Emirates 1st class, and Dubai 4th class
Prof. Airport Engineer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Australia (mostly)
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Emirates 1st class, and Dubai 4th class
Summary = not happy.
Flew 1st class PER-DXB and then to Doha. My focus is on the long haul PER-DXB legs. I paid for 1st class, and was looking for the 1st class experience. Didn’t find it. I’d actually rather fly Thai or Malaysian for the 1st class experience: it may be that their product is slightly more tired, but their enthusiasm is much better and the passenger experience is better.
I flew an old Thai 747 out of Europe a couple of months ago and it was still pretty good. If you line all the planes up, I’ll take an old Thai versus a new Emirates any day. Bit of a worry if you hold Emirates shares.
Coming out of DXB [on Emirates], I was looking for a glass of wine (umm - after being in the ‘dry’ Qatar, a couple of glasses would have been welcome) Did I get them? No way. I got one, then no more, and then gave up and went to sleep. That is, in plain language, crap service. I’d be better off in business class. It’s cute having the 1st class cubicles, but it’s a lot less cute being hidden away as a passenger and having no service. And since I’m one of the very few that pays real money for their tickets, my negative opinion augers badly for Emirates.
I’m looking at another trip now, and I’m looking elsewhere (= no Emirates; which is a little bit crazy because their timetable and route network really support my travel). But heck - I want a glass of wine with dinner and if they won’t provide it, then I’ll go elsewhere.
So, it is now Etihad and SAA (but hampered by the serious lack of SAA business class seats out of Australia). In the years to come, I’m sure the business schools of the world will make a case study of how one can destroy your own market and SAA on the Australia-South Africa leg will feature highly.
I think I have so far failed to address the “new wonder Emirates” Terminal 3 at Dubai. Easily fixed. What a comprehensive mess. I had 1h 30m between flights and I needed every minute of it, to race from one place to another. If you are travelling via Dubai, you would do well to keep a (new) rule of thumb in mind. Dubai = 90 minutes minimum transfer time (and 120 minutes would better).
I can't believe Dubai have done so badly. They are clever people and have visionary ideas. The Middle East is a pleasant transit point, but I vacuously and mischeviously speculate that this is a plot to move people to Qatar and their new facility. If it is, they have done well for Qatar. Anyway, for the international travellers who use the Midde East, the new word for Dubai is ****up. Damn shame.
Flew 1st class PER-DXB and then to Doha. My focus is on the long haul PER-DXB legs. I paid for 1st class, and was looking for the 1st class experience. Didn’t find it. I’d actually rather fly Thai or Malaysian for the 1st class experience: it may be that their product is slightly more tired, but their enthusiasm is much better and the passenger experience is better.
I flew an old Thai 747 out of Europe a couple of months ago and it was still pretty good. If you line all the planes up, I’ll take an old Thai versus a new Emirates any day. Bit of a worry if you hold Emirates shares.
Coming out of DXB [on Emirates], I was looking for a glass of wine (umm - after being in the ‘dry’ Qatar, a couple of glasses would have been welcome) Did I get them? No way. I got one, then no more, and then gave up and went to sleep. That is, in plain language, crap service. I’d be better off in business class. It’s cute having the 1st class cubicles, but it’s a lot less cute being hidden away as a passenger and having no service. And since I’m one of the very few that pays real money for their tickets, my negative opinion augers badly for Emirates.
I’m looking at another trip now, and I’m looking elsewhere (= no Emirates; which is a little bit crazy because their timetable and route network really support my travel). But heck - I want a glass of wine with dinner and if they won’t provide it, then I’ll go elsewhere.
So, it is now Etihad and SAA (but hampered by the serious lack of SAA business class seats out of Australia). In the years to come, I’m sure the business schools of the world will make a case study of how one can destroy your own market and SAA on the Australia-South Africa leg will feature highly.
I think I have so far failed to address the “new wonder Emirates” Terminal 3 at Dubai. Easily fixed. What a comprehensive mess. I had 1h 30m between flights and I needed every minute of it, to race from one place to another. If you are travelling via Dubai, you would do well to keep a (new) rule of thumb in mind. Dubai = 90 minutes minimum transfer time (and 120 minutes would better).
I can't believe Dubai have done so badly. They are clever people and have visionary ideas. The Middle East is a pleasant transit point, but I vacuously and mischeviously speculate that this is a plot to move people to Qatar and their new facility. If it is, they have done well for Qatar. Anyway, for the international travellers who use the Midde East, the new word for Dubai is ****up. Damn shame.
