777 New F - trip report
Jan 5, 2018, 10:26 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
Jan 6, 2018, 9:54 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,395
Excellent, balanced review, and an ‘easy-to-digest’ writing style. Thanks Lkaroo
It comes across as an undoubtedly high quality product - yet, not so much above the standard of current EK F class that I feel the same keen urge to experience it, as was the case several years ago with the A380 soon after launch. And I think for anything over 8 hours or so, I would still value the shower facility very highly in a straight choice between the two.
(bet you were brought down to earth very quickly on that BA Club Europe sector ! )
It comes across as an undoubtedly high quality product - yet, not so much above the standard of current EK F class that I feel the same keen urge to experience it, as was the case several years ago with the A380 soon after launch. And I think for anything over 8 hours or so, I would still value the shower facility very highly in a straight choice between the two.
(bet you were brought down to earth very quickly on that BA Club Europe sector ! )
Jan 6, 2018, 3:17 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Europe
Programs: EK plat, ex-FB gold, Accor plat
Posts: 1,076
Excellent, balanced review, and an ‘easy-to-digest’ writing style. Thanks Lkaroo
It comes across as an undoubtedly high quality product - yet, not so much above the standard of current EK F class that I feel the same keen urge to experience it, as was the case several years ago with the A380 soon after launch. And I think for anything over 8 hours or so, I would still value the shower facility very highly in a straight choice between the two.
(bet you were brought down to earth very quickly on that BA Club Europe sector ! )
It comes across as an undoubtedly high quality product - yet, not so much above the standard of current EK F class that I feel the same keen urge to experience it, as was the case several years ago with the A380 soon after launch. And I think for anything over 8 hours or so, I would still value the shower facility very highly in a straight choice between the two.
(bet you were brought down to earth very quickly on that BA Club Europe sector ! )
Jan 7, 2018, 12:34 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
I would certainly fact check anything the magazine says - they confused Bangkok with Johannesburg last year.
Great report - as an aside about the crew rostered for the new planes, as a minimum one of the F crew will have specific training for the new product (and unfortunately for them they can’t swap out easily!) and EK will I expect be taking an interest in who is up for training!
Great report - as an aside about the crew rostered for the new planes, as a minimum one of the F crew will have specific training for the new product (and unfortunately for them they can’t swap out easily!) and EK will I expect be taking an interest in who is up for training!
Jan 9, 2018, 4:03 am
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
Excellent, balanced review, and an ‘easy-to-digest’ writing style. Thanks Lkaroo
It comes across as an undoubtedly high quality product - yet, not so much above the standard of current EK F class that I feel the same keen urge to experience it, as was the case several years ago with the A380 soon after launch. And I think for anything over 8 hours or so, I would still value the shower facility very highly in a straight choice between the two.
(bet you were brought down to earth very quickly on that BA Club Europe sector ! )
It comes across as an undoubtedly high quality product - yet, not so much above the standard of current EK F class that I feel the same keen urge to experience it, as was the case several years ago with the A380 soon after launch. And I think for anything over 8 hours or so, I would still value the shower facility very highly in a straight choice between the two.
(bet you were brought down to earth very quickly on that BA Club Europe sector ! )
When bloggers and influencers write things like holy frigging cr@p, omfg, and see how many times they can use the word gorgeous to describe the new product, I do not think that their reality is the same as the majority of travellers in J and F.
I have never felt the need for additional privacy in EK F which is something that was touted by the TPG review (and no doubt will be by OMAAT too). If anything, I found it a little creepy when the crew were trying to peer through the various gaps to check if I needed anything (not a reflection of the crew themselves).
Of course, it was a very enjoyable flight and I am glad I tried it out. One thing which I meant to check out which I forgot to was to see if the new J seats really are fully lie flat. As a side sleeper, I find the old 777 J to be extremely uncomfortable (or perhaps just use this as an excuse to upgrade to F...).
And yes, the sheer opulence of BA Club Europe was certainly a dose of cold hard reality.
Jan 9, 2018, 5:50 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,156
Thanks. Your summary reflects exactly how I feel about the new product.
When bloggers and influencers write things like holy frigging cr@p, omfg, and see how many times they can use the word gorgeous to describe the new product, I do not think that their reality is the same as the majority of travellers in J and F.
I have never felt the need for additional privacy in EK F which is something that was touted by the TPG review (and no doubt will be by OMAAT too). If anything, I found it a little creepy when the crew were trying to peer through the various gaps to check if I needed anything (not a reflection of the crew themselves).
