Emirates Cuts Free Inflight Wifi, Live TV

That’s the cost of reality. Internet isn’t cheap and data / satellite traffic is costly. The only way to be “cost” efficient was to scale big

Everyone kept praising the benefits of economics of scale. But everything has downsides and everyone just ignored and disregarded the negatives of high density scaling

We need a world of quality not quantity. But business are only keen on $$$ and not what’s best for the world or humanity, so it’ll be short term and things will be back to norm until another pandemic

This is the end of the golden age of flying, especially for the ME carriers as more planes can fly intercontinental directly.
And with Clark saying the a380 is over, fleets of a350 and 787 without first class is Emirates future.

As you said the wifi was never that good nor reliable as for the TV that too had its issues, frankly when one thinks about it, it's suppose to be an adventure not watching the same shows/news you did before leaving. Having flown EK a number of times in he past the flights are long and sometimes boring their ICE makes it a lot easier.

Is it a sign of the future, not sure equally not sure " things will return to normal" either. I think one would have to define "normal", certainly the plane should be much cleaner but then I think my hot towel will still be used to clean my table/armrest !

The one airline that seems to be cutting nothing at all from the inflight experience is QR. EY has been cutting for years, and EK has joined it now.

EK is cost cutting to no end in Y, just that lucky doesn't realise it because he hasn't flown them at the class. Furthermore their J isn't class leading at all, no dine on demand, sub par bedding, 7 seats a row in the 777s not to mention the usually sub par food, what's to like.

they will continue cutting expenses to survive, next probably are the LOUNGES, with reduced business flyers and high maintenance cost, cleaning and social distance as well as limited food they will be able to offer, no more buffet kind of services, probably that will be the next to dissapear or scale down.

I want to know what United has planned for its Polaris lounges. They were the first to be shut down. I hope they reopen, even with limited services they are quite pleasant lounges.

Hi
You mentioned free internet for Business and First passengers. Unsure if that has ever been the case ? Flown both exclusively since 2010 and never been offered anything other than the same 20mb the economy section got.

The Domino-Effect is starting to roll...
Over the last couple days European nations have started to announce border openings, it will only take a few weeks till most bans are lifted again. All the smaller countries without specialized medical research knowledge will simply follow the EU guidance.
I predict the first step of openings taking place till mid June and by end of July most borders worldwide will be open again.

JW there are plenty of airlines that don't offer dine on demand in business class not just EK

Emirates business class seats are far from great. American dining was so retricted it was pointless having it.

I just read someone mention that most international borders will be open by June - I dont know where you’re from but you must be living in an alternate universe - not this year at all !!!!

Yes, expect to see big cuts wherever the airlines can, and for as long as they can get away with it! Of course the American airlines haven't too many places to go, as they have already cut back the experience to miserable.
I expect we will see F slashed even more, as the aircraft with that service are retired, and the replacements only going as far as Business.
There will need to be concerted customer pushback before things get back to even near 'normal'.

Hopefully we will see some competition soon. Lots of good metal with lots of life in them parked out in the desert. As for the goodies in steerage, I am sure it will be almost non-existent for a few years.

OneWeb Global declared bankruptcy in March and has cut employment by 90%.

Softbank owed 903 mil.

I guess all airlines will try to cut the costs as much as possible. Not sure how business and first class will look like now ( I tried to find out with BA, Lufthansa and Swiss - but got no answer at all or rude answer ) - with lounges closed and pre ordered ( boxed ) meals served - it doesn't look promising. At least till 2021 ( if we are lucky ). I have currently 3 tickets in first with Lufthansa ( Sept/Oct/Nov ) but will try to rebook to 2021 or get refund ( if flight cancelled ). No need to travel in "first" if can't get proper service, right? seat is not enough