V-Flyer

Had a mare of a day with Emirates, and my first travel experience with them.

What could go wrong did, they were a complete shambles, with every possible opportunity to screw up and mislead, they did.

The story started at 11:15 when my Tri Star car was due to arrive, it did and then immediately left, so I called the driver, and he said that the flight had been delayed, and that someone would be back later to collect me.

I called Emirates Customer support, was on hold for ages, got to speak to a young lady who said that if an A380 was on the ground too long there are extra check and as it's a big plane, it takes longer to check than a Boeing.......

I asked about my connecting flight to Jakarta, and was told that I would be on the next flight, but silly me, forgot to ask when the next flight was.

I was eventually picked up at 17:00, a good 5 hours and 45 minutes later, and when I got to the checkin desk, they informed me I would have a day in Dubai, as they could not get me out to Jakarta tomorrow.

This means that the 3 days I had planned to spend in Jakarta delivering what is probably my last troubleshooting class for my company would not make sense, there was no point in arriving at midnight, teaching 2 days and then leaving, I would be dead on my feet.

I was pushed to the Ticket Desk, who were busy doing other things, and eventually after I said I would cancel the whole trip, they have put me on Singapore Airlines to Singapore, and a very tight connection to Jakarta. The chap who checked me in at LHR, assures me my luggage will make the flight, depsite a 55 minute connection.

So I am in the Singapore Lounge, wishing I was in the Virgin one.

I'll let you all know how it goes......

Heres hoping it all goes smoothly.

Mark

Fingers crossed for your connection in Singapore!

[:)]

gonna be a tight one, take care mate

cheers

alex

Hmmm sorry - you got a delay, it turned into more of a delay and EK tried to connect you to Jakarta on their network then reprotected you on Singapore. S**t happens but what did they actually do wrong here? Bad communication yes, probably naive agents on the desk, but what else, they seem to have done the minimum that any airline would have done to get you there? Imagine you are on VS in PE???

Edited by Moderator ChuckC to remove language that could offend some readers

I have had a 55 minute connection at SIN before, with luggage, and was convinced that my bags could not make it in time but they did. I hope that you have the same luck that I had. [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Emirates did n't contact me to tell me of the delay. They told many other people.
Emirates said they would call back to let me know what they had done to rebook my Jakarta connection, they did n't.

Considering what people have told me about their customer service, I think it's completely average.

As it stands now, the SA flight is late due to the crew arriving late, so I am going to get stuck in Singapore, as the next Jakarta flight is full.

Oh dear sounds a nightmare, hope you get to JKT OK.

Take care,

Dominic

I am in Jakarta, despite the SA A380 leaving an hour and 10 minutes late, and possibly blowing my connection, I went to sleep in the huge seat / bed and woke to find they had caught up some time, and would be landing around 25 minutes late.

The crew moved me from the back of business to the front, and when they learned I had 25 minutes to catch the next flilght, escorted me to the handlers to check on the Gate for the Jakarta flight, and to find out if the plane would be waiting for me. Excellent customer care skills.

I used the Air Train to the other Terminal and ran to the gate, which of course would be at the end of a spur.

The Security checkers and Gate staff were very friendly, and told me that the bags would make the flight, as they would wait for them.

SA service, care and food was very good. I think some VS big wigs need to do some secret shopper trips !

I will be returning with Emirates on Friday evening.

That's what you call a result![y][y]

Well done to SA![oo]

Nice one [y][y][y][y][y][y][y][y]

alex

quote:Originally posted by ukcobra
SA service, care and food was very good. I think some VS big wigs need to do some secret shopper trips !


Given how down-hearted you sounded when you heard of the delay on the SQ flight, I'll bet you're pleased... Singapore Airlines and Changi showing how it should be done!

Fantastic stuff.

Looking forward to a TR from your trip on the 'whale' if you have time to post.

Mike

Mike,
The delay at the start was with Emirates, only by telling Emirates I would cancel the whole trip, because they could not get me here until at least 24 hours later, making the journey pointless, did they switch me to SA.

Once they confirmed a pretty efficient routing, and the fact it was with SA, I had a feeling things would start to turn in my favour.

Mark