Ek 406 mel_akl
 

Background:

I had booked this trip in November to visit family for the holidays. In December EK announced the complimentary upgrade between NZ & OZ.

Called up Skywards and spent 12,500 miles to upgrade to J one-way and got the free upgrade for the return J trip.



EK407 , AKL - MEL


I travelled to MEL with my parents. We had an awesome flight experience with EK .

Winnie (J cabin Supervisor), Bianca and the rest of the J Cabin Crew were excellent and made our journey real fun , so thanks heaps guys ! ^ .

The great service coupled with travelling with family also meant that I didnt have time for a full TR , but I did manage to click some pictures which will have to suffice as the TR for this leg ....

Dinner:


My J dinner on EK407 AKL- MEL flight :)

Canapes:

http://i42.tinypic.com/14kw7zs.jpg


Appetiser : Chicken & wild mushroom terrine

http://i43.tinypic.com/257jckx.jpg


Main Course: Oven roasted Lamb rack

http://i41.tinypic.com/2h3vslk.jpg


Dessert: White chocolate mousse

http://i39.tinypic.com/21euw4j.jpg



MAIN TR for EK406



This Trip report covers my solo return to AKL on the EK406.



Check-in:

The Chauffeur dropped me at MEL around 5:30 am . I wanted to get to the airport early to have a look around and check out the duty free plus EK's lounge.

Although it was early a few J pax were lined up to check-in with F counter free as the staff was chatting to the Supervisor .... I caught her eye as I walked up and she waved me to her counter ... Yaay saved 3 mins :D

Check-in was real quick and I asked her about the flight loads for F & J . Both were busy with J looking nearly full and F half full.

Whilst checking-in online the previous day, I couldnt get my desired 7A seat. So requested for the same with her again but it was taken and she couldnt re-assign it so resigned myself to spending the flight in the busier main J cabin. :(


Security:


After checking-in walked to the Departures & Security and was surprised to see it was closed and would only be open at 6 AM . I had to sit outside in the general airport area along with a few other early pax who were also waiting.

Finally at 6:03 AM the door opened and people were allowed through :rolleyes: ... Oh well at least it was a first for me ..... the first person to be checked through security in an Airport :cool:



EK MEL Lounge:


http://i43.tinypic.com/24glmiu.jpg



Was greeted warmly on my entry by Anne .....


http://i42.tinypic.com/110ys0l.jpg



Anne had a pleasant surprise for me .... I had been upgraded to F which was very good news for me as I wasn't looking forward to the busy J cabin. :eek:


http://i44.tinypic.com/14tk6a.jpg


I was given an Express Departure Card which I didnt use as there was no queue .. As she took my Lounge invitation Anne asked for dep card back as they recycle these.

I made my usual request and asked for both the invitation and dep card as souvenirs to which she obliged with a smile ... thanks Anne ! :)



A few Lounge Pictures :


http://i40.tinypic.com/ephq89.jpg


http://i40.tinypic.com/t8ayh5.jpg


http://i42.tinypic.com/1ggc1z.jpg


http://i42.tinypic.com/246mkya.jpg



My lounge brekky:



http://i44.tinypic.com/2u4t46f.jpg


I was still feeling peckish so had another few Veuve flutes with mixed nuts as I enjoyed the view from the lounge.


http://i43.tinypic.com/2nrmsed.jpg


Our flight being prepared for us :)


http://i44.tinypic.com/359zrm0.jpg


EK & SQ :p


http://i42.tinypic.com/oavolc.jpg



Boarding:


EK's lounge is conveniently located right above the gate 11 so when it was time to board it's just a ride down the escalator and then a short walk to the gate.

The announcement in the lounge was made at the right time so we can just walk straight onto the plane rather than reach the gate and be asked to wait till the flight is ready to board (like in DXB).


They took the bigger part of the BP at the gate leaving me with the lil stub which I hate ... Anyone know why they cant give us the bigger part like they do in N ? :mad:


The ground staff opened for the left L1 gate door for the F pax ... Didnt see any J pax being let through this door and bridge.

