Humble SLF, but a regular EK flyer in Business Class (Gold - may own a wing !) for quite a time, and I would agree that the standard has dropped in the last few years, both in service and food,- check out SLF forum for other comments on same issue. Still use them due to good connections from regional UK airport (Man in my case) and good ICE. Have used a couple of other ones, Qatar and the other one up the road. Oman Air is the other carrier I really quite like, but no regional depp from UK, so do not get to use them much. EK issue seems to be the variable levels of service you get on some flights including those sometimes from UK, so not just none European sectors. Will continue to do DXB "shuffle" as that's where I have to go and I do not like LHR or London Airways, also my wife likes the air miles, and the places in the Indian Ocean / Far East these get us to !.
Regards
Mr Mac