A380 Extravaganza: Emirates First Class Dubai to London Heathrow

How did your friend rate Julie's performance? Too bad the service was lousy, since you seemed to really enjoy the food this time.

@ wwk5d -- Friend was seated on the same side of the aircraft, so no Julie!

Lucky - how long was your layover in London?

Doh! I just re-read you were both in A seats...so dumb question.

@ Erik -- We left the airport at around 9PM and our flight was the following day at 2PM. Given that I wanted to spend a bit of time in the Concorde Room, that didn't leave a whole lot of time!

Great trip report! Jealous that you've been able to fly in Suites class a couple of times now. When service if really below par (as it was in this case), do you usually write a note to the company? I understand a couple minor lapses of service, but the level of service provided by Emirates on this flight, especially in Suites class is not acceptable.

I must say, you have some very lucky friends!

@ Travis -- I usually only complain if the crew is being actively rude, vs. just lazy/uninterested. I probably should have complained, though it's one of those cases where my laziness kicks in and I never get around to it. Besides, I tend to think that if I write about it online it is just as likely to be acted on as if I sent a letter.

Not surprised UK immigration hassled you about transit. I went through one time without having a place to stay yet (planned to book in person), not a good idea. Got hassled for awhile even after producing my departing ticket for the next day. I've had more trouble in UK immigration than anywhere else in the world.

Does Emirates pay for your hotel as part of the connecting flight or it is on your own? I heard some airlines will put you up in a hotel if your connecting flight is not until another day or tomorrow.

@ Dave Op -- They will only if you take the next available flight. Given how many flights a day there are between Singapore and Dubai as well as Dubai and London, I wasn't eligible for that.

How were the toiletries in the shower room? did you at least get to keep those?

i still can't believe there is no amenity kit on that flight.

@ Lantean -- I suppose you could take them if you'd like. The toiletries were good.

Too bad that the service was not good!

I have a quick question (sorry it was regarding earlier part of the report): The last time I check US citizens do not need a Visa to Sri Lanka no? I was wondering why CX check-in agent tried to check your Visa?

@ concorde02 -- I believe as of last year an electronic visa is required.

I don't know about you, but I always eat fruit after I shower. Doesn't everybody??

I was asked for my outbound ticket at Luton when arriving from Belgrade a couple of months ago, but I wasn't transiting. First time for me, as well, and it was my second UK arrival in two weeks. Technically I think it's always been a question they could ask if you don't have right of abode, but maybe it's been bumped in importance recently?

Perhaps you should write to Emirates about the subpar service. The First Class in that flight is in fact their flagship service and how would they know about your experience unless you mention something to them?

What is the difference in the hard product between Singapore and Emirates? From the pictures, I didn't see much difference except the middle seats/double bed.

@ Denis -- Aside from the fact that they're both fully enclosed suites, they're quite different.

Singapore's suites are on the lower deck (which is a wider cabin) and a bit more spacious. The TV monitor is larger, you have to fold over the seat to turn it into a bed, and there's more space. The "walls" around each seat are also higher for more privacy.

On Emirates the suites are on the upper deck and a bit more cramped, though certainly more blinged out. Emirates has more amenities as well, like the onboard bar and showers.

I've got PJ and amenity on EK7 a few weeks ago.. not on request but it was given to us.

Fast Track + harassment at UK Border? Sounds like you used your US passport...why? If not, a) you had no business being in Fast Track and b) they had no business asking you any questions other than to verify your identity.

@ wpj -- Yep, apparently they give them on the overnight flights but not the daytime flights.

@ sjs -- Was using my EU passport though traveling with friend, so decided to stay in line with him.

@ Denis

SQ also allows 2 people to dine together within the same suite. EK's suite doesn't have a "buddy" seat.

I was glad to read that you didn't drink/sleep through the shower time again !

Is it possible to have two people using the shower at the same time? And combining the time they have?
I mean, that has to be the best way to join the mile high club...

@ Denis -- Technically a second person can only enter the shower spa if they're there to provide "assistance." I suspect what is classified as "assistance" depends on the crew working your flight.

Great report! It's a shame the service was so terrible on this sector. I hope you've written into Emirates to let them know how lazy the crew were!

Hi,
I am flying on Business class first time into london. I assumed the chauffeur driver service would include the driver waiting for you at arrivals with a board. Do we need to instead go to the lounge and show boarding cards and then only ask for a car.

Thanks.. Excited First timer..

@ Sid -- I believe you're supposed to check-in at the desk and then they get your driver. The process only takes a minute or two.

Enjoy your flight!

Have you ever been on an EK flight to anywhere in Africa? If yes, then do you think they discriminate if you are flying on an African route in comparison to lets say UK?
Since I have been on an EK flight to Angola and London both on First Class, I think that there aren't much options in the dining menu and they also don't provide the mattress and only the duvet.

@ Ali -- I haven't, though that's a great question.

As a Gay man, on principle, I won't fly Emirates or Qatar or any other airline whose home country has the death penalty for being gay - even as a transit passenger I refuse to give them a single dime (or mile). Now this... And let me point out that to bigots gayness is about perception not reality. This is a real news item it's not from the Onion:

Kuwait To Conduct "Homosexuality Tests" To Stop Gay People From Entering Country

Kuwaiti officials revealed today that they will conduct "medical screening tests" to detect homosexuals who are attempting to enter the country. According to a quote from one official, LGBT people so identified would also be barred from all of the Gulf Cooperation Nations.
Yousouf Mindkar, director of public health at the Kuwaiti health ministry, said that the routine clinical screening of expatriates coming into the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) will include tests to identify LGBT people who will then be banned from entering the country. "Health centres conduct the routine medical check to assess the health of the expatriates when they come into the GCC countries," he told local daily Al Rai. "However, we will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states." Homosexuals acts are banned in all the GCC member countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Officials have not yet revealed how the tests will work.

As always, interesting trip report, actually, hard to stop reading till the end once I start.

Do you have any review on what you did when you were in Dubai? I've read many comments in one of your recent posts, it seems most of your readers can't wait to visit Dubai. All these while (till now I guess) I thought Dubai is like Las Vegas without casinos and women.

We are flying 1st this spring on four legs of a journey. I would like to know how they keep the "lookie Lous" out of the spa? I know when we flew first on BA, business travelers kept sneaking their way up and into the first class restrooms. Most annoying.

From my experience traveling 'main line' Middle Eastern Airlines is, when you are not satisfied with the service, it's best to ask for a feed back form immediately. Abracadabra !!! You will then notice that the service bucks up and the crew change gears ! Apparently, in the Middle East, once the airline receives a complaint, they really drill down the crew or supervisor in charge. So when you complain, the crew 'shit bricks' !!!

In July I flew Emirates business class for the first time. I was greatly disappointed. Maybe all of the adverts and awards had gotten my hopes up. I've experienced great service from Malaysian, Singapore, Vietnam and Cathay Pacific business class in the past - so maybe my bar has been set too high?

The comments that were the strongest from my experience:

"they were probably the most indifferent premium cabin crew I’ve ever had."

"There were no flight attendants in sight so I pushed the flight attendant call button. After two pushes a crew member appeared at my seat."

On Malaysia Airline they do many passes and even attempt to learn your habits so they can anticipate your needs. How is the Ritz Carlton able to train a diverse world class staff with great customer service but Emirates is not? It has been over 3 years and they still haven't sorted out this problem.

Thanks for the feedback form tip J Welinkar!