m0hamed

In some ports, like SYD, wheelchair service is exemplary, particularly by QF.

If you booked Meet & Assist in CAI why didn't you book it in DXB? If it was my parent I wouldn't baulk at the cost, especially given how sensitive you appear to be for the service.

The throwing away of a F ticket because of such an inconvenience is, frankly, bizarre.

kaizen7

I got :
Cadillac XTS from LAX
Merc E Class from DXB (twice)
Merc C Class (abomination!!!) from SIN

Tried to throw my F ticket, but it was a pdf files on my pc
Quite difficult to throw.
So I throw my boarding passes instead.

ioto1902

aceboy44, get out of this body !

Joke aside, I can understand OP's frustrations despite the I-am-special tirade.
The main downside of DXB is its size. Even for a sporty young man, having to walk 15 minutes after a 12-hour flight is really harassing.
I have no opinion about the wheelchair, as I don't know the differences between brands, but, walking with 4 cabin luggages is not an easy thing. As other posters have said, Marhaba is probably the best solution for next time.

If OP's father is in such a weak condition, I suggest that OP travels with OP's father's doctor. I have a friend of mine who is a well known architect. His doctor is flying J on the same flights, while he flies F. If OP is ready to throw away an FCL ticket, then OP knows that life is priceless.

As for the chauffeur drive, I don't understand OP's anger. If OP wants a specific make, OP must book a private service.
This said, E-class at DXB is crappy. It's not the latest model. Anyway, it does its job.

HKprince

To add to the great advice of all the other posters, I think the Al Majlis service is better fitting for you. You will be greeted by a personal assistant at the aircraft and taken by limousine (not sure an S-class, think it was a 7 series last time- the horror!) across the tarmac to a private lounge where you can relax away from the rancid J class wheelchair passengers and you will be met by the same assistant to be driven to your next flight. No need for waiting, and I'm sure they will be happy to put all your bags in the trunk for you. Should you wish to have a sedan chair as suggested above, I'm sure they would be the ones who could arrange that too for the right price.

You can arrange your booking on the website below and add all the necessary details and requirements you need so they can arrange it accordingly. I can't imagine that they wouldn't be able to accommodate all your needs (though I might have to bite my tongue on that one)

https://servicesedge.dubaiairports.ae/majlisbooking

lightwalker

While I agree with most of the critical replies to OP, I just can't get my head around one detail: OP stated that they left the plane and then his dad had to stand while a wheelchair was waiting there.

This is clearly the moment where I see a failure on EKs side.
Especially in F, shouldn't it go like this:
Before OP and his dad even left their cosy F seat, a flight attendant should have offered to get out and see that the wheelchair is ready (no matter if that wheelchair is part of EK-service or not). And if not, FA would tell them to wait here.

As a good host, I also want to make sure that my guests are safely and comfortable on their way home - I wouldn't just throw them out on the street. I am actually surprised of this bad service event, since my experience with EK has been very good til now.

skywardhunter

The way it was worded I understood it to mean that OP's dad could be seated in the WC, they just had to then wait (I think, wrongly) for other WC pax, I don't understand the justification from WC staff and this is clearly wrong, but I didn't understand it to mean that OP's dad had to stand, and usually they wouldn't wait so crew probably had no reason to suspect anything untoward

DYKWIA

Now that *would* be worthy of a complaint...

aceboy44

Is there a way you can book only the electric buggy service, without paying for the Platinum/VIP service? For example I pay like $30 to use the electric buggy rather than the long walking distance in the terminal......

XXTSGR

thijsseh

Come on, aceboy. It's all or nothing. Especially you would understand that....

Metanoia

My guess is the lotion is not included if you only get the buggy service.

tortellini

Thanks for the genuine answers and the others...

We did fly the booked F ticket to the very end, and I have promised myself I will never spend an extra dollar for EK in F again, when flying together with a pax partially needing WC. EK does not go the extra mile, at least this is how we experienced it. Of course I will continue to consider EK when flying alone or with others, if they offer the best product and route I may need.

We indeed stopped using the unhelpful EK chauffeur service since it was impossible to get a enough comfortable car. I discovered that in Italy EK hires Blacklane, and they book the cheapest car Blackline offers for F passengers (and business). As such it is not possible to request a Van, SUV or similar (something we badly needed). So ok, lesson learned and I always booked and payed for a separate Blacklane SUV. Also learned that the the small lavatories on the 777 (only one 777 had a refurbished and newer bathroom, but it was still small) is not enough. My mistake. A380 F or forget EK when special needs.

I have sent an alert to the mods. The guy who posted the nice golden WC, the other thinking we need a IFE on a WC, and to those thinking it is good and funny... I am just to well educated in order to whish you guys to make the bad experience we did, when really needing a certain service. Laughing and making stupid jokes about a disabled person and its needs is not acceptable (this applies to economy and first class passengers), and I really feel ashamed and sorry for you. No, I am not lacking sense of humor here. Talk to WC passengers who fly a lot, if you have the capability you could learn a lot from them.

I partially agree to those saying I should rather complain with the airport itself and not EK. Bringing a doc with us would not have helped. My dad is fit to fly and healthy... except the mentioned problems.BTW on all further legs I booked a VIP service, where available. DXB vip service was pathetic as described in tripadvisor.

I hope this helps to people in a similar situation. While for the others beeing happy with bling bling, perhaps unable to compare different F and perhaps therefore overseeing lacking service when really needed, just go for it!

P.S. I forgot to mention the waiting areas nearby the checkin for ppl with special needs. Jam packed and overcrowded. Unfortunately even healthy people have to use the seats for special needs passengers, probably because there are not enough seats around. We were always lucky that somebody offered a seat in quite a few airports, when seeing my dad. Not EK fault of course since they do not offer escort service (still this is one reason for me not to book F on EK anymore). I just remember how in JFK there was a lady for F passengers (LH flight) waiting, who seated my dad while I did the check in. Just sharing a travel story.

DYKWIA

Strange, you never mentioned you wanted a SUV in your original post. Your complaint was that you didn't get an S class - just a mere E class.

m3red

tortellini

That happened to me only once when I had a broken leg, oddly with EK about 10 years ago, I do not remember if it was economy or premium.

I am not surprised you do not know that SUVs are more expensive than S class when booking with Blacklane. As I am not surprised you are to limited also in commenting your bashing of people with special needs. Stay healthy pal.