77W New F vs 380 F... a small trip report
Sep 9, 2021, 2:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
77W New F vs 380 F... a small trip report
A few days ago, I was lucky enough to fly on EK's new F and 'vintage' F on A380 back to back. There are, of course, a million reviews and photos of both product on countless blogs pushing credit cards, so this post likely serves little purpose.
In short, I still maintain that the A380 F product is better. After 20+ flights in the new F, I still do not understand why EK thought it would be a good idea that the seat does not go fully flat, nor why it squashes you into the side table when sleeping, nor why you cannot properly dim/switch off the lights. Both planes, despite being relatively new, showed surprising amount of wear on the seats.
Despite the pandemic, the service throughout was excellent - when EK gets it right, it really gets it right.
NRT-DXB
I was greeted by name at the check in counter before showing my passport - perhaps notoriety or exceptional Japanese service as ever or a combination of both. The EK Narita lounge remains closed and you are given a JPY3,500 voucher to spend instead. There were more shops open than my last flight out of Narita although I understand the opening hours have been extended only temporarily for the Olympics / Paralympics.
Arriving onboard, one of the crew recognised me from a flight a few months ago (see above re notoriety), expressed that she was very happy to see me again (certainly not the first time in my life I’ve seen someone fake it) and showed me to my seat.
As noted on another thread on FT, there are new amenity kits in F. As there are people who fly around the world for a plastic duck, there may be people who are interested in the contents of said kit, pictured below:
P2 2000 is being served onboard (including on the ground for those who need to indulge their alcoholism before take-off) and I was offered a glass before requesting it or having the chance to google the price of the bottle. It is very good.
I will not bore you with details of the majority of the flight was it was no different to any other flight. On the basis I ordered nothing else, and being the only passenger in F, the crew decided to serve me all the caviar they had onboard. Sometimes there is too much of a good thing. Also, why are EK crew always so keen to feed you?
Views after nine hours of P2
The purser (who I have also flown with before but was decidedly less enthusiastic to see me again) suggested in a somewhat matron-esque tone that I probably drink too much and eat too little. I suggested that she sounded like my mother; I am quite certain she was not amused but nevertheless offered the rest of my glass of champagne in a paper cup so that my blood alcohol level remained steady until landing. Waste not, want not.
Ground experience
The ground service as an F passenger in DXB these days is excellent. You are picked up by a shiny new buggy (which unfortunately always reminds me of Taaj from Come Fly With Me...) and perhaps fearing for my sobriety, the EK agent escorted me all the way to a seat in the F dining area, even though I immediately left to play Daytona in the kids area.
Massages are available again and for those who care about these things, they have refreshed the seats in the waiting area.
After an hour of Daytona - I now hold the all time records on not just one, but both machines, perhaps one of my life’s greatest achievements - and a massage, I returned for breakfast. The Burgundy was good (although for those who use google, they would be underwhelmed) and while the first bottle I tried was corked, the lounge staff had no problem opening another.
A first for me but hash browns and steak make for an excellent breakfast.
Current lounge menu here: https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents...e-menu-dxb.pdf
DXB-MAN
It has been a long time since I’ve flown 380 in F. No P2, only 2008. The horror! Does EK think I am an animal? I only used it to wash my hands with brown sugar.
On the other hand, Google informed me that there was reassuringly expensive red wine. I did not try it but I am sure based on the price it must be good.
The two crew that took care of me were excellent. Apparently the other passenger was special and vegan and therefore required a special vegan meal, and so despite expressing little desire to eat, I was unilaterally offered a ‘chef’s special’ salad which appeared to contain a combination of all the appetisers but was surprisingly delicious.
I am not sure why they did not have this onboard the 777 but there are mother of pearl spoons for the caviar - first time I have seen this. I am sure there are people here who can claim to taste the difference this makes at 38,000 feet. A nice touch either way.
Incidentally - the cloth bags which are given to take your clothes to the shower spa are now made out of a different material. As someone who rarely wears anything other than Primark, I cannot accurately ascertain the new material although on reflection it looks the same as the seats in the massage waiting area.
Finally - Manchester Airport is a… well after 21 hours of indulgence, certainly a return to reality. Chauffeur drive service is now available.
p.s. as good as EK F is, I think the new NH F is the best first class in the world.
p.p.s. my employer did not pay for my ticket.
p.p.p.s. when will IFMTY be back?
In short, I still maintain that the A380 F product is better. After 20+ flights in the new F, I still do not understand why EK thought it would be a good idea that the seat does not go fully flat, nor why it squashes you into the side table when sleeping, nor why you cannot properly dim/switch off the lights. Both planes, despite being relatively new, showed surprising amount of wear on the seats.
