QF or EK metal (First)?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BD Gold, BAEC Gold, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 869
QF or EK metal (First)?
We are looking at a return itinerary from Europe to Australia (connecting to New Zealand) in First with a choice of EK or QF A380 for the DXB-Australia-DXB segments. Intetested in opinions about which is "better"?
We've both done a lot of BA First and have also done quite a bit of QF domestic business, but never longhaul QF J or F, and never set foot on EK metal. We're both BA Gold (OneWorld Emerald) and would be ticketing it as QF codeshare regardless of which metal.
Any thoughts would be welcomed, particularly from those of you who have done QF and EK F and can compare.
We've both done a lot of BA First and have also done quite a bit of QF domestic business, but never longhaul QF J or F, and never set foot on EK metal. We're both BA Gold (OneWorld Emerald) and would be ticketing it as QF codeshare regardless of which metal.
Any thoughts would be welcomed, particularly from those of you who have done QF and EK F and can compare.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
Why "ticketing it as QF codeshare regardless of which metal"? For BA avios?
Qatar QR also fly that route.
QR & EK also fly direct from the middle east to AKL, but would need to check if EK have a QF codeshare DXB-AKL. QR is Oneworld
Edit
Looks like QR do not have first class DOH-AKL
Many airlines fly trans Taman Aust - NZ to/from a range of airports
Qatar QR also fly that route.
QR & EK also fly direct from the middle east to AKL, but would need to check if EK have a QF codeshare DXB-AKL. QR is Oneworld
Edit
Looks like QR do not have first class DOH-AKL
Many airlines fly trans Taman Aust - NZ to/from a range of airports
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Apr 29, 2017 at 4:44 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
EK F is a great product and many people would prefer it over QF F, but there are some advantages for QF over EK. These are better chosen wines (not more expensive but tasting better) and better food (if you like Neil Perry/Rockpool). QF also has a more open F cabin while still private, which I think is a better design than the EK suites. Sadly they are overdue for a refresh on most of the QF A380 fleet (while EK has refrehsed their F suite and improved it). Service is also better on EK simply because they have more flight attendants onboard (plus the 2 shower attendants). But QF has maintained its F service level unlike BA where it is pretty poor these days. Either one will be quite an improvement over BA.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
Agree with the above. Flying EY and EK F it can be a shock returning to QF. Probably been 5 years between QF F flights and on the last occasion I was shocked at the lack of privacy. Settled into an 1A or 1K every person who walks up and down the aisle can see you.
That said QF ground assistance is much better especially the F host escort and booking spa treatments.
You could fly each product in each direction for the sake of deciding for yourself.
That said QF ground assistance is much better especially the F host escort and booking spa treatments.
You could fly each product in each direction for the sake of deciding for yourself.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,574
isn't that a comparison ?
Not sure that the escort is that amazing - does QF actually do this for connecting passengers in Austalia? passenger is only connecting in AU; also with a decent connection, there shouldn't be enough time in Australia to worry about spa treatments
If doing stopovers en route , then the additional chauffeur services would more than offset it imo
If doing stopovers en route , then the additional chauffeur services would more than offset it imo
Last edited by Dave Noble; Apr 29, 2017 at 10:57 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,992
Yes you can ... the latter tend to be orange in colour; the former varies mainly between green and red but rarely orange.
The actual 'saying' is along the lines of : "You can't add apples to oranges!"
What's two apples and thee oranges? A: Two Apples and Three oranges!
You can add apples to apples or oranges to oranges however. Two apples and three apples [strike]is[/are] five apples.
The actual 'saying' is along the lines of : "You can't add apples to oranges!"
What's two apples and thee oranges? A: Two Apples and Three oranges!
You can add apples to apples or oranges to oranges however. Two apples and three apples [strike]is[/are] five apples.
Last edited by serfty; Apr 30, 2017 at 8:43 pm Reason: gwammar
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
The term "You can't add apples to oranges!" is generally in English speaking countries used when teaching about different units, elementary algebra and sometimes set theory.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BD Gold, BAEC Gold, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 869
Is spa pre-booking only available on QF metal?
Also would they offer chauffeur service mid-route, eg for stopover in DXB or SYD?
Final question (for now!) - what's the F escort service? Is this from F lounge to aircraft (presumably on foot?) or similar?
Also would they offer chauffeur service mid-route, eg for stopover in DXB or SYD?
Final question (for now!) - what's the F escort service? Is this from F lounge to aircraft (presumably on foot?) or similar?
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
It is similar to what BA used to do for Concorde. F escort starts at curbside and is whatever you want; they give you mobile number to phone when you are approaching airport and meet you at your car dropoff, handy when F checkin is full of OWEs; also inside sterile area at baggage claim before customs. Normally not from F lounge to gate but at other areas where you are likely to actually benefit from some assistance.
#14
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,574
There would seem, however, to be no reason to take the extra stop route unless planning a stopover in Asia ; EK offers multiple non stop services to Australia plus a non stop service to Auckland