Of course, it was a very enjoyable flight and I am glad I tried it out. One thing which I meant to check out which I forgot to was to see if the new J seats really are fully lie flat. As a side sleeper, I find the old 777 J to be extremely uncomfortable (or perhaps just use this as an excuse to upgrade to F...).
And yes, the sheer opulence of BA Club Europe was certainly a dose of cold hard reality.
On a side note relating to privacy, the camera used for speaking with the crew, does it have any indication of it switched on? Maybe the crew could peak into all suites from their panel without having to walk through the cabin? From a service standpoint that would be great depending on the angle/view it affords (e.g. they could know when you've finished your appetiser or running low on water...)
Last edited by edy4eva; Jan 9, 2018 at 5:55 am
Jan 9, 2018, 8:21 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
Great review. I wonder whether EK invited some of their top tier F flyers to test the product ahead of adopting it or was is a closed door production? It seems some of the points you made (esp the bed positioning) could have been identified and rectified during development.
On a side note relating to privacy, the camera used for speaking with the crew, does it have any indication of it switched on? Maybe the crew could peak into all suites from their panel without having to walk through the cabin? From a service standpoint that would be great depending on the angle/view it affords (e.g. they could know when you've finished your appetiser or running low on water...)
On a side note relating to privacy, the camera used for speaking with the crew, does it have any indication of it switched on? Maybe the crew could peak into all suites from their panel without having to walk through the cabin? From a service standpoint that would be great depending on the angle/view it affords (e.g. they could know when you've finished your appetiser or running low on water...)
Nov 21, 2018, 7:21 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
Second time in the new F on HND-DXB thanks to an op-up last week. Would have upgraded anyway so it was a bonus... Some further thoughts:
1) The virtual windows were glitchy, quite often going black. On this route, I usually try and use sunlight to wake up before landing. The virtual windows are obviously nowhere near as bright nor do they provide natural light, and so, given the choice, I would likely choose a window seat in the future.
2) The bedding and mattress are really very comfortable but I found it annoying as a side sleeper that the seat does not go fully flat. Felt a bit like a of a backwards step from the existing product especially given the new 777 J is fully flat.
3) The suite doors really are hard to open. The passenger in the suite opposite me got stuck and the crew struggled to open the door from the outside. I was hoping the gentleman would have to try and escape through the service window. I was dissapointed when his door was finally opened. It was certainly more entertaining than anything on ICE.
4) Speaking of which, the service window is completely pointless and...
5) None of the crew appeared to have any training on the new product. I'd flown with one of the crew several times before and she has always been fairly reserved. On this flight, she seemed positively terrified especially during the passenger incident in (3) above.
6) An elderly Japanese couple were on their 50th anniversary trip and were rather bemused that they were unable to sit next to each other. As I understand it, there has been no advertisement of the new F product in Japan so this was completely unexpected.
7) Finally, depending on your mood lighting choice, your suite can be made to look like a love hotel. Allegedly.
I remain of the view that the new F product is very good. However, I think certain aspects are not particularly well thought out. Is it really a game changer? I'm not convinced whether it is significantly better than 'standard' EK first.
1) The virtual windows were glitchy, quite often going black. On this route, I usually try and use sunlight to wake up before landing. The virtual windows are obviously nowhere near as bright nor do they provide natural light, and so, given the choice, I would likely choose a window seat in the future.
2) The bedding and mattress are really very comfortable but I found it annoying as a side sleeper that the seat does not go fully flat. Felt a bit like a of a backwards step from the existing product especially given the new 777 J is fully flat.
3) The suite doors really are hard to open. The passenger in the suite opposite me got stuck and the crew struggled to open the door from the outside. I was hoping the gentleman would have to try and escape through the service window. I was dissapointed when his door was finally opened. It was certainly more entertaining than anything on ICE.
4) Speaking of which, the service window is completely pointless and...
5) None of the crew appeared to have any training on the new product. I'd flown with one of the crew several times before and she has always been fairly reserved. On this flight, she seemed positively terrified especially during the passenger incident in (3) above.
6) An elderly Japanese couple were on their 50th anniversary trip and were rather bemused that they were unable to sit next to each other. As I understand it, there has been no advertisement of the new F product in Japan so this was completely unexpected.
7) Finally, depending on your mood lighting choice, your suite can be made to look like a love hotel. Allegedly.
I remain of the view that the new F product is very good. However, I think certain aspects are not particularly well thought out. Is it really a game changer? I'm not convinced whether it is significantly better than 'standard' EK first.
Nov 21, 2018, 7:54 am
#44
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
Yep - it's not something I'm going to go out of my way to try.