Last edited by OverRun; 17th Jan 2009 at 22:48.
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found an early morning transit of Dubai a quite horrifying experience. Trying to find a free toilet cubicle was completely impossible, and massed ranks of people cleaning out their sinuses into sinks was an experience not to be repeated!
Emirates has achieved in a few years what took traditional legacy airlines a generation or two to carry out. Moving from early days to a mature airline so rapidly is going to bring on a new set of problems for them. From initial enthusiasm to the familiar problems a very large airline suffers. Substitute BA and Terminal 5 for the above problems, and how familiar it sounds! The complaints were the same for BA, LH, Pan Am, TWA, Air France. Emirates has yet to learn to handle the new problems a large mature airline experiences, and now, demotivated, tired staff and insufficient facilities brings on a new set of problems. Even Virgin has been experiencing the same rocky road. The answer usually lies in finding a new enthusiastic airline or an older carrier that knows it has to try hard to attract anybody to fly with it!
Emirates has achieved in a few years what took traditional legacy airlines a generation or two to carry out. Moving from early days to a mature airline so rapidly is going to bring on a new set of problems for them. From initial enthusiasm to the familiar problems a very large airline suffers. Substitute BA and Terminal 5 for the above problems, and how familiar it sounds! The complaints were the same for BA, LH, Pan Am, TWA, Air France. Emirates has yet to learn to handle the new problems a large mature airline experiences, and now, demotivated, tired staff and insufficient facilities brings on a new set of problems. Even Virgin has been experiencing the same rocky road. The answer usually lies in finding a new enthusiastic airline or an older carrier that knows it has to try hard to attract anybody to fly with it!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: out there somewhere...
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ditto on the T3 experience...it's a crowded shopping mall filled with choke points which cause a serious slow down of movement...add to that the standard bovine indecision that most passemgers suffer from and flow will stop during busier times...very poor show indeed! As far as service standards go...welcome to the new level! Not gonna improve I fear until moral improves, and from what I read here, it's going to take some doing! Although I do see that the beatings have started!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting. I flew AKL-MEL-DXB in First with Emirates a couple of weeks ago, my experience was quite different (ignoring the rude, obnoxious couple opposite me). Service was excellent, I was neither overwhelmed nor ignored, the crew were attentive and very pleasant. Did you have the "do not disturb" light on by mistake?
With the doors closed, I noticed a crew member would occasionally, and discreetly, look over the top of the cubicle and, if I was awake, ask if there was anything I needed. When I was asleep I was left alone, but was asked if I wanted breakfast when she noticed I'd woken up.
Transferring at DXB T3 was also painless, perhaps because the terminal seemed deserted (it was December 27th after all). I had 1h20m to transfer and I had time to spare. It was busier on my return - looked like a different place - but transferring was again painless.
Some of the planes can be a bit shabby occasionally, but overall Emirates are my first choice to AKL.
With the doors closed, I noticed a crew member would occasionally, and discreetly, look over the top of the cubicle and, if I was awake, ask if there was anything I needed. When I was asleep I was left alone, but was asked if I wanted breakfast when she noticed I'd woken up.
Transferring at DXB T3 was also painless, perhaps because the terminal seemed deserted (it was December 27th after all). I had 1h20m to transfer and I had time to spare. It was busier on my return - looked like a different place - but transferring was again painless.
Some of the planes can be a bit shabby occasionally, but overall Emirates are my first choice to AKL.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: London
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know about first but have just done LGW DXB SYD and return in business. Champagne of offer both in LGW lounge and on boarding both there and DXB and SYD.
Very attentive service throughout with good food and certainly no shortage of wine or other soft or alcohol drink.
When I didn't follow the herd in sleeping when the lights dimmed CC asked whether I knew there was a bar at the back of the plane or he could bring me a drink
Certainly no complaints about the service/food/drink on the flights.
Also very good service at both the lounges at LWG and SYD. The lounge at DXB is a funny place though.
Very attentive service throughout with good food and certainly no shortage of wine or other soft or alcohol drink.
When I didn't follow the herd in sleeping when the lights dimmed CC asked whether I knew there was a bar at the back of the plane or he could bring me a drink
Certainly no complaints about the service/food/drink on the flights.
