While the ”big three” Gulf carriers are fiercely competitive with the ”big three” US carriers, they’re possibly even more competitive with one another. Not because they have to be in terms of profitability, but rather because there’s a lot of pride at stake.
Continue reading: Emirates Introducing New First Class Product (Hopefully) This Year
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I'm glad we're now comparing one of the future's most blingy, luxurious products in the world of aviation with train compartments 😉
You said "half of the Middle East seems to be blingy".
Hmmm.... you may wanna change that to UAE/Qatar. I know you've been to more of the UAE than just these countries 🙂 The Middle East is really struggling; Dubai and Doha are blingy.
The current EK First suites already feel like a private cabin especially when compared to the A380 First class products of Air France, Lufthansa, and Qatar.
It's a very details lite announcement for Emirates which doesn't inspire me with confidence - it definitely sounds like EK on the hop. Still I'm glad they are signalling that they intend to compete with Etihad on First (real airline competition always helps improve things for consumers).
Emirates has to seriously focus on improving their business class. They don't even have fully flat business class seats on over half of their fleet, and even on their A380, the seat itself, which is fully flat, isn't as comfortable as their competitors'. They may be able to get away with it now, but the gap is closing. People are just not that excited to fly Emirates now like they used to be 5-6 years ago.
As a Skywards Gold member I think that every 4 years they must update First & Business class to stay ahead of other airlines . Standing stil is going backwards.
I think i wil be changing to Etihad because that has now the best F/C experience .
I can't wait to check out Emirates new A380 lounge that looks fantastic .
Because I am very loyal to Emirates I wil give it one more year.
Hope that they will surprise me soon.
The Emirates airport lounges around the world are the best, with fantastic food options.
I gess tomorrow I will be booking a new flight again with Emirates...........