Disappointed with A345 J class
 

Just got off SYD-DXB J class on the A340-500. Very disappointing cabin.
Two major problems:

1. The seats. They are not even close to lie flat. Amazed EK have these in their long-range A345s. Coming off SQ's new business class seats a few weeks ago - I felt like I was in premium economy...

2. The lights from the galley ensure the entire cabin is quite light throughout the flight. I don't understand why the divider between the bulkhead and the galley is open at the top. The Y cabin is much darker than the J cabin.

EK are going to have to upgrade these seats before I travel on them again. The QF, MH, SQ, CX, VS, EY etc J class seats are all vastly superior.

They will upgrade those ultra-long haul aircraft once the A380's are rolling out.

The massage function on the seats is quite nice, but the actual space and seat is not good for a flight as long as DXB - SYD. it's a shame, but that's Emirates product development cycle for you!

Or so they say...

Should get the lie-flat product currently installed on the B777 fleet - in a 2x2x2 config. The A380s will displace the A340-500s on the non-stop Oz flights from Feb 2009 (assuming the 4/5 A380s arrive on time). They shall then be retrofitted & are rumoured to be launching new TATL flights.

The A345 is a great opportunity to take advantage of EK's quite generous MFU policies!

I definetly agree that the seats are nothing like any of those airlines but I wouldn't say it is like a premium economy product. I flew on the 345 a few weeks ago between MEL and DXB and although a little hard, I found them very comfortable! I managed to sleep for 8 hours on a 13 hour flight - which is amazing for me since I cannot normally sleep on planes! I guess it's all down to personal opinion!

773ER

Funny I was probably on the same flight (I left SYD on Tue 27th)
I thought the very same thing. The seat is perfect for sitting about, doodling, but for sleeping, it's pathetic.

I had noticed a couple of J passengers were bumped to F (as J was oversold).
I was in 8F, and the annoying curtain/toilettes ahead made it hard for me to sleep.

Had I actually paid for this ticket, I would have been quite disapointed, but I had used my miles to snatch the seat less than 24 hours before, so can't complain :)

I did not like the fact food was served so late into the flight, and how the breakfast was sort of disapointing (a bit dull after 13 hours or so onboard).\

We landed ahead of schedule (which was excellent), it got me to spend some neat time in the shower in the lounge before I caught my connection.

Having flown the F on the A345, I could say it has to be the best product EK has. Yet to fly the new J class (maybe, just maybe next week I will get to experience it).

MilesDependent, where abouts did you sit on that flight?

Hi,

Yes indeed we were on the same flight. I was in 9B. Indeed we landed quite early, although as I had a 4hr connection to ATH I was not particularly enthused about that.

Just got off my return DXB-SYD, similar story, although this time there a baby screaming in Y which I could hear quite easily through my ear plugs...

Funny how that is. I just got off my EK412 from DXB this morning.
I was pinning an onboard upgrade until the last minute when both F and J were fully loaded :S
I lost my original 25B (emergency exit) after a glitch with their system, then again my reasigned 24D (which is right in front of the toilettes). i was thrown into 30 something, then after take off, I got into 26B

Gotta tell you, those under seat tv boxes suck big time. After 13 odd hours onboard, getting a mere 15 minute nap, and spending most of the time in the galley at the back with the crew, I made up my mind about flying Y long haul. Never ever again unless it's a matter of life and death, no other seats/options are available.

Food was ok, but again I requested seafood meal, and got extra portions later on from the crew. One crew member told me off for bringing the tray too soon (saying it's gonna be the last time, DUH, I said, it's gonna be the last time I'd be in Y :P )

The LH door adjacent to row 25 was dripping water throughout the flight (cool, I thought, water feature). The light right behind the door (above the windows) was the only non-off light in the whole Y section. The cabin crew could not do anything about it (figured later it has something to do with the dripping water); the thin eye shades did nothing. For the record it was the RI reg'd plane, so one of the later delivered A345's.

Some kids were crying here and there, but nothing unusual about cramped Y.

Luggage, even though tagged with First priority, and gold cards, arrived 25 minute after the first bag rolling off.

Having boarded DJ's E170 from SYD, I wished EK had the same seats in Y on their planes. Honestly, the width, the legroom, and the comfort of the E170 were unmatched. Ironic given DJ's flight of 27 minutes, with additional 15 minutes holding short of the runway for traffic.

Overall, I highly recommend avoiding Y an J on the A345 at all cost. Hell, take the 773, or splurge on J/F on the 773. The comfort in F (in the A345 of course) is worth every penny.

my 2 cents :)

Next flight will be on the A345 in late august, F again.