Arranged for a taxi to collect us at 11pm in readiness for a 2.30am (EK419) flight to Bangkok. Arrived at the airport and was informed our flight was delayed coming from Australia which was worrying as we had a connection in Dubai. However, they confirmed the earlier flight at 0125 (EK385)coming from Hong Kong had availability and we could go on that. She advised us that we were allocated 2 out of the 3 seats in the middle of business class! I was not a happy bunny but after a quiet word, we were miraculously found a window and aisle seat together on a 2-3-2 configuration (2 class plane). We were placed in 10J&K which is the last row of business and backs onto the economy galley. Thank god for the Bose noise reduction headphones given out as there was a fair bit on bumping and banging going on the galley(!) - no, not the sort you dirty minded lot are thinking.
NB. The Thai silk class lounge in BKK is not the best but it serves a purpose and I hope that the new airport (when it opens at the end of the month) will be a lot better.
The choices for breakfast were: Swiss cheese omelette/Grilled chicken breast/Stir Fried noodles, all accompanied by the usual tea/coffee/croissants/fruit etc.
PS. I never put this on my outbound trip report but the very nice FA gave us a couple of glasses of Dom Perignon from the first class section as I mentioned the Moet in business wasn't really that great. On the DXB/BKK legs and reverse though these were substituted for a slightly better Charles Ellner champagne.
Anyway, this plane was absolutely heaving as I think others had been put on this flight too to enable connections to be made. The staff looked after us well but again on the professional side, rather than friendly.
Watched the Sentinal film on the ICE system and played a few games before landing on time.
Had a longer transfer time in Dubai of 3 hours than planned so this enabled us to have a longer look around the duty free and spend more time in the lounge - 3 glasses of Veuve and a bite to eat later we were ready to board at a remote gate 41. We were placed into the wonderful holding 'pen' again and called on time for the 0805 departure. This was a free for all onto a bus which announced 'all passengers now to board flight EK39 to Birmingham. Thought we were going to drive to Birmingham how far the plane was parked but eventually ended up on another 777-300ER with the ICE system and watched Da Vinci Code and Last Holiday with Queen Latifah.
I'm not sure what it is about the crew on any of the Birmingham Dubai legs and vice versa but they are fantastic. All introduced themselves by name and job description and spoke to us by our names and greeted us with a welcome back.
The flight only had 14 in business class (should be 42) and therefore the service was fantastic. The crew sitting down to chat with people and the Liverpool (not having a strong accent thhought) FSM chatting to everyone and introducing her staff personally to all business passengers. This was definitely the best service and friendliness I have ever encountered throughout our time using Emirates.
The food choice was: Arabic mezze/Lobster confit followed by Herb crusted chicken breast/fillet of perch/veal pockets/poached Hammmour finishing with apple and berry crumble and the chocolate mousse dome.
This was a fantastic flight for the last leg of our journey home and the crew made it that much more special for us. They gave another couple a bottle of wine to take home with them as the electrics on their seats weren't working properly and they had to move seats - this was not a problem though as there were so many spares.
Priority luggage didn't really work (never does in B'ham) but as soon as we got the luggage and through immigration, located the chauffeur drive in the arrivals hall (holding a placard), loaded the luggage in the boot for a quick jolly jaunt up the M6 and home in 20 minutes.
