Emirates have dropped the ball
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Emirates have dropped the ball
Well Emirates, I have flown with you in 2004. 05, 09, 11 and then last week. I must admit the standard was very good until 2011. The 2011 flights were not great but it was better than we had experienced with other airlines on the route.
Fast forward to 2013 and it seems the standard has gone out the window! Each flight was 60 minutes or more late. Also, taxiing in Dubai for 20 minutes to then wait for buses to take us to the terminal which took another 20 minutes and then having to hike for 20 minutes to the gate of my connecting flight.
We were told that there are 14 cabin crew on the flight but only ever saw 4 of them in economy. I think the 777-300 seats about 260 in economy and we had 2 food trolleys attended by 2 crew each. They also did the drinks which is strange because I always remember having a trolley for food and a trolley for drinks in each aisle. This meant from the time food service started to when the last people in economy got food was around 2 hours! They were so slow. I see complaints from people saying that food was almost "thrown" at them on other airlines and then the crew disappeared down the back. That would be great because then I could actually ask someone for water/sugar etc. I couldn't as they were either putting food out or picking it up. When they finally finished the "never ending" food service they all took off up the front. This usually left one or 2 people down the back who seemed to be busy opening and shutting metal galley doors very loudly.
Oh yeah first and business have 28 seats combined and they get 10 cabin crew?
Fast forward to 2013 and it seems the standard has gone out the window! Each flight was 60 minutes or more late. Also, taxiing in Dubai for 20 minutes to then wait for buses to take us to the terminal which took another 20 minutes and then having to hike for 20 minutes to the gate of my connecting flight.
We were told that there are 14 cabin crew on the flight but only ever saw 4 of them in economy. I think the 777-300 seats about 260 in economy and we had 2 food trolleys attended by 2 crew each. They also did the drinks which is strange because I always remember having a trolley for food and a trolley for drinks in each aisle. This meant from the time food service started to when the last people in economy got food was around 2 hours! They were so slow. I see complaints from people saying that food was almost "thrown" at them on other airlines and then the crew disappeared down the back. That would be great because then I could actually ask someone for water/sugar etc. I couldn't as they were either putting food out or picking it up. When they finally finished the "never ending" food service they all took off up the front. This usually left one or 2 people down the back who seemed to be busy opening and shutting metal galley doors very loudly.
Oh yeah first and business have 28 seats combined and they get 10 cabin crew?
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Pilot Chute
I am also a long term EK user (2000) and I also agree with your comments about standards slipping (and I am lucky enough to be in the Business cabin most times). There does seem to have been a drop in service since 2010 in my opinion in all cabins. The issue with DXB and long taxi / remote stands is I guess due to EK success and DXB ability or lack there of to keep pace. There is the new terminal, and also airport which may in time remove some of these issues. My own personal gripe with DXB is the time it takes to clear security / immigration even if only changing planes, as the dedicated fast track lines are anything but fast. Also a lot of EK crew are not overly happy with pay rise which is very small given cost of living rises in UAE, and perhaps they are not as attentive as a result.
I flew down to DXB last week, and back yesterday and to be fair service was good on both sectors (777 evening flight out and back from Man). Also no matter how bad EK service it has never been as bad as some US carriers I have flown on.
Any how as I am now employed out of Dubai since 6/1/14 I will just have to get used to it on my bi monthly visits with EK, as they are my employers preferred carrier.
I am also a long term EK user (2000) and I also agree with your comments about standards slipping (and I am lucky enough to be in the Business cabin most times). There does seem to have been a drop in service since 2010 in my opinion in all cabins. The issue with DXB and long taxi / remote stands is I guess due to EK success and DXB ability or lack there of to keep pace. There is the new terminal, and also airport which may in time remove some of these issues. My own personal gripe with DXB is the time it takes to clear security / immigration even if only changing planes, as the dedicated fast track lines are anything but fast. Also a lot of EK crew are not overly happy with pay rise which is very small given cost of living rises in UAE, and perhaps they are not as attentive as a result.
I flew down to DXB last week, and back yesterday and to be fair service was good on both sectors (777 evening flight out and back from Man). Also no matter how bad EK service it has never been as bad as some US carriers I have flown on.
Any how as I am now employed out of Dubai since 6/1/14 I will just have to get used to it on my bi monthly visits with EK, as they are my employers preferred carrier.
Thread Starter
Thanks Mr Mac,
I will be giving Qatar a go to East Coast USA in April and then I am back in the USA again in August on the airline up the road from Emirates. The one up the road from Emirates will be business class so I will be interested in seeing the different levels of service from 3 airlines over the course of less than six months. I know that business is a different beast but seeing if the OTP is better will be interesting.
