EK LHR-HKG via DXB - Business 11th September 2009

Our Emirates experience started at Reading station where we were met by our Chauffer Drive Car service. Emirates use Tristar for this and I understand from the driver that this is the same as Virgin. We had a very comfortable black Mercedes of some sort (not into cars so can't say what specifically I am afraid). Nice guy driving, quite chatty and got us to Heathrow in good time.

Check in for the EK4 was swift and no issues at all. We were stood next to a huge family dressed in traditional West African atire trying to check-in with what can only be truthfully described as MOUNTAINS of baggage!!! Obviously they hadn't heard about weight = fuel = environment I though as Ian and I checked in our two very small suitcases!

Fast track wasn't particularly fast (around 20 minutes) but it seemed faster than slow track.

The Emirates lounge was very good. Super views right over the runway and you can board direct from the lounge. Great food, we both had a fillet steak and a few different meze bits plus several/at least 4 glasses of champagne each.

We boarded the EK4 (773-ER) on time. This aircraft had the new angled lie flat beds which were very comfortable. The cabin attendents were immaculate and service was flawless. The IFE screen is HUGE and the ICE system makes V:Port look incredibly poor.

For dinner I had the Meze to start, followed by a Lamb Curry Thing which was great and Tiramisu for dessert followed by a good selection of cheeses and biscuits all washed down with yet more glasses of Moet (I don't like to mix my drinks). I watched a film (Cant remember what but it had Sandra Bullock in) and then went to sleep. One odd thing was that ear plugs were not in the Bulgari amenity kit - you have to ask for them.

I was woken shortly before landing (no breakfast as it is a short flight) just as we were begining to decend over the QE2 at the Palm which was odd to see and then we had a very smooth landing in Dubai.

We had a 3 hour connection and the Emirates lounge at Dubai is quite simply woeful - Huge in size, not enough seats, queues for the showers, and no quiet spaces. We were glad to leave and get on the next flight to HKG.

We boarded the EK380 on time. This was a 772. Older seats given that EK can't be bothered to upgrade their entire fleet yet. However the seats were very comfy and I actually slept from just after take off to just before landing (more or less 6 and a half hours). Food wise I just had the Meze as I wasn't really hungry and then missed the pre landing snack as I was sleeping and had put my do not disturb sticker on my seat.

Did have a slightly yuck experience. Went to use the bathroom before landing and although the sign said vacant the toilet was occupied - the guy was standing, and after the embarasment of reaslising he hadn't locked the door, after he had emerged the floor was covered in pee [:?]. Come on people!!! Remember, to sit when in the AIR!!!!

Landing in HKG was fine and our car was waiting for us to take us to The Langham (great hotel).

Overall I thought Emirates were very good, and would happily give them my business again.

Interesting what you said about the EK lounge at DXB, was it not the new T3 lounge? If so one would have imagined it to be wonderful given that its only a couple of months old.

Great TR, hope you have a good time in HKG, it is a great city.

I have heard the new lounge in DXB isn't all that and that it is always very busy and not enough seats!!

Dominic

Thanks for the report,was it a good price?

Thank you for the TR. [y]

quote:Originally posted by barnstaple
The IFE screen is HUGE and the ICE system makes V:Port look incredibly poor.


Aside from the screen size what are the major differences between ICE and V:Port?

quote:Originally posted by pjh
quote:Originally posted by barnstaple
The IFE screen is HUGE and the ICE system makes V:Port look incredibly poor.


Aside from the screen size what are the major differences between ICE and V:Port?





ICE Widescreen the latest version offers 1,000 channels to chose from.

The Orginial ICE introduced around the same time as V:Port offers 600 channels.

Here is a list of what is currently showing on the A380's and newer 777's, it makes V:Port look very poor!

quote:Originally posted by willd
quote:Originally posted by pjh
quote:Originally posted by barnstaple
The IFE screen is HUGE and the ICE system makes V:Port look incredibly poor.


Aside from the screen size what are the major differences between ICE and V:Port?





ICE Widescreen the latest version offers 1,000 channels to chose from.

The Orginial ICE introduced around the same time as V:Port offers 600 channels.

Here is a list of what is currently showing on the A380's and newer 777's, it makes V:Port look very poor!


I have enough difficulty making V:Port choices. I'd spend all the flight trying to make up my mind with ICE and wouldn't get to watch a film [:)]

Yes it was the new longe at T3 - a real let down. The LHR lounge (though much smaller) was far more relaxing!

We paid around 1000pp for LHR-DXB-HKG/BKK-DXB-LHR - so all in all it was a real bargain!

Great TR and amazing bargain too. Must say the toilet incident is definately one to avoid.