EK (Business) over VS (UC) to DBX?

Hello everyone!

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love VS. Have flown roughly 20 sectors, mainly TATL, in all classes (EC, PE and UC.) Having said that, I recently had to be Dubai for work. Unfortunately VS was showing more than £3k in UC, whereas Emirates business class was £1.8k. I opted for EK, presuming it would be a bit of let down in comparison to VS.

However, the trip with EK to DBX left me wondering why anyone would opt for VS on that route (except of course for the purposes of collecting TPs and FC miles). This is especially the case considering the fact that EK is more often than not cheaper than VS. Whilst EK obviously lack the incredible clubhouses, and the CC are lacklustre, EK was (for me) superior by almost all other measures.

EK offered a CDC at LHR and DBX (despite me getting the lowest business class dfare-bucket). I understand the CDC is also offered for reward tickets. The lounge at LHR was rather bland, however, it was entertaining being able to board the upper deck of an A380 direct from the lounge. The food was was better than VS. The seats, whilst quite narrow, were as comfortable as VS. The privacy afforded by the window seats is really quite impressive, and in bed-mode, the seat was almost as comfortable as the UC suite. The IFE was far better, with more choice, and a very large, bright and crisp screen. Moreover, the onboard bar at the back of the upper deck is phenomenal.

I tried EK again recently on a trip to the far east. Impressively, I was offered a CDC not only at departure and arrival, but also during my layover at DBX. I asked to be taken to see some sights instead of sitting at the airport for a few hours.

Have any other v-flyers had similar experiences on EK?

Sounds good, but don't EK have slopey 'lie-flat' seats on their 777 fleet like the old J2000 VS seat?

Suspect from the description it was an A388

[honey lamb]

Sounds good, but don't EK have slopey 'lie-flat' seats on their 777 fleet like the old J2000 VS seat?

Yes, they do on some but not all of the 777 fleet. I'm doomed to them in a fortnight's time

It's a little silly, but they've done the upper deck of an EK A388 on google streetview/; http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/flyi ... _a380.aspx

It's quite a cavernous business class cabin. look at all that tacky veneer paneling!

I do EK out of BHX and they use a 777 but with lie flat seats which are comfortable, although in the window seats you do have to step over your aisle seat neighbour, unlike the 380 where every seat has easy aisle access. The 777 is also a 2-3-2 configuration which is not ideal but I do find the service on the 777 very good.

The lounge is nice and very relaxing at BHX and service exceptional unlike the zoo of a lounge at DXB.

I haven't flown the 380 yet but understand service can be spotty as it's a very large cabin and trolleys aren't used so it takes a while for the food service to be completed.

I'd love to try the 380 just for the bar alone.

I've done VS to DXB and found it's very much packing you off to bed on the outbound as it's a night flight. It is also very popular with families who have booked through Virgin Holidays making the flight rather noisy and busy in both directions.

There are number of EK product enthusiasts who still pop in from time to time with the same observations.

Remember that booking with EK LHR - DXB doesn't guarantee you EK metal and services, as the codeshare agreement may put you on a QF flight. Though this gets you some of the same fringe benefits for the J ticket - including the CDC - the QF380's don't have the bar and have a different seating arrangement that doesn't guarantee you aisle access from all seats. Nor are you allowed access to the EK lounge at LHR.

Will be trying the QF service out and the EK service back in a couple of months, so will report back in January...

There are number of EK product enthusiasts who still pop in from time to time with the same observations.

Remember that booking with EK LHR - DXB doesn't guarantee you EK metal and services, as the codeshare agreement may put you on a QF flight. Though this gets you some of the same fringe benefits for the J ticket - including the CDC - the QF380's don't have the bar and have a different seating arrangement that doesn't guarantee you aisle access from all seats. Nor are you allowed access to the EK lounge at LHR.

Will be trying the QF service out and the EK service back in a couple of months, so will report back in January...

How do you know if you will def be on an EK 380 out of LHR ?
Am I right in saying they also fly out of lgw but only 777s ?

How do you know if you will def be on an EK 380 out of LHR ?
Am I right in saying they also fly out of lgw but only 777s ?

I think;

- the flight number is the first clue as to getting EK; I suspect the codeshares get a four digit EK flight number.

- It also shows up when trying to book a "flight operated by"

- the LHR-DXB is always scheduled to be a 380 (though ISTBC)

- they do operate out of LGW with 777

Paul

How do you know if you will def be on an EK 380 out of LHR ?
Am I right in saying they also fly out of lgw but only 777s ?

I think;

- the flight number is the first clue as to getting EK; I suspect the codeshares get a four digit EK flight number.

- It also shows up when trying to book a "flight operated by"

- the LHR-DXB is always scheduled to be a 380 (though ISTBC)

- they do operate out of LGW with 777


Paul

Had a quick look at the qantas offering and I think I would be disappointed as it looks quite bland and ordinary compared to EK

Had a quick look at the qantas offering and I think I would be disappointed as it looks quite bland and ordinary compared to EK

Definitely less blingtastic, but both offerings have their fans on Flyertalk.

I was initially a touch disappointed with the fact we ended up on QF, which was born of a combination of price (a difference of around £1200 for the 3 of us), a scheduling need to hook up with #1 daughter for the DXB-SYD leg when she is flying in from MAN and a desire to spend as little time on layover as possible. As time, and the daily joy of the 6.30am into Kings Cross, have passed I have become less bothered, with the farce of the "codeshare with mutual Lounge access except at LHR where it matters" being the only remaining fly in the ointment.

As I say, we're doing outwards on QF and return on EK so will be able to do a reasonable compare and contrast....