EMIRATES review :  4 December 2007 by  Sean Redmond    (Malta)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

I fly regularly Riyadh-Malta, Riyadh-Manchester, Riyadh-LHR. I am an EK silver member and find service excellent on most flights. The food is tasty and ICE entertainment system fantastic. The newer aircraft have large PTV's in economy. A major moan/complaint is that they configure all 777 aircraft 3x4x3 : they should have 3x3x3/2x5x2 seating as with BA, Etihad, Saudia, Qatar. 10 across seating is annoying and cheapskate. I can't imagine how flying 16 hours non-stop from DXB-Houston could be bareable! My other gripe is about the interminable customer service videos they show. Nearly 2x10 minutes once in Arabic and English, detailing the onboard features! I can now recite the video verbatim! I still think it is an excellent airline and is the only Gulf airline with flights to Malta.

EMIRATES review :  30 November 2007 by  Karen Hargreave    (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Business

MAN-DBX-BKK. We travelled Business class on both legs - seating on both aircraft was very poor. 777-300ER was slightly better than the 777-300. 777-300 very cramped, would consider the same as Premium Economy on other airlines. The seats on both planes are recliners, and impact heavily on the amount of available legroom. In fact, it is not possible to have the leg rest in the upper position without your feet touching the seat in front. Service excellent, food good, but I didn't feel it was a special experience. Transit through Dubai - nightmare, no fast track through security was available on the outward journey. We were advised on the return that a fast track lane had been opened, but this was actually closed!

EMIRATES review :  30 November 2007 by  A Kuznetsov    (Russia)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

DME-DXB-DEL and MAA-DXB-DME all except MAA-DXB (J) in economy, all except MAA-DXB (A330) on 777-300ER, DME-DXB 777-300. Good service, excellent ICE on 777-300ER, a bit old on others. Seats on 777 cramped but with good pitch. J-class in A330 isn't good value for money with too narrow seats. DXB airport always overcrowded, especially in the morning. After on-line check-in, boarding passes were collected at first class desks. Food good on all legs. Good airline, but not that great as it was couple of years ago.

EMIRATES review :  30 November 2007 by  D Simcock    (Australia)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

BNE-SIN-DXB-MAN Economy. Good to have the ICE IFE system up and running on all the sectors flown. The movie selection is fantastic, however music and tv shows are sadly lacking and need more attention. The economy class configuration is far too cramped for these long haul routes and needs attention. It is not only uncomfortable for passengers but the cabin crew have noticeable problems in the aisles whilst trying to work. I am forward to this journey when the flights will go BNE-DXB without the nuisance of a stop in Singapore for an hour. The punctuality of these flights was great until we hit DXB where it seems the huge rebuilding work at the airport is having an impact on operations. Firstly most of the flights are parked at remote stands and you have to endure a bus journey both to the terminal and to your connecting flight which wastes a lot of time. Secondly, this creates baggage problems on quick transfers. I did not receive my luggage at Manchester as it was left behind in DXB and had to be loaded onto a later flight. Thirdly, the DXB-MAN flight has always been 45min-60mins late taking off from DXB due to passenger and baggage loading. Overall the service is good and the cabin crew try their best, however on long haul routes there should be more availability of drinks served to passengers.

EMIRATES review :  28 November 2007 by  J Adams    (Australia)

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Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

BNE-SIN-DXB-VIE return. Boeing 777s on the BNE route are the oldest ones, and I was unfortunate to have problems on every single sector flown all the way to Vienna. Either it was the seat that did not recline, or the entertainment system did not work - movies skipping, or simply not working at all. Crew were very apologetic, and I know there was not much they could do, but when you fly from Australia to Europe and can't sleep as you get pushed from front, back and side, and finished reading your book, what else to do over all those long hours? Food was ok, although lukewarm, croissants slightly burnt and squashed flat. I am not surprised Emirates is no longer competing for the title Airline of the Year. It simply cannot be.

EMIRATES review :  19 November 2007 by  R Lim    (Australia)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

I recently travelled Emirates LHR to MEL via DXB and SIN. I recommend people to consider other airlines. It is a shame, as Emirates did set new standards in airlines in the past, but have failed to maintain the level of service. Nowadays other airlines have caught up and surpass them. While I found the new ICE system to be fantastic, the cabin crew need to show that they are more enthusiastic about their job. Dubai airport is a mess; its crowded, hot and dirty. Airport staff in general are not friendly. However, when going back to London, its clear that there are lots of other airlines out there that is way better than Emirates.

EMIRATES review :  19 November 2007 by  Roger Smith    (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

BHX-DXB-CMB return. My first experience of Emirates in economy class but perhaps I expected too much. All sectors on the B777. The onboard services are excellent, ICE seatback entertainment is well worth praise. Where they fall down dramatically is on seating; there are simply too many seats in their configuration, clearly the cabin is designed for a 2x4x2 or even 2x5x2 (as evidenced by the bulkheads) configuration whereas Emirates have crammed in extra seats with their 3x4x3 configuration. With a full load on each sector this meant unbearable confinement - way, way too cramped for me ever to consider flying with them again. The other matter that let them down so badly was the ground handling at DXB where two separate passengers were loaded on to the wrong flight and the handling of a weather situation at DXB that meant a long diversion and extending the delay on already badly delayed fights.

