sadiqhassan

Don't believe there are any, mainly because EK offers a nonstop service to Dubai, and therefore can charge higher fares.

Cheers

CPL

In my opinion a flat bed in first class is de rigeur with any leading carrier. As a result, the only EK aircraft worth flying on a longhaul flight is the A340-500. The old 777 and A330 seats are quite frankly a disaster for First Class of a leading carrier; personally, I prefer a lie-flat business seat to that. They also have the same issue in C-Class: compared to other leading carriers the seats are very uncomfortable and have simply stood still in time (e.g., who has 7 seats in an A330 row?). Having said all that, it probably depends on what you are looking for in F-Class; in my case privacy and a good night's sleep is more important to me than the IFE or other amenities.

As far as service and food is concerned, I would term Emirates average, but certainly not exceptional.

As a result, although I am EK Gold (because I take about 40 or so regional connecting flights to and from DXB with them every year for lack of choice), other than the ZRH route (I don't fly to the US and Australia from DXB) I avoid flying EK long-haul F-Class.

sadiqhassan

The new 77W has flat bed seats in F class. It flies to quite a few cities in Europe / Far East. Might be worth a try

Cheers

HalfwayHotel

Can't agree with some of the posts about the 77W seat not being as good as BA's F seat - it's every bit as good but the ICE entertainment system on EK wins by a mile. Agree that the 345 suite is the best F product in the sky, IMHO. Service is a bit patchy I reckon - it can be easily as good as BA if not better, but can also be indifferent, depending on the crew. The biggest problem I have encountered with EK is baggage, probably because we use them mainly between SYD and AKL and both ends are handled by agents who seem to delight in leaving our bags on until the airports are about to close . Added value items like chauffeur drive make EK de rigeur for us. It's definitely a real F product though on the 77W and 345, to answer the OP's question in part.

airlineaddict

Flew on EK 385 (1:20 AM flight) from BKK to DXB and had a brand new 77W (2-class). Beautiful plane with wood paneling around the windows (at least in J class).

Back on topic...

On following day's flight from DXB to CDG on 772 was upgraded to first class. First class was wonderful. Champagne served was Dom Perignon, meals were from cart service, appetizers included lobster. Personal TV screen in first was huge. Would definitely say first class is "real" and makes US carrier's first class seem absolutely fake. My wife still raves about the service.

sadiqhassan

Welcome to FT.

The wood paneling is in F/J on the 772 / 77W (not sure about 345)

Cheers

JFKSYD2004

I had my first Emirates flight last week on EK 418 BKK-SYD in first and was very pleased. Was greeted with Dom Perignon ‘98, and offered amenity kit, newspapers, leather bound menu, dates and coffee, and PJs within minutes of taking seat 1K. The crew was great, with a refined service style which wouldn’t be out of place in a posh New York or London hotel. I imagine some find this chilly compared to the ultra-attentive SQ standard, but quite frankly it was something of a relief after a weekend of non-stop “wai”-ing at the Pen in Bangkok. (Hey, I’m a New Yorker, whaddya want.)

Dinner was elegantly presented (love the oversized tray tables), with nice caviar, a very fresh salad, so-so chicken, and a very yummy fruit-oriented dessert. Good wines, I stuck mostly with the Dom.

ICE is great. I rarely avail myself of AVOD, but managed to get through about half of “War of the Worlds” and could actually hear the dialogue through the good headset (noise reducing I assume).

I like the 77W seat a lot. Very comfortable sitting, and just one touch of a button to flatten the thing out. With the privacy shield raised, you are nearly completely secluded in a window seat. (Only quibble is with the “mini-bar” which is a cute idea but ultimately a waste of space. This might serve some function on, say, UA where the cabin crew might disappear for hours on end but with great EK service what is the point of having unchilled juice stored in your seat? It just takes away space for your own stuff, of which there is essentially none.)

Anyway, I changed into my comfy sleep suit, grabbed an extra pillow, curled up with my book and DP, and was pretty much in heaven. I asked the purser to not wake me for breakfast service, which I slept through. We were a bit delayed and had to circle Sydney for an extra 30 minutes, and the crew happily gave me the full (admittedly skimpy) breakfast service when I did get up.

Limo service at Sydney worked great, comfy Holden sedan waiting for me as promised.

Overall a great flight. ^

sic incognito

Did you have to go to the EK counter to identify yourself at SYD or were you welcomed by a chauffeur with your name on a card?

I will be there in a few days, DXB-SYD A340-500 in F, and have prebooked the limo.

Thanks.

ngfan

From my experience the limo driver will be waiting for you with your name on a sign near the exit of the arrival hall. Then you have to walk some meters to the limo parking area nearby to reach the Holden ...

Enjoy the flight, it will be a great experience. It will be the first time that you will complain and ask for compensation from EK because the real flight duration is shorter than the one published in the timetable .

ngfan

Actually I wasn't too happy to see a Holden with all the black BMW's and Merc's parked around...

sic incognito

Okay, I will admit; I had to google for Holden...

sadiqhassan

With the exception of DXB, when you go the chauffer drive lounge, the driver is holding your name on a card. You need to go to the EK desk if you can't see them.

Cheers

HalfwayHotel

It varies. We've had BMWs and Mercs as well as slightly jaded Fords and Holdens, and once when we told them we had golf clubs they sent a people mover (mini-van in the US?) with a trailer attached!

BEYFlyer

Excellent report JFKSYD2004. Glad you enjoyed your flight on EK.

sic incognito

Thanks.