Thinking about throwing away my F ticket
Sep 13, 2018, 2:34 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
Sep 13, 2018, 3:24 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Posts: 778
So, just to cut it to the chase, OP your issues are that:
1) Wheelchair assistance was subpar as they contemplated waiting for all other special assistance passengers AND you had to walk while your father was in the wheelchair.
2) EK does not offer a ground escort to their F passengers.
I share your disappointment about their suggestion of waiting for everyone to disembark, but then again when you suggested to go they obliged. Not sure what you would have expected them to do with you: hand-carry you? Maybe in a sedan chair (Ancient Rome style)?
Re EK not offering a ground escort to F passengers, that’s unfortunately the norm with several airlines. It must be considered that on average prices for first class on EK tend to be far lower than other carriers that offer extra services.
Now, what I find mind-boggling is that you’d consider putting your father through an additional flight (I assume you are on EK direct DXB-ADL) and buy a ticket on - say - CX. With the practical result of having one extra sector and the EXACT same treatment on the ground since CX do not provide escort to F passengers either (and then there is the small detail that they don’t fly a F cabin to DXB).
1) Wheelchair assistance was subpar as they contemplated waiting for all other special assistance passengers AND you had to walk while your father was in the wheelchair.
2) EK does not offer a ground escort to their F passengers.
I share your disappointment about their suggestion of waiting for everyone to disembark, but then again when you suggested to go they obliged. Not sure what you would have expected them to do with you: hand-carry you? Maybe in a sedan chair (Ancient Rome style)?
Re EK not offering a ground escort to F passengers, that’s unfortunately the norm with several airlines. It must be considered that on average prices for first class on EK tend to be far lower than other carriers that offer extra services.
Now, what I find mind-boggling is that you’d consider putting your father through an additional flight (I assume you are on EK direct DXB-ADL) and buy a ticket on - say - CX. With the practical result of having one extra sector and the EXACT same treatment on the ground since CX do not provide escort to F passengers either (and then there is the small detail that they don’t fly a F cabin to DXB).
Sep 13, 2018, 3:26 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
To the OP....the grass is not always greener
OP, I can at least speak well on EK vs CX F. I'm mostly based in HK. I think you easily could've had as many (albeit, different) complaints about CX. On CX you might have a crowded lounge, and far inferior wines and F&B options in F vs EK.
Without question, DXB is the weak link to the EK F experience. I agree. Just big, can involve a ton of walking ( or wheelchairing) is my main complaint. I really am not a fan, at least compared to HKG. Although you get a special bus leaving the plane at a remote gate, after that AFAIK you are essentially on your own for transit security, and sometimes very long walks to the departing lounge area. But, every airline experience comes with its warts.
For your S class complaint, I just find it crazy that people whinge about the chauffeur drive on here. I tried it a few times....not impressed either. But who cares?
It's basically a meat grinder of cars in Dubai, and the cities where I've used it haven't blown me away on quality (London, Paris, Dubai, HKG, PVG, maybe a few others). The cars are not top end if you really care. I think I got an S class in HKG once but it was old. Mercedes station wagon in London and Dubai. Got a Lexus somewhere, might've been Madrid or Lisbon.
But my main point is who cares? (First class) "beggars" can't be choosers. It's a very nice service for them to offer and even though I'm not a fan, I definitely say good on them for doing this. Plus EK has huge F cabins (6 is smallest, 8 and 14 more normal, vs 6 on CX). They have tons of pax to cater to. If we really want to be picky about the make, model, vintage, or you are super concerned etc. then arrange your own driver! First time, I sympathize because I assume you're surprised. But after that, just book your own and lesson learned.
Fwiw, I haven't seen them show up in a "bad" car. And I will say this, at least they have always been on time for me when I used chauffeur drive and that's the most important.
Anyway my point is if this is super important, just arrange your own transportation. If you're paying for F, you can certainly afford new S class or 750 or your preferred ride to pick you up. At most at any city it's going to be $300 USD, usually less. I hope this doesn't sound trite but come on!
And btw, CX doesn't offer chauffeur drive at all!
Without question, DXB is the weak link to the EK F experience. I agree. Just big, can involve a ton of walking ( or wheelchairing) is my main complaint. I really am not a fan, at least compared to HKG. Although you get a special bus leaving the plane at a remote gate, after that AFAIK you are essentially on your own for transit security, and sometimes very long walks to the departing lounge area. But, every airline experience comes with its warts.
For your S class complaint, I just find it crazy that people whinge about the chauffeur drive on here. I tried it a few times....not impressed either. But who cares?