Also very good service at both the lounges at LWG and SYD. The lounge at DXB is a funny place though.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North, UK
Age: 67
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do not wish to appear rude but if you wanted another glass of wine would it not have been simple to ask for one.
Never flown 1st only business where I agree EK has gone downhill of late.
Never flown 1st only business where I agree EK has gone downhill of late.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Goole.East Yorkshire.UK
Age: 59
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have flown Emirates only once,& would never consider paying my hard earned money to fly them ever again.
We flew at early hours departure from Bangkok,& crew basically handed out drinks,cleared the empties,dimmed off lights,and left us to it.
I called cc & requested a snack,as i hadn't eaten,because i thought
we would be fed a light meal on the flight.
I was then given a bag of peanuts,so i asked when breakfast was,which turned out to be approach to Dubai...nearly 7 hours later,and i really knew i couldn't last that long on nuts !!!
I explained i had had nothing to eat,& again asked for a light snack,some crackers & cheese,or a sarnie would have done me,but i was refused this by the cabin crew member,she repeated that breakfast would be served on approach to Dubai & they had nothing on board to give me.
When i visited the bathroom,about an hour into the flight,the same crew member,who was a truly fine example of customer service ( not !)... was sat eating a meal..!!!!!
I appreciate that crew should be allowed sufficient breaks,but i just cannot believe that there wasn't a morsel to scrounge in any of the carts.
When the breakfast service started a few hours later,i was asked which choice i would like,and i felt so ill i said "I'll have anything,just feed me,i'm starving"!!!
The crew who was serving me (senior crew member),then said she would have heated me something up if i had asked earlier in the flight,had I been that hungry.
I then told her that i had asked about 5 hours ago,& had been told by the other crew member there was nothing i could have to eat.
Her reaction was one of shock,i could see it in her face,followed by a very sincere apology.
Basically,the other CC just couldn't be bothered.
We paid for J class on these flights,and one crew members attitude,ruined a complete leg,& has put me off flying with them for good.
I wrote to Emirates,having noted the offending CC's name..and complained to them.
I recieved a lovely hamper as a goodwill gesture,which was a nice touch,but the damage had already been done.
Never again !!
We flew at early hours departure from Bangkok,& crew basically handed out drinks,cleared the empties,dimmed off lights,and left us to it.
I called cc & requested a snack,as i hadn't eaten,because i thought
we would be fed a light meal on the flight.
I was then given a bag of peanuts,so i asked when breakfast was,which turned out to be approach to Dubai...nearly 7 hours later,and i really knew i couldn't last that long on nuts !!!
I explained i had had nothing to eat,& again asked for a light snack,some crackers & cheese,or a sarnie would have done me,but i was refused this by the cabin crew member,she repeated that breakfast would be served on approach to Dubai & they had nothing on board to give me.
When i visited the bathroom,about an hour into the flight,the same crew member,who was a truly fine example of customer service ( not !)... was sat eating a meal..!!!!!
I appreciate that crew should be allowed sufficient breaks,but i just cannot believe that there wasn't a morsel to scrounge in any of the carts.
When the breakfast service started a few hours later,i was asked which choice i would like,and i felt so ill i said "I'll have anything,just feed me,i'm starving"!!!
The crew who was serving me (senior crew member),then said she would have heated me something up if i had asked earlier in the flight,had I been that hungry.
I then told her that i had asked about 5 hours ago,& had been told by the other crew member there was nothing i could have to eat.
Her reaction was one of shock,i could see it in her face,followed by a very sincere apology.
Basically,the other CC just couldn't be bothered.
We paid for J class on these flights,and one crew members attitude,ruined a complete leg,& has put me off flying with them for good.
I wrote to Emirates,having noted the offending CC's name..and complained to them.
I recieved a lovely hamper as a goodwill gesture,which was a nice touch,but the damage had already been done.
Never again !!
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buckingham
Age: 71
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I’m looking to book business class flights from London to Cape Town for January. I’ll be spending my own cash and the Emirates fares appealed, but now reading this thread I’m not sure. I’m not a frequent flier or anything and have only flown business class once before. That was BA and was very satisfactory, but now I’m concerned about their union issues. I see above that SAA is disappointing. Any opinions or advice on which airline to go with or avoid would be appreciated.
Paxing All Over The World
I'm biased Cherwell, as I have used VS on the South African run since 1997. I'm not in the airline biz and never have been but first went LHR ~ JNB in 1964 and have been fairly regular on it and in all classes at one time or another.
