Airlines compete with one another not just on price, but also in terms of passenger experience. That’s especially true in first and business class. This doesn’t just apply inflight, but also on the ground, and sometimes that extends beyond airport lounges.
Continue reading: Guide To Emirates’ Chauffeur Drive Service: One-Of-A-Kind, At This Point
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
On a DXB-LHR ticket, the website showed the option to schedule a hotel > DXB ride but there was no offer for LHR arrival ride. No idea why.
I have always enjoyed EK flights and service, however, after an AF, La Premiere flight, I would likely as not fly AF LP as a preference.
My only critique of the service is that, at least when departing from an outstation, you are required to be picked up much earlier than is really necessary based on typical traffic conditions.
In my experience, they've used Blacklane, the same platform we get those $100 semi-annual statement credits with the Strata Elite card. The Business Lite/Promo fares don't include it, which is understandable (wish they'd still include seat-selection/lounge, alas, thousands saved, meh)
Likely depends on the fare type. OTAs often sell the least-expensive option, like a Special/Saver, as opposed to Flex/Flex Plus.
Sorry, meant Special, Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus, etc. I think QR uses Lite/Promo/Classic/Comfort whatever. Oof, quite the faux pas...
Not really related to Emirates, but I haven't seen anyone use a Lexus, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo, etc.
While not super posh, they're still pretty posh!
I’m saying that our flight from CDG-SIN, will be exceedingly difficult to beat. The frogs excelled themselves.
We are flying SQ on our return, directly into
LHR for comparison. Wait out for my verdict.
I have a Jakarta to US flight booked in F. However, I booked a separate flight from Bali to Jakarta. It would be awesome to use the chauffeur service in Bali (assuming that is a supported place).
Yup.
Three hours.
One can make it a shorter time period (I have an upcoming flight CPT-DXB, and was forced into a pickup three hours ahead of the flight). I called EK to tell them I wanted the pickup later, and they said that's fine, but they take no responsibility whatsoever if for any reason the ride is delayed from the pickup to the CPT airport. Not sure how that matters on a full fare F ticket, but there you have it.
Jack, I do believe that a Chauffeur-drive is available. However, check with the airline.
Mike O, no airline in their right mind is likely to use LR or Alfa …. too unreliable.
Fair play, but same could be said for Mercedes and BMW! I guess it's all about the posh brand or status symbol?
Lexus, while not super posh like your BMWs or Mercedes', is still a gorgeous car especially the LS series. You would think JAL or ANA would have such service at least on the tarmac if departing from a remote gate.
Interesting that it's not offered in Accra, Harare, and Lusaka -- on the one hand, probably a bit harder for Emirates to arrange in these destinations and there's far less competition for Emirates (really, none, at their level), but it also would be a lot more useful in those cities vs. having to arrange and find transportation on your own.
Some of those restrictions come from the manufacturer and region. For example, it was a very long time before Toyota or Honda allowed their cars to used as NYC taxis, given the abuse that they receive, and the bad impression people might have.
If I ran a livery service, I would not want to use Land Rover or Alfa, they'd spend more time in the shop than on the road.
Jack, niiiice (on the CGK-US in F). As for Bali, please, rides there are cheeeap, anyways.
While not a taxi, I was in a Lyft in a Lexus (GS or ES, can't remember, I don't even know the difference anymore hah) and it was gorgeous!
For real on Land Rover, especially on safaris (always out on maintenance, expensive parts); Land Cruiser or nothing.
If you book through Amex travel, you are 100% eligible for the transfer, point earning, hotel accommodation in DXB, etc. Others I don't know.
"I booked a separate flight from Bali to Jakarta."
On what carrier? EK doesn't sell flights DPS-CGK.
Mike O, having only run Lexus in the UK this century, Toyota or Lexus SUV’s, in our other locations for decades. It is my considered option that absolutely no other brand can match them for reliability and value for money.
Mike O, I do believe that I’ve heard of some carrier using the Lexus LM, but no idea which.
Willy, yes, a confusing post from Jack, however, I inferred that it is Jakarta he is enquiring about. EK Chauffeur-drive is available for their F passengers at that location.
It'd be nice if ANA/JAL can offer a chauffeur service between Haneda and Narita as it can be a pain for connections.
Note that it is 50 miles driven in distance, while on the EK website it just has a circle with a radius of 50 miles from the airport. Just because you're within that circle doesn't mean it'll be 50 miles or less driving distance!
Why not eligible with EK Skywards or partner J and F awards? Is it just a matter of economics?
“Full review”? I’m not Ben, furthermore, the proletariat would not appreciate either the effort involved, or, the facts. No, I will say this though …. Ben, could not have imagined how close to a PJ experience this flight was.
I will add that my little friend enjoyed the whole 24hr experience. SCORE! Eurostar, lunch in La Train Bleu, started well and continued throughout the day. The AF ground pick up and arrivals process in CDG, proved to be impressive. On board, the cabin ambience, facilities, amenities, comfort, etc, was as near perfect as possible in a multi-passenger aircraft. We only took light snacks (after a superb lunch another meal would have been too much). The FA’s were very accommodating too, excellent in fact.
With the centre curtain, galley and J cabin curtains closed, we enjoyed space and privacy similar to the SQ, A380 adjoining suites. The AF advantage is that the beds do not restrict movement between each other’s seats, etc. I managed six hours sound sleep, while my little friend dosed and was entertained by Hercule Poirot.
Arriving in SIN was equally as pleasant as the CDG ground experience. The only difference being that we did not require the Hertz DriveU service. My score for this flight (out of ten, would be 9 out of 10).
Will we travel AF LP again, most certainly on our next SIN trip. Was this flight better than transiting through the ME, again, most certainly. Would we return home via CDG, no. We will only take direct flights home.
It remains to be seen if SQ can eclipse AF or not. For me the only downside (will not go down well with some people), that being the aircraft type …. I very much prefer the A350. The LP cabin and the same full on experience in an A350, would earned AF 10 out of 10.
Emirates website and Lucky's review are both clear the luggage limit is two suitcases and one carry-on. I am travelling with my partner in F in a few months, from Australia to Europe (and return). Unsurprisingly, we will have two suitcases and *two* carry-on bags (i.e. one each). Does this mean we will have to order two cars? (The Emirates website states we are eligible for one car per person.) I'd be keen to hear of anyone's experience with this, as I'm sure this would not be an unusual scenario.
To answer the luggage allowance query - my husband and I fly EK First with 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons and never have had a problem with just one car (even though we are eligible for two cars.
Ben mentions that the service is also available for the fifth freedom flight at Athens - it is not - unfortunately!
I got chaffeur service on a cash upgrade from premium economy to business, so it is available for some upgrades.
Can anyone confirm that chauffeur drive is included from Dubai to Abu Dhabi according to emirates help it is thanks