EMIRATES review :  19 November 2007 by  Tan Kok Keng    (Singapore)

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Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Business

SIN-CGK-SIN in economy class on B777-300ER. Was rather disapointed. The seat was extremely cramped. There are 9 seats across for SIA aircraft, while Emirates has 10 seats. SIN-CGK although the IFE comes with bigger size screen, but my one always hang and I need to ask the crew to restart the system. CGK-SIN check-in extremely long, waited for 50 mins to get my boarding pass. I did notice the crew member are more polite to Middle East people compare to us from Asia. Crew never offer us any drink. I requested for a can of soda drink and she brought it to me with unhappy face. Afterwards, the other passenger sat next to me order the same drink, she commented that we shall ordered it together. Strange! I travelled alone. Do you mean I need to help her take order? Same thing, luggage arrived after waited for 40mins at Changi Airport.

EMIRATES review :  14 November 2007 by  Naushad Hussain    (Bangladesh)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Business

BOM-DXB-KWI-DXB-DAC. All the sectors were J class. BOM-DXB crew did not even pass out pre-flight hot towels or drinks. DXB-DAC flights, they used to pass out amenity kits but they did not do so this time. I wonder if this was a cut in service or did the crew forget about it. Now they take away your blankets before landing even in J class. This used to never happen. I have always had issues with food on EK. They really need to improve the quality of their J premium class meals. The only reason I now continue to fly EK is because of their connections through DXB and the Skywards program.

EMIRATES review :  14 November 2007 by  D Blatchford    (Australia)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

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Cabin Flown:

First

We flew out of Perth on a new Boeing 777-300ER. My husband and I had a suite. My entertainment unit did not work. The doors would not close and it took 3 of us to close it. Every time I went to sit up the doors opened up! When the couple in front opened their door my husbands screen went up! The crew tried to get it fixed but no go, and I had not TV etc for 11 hours. We paid a lot of money for this and feel cheated. On the flight Dubai to Gatwick the seats were less than first class on a B777-300ER. The seats were narrow and uncomfortable. The service on both aircraft was excellent, but all in all not worth paying the price.

EMIRATES review :  13 November 2007 by  O Evans    (UK)

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Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

KUL-DXB-LHR n economy. KUL-DXB was not full and got 2 seats to myself. New ICE system fantastic with a great selection of films. The food was very good, although they ran out of Western breakfast and I had to have the Malay choice but it was tasty. Crew did several water runs, arived into DXB 20 minutes early to a remote stand. Immigration lines at DXB typical 1 hour wait! A 12 hour transit so booked a room at a nearby hotel. Check in for DXB-LHR easy and dealt with very swiftly, flight was empty only 75 pax on a 777-200 so had 3 seats which was a bonus - lots of space to move. Again ICE was nice and food was of an acceptable quality although it was the same menu that I had on this flight earlier in the year - even down to the sandwiches in the afternoon tea. Lots of drinks runs and the crew very pleasant.

EMIRATES review :  9 November 2007 by  K Walsh    (Australia)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

SYD-DUB-ATH and return in economy. Was rather disappointed this year, as did exactly the same last year and was so much better. Agree with others about the chaos, confusion and queues at DUB airport- - never seems to list the Sydney flight [now the Auckland one, I guessed]. The hotel we had to stay at overnight has stopped giving a hot breakfast and we had only a cold, crustless sandwich. Service was sometimes minimal, especially on the longer flights from DUB to SYD. Agree with others about long time wait between food and coffee/tea, and lack of water/juices. Latter is even more crucial now that bottled water is banned. All the bread rollls on all flights were nearly frozen. Just able to recommend it, at a pinch, given 2006 excellent flights. Hope 2008 brings back the good service, food and hotel.

EMIRATES review :  7 November 2007 by  U Hoffmann    (Germany)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

First

DUS-DXB-PVG outbound and HKG-DXB-DUS homebound in October 2007. Except for DXB-PVG (777 ER) all legs were on A330. Service perfect on all legs, seating was excellent on DXB-PVG but needs update on all A330 of the fleet. I wouldn't consider the First Class on A330 competitive to First Class on other carriers, it can't even compete with Business class. No full flat beds, quite narrow seats and outdated IFE. Still, as prices are very competitive, I would use them again.

EMIRATES review :  7 November 2007 by  Felix Müller    (Switzerland)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

ZRH-DXB-BKK return in economy. The first leg was Airbus 345, crew friendly, AVOD perfect but seats rather narrow. Dubai to Bangkok an older B773, no ICE but the twin seat I had pre selected in the rear end of the plane was wide. Food okay, rice soup with shrimp. Return flight to Dubai on new B777 ER. Seats cramped and uncomfortable. An abreast has 10 instead of 9 on this aircraft. Appalling omellet given. Crew okay. For the price paid a good deal. But if savings is less then 200 swiss francs I will go for carriers such as TG or SQ. Dubai Airport is a mess.

