EMIRATES review :  29 June 2009 : by Nico Stephan   (UAE)

Dubai to Nice. I have to admit that I was a pro-Emirates during the last 5 years but it seems their standards are falling down. I live in the UAE now, so I understand why but is it a reason? The A330-200 was okay, entertainment could have been better, staff nice but not really concentrating. Food was just disgusting - we could not eat. The worst meal I ever had on a plane! If they keep on like this, they will lose stars.

EMIRATES review :  29 June 2009 : by B Ross   (New Zealand)

CHC-BKK-CHC via Sydney in Economy. B777-300ER in both directions. Requested bulkhead seats and allocated 16F&G in both directions which meant a little extra legroom but seats were extremely narrow - in fact the narrowest I have ever experienced. You wouldn't want to be a person with wide hips! Lack of footrests made my short legs dangle in mid air and would have been uncomfortable if it weren't for the bulkhead to rest against. Food tasty and served with a good selection of alcohol. I found the service great with friendly FA's offering water and juice during the night. ICE entertainment fantastic. Managed to relocate to an empty row of 4 empty seats on the final leg SYD-CHC to have a sleep.

EMIRATES review :  29 June 2009 : by Peter Hupka   (Slovakia)

MUC-DXB-JKT and VIE-DXB-HKG return. All legs ok, staff nice, food over average. Only I dislike fact that other airlines (even low cost - Air Arabia) give you free visa support for 72 hours visa, Emirates does not. Waiting at DXB is quite boring. A330 and B777 aircraft were good and clean.

EMIRATES review :  27 June 2009 : by Stephen Hogan   (Belgium)

LHR-DXB-MLE-DXB-CPT-DXB-LHR. Travelled from LHR to Male and Cape Town via Dubai for Honeymoon. As others have said, one of the big problems with EK is the inconsistency of cabin equipment/seating in business, regardless of route (eg. biz seats on A380 are akin to first class seats on 777 fleet). Worse is the unacceptably low quality of the Emirates cabin crew! Why has Emirates failed so miserably to provide a consistently well trained, professional and friendly cabin crew? Do they not care? I am sure given the choice most travelers who have flown EK would choose a better biz class option in the future – eg Singapore or even BA. The weird thing is the A380 cabin crew were obviously trained to a higher standard than the rest of the EK team – so why not introduce this as a minimum standard across the airline? And do not have junior, completely inexperience and unprofessional staff serving in business class. On a final pedantic note – for some reason all male EK stewards seem to have an attitude problem – weird!

EMIRATES review :  26 June 2009 : by Greg White   (South Africa)

JNB-DXB-ATH return. DXB-ATH-DXB legs were in business class. The purpose of this review is to highlight the enormous inconsistency in standards that has taken root with Emirates. The outbound economy leg on an A340 was quite comfortable; the DXB-ATH sector was superb in all respects: a wonderful crew, comfortable seating, excellent meals. This is what I have come to expect from EK after many years of travelling with them. The next sector on an A330-200 was just the opposite! The old style business class seats are uncomfortable; the wine was lukewarm; and the food was the most awful food I have ever eaten (in any class, and on any airline). When I told the flight attendant she just gave an embarrassed giggle. Some other pax also returned their meals uneaten. The DXB-JNB sector in economy class was an 8-hour nightmare. I was seated next to someone who seemed intoxicated, and who refused to fasten his seat belt on take-off. The flight attendant asked him to do so, and when he failed to, the attendant just walked away. The entire flight was spent with the passenger in the seat next to me invading my very limited space, and indulging in disgusting personal habits. On approach to Johannesburg, an attendant once again asked him to fasten his seat belt, but did not bother to wait until he had done so. I am perturbed at the apparent lack of concern for established safety procedures. As a regular traveller with Emirates, I am also disappointed about the enormous inconsistency Emirates demonstrates.