I used to not mind paying a little extra for Emirates but it seems the "extra" isn't what it used to be. What happened to the little bag you would get with the eye mask and the socks? What happened to the sandwiches between meals if you weren't hungry when dinner was being served?
I find when I fly with AA or Delta if I expect nothing then I won't be upset!
I will be giving Qatar a go to East Coast USA in April and then I am back in the USA again in August on the airline up the road from Emirates. The one up the road from Emirates will be business class so I will be interested in seeing the different levels of service from 3 airlines over the course of less than six months. I know that business is a different beast but seeing if the OTP is better will be interesting.
I used to not mind paying a little extra for Emirates but it seems the "extra" isn't what it used to be. What happened to the little bag you would get with the eye mask and the socks? What happened to the sandwiches between meals if you weren't hungry when dinner was being served?
I find when I fly with AA or Delta if I expect nothing then I won't be upset!
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You WILL notice a difference with QR. They have 2-2-2 on business next to EK's 2-3-2 and the service is much better. Even 1 less seat across in Y class.
I agree the service has being eroded over the years and the standards are some what slipping. The quality of the meals has dropped along with Cabin Service standards with some crew members not even knowing what is being served. Again in this 'social networking' world some crew can't even communicate and speak to pax. They seem stay glued in the back galley.
Come on Sir Tim if you're reading this you have an excellent worldwide network with up to date equipment but do something about Cabin Service.
This is how I was trained......
Come on Sir Tim if you're reading this you have an excellent worldwide network with up to date equipment but do something about Cabin Service.
This is how I was trained......
I can only talk Cattle Class, but having recently travelled with Emirates for the first time in many years, taking in a range of factors they weren’t as bad as I’d expected. In fact for the economy traveler they compare reasonably well against QR and EH.
Biggest problem with EK is the cramped seating arrangement on the 777. However, if the aircraft isn’t too full then careful seat selection if you check in on-line can often result in an empty seat next to you. It worked for me on 3 out of 4 legs of my journey.
I used to travel a lot with EK in the 90’s when they were a modest sized outfit with industry leading standards. These days, they’re just another big faceless airline.
Biggest problem with EK is the cramped seating arrangement on the 777. However, if the aircraft isn’t too full then careful seat selection if you check in on-line can often result in an empty seat next to you. It worked for me on 3 out of 4 legs of my journey.
I used to travel a lot with EK in the 90’s when they were a modest sized outfit with industry leading standards. These days, they’re just another big faceless airline.
Paxing All Over The World
Andy_S
That's the corporate world. Wikipedia says they started in 1985 so 28 years is enough time to change from the one who breaks the rules and establishes new ones - to the middle ranks of corporate smotherhood.
Just look at the recent threads about airlines that ain't wot they used to be:-
That's what human beings do ...
These days, they’re just another big faceless airline.
Just look at the recent threads about airlines that ain't wot they used to be:-
- VS: Started in 1984.
- FR: Started in 1985.
- EK: Started in 1985.
That's what human beings do ...
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Pilot chute
I have tried Qatar last year down to East Africa and found 330 Man - Doha to be better than those used by EK - Newer and less seats across however Doha airport not as good as Dubai yet - new one coming. Also leg down to Africa not up to same std as flight down from UK. However would us them again. Have not tried the one we can not mention so can not comment.
Crewmeal
Nice video I am just old enough to remember when flying was like that on my trips back to and from school when we lived in Chile, with BCAL. However you did not get much in the way of in flight entertainment then either - good book was the order of the day !. Interesting your comments on the meals as that was what I found on my pre Christmas trip down from Man to DXB with wine out of sequence and crew a little unsure on the food presentation or indeed what it was !. All sectors since then (5) have been better but only one was as good as it used to be.
Paxboy
It will be interesting to see if EK take any notice of comments which I am told by crew on my recent trips are being raised by a number of their FF. Have had this also confirmed by EK captain who I know, who told me that this is being fed back up the line to "the management so maybe they will take some action, you never know !.
I have tried Qatar last year down to East Africa and found 330 Man - Doha to be better than those used by EK - Newer and less seats across however Doha airport not as good as Dubai yet - new one coming. Also leg down to Africa not up to same std as flight down from UK. However would us them again. Have not tried the one we can not mention so can not comment.
Crewmeal
Nice video I am just old enough to remember when flying was like that on my trips back to and from school when we lived in Chile, with BCAL. However you did not get much in the way of in flight entertainment then either - good book was the order of the day !. Interesting your comments on the meals as that was what I found on my pre Christmas trip down from Man to DXB with wine out of sequence and crew a little unsure on the food presentation or indeed what it was !. All sectors since then (5) have been better but only one was as good as it used to be.
Paxboy
It will be interesting to see if EK take any notice of comments which I am told by crew on my recent trips are being raised by a number of their FF. Have had this also confirmed by EK captain who I know, who told me that this is being fed back up the line to "the management so maybe they will take some action, you never know !.
