First Class Service during COVID (Autumn 2020)
Sep 24, 2020, 2:58 pm
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
First Class Service during COVID (Autumn 2020)
As of right now, is it as the news described in May when EK resumed service? Meals on trays, only 2 red and 2 white wines and one Champagne stocked, no turndown?
Are there any recent reports? Sorry if this is discussed elsewhere. Search didn’t return related results.
Thanks much!
-BlooJoo
Are there any recent reports? Sorry if this is discussed elsewhere. Search didn’t return related results.
Thanks much!
-BlooJoo
Sep 24, 2020, 10:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,347
Well I have not flown since March 2020, but Emirates is still releasing its menu on all cabin classes on its website.
There are a few exceptions, but most routes have their menus published.
Here is the September menu for EK 202 JFK-DXB in first class.
https://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...d8433300477000
It looks almost the same as before but I am sure they are now served differently. Breads will be packaged. Trays will be used. Main course might be served in a casserole dish. Everything will be covered.
However it looks like that you can still enjoy the same multiple course meals as before.
Carfield
There are a few exceptions, but most routes have their menus published.
Here is the September menu for EK 202 JFK-DXB in first class.
https://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...d8433300477000
It looks almost the same as before but I am sure they are now served differently. Breads will be packaged. Trays will be used. Main course might be served in a casserole dish. Everything will be covered.
However it looks like that you can still enjoy the same multiple course meals as before.
Carfield
Sep 26, 2020, 12:52 pm
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
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Well I have not flown since March 2020, but Emirates is still releasing its menu on all cabin classes on its website.
There are a few exceptions, but most routes have their menus published.
Here is the September menu for EK 202 JFK-DXB in first class.
https://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...d8433300477000
It looks almost the same as before but I am sure they are now served differently. Breads will be packaged. Trays will be used. Main course might be served in a casserole dish. Everything will be covered.
However it looks like that you can still enjoy the same multiple course meals as before.
Carfield
There are a few exceptions, but most routes have their menus published.
Here is the September menu for EK 202 JFK-DXB in first class.
https://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...d8433300477000
It looks almost the same as before but I am sure they are now served differently. Breads will be packaged. Trays will be used. Main course might be served in a casserole dish. Everything will be covered.
However it looks like that you can still enjoy the same multiple course meals as before.
Carfield
Sep 26, 2020, 3:55 pm
#4
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Well I have not flown since March 2020, but Emirates is still releasing its menu on all cabin classes on its website.
There are a few exceptions, but most routes have their menus published.
Here is the September menu for EK 202 JFK-DXB in first class.
https://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...d8433300477000
It looks almost the same as before but I am sure they are now served differently. Breads will be packaged. Trays will be used. Main course might be served in a casserole dish. Everything will be covered.
However it looks like that you can still enjoy the same multiple course meals as before.
Carfield
There are a few exceptions, but most routes have their menus published.
Here is the September menu for EK 202 JFK-DXB in first class.
https://cdn.ek.aero/downloads/ek/pdf...d8433300477000
It looks almost the same as before but I am sure they are now served differently. Breads will be packaged. Trays will be used. Main course might be served in a casserole dish. Everything will be covered.
However it looks like that you can still enjoy the same multiple course meals as before.
Carfield
Hmm, no separate wine list? Only 2 whites and 2 reds? And Hennessy Paradis substituted by XO, which used to be the J cognac.
Not quite pre-COVID-19, but of course the difference with some airlines which have sunk much deeper has actually increased quite a bit.
Sep 26, 2020, 3:58 pm
#5
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That was my thinking as well. While not as drastic as other carriers, the cuts are pretty substantial IMHO.
