Emirates

I flew AKL-MEL-DXB-JNB with a minor stop in DUR due to OR Tambo Airport (JNB) being closed due to severe weather. Wheels up at Auckland as EK407 at 6.00pm on an Airbus A380 for a 4 hour flight to Melbourne. The food on the first leg to MEL was excellent. It was Mediterranean chicken. We were in MEL for 1.45 hours to fuel up and pick up/drop passengers off. The second leg was 15 hours to Dubai from Melbourne but with the great in flight entertainment systems and comfy seats the time flew past quickly. Early morning arrival into Dubai at 5.20am then for a 5 hour wait to catch flight EK763 which was a Boeing 777-300ER. Great flight until we hit severe turbulence over the middle of Africa. We dropped a couple of feet which was scary but the EK staff kept us calm and served us refreshments after the turbulence had past. Just before we were about to descend into Johannesburg we were diverted to Durban due to bad weather in JNB. We were in Durban for 2 hours but we weren't allowed off the plane. But the EK staff were excellent they gave us refreshments and they were mingling with the passengers. Highly recommend flying with Emirates great seats (economy) in-flight entertainment systems are excellent and the staff are impeccable. I flew JNB-DXB-SYD-AKL on the way back home with the same excellent service.

NBO-DXB-SGN on 20-21 July 2014. Travels on Boeings 777-300 and 777-200 respectively. Flights on time. Wonderful service from ground staff throughout. Smooth hotel stay (all inclusive) provided and perfectly arranged by EK in DXB due to long transfer. I was only dissatisfied in DXB with a 40 minutes bus ride from aircraft to gate in the middle of the night - unbelievable and extremely tiring. On board: FAs of superior kindness alertness and professionalism. IFE outstanding. Food: Special meal provided. Other passengers were provided with three options all of acceptable quality. Many soft drinks available. 3 options for beers but all industrial waterish and with a boring taste. Wines tolerable there were 2 red wines in mini bottles and 1 white-wine. DXB-SGN was another tiresome new bus ride for 45 Minutes (including a stop for 20 minutes standing as planes were taxiing. Economy cabin was completely full. Food even better than on the previous flight including special meal. Drinks very generous. Staff did well despite a very crowded economy cabin. Too many seats squeezed in (3-4-3 configuration) which make extremely narrow aisles which hardly can accommodate a trolley. Compared to Qatar Airways Emirates appear to be regaining the lead as (apart from DXB bus experience) they are overall more professional even to customers without status cards.

Gatwick to Singapore with a 20 hour stopover in Dubai. Difficult to beat Emirates business class on the A380 in terms of value for money. Only complaint is the shortage of toilets.

Brisbane - Auckland return on A380. Used online check-in both ways and service was great. Completed bag drop very quickly and efficiently in both directions. This was my first return flight Bris-Auck on their A380. Had travelled Dubai/Heathrow Auck/Bris prior to this. Not disappointed. Flight time a lot quicker than 777 and A340 previously used on this route. Boarding was as quick as the smaller aircraft. In the past I have avoided seats in front of the bulkhead however found. Row 50 has plenty of space to recline which avoids disputes with the passenger behind and also gets you off the aircraft quicker.

Flew 2 weeks ago from Ho Chi Minh city (SGN) - (DXB - transit) - LHR (London) and back. My first time flying with Emirates. I was served with a hot towel and was able to watch my a film during take off. After flying for 5 hours I needed my bag with me. Unfortunately it was in the locker which was too high for me to reach so when I saw a flight attendant pass by I asked her if she could help. She helped me open the locker eventually but her attitude left me disappointed! On my way back from DXB to SGN I was lucky to have a lovely flight crew. In general the on board entertainment was very impressive. Even though the hot meals were served quickly they didn't taste good the food was incredibly salty and I couldn't finish it. The desserts on the other hand were the best amongst airlines.

A recent trip to Europe with Qantas/Emirates involved three legs with Emirates and one (Dubai to Sydney) with Qantas. Two of the Emirates legs were OK but the leg from Barcelona to Dubai was not up to any realistic standard for economy let alone business class. The food was barely edible (my wife's was inedible) and the service was appalling. No tea or coffee offered after the meal and resentment shown when my wife asked for some. They basically left us alone except for serving the meal. three previous flights with Emirates have been much better. other aspects of the flight (on time check in etc were fine and the Dubai terminal is excellent). The Qantas link with Emirates also works well if flying into Europe without having to go through London. Saves a lot of time.

EK 88 ZRH-DXB 05/03/14. EK 318 DXB-NRT 05/04/14. EK 317 KIX-DXB 05/14/14. EK 87 DXB-ZRH 05/15/14. The best I have experienced! From the chauffeur service to check-in and boarding the service was excellent. The A380 with the shower onboard is fantastic. Food and beverages excellent. I would highly recommend Emirates.

Flew economy LGW-AK all cabin crew excellent. Seats on 777 LGW-DUB dub cramped 3x4x3 config. A380 could not fault - great service on all 4 flights.

Quick trip to London last weekend. First time on Emirates and not the last. Haven't flown for a long time due to illness and the impatient and entitled behaviour of passengers was disappointing to see as the crew has a difficult job already trying to navigate people's expectations. I have nothing negative to say. Check-in was a breeze each way. Food was fantastic and plentiful. Travelling with children can be stressful at any time but saw crew assisting them and parents with respect and care. Am travelling long-haul again twice in the next 3 months. I'll be going with Emirate again for those.

EK0025 DXB-GLA on 25/11/13 EK0048 FRA-DXB on 4/2/14 and EK434 DXB-BNE on 5/2/14. Poor service. Food is terrible. Ads before watching anything on in-flight entertainment are annoying and seem unnecessary. Treatment of economy passengers is one of disdain as though you are an inconvenience.