EK first class - Is it a "real" first class?
Jan 27, 2006 | 5:16 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LIS
Programs: A3 Gold,
Posts: 93
Driver was waiting at SYD exit with a gaggle of other drivers. Sure a Holden is no great shakes but its free-ness trumps its lack of Mercedes-ness in my book.
(OT, I plumped for the 49 USD Mercedes airport transfer on my last 2 visits to the Pen BKK but took a regular taxi to the airport last week. After cruising along for a few minutes the driver popped in the Eagles greatest hits CD. The delightful cultural cacophony of speeding along a BKK freeway, admiring the driver's dashboard Buddha collection, with "Take It Easy" on the stereo reminded me why I love travelling. All that for 10 bucks! The Pen can keep its Mercedes
(OT, I plumped for the 49 USD Mercedes airport transfer on my last 2 visits to the Pen BKK but took a regular taxi to the airport last week. After cruising along for a few minutes the driver popped in the Eagles greatest hits CD. The delightful cultural cacophony of speeding along a BKK freeway, admiring the driver's dashboard Buddha collection, with "Take It Easy" on the stereo reminded me why I love travelling. All that for 10 bucks! The Pen can keep its Mercedes
Jan 27, 2006 | 8:21 am
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 159
Free limo at your destination?
Originally Posted by 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.
I will be there in a few days, DXB-SYD A340-500 in F, and have prebooked the limo.
Thanks.
Args. Can you also have a free limo on your destination???
Jan 27, 2006 | 8:37 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Originally Posted by Michael Tantini
Args. Can you also have a free limo on your destination???
Jan 29, 2006 | 10:11 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: houston, tx. usa
Programs: AA Gold/1MM UA CO DL US BA
Posts: 135
Originally Posted by JFKSYD2004
Driver was waiting at SYD exit with a gaggle of other drivers. Sure a Holden is no great shakes but its free-ness trumps its lack of Mercedes-ness in my book.
(OT, I plumped for the 49 USD Mercedes airport transfer on my last 2 visits to the Pen BKK but took a regular taxi to the airport last week. After cruising along for a few minutes the driver popped in the Eagles greatest hits CD. The delightful cultural cacophony of speeding along a BKK freeway, admiring the driver's dashboard Buddha collection, with "Take It Easy" on the stereo reminded me why I love travelling. All that for 10 bucks! The Pen can keep its Mercedes
(OT, I plumped for the 49 USD Mercedes airport transfer on my last 2 visits to the Pen BKK but took a regular taxi to the airport last week. After cruising along for a few minutes the driver popped in the Eagles greatest hits CD. The delightful cultural cacophony of speeding along a BKK freeway, admiring the driver's dashboard Buddha collection, with "Take It Easy" on the stereo reminded me why I love travelling. All that for 10 bucks! The Pen can keep its Mercedes
Jan 29, 2006 | 12:01 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Southern California
Programs: UA 1KMMGS, EK Skywards Silver, SPG Gold,
Posts: 920
Just yesterday I flew EK from LHR to BOM. Got upgraded on the LHR-DBX portion, so here are my two cents.
The flight was on a 3 class 332, so it obviously is not the top of the class. However, at the very least the leg rest goes completely horizontal, even though the back rest doesn't. I did manage to get a couple hours of pretty decent sleep, though I was pretty exhausted.
It was the 0830 flight and I was very surprised how they timed the meals. I was expecting a full, solid breakfast service and then a snack at the end, but they did it exactly counter to that. They served a small continental breakfast at the outset and then, with 3 hours to go in the flight (basically, right around the middle) , started hauling out the main service. Personally, I was annoyed by that, because not only was I sleepy, I was pretty hungry too. So, i grabbed a couple croissants at the outset and then woke myself up for a plate of food when they started serving then when back to sleep. Missed out on the whole EK nice relaxing meal thing (though when i saw that it was 1995 Dom, I did force myself to indulge
That said, the FA was wonderful and quickly plated me very good meal (and gave me my chocolates as well). But still, it seemed odd. Given that for an 0830 flight most people would have left their place at 6AM or so and not necessarily eaten at LHR, as i chose not to . . .
Did not get upgraded on the 773 flight to BOM, in which 1st looked just amazing. And finally had my first taste of ICE - wow.
The flight was on a 3 class 332, so it obviously is not the top of the class. However, at the very least the leg rest goes completely horizontal, even though the back rest doesn't. I did manage to get a couple hours of pretty decent sleep, though I was pretty exhausted.
It was the 0830 flight and I was very surprised how they timed the meals. I was expecting a full, solid breakfast service and then a snack at the end, but they did it exactly counter to that. They served a small continental breakfast at the outset and then, with 3 hours to go in the flight (basically, right around the middle) , started hauling out the main service. Personally, I was annoyed by that, because not only was I sleepy, I was pretty hungry too. So, i grabbed a couple croissants at the outset and then woke myself up for a plate of food when they started serving then when back to sleep. Missed out on the whole EK nice relaxing meal thing (though when i saw that it was 1995 Dom, I did force myself to indulge
That said, the FA was wonderful and quickly plated me very good meal (and gave me my chocolates as well). But still, it seemed odd. Given that for an 0830 flight most people would have left their place at 6AM or so and not necessarily eaten at LHR, as i chose not to . . .
Did not get upgraded on the 773 flight to BOM, in which 1st looked just amazing. And finally had my first taste of ICE - wow.
