but why on earth are BA using this on DXB when they are up against EK?
Emirates have some VERY varible and old aircraft, the trick is to keep them off prime business routes like LHR. The older B777s are dedicated to the likes of the Gulf reionals, Bangladesh and Pakistan for a reason.....
BA went through a period of money saving and penny pinching and the product still suffers as a result today. If continuous investment and renewal is interrupted, it can take years to get back to where you were. There's no excuse for a manky aircraft though and sounds like someone needs a kick up the backside.