EK - service quality getting poorer?

[jettison valve]

Good evening,

in the past couple of years, I had the pleasure of riding EK several times (including Business class segments DXB-BOM and to/from DXB for the airshow at the end of 2001). Service was very good, seat etc ok.

Apart from this positive experience, the flight schedule (overnight flight from Europe to DXB, midday departure back to Europe) made some colleagues and me choose EK to fly to DXB and back for a one week vacation in UAE.

However, the standard of EK seems to be getting poorer: After an excellent dinner on the inbound flight, we weren`t even asked whether we would like to have breakfast - we simply landed into DXB, no coffee, nothing at all after waking up!!!

Both flights were staffed by rather unattent and unfriendly cabin crew members - although both flights were hardly 50% full (if not only one third!).

As it was the first time riding on an EK A332 (previous flights were on A300/A310/B772), I was absolutely surprised by the fact that the EK seat arrangement on A330s is 2-2-2 in first (others have 1-2-1), and 2-3-2 in business (others have 2-2-2).
Wow, what a DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

I know that you`re next to nothing on a standby trip - but at least a "hello" from the standby check-in counter guy in DXB would have been appreciated.

So, what`s up with EK? Was it ever a superb airline? Is it still a world-class airline?

Regards,
J.V.

[4HolerPoler]

Have to agree with you. I thought it was just a bad flight the first time it went downhill but it's now apparent to me that service is on the wane. Business class means that you get a bigger seat, with more pitch (especially on the 330) but it's tough to believe you're in business when you're stuck in the middle of two other folk in the centre seat. The on-board service is really no better than economy.

Most of the pursers I've flown with seem to have it all together, but is it my imagination that a lot of the new staff seem to be coming from the bottom of the barrel? There used to be a standard that one was used to, in cabin staff appearance, but I get the impression that now they waive that requirement to fill the uniforms.

Maybe I've just had a spate of bad flights recently.

[kenoco]

I used to work for QR and i must admit i have moaned a lot about their inept senior management but i gota say Qatar Airways inflight service,especially up the front is top class,Business class is one of the best,big seats,new A330,and some of the best cabin crew in the business,a big change in the senior management and a change in the aircraft colors and it could be a little challenge to the others,EK seem to have a lot of Cabin Crew who couldn't be bothered and just getting by on the name alone..xxM.

[akerosid]

I understand a major review of service products in all classes is under way, to come in with the A340-500. The 10 abreast layout on the 777 fleet is also going to be reduced to the standard 9.

That said, EK doesn't seem to be having problems winning the awards. DXB has been rated best airport (admittedly not part of EK, but can't hurt), EK's lounges are said to be among the best and survey after survey ranks EK among the best.

Furthermore, the convenience of the DXB hub and the ever increasing number of connections it offers is a major bonus. We're very hopeful of EK finally launching services to Ireland next year!

That said, with the huge rumoured deal for 380s, 773s and 346s to be announced at Paris next week, there must be some concerns at how they're going to be crewed - cabin as well as flight, without compromising service standards.

[4HolerPoler]

Please don't turn this into an EK bashing thread. Factual, unbiased replies would be just great. Speak your mind but keep it to your personal opinion of the level of EK service.

And one day we'll get a thread that doesn't have a Q in it. One day.

4HP

[mutt]

And one day we'll get a thread that doesn't have a Q in it. One day. Dream on my friend...... :):):):)


Mutt.

[Pontious]

Well Guys,
They seem to be something right because they are the only airline placing major aircraft orders and seem to be maintaining a healthy habit of cleaning up at the awards for best airline,best service,best scheduled operator etc,et al.
Sorry you had a couple of dodgy flights but they are training a lot of new crew as part of the massive expansion programme and they tend to crew the "Turnaround flights" with the newies in order to get their number of sectors up.
Perhaps your comments would be better suited to the Pax/SLF forum.:ok:

[jettison valve]

Good evening everybody,

it certainly was not my intention to open a "bashing EK" thread.

It was just that all the awards did not match with my recent observations (see the lack of a breakfast/coffee after a night flight, and the seat arrangement for factual arguements).

Thanks for your replies,
J.V.

[kenoco]

QR business class should get some awards.

[A300Man]

I agree that EK servuice standards have gone way downhill recently. I am sometimes forced to fly on EK due to business commitments, and I dread doing so.

The prospect of a 777-3 with what seems like 3,000 passengers crammned in the back is not something I relish to Hong Kong and back!

I have a friend who has just joined the ranks of EK as Cabin Crew. This guy has been flying for years and is very senior and good at his stuff. Even he admitted to me that the standard of service nowhere compares to a certain other carrier which 4HP has suggested that we don't mention!!!!

However, staying on-topic, it would appear that the effects of a rapid expansion are being felt.

[Warlock2000]

"The prospect of a 777-3 with what seems like 3,000 passengers crammned in the back is not something I relish to Hong Kong and back!"

... and that's why they call it E C O N O M Y. :uhoh:

[kumul1]

Seen as *atari seem to copy every thing that EK does, I suppose we can expect their service to follow suite.;)

[Goldstone]

OK, now for my opinions ... for what they're worth ...

EK's standards are slipping a little. Complacency is the problem. Same in their dealings with the travel trade. And, to be fair, people's expectations are usually very high when they fly EK ... won all those awards, must be good ... so if the flight is anything less than perfect they go away dissappointed.

QR is a different story. People's expectations are low ... who ARE Qatar Airways? where is Qatar anyway? (and they probably didn't CHOOSE to fly QR, more likely bought on price) ... and as the on board service and product are pretty good the result is usually a pax who is pleasantly surprised. I don't however like the new J Class seats in the A330s. You seem to be stretched out at a 45 degree angle when the seat is reclined and all your weight is concentrated on your feet which are up against the foot-rest.

GF are much improved and could well be challenging EK for some of those awards in the not too distant future.

[BAE146]

Paxed LHR to DXB last month on EK. SUPERB!

[richie-rich]

i have had the chance to fly with EK on many occassion and am the member f their Skywards Silver status.

Best ever flight in my life was with EK. Musnt forget to add that I have been disappointed by the attitude of the flight attendants as a whole lately. Been flying SQ recently due to location/simple ititninery and beats me how EK tops SQ with all those awards.

No puck intended, but I beleive it would be futile for EK to hire some yankee and canadian attendants and come out of their English and European gang for a change. Sorry to say, a 20 year old like me have never been sexually ignited by their boring and formal service & outlook. :} Been blantly hurt when a F/A asked me to make sure if i am sitting in the right "Class". Gosh, grow up! Coming from Bangladesh doesnt mean I gotta sit in Economy !! Dad would kill me if I ever do it.

Never had any bad experience with any american carrier. It's true. :ok:

Richie