It's basically a meat grinder of cars in Dubai, and the cities where I've used it haven't blown me away on quality (London, Paris, Dubai, HKG, PVG, maybe a few others). The cars are not top end if you really care. I think I got an S class in HKG once but it was old. Mercedes station wagon in London and Dubai. Got a Lexus somewhere, might've been Madrid or Lisbon.
But my main point is who cares? (First class) "beggars" can't be choosers. It's a very nice service for them to offer and even though I'm not a fan, I definitely say good on them for doing this. Plus EK has huge F cabins (6 is smallest, 8 and 14 more normal, vs 6 on CX). They have tons of pax to cater to. If we really want to be picky about the make, model, vintage, or you are super concerned etc. then arrange your own driver! First time, I sympathize because I assume you're surprised. But after that, just book your own and lesson learned.
Fwiw, I haven't seen them show up in a "bad" car. And I will say this, at least they have always been on time for me when I used chauffeur drive and that's the most important.
Anyway my point is if this is super important, just arrange your own transportation. If you're paying for F, you can certainly afford new S class or 750 or your preferred ride to pick you up. At most at any city it's going to be $300 USD, usually less. I hope this doesn't sound trite but come on!
And btw, CX doesn't offer chauffeur drive at all!
Sep 13, 2018, 4:47 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
OP, I can at least speak well on EK vs CX F. I'm mostly based in HK. I think you easily could've had as many (albeit, different) complaints about CX. On CX you might have a crowded lounge, and far inferior wines and F&B options in F vs EK.
Without question, DXB is the weak link to the EK F experience. I agree. Just big, can involve a ton of walking ( or wheelchairing) is my main complaint. I really am not a fan, at least compared to HKG. Although you get a special bus leaving the plane at a remote gate, after that AFAIK you are essentially on your own for transit security, and sometimes very long walks to the departing lounge area. But, every airline experience comes with its warts.
For your S class complaint, I just find it crazy that people whinge about the chauffeur drive on here. I tried it a few times....not impressed either. But who cares?
It's basically a meat grinder of cars in Dubai, and the cities where I've used it haven't blown me away on quality (London, Paris, Dubai, HKG, PVG, maybe a few others). The cars are not top end if you really care. I think I got an S class in HKG once but it was old. Mercedes station wagon in London and Dubai. Got a Lexus somewhere, might've been Madrid or Lisbon.
But my main point is who cares? (First class) "beggars" can't be choosers. It's a very nice service for them to offer and even though I'm not a fan, I definitely say good on them for doing this. Plus EK has huge F cabins (6 is smallest, 8 and 14 more normal, vs 6 on CX). They have tons of pax to cater to. If we really want to be picky about the make, model, vintage, or you are super concerned etc. then arrange your own driver! First time, I sympathize because I assume you're surprised. But after that, just book your own and lesson learned.
Fwiw, I haven't seen them show up in a "bad" car. And I will say this, at least they have always been on time for me when I used chauffeur drive and that's the most important.
Anyway my point is if this is super important, just arrange your own transportation. If you're paying for F, you can certainly afford new S class or 750 or your preferred ride to pick you up. At most at any city it's going to be $300 USD, usually less. I hope this doesn't sound trite but come on!
And btw, CX doesn't offer chauffeur drive at all!
Without question, DXB is the weak link to the EK F experience. I agree. Just big, can involve a ton of walking ( or wheelchairing) is my main complaint. I really am not a fan, at least compared to HKG. Although you get a special bus leaving the plane at a remote gate, after that AFAIK you are essentially on your own for transit security, and sometimes very long walks to the departing lounge area. But, every airline experience comes with its warts.
For your S class complaint, I just find it crazy that people whinge about the chauffeur drive on here. I tried it a few times....not impressed either. But who cares?
It's basically a meat grinder of cars in Dubai, and the cities where I've used it haven't blown me away on quality (London, Paris, Dubai, HKG, PVG, maybe a few others). The cars are not top end if you really care. I think I got an S class in HKG once but it was old. Mercedes station wagon in London and Dubai. Got a Lexus somewhere, might've been Madrid or Lisbon.
But my main point is who cares? (First class) "beggars" can't be choosers. It's a very nice service for them to offer and even though I'm not a fan, I definitely say good on them for doing this. Plus EK has huge F cabins (6 is smallest, 8 and 14 more normal, vs 6 on CX). They have tons of pax to cater to. If we really want to be picky about the make, model, vintage, or you are super concerned etc. then arrange your own driver! First time, I sympathize because I assume you're surprised. But after that, just book your own and lesson learned.
