All
Humble SLF but a regular Business class passenger with you on approx 8 - 10 sectors a month. Also lived in Mid East for a time in 1980,s so I do understand some of the issues you have with your ultimate employer, and to some extent the region. However I would take issue with anything said by American carriers about central govt, as what they need to improve to better the ME3, is to quit complaining, and do something with there service levels and their tired aircraft. Currently even though EK is not as good as it was with regards customer service, in say 2001, the levels of service and facilities far out strip those of the majority of A/C in the big 3 US carriers. Your cabin crews maybe tired, but they are still a mile better than those on US carriers re customer focus and service. It is still a good product as a customer, as compared with the opposition outside the Middle East.
Regards
Mr Mac