EMIRATES review :  23 June 2009 : by David Cartwright   (Australia)

Delhi-Dubai-London Gatwick. B777-ER on both legs, and both aircraft had the swanky first class Suites. The cabin crew on DEL-DXB leg were efficient and courteous, and the journey passed enjoyably. The transfer desk was unmanned (didn't matter to me as I already had my boarding pass), and there was only one chap at the X-ray station, but the queue was short so no worries there. The lounge at DXB is simply vast, as is the airport itself for that matter, but thankfully the boarding gate for the second leg of the trip was close to the lounge. The DXB- LGW leg was a complete blast, thanks to the excellent entertainment system and the cabin crew who were immense fun whilst still remaining thoroughly professional. The range of food was good, and very tasty (the beef main course I had was particularly impressive - you'd never have guessed it was airline food), and the drinks are plentiful. In fact one wonders if they're trying to put you to sleep for most of the journey; the Emirates idea of an after- dinner measure of Scotch seems to be "stop just before you get to the top of the glass", so you have to pace yourself a little, but the little mini-bar in the suite is equipped with a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, and the galley-made coffee is excellent, and so moderating the tipsiness whilst keeping hydrated isn't too hard. Overall I've been thoroughly impressed with my flights with Emirates, and I'd most certainly use them again.

EMIRATES review :  17 June 2009 : by B Morris   (Australia)

AKL-MEL. I heard so much about it, but it delivered so little. IE system is amazing in terms of what is on offer - but it is interrupted by more in-flight announcements than I have ever heard - including the 20 minute video in two languages advising you how to use the system! So much effort also seemed to go into the inflight meal - but it was not good. Stale bread roll, tough and dry and tasteless chicken, miserable drink service. Thank goodness for Cheese and crackers. Crew were friendly and attentive.

EMIRATES review :  17 June 2009 : by A Zubier   (UAE)

Dubai-Bangkok- Hong Kong return in business class. A380 DXB-BKK was superb, seat comfortable, service, food and entertainment excellent. I had a wander through economy cabin which was full and looked extremely cramped and uncomfortable. B777-300ER BKK-HKG and only 2 passengers in business, seats are ancient compared to other airlines business offering. HKG-DXB on a A330-300 and business almost full on this overnight flight - seats are quiet narrow and are not fully flat so very uncomfortable to sleep, and very hard to get to the aisle if your neighbour is reclined. Service, food and entertainment is good but biz seats on aircraft other than A380 are not worthy of being called business class - I find it more comfortable in Premium Economy on Virgin.

EMIRATES review :  17 June 2009 : by T Cho   (Korea)

ICN-DXB B777 in Business. Supper was served after takeoff for those who wished to dine. The amenity kit was outstanding, seat very comfortable and nearly lie flat. The flight had the ICE system which was excellent. Only drawback about the ICN-DXB flight is that one arrives at an ungodly hour of 2-3am. Another drawback is that even at that early hour, with so many airbridges open, we were shuttled to a remote area before deplaning.

EMIRATES review :  17 June 2009 : by K Francis   (Australia)

Brisbane-Dubai-Larnaca, Athens-Dubai-Brisbane. A340-500 to Dubai, A300-200 to Larnaca. Service food and inflight entertainment good standard. Found the 2-4-2 config on both flights desirable as window seats have a bit of extra space. Bit hard having no space under seat in front and seats seemed a bit higher than the 777's. Having onward flights with departure gates out of Dubai listed on screen prior to arrival in Dubai is helpful. Return flight from Athens an 11pm departure with only a partially full A300-200 and FA's were very helpful allowing us to spread out away from allocated seats. I continue to enjoy flying Emirates but hope one day they will address the seat issue.

EMIRATES review :  15 June 2009 : by S Teo   (China)

Had some bad experiences on the flight from Dubai to Shanghai. When I arrived at Shanghai, tried to search Emirates website but there wasn't any information on how to contact them or to file a complaint. Finally managed to find an email address from the Corporate Communications, wrote her and email whom then forwarded by email to Customers Affairs. After more than a week, silence.

EMIRATES review :  15 June 2009 : by Paul Turner   (New Zealand)

AKL-DXB-LHR return. Auckland to Dubai on an A340-500 - the most uncomfortable seats I have ever been on. ICE system was excellent and service / food was good. A380-800 to Heathrow was very comfortable although cabin staff need to be more aware of how ICE system works. After 10 mins into flight ICE was not working - when I pointed this out I was told to wait and it would come on. After 30 minuets still no ICE so once again pointed it out. They then reset the system and it worked! B777-300 very comfortable. Just avoid the A340 as seats were designed by a moron.