Sep 27, 2020, 4:24 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
I just did dxb man return in f.
changes 777 vs 380
champagne before take off in dxb (not in man)
no towels
wine list is shorter as noted - no change in drinks service.
nuts came in packets
food came all in one go (starter and main) they asked me if i wanted it covered I said no. On the return I asked for separate service for each course (no problem) and i asked for all food to be uncovered so i got the nuts in bowl etc
food is definitely plated as J food - no fancy F place settings
much better than BA but not quite the usual F standard
F lounge is shut (J lounge has an area for F passengers that was good and similar to usual F lounge dining (bit more limited on choice). Man ek lounge still closed.
M3
changes 777 vs 380
champagne before take off in dxb (not in man)
no towels
wine list is shorter as noted - no change in drinks service.
nuts came in packets
food came all in one go (starter and main) they asked me if i wanted it covered I said no. On the return I asked for separate service for each course (no problem) and i asked for all food to be uncovered so i got the nuts in bowl etc
food is definitely plated as J food - no fancy F place settings
much better than BA but not quite the usual F standard
F lounge is shut (J lounge has an area for F passengers that was good and similar to usual F lounge dining (bit more limited on choice). Man ek lounge still closed.
M3
Sep 27, 2020, 4:50 am
#7
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Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
I just did dxb man return in f.
changes 777 vs 380
champagne before take off in dxb (not in man)
no towels
wine list is shorter as noted - no change in drinks service.
nuts came in packets
food came all in one go (starter and main) they asked me if i wanted it covered I said no. On the return I asked for separate service for each course (no problem) and i asked for all food to be uncovered so i got the nuts in bowl etc
food is definitely plated as J food - no fancy F place settings
much better than BA but not quite the usual F standard
F lounge is shut (J lounge has an area for F passengers that was good and similar to usual F lounge dining (bit more limited on choice). Man ek lounge still closed.
M3
changes 777 vs 380
champagne before take off in dxb (not in man)
no towels
wine list is shorter as noted - no change in drinks service.
nuts came in packets
food came all in one go (starter and main) they asked me if i wanted it covered I said no. On the return I asked for separate service for each course (no problem) and i asked for all food to be uncovered so i got the nuts in bowl etc
food is definitely plated as J food - no fancy F place settings
much better than BA but not quite the usual F standard
F lounge is shut (J lounge has an area for F passengers that was good and similar to usual F lounge dining (bit more limited on choice). Man ek lounge still closed.
M3
Sep 30, 2020, 10:22 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Great thread. Thank you for the update and the current menu. We're doing JFK-DXB and back for a long weekend just after US Thanksgiving. So happy that we get the New 77W First Suites both ways. 
Oct 1, 2020, 12:58 am
#14
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
Oct 1, 2020, 11:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Sydney or London
Programs: Qantas Gold, BA Blue, Thai Silver
Posts: 96
LHR-DXB
Currently in the roped off bit of the Biz lounge which is fine and certainly has a separate restaurant menu. Not a massive choice and probably will head to the Biz side for something different from the served buffets.
2 people in First on A380. Extremely minimal interaction from crew. Were offered PJs, washbag and slippers. "do you want food and drink?". No alcohol on the ground in London.
Purser showed up for 1 minute explaining less crew traffic and to press the call button. When I did, a quick response. Caviar course nice, but in a bowl and little pot of the black stuff.
No explanation about lack of showers or bar. In fact, nothing in bathrooms except soap and face tissues which I don't get. Got told off for going backwards to the bathroom once. Apparently bed making is now DIY (wasn't on QR Q suites last week). But bedding nice.
Overall, rather disappointing
2 people in First on A380. Extremely minimal interaction from crew. Were offered PJs, washbag and slippers. "do you want food and drink?". No alcohol on the ground in London.
Purser showed up for 1 minute explaining less crew traffic and to press the call button. When I did, a quick response. Caviar course nice, but in a bowl and little pot of the black stuff.
No explanation about lack of showers or bar. In fact, nothing in bathrooms except soap and face tissues which I don't get. Got told off for going backwards to the bathroom once. Apparently bed making is now DIY (wasn't on QR Q suites last week). But bedding nice.
Overall, rather disappointing