Fwiw, I haven't seen them show up in a "bad" car. And I will say this, at least they have always been on time for me when I used chauffeur drive and that's the most important.
Anyway my point is if this is super important, just arrange your own transportation. If you're paying for F, you can certainly afford new S class or 750 or your preferred ride to pick you up. At most at any city it's going to be $300 USD, usually less. I hope this doesn't sound trite but come on!
And btw, CX doesn't offer chauffeur drive at all!
Go through posts in the this forum and you'll see people whinge about all sorts of things and the chauffeur drive shouldn't be an exception
Emirates always looks to stand out - and the ground service is an area they can improve on. So this is definitely worth raising it to customer services. How many of abled body would start whinging if they held F passengers until everyone from J and Y stood up and collected their bags. It's no different for wheelchair assistance.
Sep 13, 2018, 4:55 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,882
Sep 13, 2018, 5:01 am
#24
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,598
Emirates always looks to stand out - and the ground service is an area they can improve on. So this is definitely worth raising it to customer services. How many of abled body would start whinging if they held F passengers until everyone from J and Y stood up and collected their bags. It's no different for wheelchair assistance.
Sep 13, 2018, 5:31 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
The complaint here seems to be that the OP didn't get a Mercedes S Class. This was highlighted in a previous thread by the OP that this was an IO benefit, not an F benefit.
Oh come on, you seriously can't see the difference? Wheelchair users are held back so as not to inconvenience the other passengers and also to help speed up the disembarkation. This happens on all airlines.
Oh come on, you seriously can't see the difference? Wheelchair users are held back so as not to inconvenience the other passengers and also to help speed up the disembarkation. This happens on all airlines.
So Emirates stands out in their F offerings. There is nothing to stop them to say F wheelchair passengers can go first, J next and so forth, similar to their disembarkation process. Accepting the status quo means no further improvement. There is always room for improvement.
Sep 13, 2018, 9:02 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,338
I empathize with the OP's original frustrations. DXB is an annoying and frustrating airport and, frankly, I do believe EK need to do a better job of some of its ground services there. For example, the J lounge in the morning is HORRIBLE, and overcrowded. That said, no other carrier in DXB has a better setup than EK. It's going to be equally frustrating no matter what carrier one travels on from DXB.
My suggestion would be to go onward from DXB on EK, and try to improve handling with Marhaba. I have used this in DXB when traveling with an older parent and it works great.
If the OP chooses to abandon the itinerary anywhere, I'd suggest only the SYD-FCO sector. Let EK get you all the way to ADL, then see how you feel. As noted, ex-DXB Cathay only runs the A330, and business is the top cabin there. AUH isn't much better than DXB, and any other route (including that one) requires an extra stop.
Where you might have read about the Mercedes S-Class and EK tie-up has to do with their new F cabins; they collaborated on the new F cabin design and, indeed, on routes where the cabin is featured they do offer S-Class transfers. Right now that's limited to Brussels and Geneva (and maybe London and Munich), AFAIK. I've never seen an S-Class elsewhere.
And talking about inconsistent ground handling, I've transited ZRH, FRA and MUC all recently on LH and LX longhaul F. All of them sometimes offer planeside transfers. I've never been offered it, despite tight connections, and have had to take the bus with the rest of the plane in one instance.
My suggestion would be to go onward from DXB on EK, and try to improve handling with Marhaba. I have used this in DXB when traveling with an older parent and it works great.
If the OP chooses to abandon the itinerary anywhere, I'd suggest only the SYD-FCO sector. Let EK get you all the way to ADL, then see how you feel. As noted, ex-DXB Cathay only runs the A330, and business is the top cabin there. AUH isn't much better than DXB, and any other route (including that one) requires an extra stop.
Where you might have read about the Mercedes S-Class and EK tie-up has to do with their new F cabins; they collaborated on the new F cabin design and, indeed, on routes where the cabin is featured they do offer S-Class transfers. Right now that's limited to Brussels and Geneva (and maybe London and Munich), AFAIK. I've never seen an S-Class elsewhere.
And talking about inconsistent ground handling, I've transited ZRH, FRA and MUC all recently on LH and LX longhaul F. All of them sometimes offer planeside transfers. I've never been offered it, despite tight connections, and have had to take the bus with the rest of the plane in one instance.
Last edited by dll; Sep 13, 2018 at 9:12 am
Sep 13, 2018, 9:23 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I empathize with the OP's original frustrations. DXB is an annoying and frustrating airport and, frankly, I do believe EK need to do a better job of some of its ground services there. For example, the J lounge in the morning is HORRIBLE, and overcrowded. That said, no other carrier in DXB has a better setup than EK. It's going to be equally frustrating no matter what carrier one travels on from DXB.
