I'm not sure if this is of interest, but I thought I'd jot down my findings after our first trip on EK in J.

BHX-DXB EK038 1A/B (332) The BHX lounge is the shared Servisair one . Not a very comfortable place to wait but it serves its purpose. On board we had bulkhead seats which were not too comfortable for the wider framed person (me) but pitch was adequate. Cabin service was impeccable and nothing was too much trouble. Entertainment was TV & Radio.

DXB-SIN EK352 4A/B (77W) DXB is a mad place. The Emirates J lounge is overcrowded, understaffed and a thoroughly uncomfortable place to spend time. The flight was delayed whilst the previous flight at the gate tracked down a missing passenger. The aircraft was excellent and our seats were very comfortable with excellent pitch. The ICE system worked perfectly and provided a seemingly limitless source of entertainment and information. Cabin service was again superb.

SIN-MEL EK404 8A/B (773) SIN has a fantastic lounge with a full length panorama of the apron and runway. The lounge staff took the trouble to politely welcome us and personally give us a guided tour of the facility. Hot food was offered and served to our seating area. The aircraft was a let-down after that. It had seen better days and was in need of refurbishment. All classes were full with a number of parents and screaming babies. Cabin service was good, but the workload seemed to test the crew's ability to maintain EK's usual standards. TV & Radio entertainment was on offer and we were pleased when the flight was over.

MEL-AKL EK406 9J/K (345) MEL again has an excellent lounge with superb views of the tarmac and runways. Same attention to detail by the lounge staff reinforced our good feelings about EK. The aircraft was in perfect condition and the new seats were comfortable with excellent pitch. ICE was again on offer and much enjoyed.

AKL-SYD EK419 8J/K (77W) The AKL lounge has no windows which make it a little dark but this is made up for by the excellent furnishings and staff attitude. The aircraft and seating were again excellent and ICE was welcomed.

SYD-DXB EK413 8J/K (345) SYD has another really well appointed lounge with great views. The aircraft was in tip-top condition and the crew was attentive and efficient. The car service on arrival at DXB was a little disorganised and the driver more keen to get back to base than to deliver us to the correct entrance of the hotel. We stayed at Le Meridien Royal Club at the airport which was great and no aircraft noise at all.

DXB-BHX EK039 4A/B (772) The DXB lounge experience was repeated again with nowhere to sit and no staff to replenish food and drink supplies. The final sector was uneventful and comfortable with ICE again available.

Our overall impressions were of an excellent airline with a workforce committed to maintaining an extremely high standard of customer service. With a few exceptions, great lounges, great aircraft and great service.

The experience was only compromised at our final destination by the appalling car service at BHX. EK was let down by a third party whose staff had no concept of the customer service.

We are now committed EK flyers and will use them whenever the opportunity arises.

Sounds good. Seems to back up my opinion of Emirates, despite some criticisms over the last few months.

Try it in F if you can afford it ever

Cheers,
Rick

Good report!

I have an upcoming trip to Australia in F with Emirates. First time in F and first time with EK - I will, of course, post a report on my return.

Make sure that you catch A345.
Otherwise you will get less experience.

Thanks for the tip. My trip includes flights on 77W, 777 and 15 hours (^ ) on A345!

Thanks for your trip report Darryl, I was very interested to read it as I am travelling with my husband in J class for the first time at the end of March/early April on three of the flights you took - BHX-DXB EK038, DXB-SIN EK352 and DXB-BHX EK039. (I will also be on SIN-DXB EK344.) I'm just a little alarmed at your comment about the seat width on EK038 - my husband is pretty bulky (ex rugby player!). Was this just on EK038? Any recollection you have on the actual seating on each flight would be gratefully received.
Sue E.

The seats on the A330 are a little tight for the bigger boned person (I'm 19st, so I qualify). However, I didn't think they were too bad. I actually prefer the tighter seat, as it has a lot more legroom that the B777.

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks Rick, that's reassuring.
Sue E.