EMIRATES review :  15 June 2009 : by Boon Sun   (Singapore)

SIN-MEL-SIN B777-300. Seats not very comfortable, but decent service SIN-MEL. Food was great, and plenty of options for the ICE. However, the crew could do much better. Despite the flight being about 60-70%, request for water was very slowly attended. Crew service not very helpful. MEL-SIN was full - terrible flight back, was logged out during the online check in, unable to change my option anymore. Last 2 hours of journey, didn't managed to get any water despite numerous request.

EMIRATES review :  15 June 2009 : by David Cartwright   (UK)

London Heathrow-Dubai-Delhi in B777-ER. My travel agent checked various alternatives, and Emirates Business Class turned out cheaper than Virgin Premium Economy and roughly equal to BA Premium Economy. Both legs were hugely underbooked and was upgraded to First free of charge (there were only two of us in First). LHR-DXB I had one of the new first class Suites, which are very neat. The entertainment system is excellent, and cabin crew were wonderful. DXB-DEL didn't have the suites, but only a short hop, and I slept most of the way. Others have mentioned the rather cavernous lounge at DXB - I didn't mind the size, but it was a little annoying that it was so far from the gates (as I don't need the chauffeur service from the airport, I'm considering asking for one from the aircraft to the lounge on the return trip!).

EMIRATES review :  14 June 2009 : by Rob Johnstone   (UK)

LHR-DXB-KUL, BKK-DXB-LHR. London-Dubai in the new A380 going out in first and back in business - a fantastic plane with great features. First is excellent, Business is not as glam but superb all the same. B777ER to KUL in business, what a joke - completely different to other carriers business class products - not even flat beds. All I can say is was that the seat was poor but service good. BKK-DXB, B777ER in first excellent, had a good sleep and great service. All in all I will keep going back to Emirates as their prices are competitive and I enjoy their service. Food was good, beds in first great, chauffer pick up is a big plus compared to other carriers. Lounges are OK but not so keen on the new business lounge in Dubai - huge and very impersonal, like being in your own departure terminal.

EMIRATES review :  13 June 2009 : by Elmar Keusgen   (South Africa)

JNB-FRA via DXB. JNB-DXB a B777-300ER. The flight to Frankfurt from Dubai (A340-500) was very uncomfortable as it was summer and the airconditioner wasnt working. To make matters worse, once we entered the plane we waited another hour before taking off. The inflight entertainment was amazing, food delicious.

EMIRATES review :  10 June 2009 : by N Short   (New Zealand)

Boeing 777-300ER to Bangkok via Sydney. Inflight Entertainment was fantastic. However the food was the same for both flights there and both flights back. Constant delays is a big problem due to the number of connecting flights. Served my 12 year old daughter a children's meal and refused to give her a proper meal like most airlines. The crew were the worst bit about the airline - rude, unhelpful, arrogant and make you feel unwelcome. During the flight from Sydney to Bangkok (night flight), every time someone went to the toilet it would make a loud beeping noise (makes sleeping very difficult), and throughout the flight constantly came over the PA with an automated "please fasten your seat-belts" in both English & Arabic - couldn't they just specify Seatbelts should are worn throughout the flight? However, a nice modern fleet and excellent pilots who give information about the flight to all enthusiasts prior to take-off. I would only travel on Emirates for the aircraft not the service. Emirates is certainly not what it is hyped up to be!

EMIRATES review :  9 June 2009 : by J Kang   (China)

PVG-DXB Boeing 777-300ER. I have never flown a 777 with a 3-4-3 economy class configuration. Seats were extremely cramped. ICE system made up for the poor seating. Meal just average compared to other four star airlines. Flight attendants very inattentive. It took a long time for them to distribute and clean up the meals. Both meals on the return flight completely inedible. Overall, I expected much more out of a four star airline.

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