EMIRATES review :  6 November 2007 by Uzair Saqlain   (Pakistan)

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Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

Lahore-Dubai-London-777 in both flights. The first flight from Lahore to Duabi was very nice, the plane was new, my screen worked, flight attendents very nice. Overall it was an excellent experience. Dubai-London, the 777 was old, my screen didn't work. Food good in both flights, comfort-good. Entertainment okay in first flight but nothing in second.

EMIRATES review :  1 November 2007 by Teresa Tyler   (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

BHX-DXB-SYD and return. From Birmingham there are only 2 class flights so we were in business class to and from Dubai. The seating was old fashioned with a limited recline which I find rather uncomfortable for sleeping. The Dubai to Sydney leg was in First and most comfortable. The amenity kits in First include pyjamas and all the toiletries you could wish for. On the business class flights we got a nice toilet kit on the night flight but on the day flight we only had socks and eye shades. Business class you get the standard blanket for sleeping. In First your flat bed has a mattress, full sized pillow, blanket and duvet and is very snug. The chauffeur service at both ends of the journey was great. Service and food in both classes was good, and in the lounges in Dubai and Sydney there was a good selection of hot and cold food and any type of drink. In Birmingham there were just small snacks and a limited range of drinks The FAs on our day flight to Sydney were especially good and friendly - absolutely top class. Generally the FAs were great, but as on other airlines, we noticed the service was less good on the overnight flights. The ICE was every bit as good as advertised and is a great boon on very long flights. The lounge at Birmingham airport is poor and needs a complete overhaul. In Dubai we arrived on our outward flight to find even the First class lounge was packed and we had to wait for armchair seating, but when it cleared a little it was most comfortable. The lounge at Sydney is for both business and first class and is great with features not usually found in business lounges. Overall a very good experience.

EMIRATES review :  29 October 2007 by Jamie Campbell   (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

Glasgow - Seoul return economy class. All flights on Boeing 777-300ER. Crew were friendly, food good and ICE entertainment system was amazing. I found the seats to be comfortable enough. Overall, very good flights and I will be using EK again!

EMIRATES review :  29 October 2007 by S Filby   (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Business

LGW-DXB-PER. The business class cabins I travelled in were like going back in time to the 80's and TWA Ambassador Class. LGW-DXB on A330 seat narrow, cramped and uncomfortable (7F a bulkhead although not indicated on online check-in map). No AVOD. The Lounge in Dubai is a ZOO! DXB-PER on the B777, still seats that are pre-BA craddle seat style. At least there was AVOD. Crews average, no personality seems like a war between nationalities at times. Better trips recently on British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and even United. Emirates really need to modernise it's fleet before it start promoting it's almost flat beds which have only been installed on a few aircraft. This is the airline which has crammed 10 across on the B777 (when other airlines have 9); Imagine how many seats they are going to cram onto the A380!

EMIRATES review :  28 October 2007 by Ranjit Mene   (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Economy

MAN-DXB-SIN Return in Economy. The first sector was a 777-300ER featuring ICE system, which is Emirates' trump card compared to other carriers. DXB a mess at 6.30am when I arrived. Being a gold Skywards member, I could use the lounge at DXB, but it was the one located between gates 9 and 10 which was at the opposite end of the 2km long terminal for my connecting flights both times. In addition, the lounge (like the rest of the airport) was packed with no place to sit. The return trip was just OK with a horrendous 3am departure from SIN. Emirates lounge at SIN is excellent though. The DXB-SIN sectors were with older 777-300s with no ICE. All flights packed. Emirates seriously needs to upgrade all their aircraft with the ICE system and increase the size of their lounges at DXB. They are bursting at the seams during peak times.

EMIRATES review :  28 October 2007 by Justin La Grange   (UK)

Customer Trip Rating :

Recommended:

Value for Money:

Cabin Flown:

Business

LHR-DXB-JNB return. I am a Gold Skywards Card holder but looking at handing the card back to Emirates. LHR-DXB, through airport security, which takes forever, and then to the Emirates lounge. Handed them boarding card and was asked, 'are you aware of the 2.5 hour delay?' No I as not and was worried out my onward connection to JNB, told that she could not help out and that if we were delayed DXB would deal with us. Boarding was free for all no separate boarding. Old style J class seats. Waited 1.5 hours for food, but was too tired so tried to get some sleep. Dubai airport Business Class Lounge (which is between gates 9 and 11) for Gold and Silver card holders, is busy with people sleeping on the floor and all over the chairs. DXB-JNB Flight was ok, food as good as can be expected. JNB-DXB Dismal check- in. Rennies Lounge - shared lounge with other airlines. Nowhere to sit, dirty with glasses and plates everywhere. Boarding free for all once again. Onboard was a trainee crew member, who did not know her products. Food took 2.5 hours and were too tired so decided to try and get some sleep. Placed 'wake me for food' sticker on top of seat and was woken in the morning by the Captain telling us to put seat belts on and get ready to land? What happened to breakfast, was told that it had been served, even though all of cabin were in sleep position. DXB-LHR economy was good. Bags were tagged as Business Class all the way through so not too much of a delay, happy to get home, have written complaint to Emirates.

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