What's up with EK Business?
Jan 7, 2019, 5:29 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
That is exactly why I stick with EK. If they started dropping routes or fiddling badly with departure/arrival times, I would need to consider other airlines. But right now, I have no complaints at all.
Jan 7, 2019, 6:23 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
Programs: Skywards Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,226
Emirates used to have consistently great service some 10 years ago. What I’ve realized since is that even other “top” airlines like SQ and QR can be mediocre even though everyone raves about them. So a lot is down to luck?
what is usually more predictable is ground experience and here EK is awful at DXB in terms of transfers and lounges, especially in First, when compared to LH/LX. Hard product wise in business these days I’m a big fan of the herringbone seats on CX/QR.
what is usually more predictable is ground experience and here EK is awful at DXB in terms of transfers and lounges, especially in First, when compared to LH/LX. Hard product wise in business these days I’m a big fan of the herringbone seats on CX/QR.
Despite the vast amount of people to serve downstairs, I always find the economy crew to be better, maybe because they are newer in the job and are still fresh? I didn't fly economy in 2018 but I hope this is still the case going in to the new year as it will be where I will be located more often than not.
Jan 8, 2019, 1:14 am
#19
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
The cabin crew are all DXB based. You may get a few across the flight that are from Liverpool / Manchester, but in no way "most". My last 2 flights to/from MAN were staffed with the usual mix of western & eastern European, Asian, African and a rather memorable Australian. Plus one scouser doing the bar who was great.
Jan 8, 2019, 1:43 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: BA Gold | SK Gold | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,553
But as F lounges go, I am a much bigger fan of LH, LX, SQ, CX, AA, QF lounges - if EK just had a bit less light and noise from the rest of the terminal that would make it a much nicer experience!
Then again last week I was at the "lounge" in ZNZ and that does put things a bit into perspective...
Jan 8, 2019, 3:27 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
Programs: Skywards Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,226
The cabin crew are all DXB based. You may get a few across the flight that are from Liverpool / Manchester, but in no way "most". My last 2 flights to/from MAN were staffed with the usual mix of western & eastern European, Asian, African and a rather memorable Australian. Plus one scouser doing the bar who was great.
On my BKK-SYD flight not so long ago the purser was saying how the crew tend to not put in for Manchester to allow those from the area to go "home" which is in line with my experiences on the MAN flight. Granted from a data point that has not been many flights over the last 12 months.
Jan 8, 2019, 9:30 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 44
As previously mentioned the EK business class cabin is not up to par with the competition so I understand your frustrations regarding the seat/cabin/storage/etc, so if these things were crucial to you perhaps first class would've been a better experience for you? Despite knowing this (and having flown a variety of reputable airlines on long-haul business class) I continue to fly EK since I enjoy my experience with EK. I enjoy the lounges I experience before my flight, I enjoy the IFE, I enjoy being appreciated for being a loyal passenger (YMMV,) I enjoy the spacious and comfortable economy class seats on all of their aircraft, and most importantly I enjoy the amenity kits/pijamas served to first class passengers and I enjoy showering on their A380 fleet. Having flown a variety of reputable airlines I never found an airline that provides me the EK experience, which is why I'm loyal to them.
If cabin crew is your main concern regarding flying then I strongly recommend you try Qatar Airways, as my personal experience with them regarding cabin crew was extraordinary.
If cabin crew is your main concern regarding flying then I strongly recommend you try Qatar Airways, as my personal experience with them regarding cabin crew was extraordinary.
Jan 8, 2019, 10:37 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: EK Gold, A3 *G, AB Gold, Jetblue Mosaic
Posts: 1,386
Agreed! I often judge an airline by how they treat their economy passengers as that's what I fly most often and in my experience, EK offers a great Y experience and the most consistent one across major airlines. Adding in their network, timings and frequencies, I am willing to pay a little more to fly them over say QR, EY, and TK for example. Just one man's opinion
Jan 8, 2019, 11:50 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Kuwait
Programs: WoH Globalist
Posts: 601
What other airline offers similar experience in economy class?
Jan 8, 2019, 8:03 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bombay
Programs: EC Blue, EB Silver, FB Gold
Posts: 551
I’m an inexperienced EK traveller, with 8 flights in total (4J, 4Y). In Y they are up there with SQ & CX of the nineties. J is not as good in comparison, but still highly enjoyable. The food was very tasty and plentiful. As for crew, I met a nasty one on my very first EK flight, but apart from her they’ve all been wonderful. I even found the 10-abreast 777 comfy.
When you’re the size of EK you’re bound to have a few bad apples and slip ups. That doesn’t make it a bad airline.
PS I don’t like Moët or Veuve lol
When you’re the size of EK you’re bound to have a few bad apples and slip ups. That doesn’t make it a bad airline.
PS I don’t like Moët or Veuve lol
Jan 8, 2019, 9:17 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 44
All of EK's fleet economy class seats are spacious (plenty of legroom and it's comfortable to recline for resting.) In addition, you get very good IFE (the best in the world IME.) Economy class prices are up to par with competition. Eye-masks in economy class are available as opposed to other airlines. Hot drinks (like hot chocolate) is available in economy class.
What other airline offers similar experience in economy class?
What other airline offers similar experience in economy class?
Jan 9, 2019, 7:53 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: EK Gold, A3 *G, AB Gold, Jetblue Mosaic
Posts: 1,386
The 3-4-3 never really bothers me but I am also only 178cm and 72kg so I can understand larger people may not like it. I never really notice the slightly reduced seat width compared to SQ and I think EK make the aisles narrower to not have to make the seat too narrow. What does register immediately when I sit on other airlines is the lesser leg room.
Jan 9, 2019, 8:11 am
#28
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
The 3-4-3 never really bothers me but I am also only 178cm and 72kg so I can understand larger people may not like it. I never really notice the slightly reduced seat width compared to SQ and I think EK make the aisles narrower to not have to make the seat too narrow. What does register immediately when I sit on other airlines is the lesser leg room.