Emirates - really not that great

Just completed a trip from London to Seoul (via Dubai) and then back again on Emirates.

Travelled Business Class and 3 of 4 flights were on the A380.

Have to say, really not impressed. Granted, the in-flight entertainment is light years ahead of most Virgin planes but the seat is awful. For sleeping it is one of the most uncomfortable I've encountered in business class. Even the BA Club World seat is better (which is saying a lot)

Next issue, the Business Lounge at Dubai. Massively, massively average. Not even close to the Clubhouse at Heathrow.

Maybe I set my expectations too high but I really was expecting much more from Emirates.

Would be interested to know other people's thoughts.

Absolutely concur about the business class lounge in DXB, a disgrace...more like a bus station waiting room. However our flights (to KUL via DBX and returning from SIN via DXB) were fabulous, the food service especially was spot on. (We had A380 on one sector and 777-300 ER's the other three sectors)

Cheers
James

Actually the food was very good, much better than Virgin.

I think it all depends what you want from a business class flight. My number one requirement is being able to sleep and I haven't found anyone better than Virgin for that.

I agree that EK isn't really that great - but it's also massively variable, some flights are exceptional, some seats in J on the 380 are wonderful, I like the bar and the food can be good. I've had some very good flights in F. BUT the J lounge at DXB s abominable, and often the crew are utterly soulless.

I used to be EK's biggest fan, and still travel travel with them on a regular basis as they are my home airport carrier. I think their A380 business product is unbeatable. A flat bed without standing up, privacy or the ability to socialise depending on your seat selection, a proper bar area and excellent in flight catering. If you get the chance to sample first it's my joint top rated product in the air. Couple showers, a very comfortable seat with excellent functions with all you can drink Dom make for the perfect flight IMO. The non-A380 flights always grind on me - a 2-3-2 layout in business without even a angled lie flat on quite a large part of the fleet are a ad proposition. The A330 business product is comparable to VS PE IMO.

In regards to the DXB business lounge it's hard to compare with VS due to the volume of flights and traffic going through the lounge. It's described as too big, bit these are normally the same people that decided the old one was too crowded. I do prefer the satellite lounges - something you can't really say about VS outside of the US - but the quality of catering is still excellent in DXB. You also have to remember that there is a class above business on EK so they have to hold back so e privileges for first such as the spa treatments and a more intimate environment.

My favourite lounge is the first class one in the Qatar Premium Terminal, but VS hold the bar for the best business class lounge no question.

If you hit upon a good crew with VS they will offer the Brit charm you can't fault them. Service wise the crew on EK tend to be more efficient with a few rare friendly diamonds.

On the A380 business product, the trouble is that it is not a flat bed. It's on a slight angle and massively uncomfortable. Virgin really do have it covered with the flip over matress.

As a seat, the Emirates one wins hands down but as a bed, it's Virgin all the way.