How bad is J in the A332?
 

I will be going on vacation to HKG/BKK, and since I am using my miles, only have the option to fly the dreaded 332.

I have not flown this aircraft with EK for years, so would appreciate your comments on the seating in J.
I have the option of coming back via PEK (as that is a 77L), but is J in the 332 really that bad, that I can justify cathing a flight from HKG to PEK?

Thanks in advance.

I don't think it's too bad. The seat has got great pitch, although some people complain it is a little narrow. It's never bothered me, and I'm a bit of a porker. I managed to sleep all the way from HKG-DXB.

Emirates removed a row of seats a few years ago, so that's why the pitch is so good.

There's no ICE, but you do get the in-seat tape player that allows you to pause/rewind etc.

The food & service should be the same as any other Emirates flight.

I certainly wouldn't add an extra flight just to avoid the A332.

Cheers,
Rick

i second DYKWIA, flew it on the DXB-HYD sector, pitch is very good, and the seat is comfy to sleep too. I am 6'2, 270Lbs...i never messed with the inseat player on my 3.30 hr flight. food is good, u should go for it.

Fly to HKG atleast 3 - 4 times a year. Have flown both F and J, and I second (third?) DYKWIA and ash_ak. In J, decent Pitch and recline and I have had no problems getting sleep. Have a nice one !

-----csp

I have to admit that EK has one of the worst business class onboard its A 332.

Seats are too narrow and cramped and EK is the only airlines that has 7 seats abreast onboard the A 330s and A 340s using conventional seating. As for seat pitch it is acceptable but seat width is terrible.

FYI There is nothing special in flying EK A330s fleet.

While I wouldn't deliberately fly on EK's 332 on longer sectors, I flew DXB-BLR and it was absolutely fine for a short flight like this.

I suppose to fly EK on DXB-CAN business class next month. However, when I noticed that EK operate the A 330-200 on that route I decided to cancel that trip and refund my money and switch to CX via HKG and then CZ to CAN.

I fly yesterday from Europe to DXB on overnight fight with A332 and it is indeed very bad experience. Seats are very narrow - Recline angle was poor and the entertainment system (no ICE) is really not acceptable for a J-class from a premium carrier.

Sorry another vote against, completely inadequate product. Seat is very soft, narrow. Oddly enough the recline motor is very fast, hard to finesse! Aisle very narrow to squeeze 7 across and I kept getting bashed. In the centre row, 3 people have to share 2 drinks holders. That was fun. I would say a borderline Premium Economy product. Of course I appreciate it's just a seat on a plane, and is not actively going to kill me. I would take it in the day only.

I think saying EK A332 product is 'borderline premium economy' is unjustified. :td:

I look at it more like 1980's business class. :D

Having the option of a old 300 or 300er - for an over night the 332 a better option for sleeping-- I actual slept better than on the 777s (new J is another story)

A332 J seats are ok, as long as the seat next to you is vacant. Always prefer row 8 (A/B).

If the flight is anything over 4 hours, then, it becomes an issue. I have never flown this long on the A332, but can see how others could dread it. If you could fly F then you will be slightly better off.

On a different note, the service onboard makes for the shortfall in the actual seat. Again, the seat next to you has to be vacant, otherwise, it's like other posters said, premium economy at best.

Forgot to mention, avoid window seats: shoulder space is an issue due to the curvature of the fuselage, and if someone is sitting next to you (who is not a close companion - ie your partner/sibling etc), it will feel like economy exit row seats.

Terrible. Width is no better than UA domestic F and they put the window seats so close to the wall that in my case my shoulder was jammed up against it when sitting upright. The only other plane I've had that problem with is a Canadair RJ200, which is a very sad comparision. For a short flight it's probably OK but god help you if it's a long flight, you might as well be in economy. I would definitely try to get an alternate carrier, almost any carrier.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the A330/A343's.

I suspect some of them will be replaced with the B787's when they eventually start to come into service. However, as the B787 has still not flown, this could be some time off.

I think that they should at least upgrade the F/J on some of the newer aircraft that won't be rolled off for a few years. Do something similar to what they have done with the older B777-300's.

These could then be used on the longer sectors (Western Europe/Far East) initially. The non upgraded planes would continue to be used on the shorter sectors such as India & other Middle Eastern destinations.

Once the B787's start arriving, the older A330's would disappear for good.

Cheers,
Rick