Paxing All Over The World
ExXB Thanks, I couldn't be bothered to look up their change-over time. Considering '92, I think that FR have hit the crisis point sooner than the others because of their rapid growth. Even whilst MoL would have been keeping headcount down - you cannot run that size of operations without a fair sized HQ. And HQs tend to have only one path and that increasingly becomnes self-centered. Not least as, when everything is going well, it must be the people at the top who are doing the right thing. I mean, that's obvious!
Mr Mac Indeed! I regret that, being deeply cynical, I predict no change in EK, or the others. The reason is simple. The change of policies and procedures that have led to people noticing the change, have been taken some time ago (a year or more) and by the people at the top. They only change their mind when two things happen. Either, MUCH money is lost or people die.
Sorry, but I spent 27 years in the corporate world and am an old man, who has watched the world for a while and that's what I've learnt.
Mr Mac Indeed! I regret that, being deeply cynical, I predict no change in EK, or the others. The reason is simple. The change of policies and procedures that have led to people noticing the change, have been taken some time ago (a year or more) and by the people at the top. They only change their mind when two things happen. Either, MUCH money is lost or people die.
Sorry, but I spent 27 years in the corporate world and am an old man, who has watched the world for a while and that's what I've learnt.
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Number 1 son lives in Dubai so EK tends to be his regular airline. Although I have never flown with them, he speaks well of their service, particularly on the 380's.
Next week, he heads to Iraq with them...apparently it's a single cabin configuration called 'Tourist Class'. Now that's an optimistic concept to consider as you head to Basra...
Next week, he heads to Iraq with them...apparently it's a single cabin configuration called 'Tourist Class'. Now that's an optimistic concept to consider as you head to Basra...
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To the OP, EK have recently redesigned their economy service, meals and process redesigned and changed. I fly a mix of J and Y and flew Y on Monday and I have to say I found the new service better.
Someone's spinning a yarn there. ALL Emirates aircraft have 2 class cabins and most have 3. Definitely no such thing as "Tourist class" on EK,
Number 1 son lives in Dubai so EK tends to be his regular airline. Although I have never flown with them, he speaks well of their service, particularly on the 380's.
Next week, he heads to Iraq with them...apparently it's a single cabin configuration called 'Tourist Class'. Now that's an optimistic concept to consider as you head to Basra...
Next week, he heads to Iraq with them...apparently it's a single cabin configuration called 'Tourist Class'. Now that's an optimistic concept to consider as you head to Basra...
To the OP, EK have recently redesigned their economy service, meals and process redesigned and changed. I fly a mix of J and Y and flew Y on Monday and I have to say I found the new service better.
Too many 'First World Problems' appearing herein, to be taken too seriously IMO.
At least PPRUNE isn't nearly as bad as businesstraveller.com
(Emirates Gold plus 51 flights on FlyDubai since March 2013)
At least PPRUNE isn't nearly as bad as businesstraveller.com
(Emirates Gold plus 51 flights on FlyDubai since March 2013)
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I don't fly that often and am a 'once a year, on holiday' type of passenger.
I flew Emirates for the first time last July and thought that they were pretty amazing.
The food was good and also plentiful and it was a comfortable as is possible on a plane. I found the crew generally friendly and pleasant to deal with too.
I flew Emirates for the first time last July and thought that they were pretty amazing.
The food was good and also plentiful and it was a comfortable as is possible on a plane. I found the crew generally friendly and pleasant to deal with too.
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We do UK to SE Asia several times a year and I reckon that EK have actually improved a bit in the last 5 years in terms of service consistency. First choice carrier with whole family these days. It's a bit of a shock if circumstances mean reverting to the likes of KLM or BA.
There is some variation - some crews are better than others on the day - but the same can be said of other carriers.
In terms of aircraft ICE and things like power sockets fit it can be a real shock travelling in the back of EK's newer fit 777s and then doing a sector in business and premium economy with other carriers and adjusting to the poxy small screen and lack of convenience.
There is some variation - some crews are better than others on the day - but the same can be said of other carriers.
In terms of aircraft ICE and things like power sockets fit it can be a real shock travelling in the back of EK's newer fit 777s and then doing a sector in business and premium economy with other carriers and adjusting to the poxy small screen and lack of convenience.
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At least PPRuNe isn't nearly as bad as businesstraveller.com
I've only ever been there once... by accident after searching for something on Googoo. After a few minutes reading I left mouth agast never to return again.
Absolutley choc full of first world problems and moaning minnies demanding compensation for the minutest of transgressions !
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I left flyertalk due to mobbing by a bunch of BA staff. Went there with a question, left after having my intelligence questioned and being insulted.