Last edited by carbonchaser; Jan 29, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Jan 29, 2006 | 1:28 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Originally Posted by carbonchaser
Just yesterday I flew EK from LHR to BOM. Got upgraded on the LHR-DBX portion, so here are my two cents.
The flight was on a 3 class 332, so it obviously is not the top of the class. However, at the very least the leg rest goes completely horizontal, even though the back rest doesn't. I did manage to get a couple hours of pretty decent sleep, though I was pretty exhausted.
It was the 0830 flight and I was very surprised how they timed the meals. I was expecting a full, solid breakfast service and then a snack at the end, but they did it exactly counter to that. They served a small continental breakfast at the outset and then, with out 3 hours to go in the flight (basically, right around the middle) , started hauling out the main service. Personally, I was annoyed by that, because not only was I sleepy, I was pretty hungry too. So, i grabbed a couple croissants at the outset and then woke myself up for a plate of food when they started serving then when back to sleep. Missed out on the whole EK nice relaxing meal thing (though when i saw that it was 1995 Dom, I did force myself to indulge
That said, the FA was wonderful and quickly plated me very good meal (and gave me my chocolates as well). But still, it seemed odd. Given that for an 0830 flight most people would have left their place at 6AM or so and not necessarily eaten at LHR, as i chose not to . . . )
Did not get upgraded on the 773 flight to BOM, in which 1st looked just amazing. And finally had my first taste of ICE - wow.
The flight was on a 3 class 332, so it obviously is not the top of the class. However, at the very least the leg rest goes completely horizontal, even though the back rest doesn't. I did manage to get a couple hours of pretty decent sleep, though I was pretty exhausted.
It was the 0830 flight and I was very surprised how they timed the meals. I was expecting a full, solid breakfast service and then a snack at the end, but they did it exactly counter to that. They served a small continental breakfast at the outset and then, with out 3 hours to go in the flight (basically, right around the middle) , started hauling out the main service. Personally, I was annoyed by that, because not only was I sleepy, I was pretty hungry too. So, i grabbed a couple croissants at the outset and then woke myself up for a plate of food when they started serving then when back to sleep. Missed out on the whole EK nice relaxing meal thing (though when i saw that it was 1995 Dom, I did force myself to indulge
That said, the FA was wonderful and quickly plated me very good meal (and gave me my chocolates as well). But still, it seemed odd. Given that for an 0830 flight most people would have left their place at 6AM or so and not necessarily eaten at LHR, as i chose not to . . . )
Did not get upgraded on the 773 flight to BOM, in which 1st looked just amazing. And finally had my first taste of ICE - wow.
J is very frequently oversold from LHR to DXB, and adding more flights does not seem to have reduced the number of passengers that they upgrade.
Cheers
Jan 30, 2006 | 1:42 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, TK, IC
Posts: 2,423
It is pretty strange that they would offer a simple "continental" meal and then a full meal later on in the flight. Not sure why, but they must have their reasons (sadiqhassan???). I guess with such an early flight, people just want to sleep for a few hours first before having a good meal. Nevertheless, glad you enjoyed your trip on EK carbonchaser.
Jan 30, 2006 | 4:16 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: QF Gold, VA Red, SQ, HH Silver, Marriott Gold.
Posts: 314
You are arriving in Australia. You don't just get a Holden, you get a Holden Statesman, long wheelbase top of the range.
I don't think you will miss a BMW or Mercedes.
I don't think you will miss a BMW or Mercedes.
Jan 30, 2006 | 5:42 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Originally Posted by BEYFlyer
It is pretty strange that they would offer a simple "continental" meal and then a full meal later on in the flight. Not sure why, but they must have their reasons (sadiqhassan???). I guess with such an early flight, people just want to sleep for a few hours first before having a good meal. Nevertheless, glad you enjoyed your trip on EK carbonchaser.
) They did bring some snacks in the end because I was very hungry 
Cheers
Jan 30, 2006 | 5:47 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Gatwick UK
Programs: BAEC Skywards
Posts: 80
Hi
Six hours without food. I think I would die.
I am booked in F on the 10am flight LGW to DXB later this year.
Anyone know what catering arrangemnents there are for that flight?
Would hope for a full lunch service at least.
Cheers
Six hours without food. I think I would die.
I am booked in F on the 10am flight LGW to DXB later this year.
Anyone know what catering arrangemnents there are for that flight?
Would hope for a full lunch service at least.
Cheers
Jan 30, 2006 | 3:43 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Southern California
Programs: UA 1KMMGS, EK Skywards Silver, SPG Gold,
Posts: 920
Originally Posted by BEYFlyer
I guess with such an early flight, people just want to sleep for a few hours first before having a good meal. Nevertheless, glad you enjoyed your trip on EK carbonchaser.
Jan 30, 2006 | 4:11 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Originally Posted by carbonchaser
No, eat then sleep. By and large, that's a pretty good rule in life.
That is why on eastbound flights ex Europe leaving between 11am and 2pm they serve Lunch straight after takeoff because it is getting late in Dubai.
Jan 31, 2006 | 12:42 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, TK, IC
Posts: 2,423
Originally Posted by carbonchaser
No, eat then sleep. By and large, that's a pretty good rule in life.
... Indeed, it would make perfect sense to eat and then sleep, but it seems EK follows "a different rule" on several of its flights 
as pointed out by sadiqhassan.