SAA, as I understand it having not used them on this run since (checks diary) 1986, are rather tired and behind the international curve of C or J.
BA, still good if they are actually flying. Their service in the air is still one I pay for. Last August I did a JNB return in WT+ (own money) and it was good. However, the VS oferring was slightly better.
VS are good. Yes, like any other carrier you can find plenty of irritated customers but the advantage of the non-stop to ZA is one that I'm always ready to pay for.
SAA, as I understand it having not used them on this run since (checks diary) 1986, are rather tired and behind the international curve of C or J.
BA, still good if they are actually flying. Their service in the air is still one I pay for. Last August I did a JNB return in WT+ (own money) and it was good. However, the VS oferring was slightly better.
VS are good. Yes, like any other carrier you can find plenty of irritated customers but the advantage of the non-stop to ZA is one that I'm always ready to pay for.
I found an early morning transit of Dubai a quite horrifying experience. Trying to find a free toilet cubicle was completely impossible, and massed ranks of people cleaning out their sinuses into sinks was an experience not to be repeated!
Interesting thread -I recently had my first Emirates experience london to mauritus A380 LHR DXB sectors and 773 for the MRU ones
LHR Lounge and boarding in J excellent couldnt be bettered
EK Lounge DXB T3 just appalling- its the toilet thing that really ruins it -hundreds of people in a transit lounge the first thing they want is a proper loo and a freshenen up wash. There are just a woefully inadequate number of loos or wash basins -for women a nightmare of the first degree and easily the worst major airport I have experienced-makes LHR of a few years ago and the old CDG T1 look quite welcoming.
The A380 is fanatstic and the crew were good but I tend to rely on a decent J class amenity kit when I travel for basics and until I can buy extra bits and pieces at destination and on 380 none of them, tho the triple 7 gives you a nice kit a very odd service level variation.
The 773s were pretty poor by comparison noisy and stuffy with very bizarre and uncomforatable seats tho they made quite good beds. We also had a very good attentive crew -as always the tone set by the 'in charge' on the outbound leg to MRU, kudos to them for a flight with an 0300 departure.
Overall experience pretty good, the A380 is ina class of its own and so is the DXB J class lounge though at oposite ends of the spectrum.
Would I do it again , yes would my wife no
PB
LHR Lounge and boarding in J excellent couldnt be bettered
EK Lounge DXB T3 just appalling- its the toilet thing that really ruins it -hundreds of people in a transit lounge the first thing they want is a proper loo and a freshenen up wash. There are just a woefully inadequate number of loos or wash basins -for women a nightmare of the first degree and easily the worst major airport I have experienced-makes LHR of a few years ago and the old CDG T1 look quite welcoming.
The A380 is fanatstic and the crew were good but I tend to rely on a decent J class amenity kit when I travel for basics and until I can buy extra bits and pieces at destination and on 380 none of them, tho the triple 7 gives you a nice kit a very odd service level variation.
The 773s were pretty poor by comparison noisy and stuffy with very bizarre and uncomforatable seats tho they made quite good beds. We also had a very good attentive crew -as always the tone set by the 'in charge' on the outbound leg to MRU, kudos to them for a flight with an 0300 departure.
Overall experience pretty good, the A380 is ina class of its own and so is the DXB J class lounge though at oposite ends of the spectrum.
Would I do it again , yes would my wife no
PB
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Yorks
Age: 63
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I use Emirates, a lot, whenever I have to go Middle / Far East from the UK. If I'm going South America, it tends to be KL/ AF.
Emirates is by far the better, service can be variable for sure, but get a good crew, F or J and they are superb. Get a poor one, and it becomes a chore.
KL on the other hand are consistent, not always attentive, but polite, and ask and you will get. AF, well, least said the better, I mean who serves cheese with the main course > Honestly !
No, I can put up with DXB, for a transit, it has peak times when it's a nightmare, but out of those, it's not too bad, in fact, I rather like it !
Emirates is by far the better, service can be variable for sure, but get a good crew, F or J and they are superb. Get a poor one, and it becomes a chore.
KL on the other hand are consistent, not always attentive, but polite, and ask and you will get. AF, well, least said the better, I mean who serves cheese with the main course > Honestly !
No, I can put up with DXB, for a transit, it has peak times when it's a nightmare, but out of those, it's not too bad, in fact, I rather like it !
