You guys ever heard this very line
"Keep your friends close.But keep your enemies closer" ?
Nah... it can't be .... (can't it? LOL)
I'm pretty sure it's like Hajjman says : "Maybe the timing of the flight departure was right for him having a meeting somewhere?"
The rest like spying on airline operations and other things are probably just some benefits out of being on EK flight. But still, he only brainwashes his cabin crew how QR are much more efficient and excellent than EK...