cm), I have used it on 16 flights in a mixture of economy and business and never had a single problem. I'll be using it again this week, cue inevitable problem!