My suggestion would be to go onward from DXB on EK, and try to improve handling with Marhaba. I have used this in DXB when traveling with an older parent and it works great.
If the OP chooses to abandon the itinerary anywhere, I'd suggest only the SYD-FCO sector. Let EK get you all the way to ADL, then see how you feel. As noted, ex-DXB Cathay only runs the A330, and business is the top cabin there. AUH isn't much better than DXB, and any other route (including that one) requires an extra stop.
Where you might have read about the Mercedes S-Class and EK tie-up has to do with their new F cabins; they collaborated on the new F cabin design and, indeed, on routes where the cabin is featured they do offer S-Class transfers. Right now that's limited to Brussels and Geneva (and maybe London and Munich), AFAIK. I've never seen an S-Class elsewhere.
And talking about inconsistent ground handling, I've transited ZRH, FRA and MUC all recently on LH and LX longhaul F. All of them sometimes offer planeside transfers. I've never been offered it, despite tight connections, and have had to take the bus with the rest of the plane in one instance.
My suggestion would be to go onward from DXB on EK, and try to improve handling with Marhaba. I have used this in DXB when traveling with an older parent and it works great.
If the OP chooses to abandon the itinerary anywhere, I'd suggest only the SYD-FCO sector. Let EK get you all the way to ADL, then see how you feel. As noted, ex-DXB Cathay only runs the A330, and business is the top cabin there. AUH isn't much better than DXB, and any other route (including that one) requires an extra stop.
Where you might have read about the Mercedes S-Class and EK tie-up has to do with their new F cabins; they collaborated on the new F cabin design and, indeed, on routes where the cabin is featured they do offer S-Class transfers. Right now that's limited to Brussels and Geneva (and maybe London and Munich), AFAIK. I've never seen an S-Class elsewhere.
And talking about inconsistent ground handling, I've transited ZRH, FRA and MUC all recently on LH and LX longhaul F. All of them sometimes offer planeside transfers. I've never been offered it, despite tight connections, and have had to take the bus with the rest of the plane in one instance.
Sep 14, 2018, 12:21 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
I empathize with the OP's original frustrations. DXB is an annoying and frustrating airport and, frankly, I do believe EK need to do a better job of some of its ground services there. For example, the J lounge in the morning is HORRIBLE, and overcrowded. That said, no other carrier in DXB has a better setup than EK. It's going to be equally frustrating no matter what carrier one travels on from DXB.
My suggestion would be to go onward from DXB on EK, and try to improve handling with Marhaba. I have used this in DXB when traveling with an older parent and it works great.
If the OP chooses to abandon the itinerary anywhere, I'd suggest only the SYD-FCO sector. Let EK get you all the way to ADL, then see how you feel. As noted, ex-DXB Cathay only runs the A330, and business is the top cabin there. AUH isn't much better than DXB, and any other route (including that one) requires an extra stop.
Where you might have read about the Mercedes S-Class and EK tie-up has to do with their new F cabins; they collaborated on the new F cabin design and, indeed, on routes where the cabin is featured they do offer S-Class transfers. Right now that's limited to Brussels and Geneva (and maybe London and Munich), AFAIK. I've never seen an S-Class elsewhere.
And talking about inconsistent ground handling, I've transited ZRH, FRA and MUC all recently on LH and LX longhaul F. All of them sometimes offer planeside transfers. I've never been offered it, despite tight connections, and have had to take the bus with the rest of the plane in one instance.
My suggestion would be to go onward from DXB on EK, and try to improve handling with Marhaba. I have used this in DXB when traveling with an older parent and it works great.
If the OP chooses to abandon the itinerary anywhere, I'd suggest only the SYD-FCO sector. Let EK get you all the way to ADL, then see how you feel. As noted, ex-DXB Cathay only runs the A330, and business is the top cabin there. AUH isn't much better than DXB, and any other route (including that one) requires an extra stop.
Where you might have read about the Mercedes S-Class and EK tie-up has to do with their new F cabins; they collaborated on the new F cabin design and, indeed, on routes where the cabin is featured they do offer S-Class transfers. Right now that's limited to Brussels and Geneva (and maybe London and Munich), AFAIK. I've never seen an S-Class elsewhere.
And talking about inconsistent ground handling, I've transited ZRH, FRA and MUC all recently on LH and LX longhaul F. All of them sometimes offer planeside transfers. I've never been offered it, despite tight connections, and have had to take the bus with the rest of the plane in one instance.
