And then being ESCORTED to your seat!!! Unnecessary and embarrassing

Surely by the point you get enough status to get this, one would think you would know how to find the seat on a plane. And then the crew member has to fight the flow of people to get back to the door.

PAX in F seats are routinely escorted, it's not a status issue. I always feel bad for the pax behind me who are robbed of a second FA at the door and have to wait longer, just because I'm being escorted to a seat that I already know how to find!

Socks, eyeshades and earplugs still available via personal greeting in Y- hit and miss with a bottle of water or a glass though!

Can I help you find your seat ?
That should be a no brainer except for the visually impaired.

Reminds me of that time someone fell down the stairs at a remote gate after getting off my flight in F. It wasn't me, but it was hilarious.

Why is it embarrassing to be escorted to your seat? Flying with Etihad in Business I was often escorted from the lounge to my seat and several times escorted from the plane to the baggage area. On one occasion the lounge stewardess waited with me for an hour and a half whilst everyone else s luggage came off the baggage carousel but mine turned out to be still in Abu Dhabi and then sorting the claim and ensuring the chauffeur was still there. Now I agree that this level of service can not be provided to all especially on a A380.

yes that service was exceptional but in premium the least I expect once seated is a personal greeting along the lines of:

hello my name is xxx I am your cabin manager/I will be looking after you today (welcome back) and so on

+1
Usually, they don't know how to pronounce my name ...

This is standard procedure for F, and there is nothing to be embarassed as a maximum of 7 pax (one row) will see you during this uncomfortable moment.
It is always the same story : some complain that this is not necessary, and others will complain if this "service" is taken out.

I giggle when exiting the plane each time. Remembering the Saturday Night Live skit, Ba-Bye

I noticed this when I flew GLA-DXB-SYD and then MEL-DXB-LHR in December/January. A very noticeable difference in the level of service. A person of status in front of me had three or four wine top ups while I was still waiting to be served my first drink! They forgot my partner's breakfast on the MEL-DXB leg and treated him like he was trying to scam a second meal. I wasn't massively impressed by Business on EK and only used them because of the GLA starting point, which was convenient for that particular trip.

If you can't beat them, join them. You won't be far off gold with that itinerary, you can get those benefits too!

I used to be a loyal Etihad (business class) passenger and took my first EK trip recently. I found much to recommend EK business class on the A380 (but not at all impressed with the 777 and would try and avoid it in future). I would be happy to fly with them again and for me one massive bonus was the the fact that at Dubai Premium passengers had their own screening whereas at Abu Dhabi they had separate scanners but no separate queue. Also boarding the A380 in Dubai was an example to others as to what can be achieved with the application of brain and understanding of customer needs - pity things were not the same on the 777 on the way home.

What is wrong with asking for a second meal (if it is available) I have been known to have 3 breakfasts