So it happened AGAIN! Just got a call from Emirates advising me of a change of aircraft from Suites to regular seats. No apology, of course - but at least they called ahead - that's a (very slight) improvement. Unfortunately, my schedule does not allow change to a different flight, so I'm stuck.

Given how frequently this happens, I suspect that this has nothing to do with 'operational' emergencies - ie the original aircraft is being repaired. I would bet that EK simply uses it as an underhanded way to maximize yields, along the following lines:

1) Splash advertisements all over the world with pictures of the Suites
2) Attract pax to pay top dollar to fly in the Suites
3) Sell more FC tickets than suites
4) Switch aircraft last minute to aircraft with (larger number) of regular seats
5) Rip-off the passengers and make great profits (at least in the short term)

With their treatment of and attitude toward premium passengers, EK will surely suffer dramatically soon. I look forward to watching them go down from my front row seat.

It has happened to me twice already this year and there is no way in hell im travelling emirates. The customer service really sucks. Just like dubai, emirates is headed for a downfall.

The T&C state operational reasons, not operational emergencies.

If you don't like it, take your business elsewhere! It's no good just moaning on an internet forum, put your money where your mouth is. Once more and more people start doing it, Emirates may realise that p*ssing off premium passengers is not a good idea.

Cheers,
Rick

I dont knw how many times i have said this if u dont like EK dont fly mate. Fly which ever airline u want then compare it with EK. U surely will feel the diffrence.

This is good to know. Won't waste my money booking them to DUB. Unfortunately, very consistent with the many stories I've herd from travelers recently traveling on the carrier. Not so good service for a carrier that markets itself as an over the top experince.

Guess the rapid growth is catching up to them

They don't fly to Dublin

I've never had a bad experience with them... yet. Try them once and make up your own mind. A lot of people moan for the sake of something to moan about.

Cheers,
Rick

Rick is correct the only way is to vote with your wallet. Contact Etihad and ask them to status match your level with Emirates. Take a premium flight with Etihad and then write to the director of customer services with your complaint. Include a copy of your membership card and ticket and see if they really do want to keep your business. Do a bit of research and try to find the name of the director so you can address your complaint on a personal level. Believe me any sensible company will want to hang on to your business.

FWIW, I know the OP is annoying some on the board but personally I'm glad of the repetition. If EK keep repeating this sort of experience for pax, then I want someone to keep telling the world about it. I agree with Rick, make your own mind up. There is no such thing as a "bad experience" in J with Emirates let alone F.

But, if first time premium travellers use this board to discover that their expectations on hard product are not guaranteed with Emirates ( - and for sure they are not), then the board is doing its job.

Arguments such as 'this is how the airline business works' are valid, but the problem is more pronounced with Emirates than anywhere else, and that's just a fact.

Absolutely. This is bound to happen as a result of the number of products that Emirates has in Business/First (not so much in Economy) and the number of different aircraft that they have. Combined with aircraft maintenance, route lengths and aircraft/route requirements, they have quite a juggling act to do.

I'm not excusing it, it's no different to other airlines and their products (VS, BA, SQ, JL etc have all had problems with guaranteeing service on flights when they roll out new products. The difference here is Emirates is rolling out markedly different products on their aircraft, and are moving them where they want to from a strategic or operational reason. People are purchasing seats on particular aircraft because of the advertising and the message that EK is sending out to the consumer through advertising. Therefore customers will feel shafted if their aircraft changes, no matter what the reason.

Snap. We were delayed a little coming out of sydney earlier this year, but that was as a result of a completely inebriated passenger (in Economy) who insisted on standing for the taxi to the runway. EK staff wouldn't accept that he would stay seated for the takeoff (understandably)!

Once again, wise words!

Of course the do this. Just one of many stories that demonstrate a rapid decline, RIP.

Serious question - have you ever flown Emirates? **Edit** - just read your other post, so ignore

I see quite a few posts mentioning a rapid decline, RIP etc. Most of these posters are based in the US, so would have less chance of flying EK than most people in Europe/Asia/Australasia.

The regular flyers on here (I include myself in this) don't see this rapid decline. Emirates aren't perfect, but no airline is.

So, my question would be - is it just 'wishful thinking' from the Americans that Emirates (as a Middle Eastern airline) go under?

Cheers,
Rick

I've actually lived in Dubai for several years. There is a reason for my user name

Unfortunately, being a resident of Dubai, I have a somewhat limited ability to take my business elsewhere. I do fly other airlines, whenever schedules allow, however. In fact, I have flown on nearly every large global airline over the past few years. Is EK far better than most American airlines? Absolutely! Is EK far worse than most Asian airlines? Without a doubt!

I post my experiences in the hope that forum readers will benefit from them when deciding which airline to book - that's one of the purposes of this forum! Fact of the matter is, if one is considering booking a premium ticket from London to Sydney, I can't imagine a single reason why that person would choose Emirates over ... say ... SQ.

Unless cash is no object, then perhaps the reason might be cost?
SQ charges for J, what EK charges for F. But again you will argue SQ's J is a better product than EK's F.

Ah, but there's also the miles: I can't think of any other airline that rewards 150% for online bookings in F, not to mention tier bonus and the 200% class bonus. In a single return trip in F (UK-AUS), you will get enough miles to fly J return between Europe and M.E.

I contemplated hard taking on SQ instead of EK, but for what I pay for, EK has better value, if not the best out there.

Just checked my booking on EK's site and they've switched planes on me

My DXB- AKL flight has changed from the A380 to B772LR ... Both have the suites ... but i want to take a shower and then relax in my suite lol

This means that now I have to pay and change to a date which has the A380

Luckily my AKL-DXB still has the A380 hope this doesnt change too

Apparently now, it's A380 then the next 2 days B772LR and then A380 again This is for DXB- AKL or AKL - DXB ...

Which means my outbound leg should be alright ... for now at least ... But bugger what a disappointment