Despite the pandemic, the service throughout was excellent - when EK gets it right, it really gets it right.
NRT-DXB
I was greeted by name at the check in counter before showing my passport - perhaps notoriety or exceptional Japanese service as ever or a combination of both. The EK Narita lounge remains closed and you are given a JPY3,500 voucher to spend instead. There were more shops open than my last flight out of Narita although I understand the opening hours have been extended only temporarily for the Olympics / Paralympics.
Arriving onboard, one of the crew recognised me from a flight a few months ago (see above re notoriety), expressed that she was very happy to see me again (certainly not the first time in my life I’ve seen someone fake it) and showed me to my seat.
As noted on another thread on FT, there are new amenity kits in F. As there are people who fly around the world for a plastic duck, there may be people who are interested in the contents of said kit, pictured below:
P2 2000 is being served onboard (including on the ground for those who need to indulge their alcoholism before take-off) and I was offered a glass before requesting it or having the chance to google the price of the bottle. It is very good.
I will not bore you with details of the majority of the flight was it was no different to any other flight. On the basis I ordered nothing else, and being the only passenger in F, the crew decided to serve me all the caviar they had onboard. Sometimes there is too much of a good thing. Also, why are EK crew always so keen to feed you?
Views after nine hours of P2
The purser (who I have also flown with before but was decidedly less enthusiastic to see me again) suggested in a somewhat matron-esque tone that I probably drink too much and eat too little. I suggested that she sounded like my mother; I am quite certain she was not amused but nevertheless offered the rest of my glass of champagne in a paper cup so that my blood alcohol level remained steady until landing. Waste not, want not.
Ground experience
The ground service as an F passenger in DXB these days is excellent. You are picked up by a shiny new buggy (which unfortunately always reminds me of Taaj from Come Fly With Me...) and perhaps fearing for my sobriety, the EK agent escorted me all the way to a seat in the F dining area, even though I immediately left to play Daytona in the kids area.
Massages are available again and for those who care about these things, they have refreshed the seats in the waiting area.
After an hour of Daytona - I now hold the all time records on not just one, but both machines, perhaps one of my life’s greatest achievements - and a massage, I returned for breakfast. The Burgundy was good (although for those who use google, they would be underwhelmed) and while the first bottle I tried was corked, the lounge staff had no problem opening another.
A first for me but hash browns and steak make for an excellent breakfast.
Current lounge menu here: https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents...e-menu-dxb.pdf
DXB-MAN
It has been a long time since I’ve flown 380 in F. No P2, only 2008. The horror! Does EK think I am an animal? I only used it to wash my hands with brown sugar.
On the other hand, Google informed me that there was reassuringly expensive red wine. I did not try it but I am sure based on the price it must be good.
The two crew that took care of me were excellent. Apparently the other passenger was special and vegan and therefore required a special vegan meal, and so despite expressing little desire to eat, I was unilaterally offered a ‘chef’s special’ salad which appeared to contain a combination of all the appetisers but was surprisingly delicious.
I am not sure why they did not have this onboard the 777 but there are mother of pearl spoons for the caviar - first time I have seen this. I am sure there are people here who can claim to taste the difference this makes at 38,000 feet. A nice touch either way.
Incidentally - the cloth bags which are given to take your clothes to the shower spa are now made out of a different material. As someone who rarely wears anything other than Primark, I cannot accurately ascertain the new material although on reflection it looks the same as the seats in the massage waiting area.
Finally - Manchester Airport is a… well after 21 hours of indulgence, certainly a return to reality. Chauffeur drive service is now available.
p.s. as good as EK F is, I think the new NH F is the best first class in the world.
p.p.s. my employer did not pay for my ticket.
p.p.p.s. when will IFMTY be back?
Last edited by Lkaroo; Sep 9, 2021 at 2:48 am
Sep 9, 2021, 3:45 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 480
The purser (who I have also flown with before but was decidedly less enthusiastic to see me again) suggested in a somewhat matron-esque tone that I probably drink too much and eat too little. I suggested that she sounded like my mother; I am quite certain she was not amused but nevertheless offered the rest of my glass of champagne in a paper cup so that my blood alcohol level remained steady until landing.
THE best review I’ve read in a while! Pretty sure I had a dream recently where I was given a huge plate of caviar and unlimited Dom P2, Fantastic. Seriously can’t get enough of your humor through these flights…THANKS!!!
Sep 17, 2021, 6:37 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927