F pax walked through a separate part all the way to the aircraft.

http://i42.tinypic.com/9gwutk.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/23kevqt.jpg



EK406 , The Flight:



Was met at the door by purser Vivek who was very welcoming and later I was lucky to get a brilliant FA too , Vanessa.


Both Vivek & Vanessa looked after the F pax really well and were attentive even though the F cabin was quite busy being half full.



Welcome drink of Moet

http://i42.tinypic.com/330wmso.jpg


Arabic Coffee and Date

http://i42.tinypic.com/rclks5.jpg



Some Suite pictures and also a few of the controller showing some screens/options unique to the suite planes.



Suite:

http://i39.tinypic.com/2whm48y.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/11t7hgn.jpg

F seat :

http://i40.tinypic.com/mx0h75.jpg

The lil gold levers on the arm rests are to lower the arm rests for a larger seat base and also make it easy to get out of the chair should the meal table already be set-up


Mini-Bar:

http://i39.tinypic.com/11spn2p.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/25saao0.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/23ru4hg.jpg


Suite Privacy:


http://i40.tinypic.com/28uky74.jpg


View with Suite Doors Open


http://i41.tinypic.com/ljh36.jpg


View with Suite Doors Closed


http://i44.tinypic.com/k2litx.jpg


So with the doors closed one can really have a good cosy private flight experience ... of course being the good F pax that I am, I made sure I had a full glass of Dom and munchies before I shut the door ;)



Breakfast:


I had had a long night out so the early morning start had made me quite hungry.

Vanessa was good enough to offer me both the Cheese plate and Omelette for Breakfast.

The Cheese was real fresh.


http://i41.tinypic.com/29nuujn.jpg


and Omelette really fluffy and Yummy too!


http://i39.tinypic.com/14ikj9i.jpg


To finish a freshly brewed Dopio Espresso :)


http://i41.tinypic.com/168h8r7.jpg



My glass was kept topped up quite well by the cabin crew .... so that meant a fair few rounds of Dom with warm mixed nuts through-out the rest of the flight .... Of course this made me a very happy camper :D

http://i43.tinypic.com/2exonyv.jpg


F cabin shots :


http://i44.tinypic.com/2wqfiac.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/bil3zr.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2hhkgwj.jpg


Our driving force:

http://i43.tinypic.com/wqrdc8.jpg



Home :D


http://i40.tinypic.com/28sau4p.jpg


Final thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed my entire flight experience with EK once again.:-: ^

The Chauffeur ride was early, Check-in smooth. Lounge was spotless and had a good breakfast and wines selection. Cabin Crew were brilliant & attentive , so ...

Thank you and Well Done Emirates :-: :)

Marvelous report. I would have loved to see the meal as well from AKL-MEL.. EK truly has a great FC product... thanks....

Whoops ... I actually did mean to upload them but forgot ... OP updated :)

Cheers,

Very nice report EK_Flyer and good pics of the F cabin and service. Hoping to try them next year on the new SFO-DXB run.

Thanks SFO777 :)

Your trip will prolly be on the B77LR so the suites might be slightly larger than the A345 suites :)

Also with just 2 rows F will be more exclusive ... all the more better to enjoy the long trip :D ^

Cheers

I'm getting a big urge to try out EK F class again. :D

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks for the great report. EK definitely have the best trans-tasman product, and for much cheaper than QF and NZ too. If I ever had the need to go to NZ, I would definitely choose not to confine myself into a crappy domestic plane with ever-so-slightly-above-average domestic service when I can enjoy the service on EK like a true international flight.

Thanks for the feedback guys , please keep 'em coming :) this is just my 2nd TR so all suggestions are welcome :D


I wanted to get some more pics of the suite, cabin & cabin crew but the flight time of 3 hours didnt allow me enough time to do a proper TR.

I reckon Trans Tasman EK have very strong F & J products.

Depending on where you're going you may get the suites in F -> MEL BNE OR skycrusier in F for SYD

In J the options differ as well , with lie-flats for BNE & SYD or deeply reclining for MEL

I'm not sure but I dont think QF & NZ offer F in these legs and IMHO even their J does not match with the lie-flats on EK ... The seats are better and the screens bigger :D

Another Great EK Trip Report ^