Emirates

BKK - Hong Kong on A380 in business class. The BKK EK lounge is being refurbished and I was asked to use Qantas lounge. The Emirates rep in that lounge was superbly helpful and pleasant. Onboard my seat area was clean and everything worked. I did not find the seat too comfortable and used the mattress. After take off the on-board bar opened. The bar person could not speak English well was disorganized and had no idea how to mix drinks. There was a nice selection of tasty sandwiches wraps etc. I asked for the warm food printed on the bar menu and was told 'we will put it out if we have time'. After challenging this they reluctantly heated some for me. I was then told to go back to my seat as lunch will be served. I sat with a table cloth in front of me for a further 20 mins and then a tray of food arrived. The steak in balsamic vinegar and creamy potato was good and tasty. There was a crew member walking up and down serving wines which was positive too. The toilets were not well stocked with tooth brushes etc but were clean. I found the crew awful - with fake smiles patronizing and they ran around like disorganized headless chickens tripping over each other and created a very anxious atmosphere in the cabin. They treated the passengers with contempt and I felt that I was an inconvenience to them.

We travelled on the A380 from LHR to Dubai. Upon entering the plane first impressions was wonderful the inflight entertainment was great. Though that is the only good thing about this airline the cabin crew is the worst. The crew are awful they don't care about service at all we waited over 3 hours after we pressed the call button for a stewardess to come. The food is awful nothing but a horrible chicken curry on the menu on both legs of the journey. The final meal served will probably be a biscuit and a cup of tea. I had high hopes for this airline but they are really awful Dubai is a wonderful place to visit but don't fly with this airline.

DXB-MCR. Having landed from Sydney I upgraded to Business using Skywards miles. Well worth it. Lounges at DXB are massive and though functional have lost the intimate atmosphere that once existed. Food in lounge was fairly predictable too. Flight delayed in DXB 1 hour due to passengers being off loaded but was onboard so managed to relax and watch a movie. Flight was good and service fine. Food much improved for Economy though the snacks in the lounge at rear of plane were a little stale. Chauffeur Drive from MCR worked well. Not cheap but if you have miles to spend an upgrade is well worth it.

DXB-CMBEK 650 First Class Suites B777-300ER. The First Class Lounge in Terminal 3 (B Gates) was good and the menu service meals were excellent. Boarding was not well organized. Inflight service was excellent but not outstanding given that First Class was not full. Each suite is very comfortable and well laid-out though the decor is amazingly garish. No privacy when the sliding doors are open unlike some First Class suite designs of their competitors. No amenity kit as it was a four-hour night flight. Was promised socks toothpaste/brush and eye shades but never received any. Toothpaste/brush shaving cream/razor and combs were available in the well- maintained toilets for self service. Meals were very poor for First Class though well presented. I ordered the Sri Lankan meal (Chicken Koththu Roti) but it was hotter than anything I've been served in Colombo and was truly tasteless. I sent it back and ordered an omelette that was the exact opposite (too bland) and had a machine made look about it. One expects much better in First Class especially as I recall the amazingly delicious food Emirates served in First Class ten years ago on a LHR-DXB flight served from a trolley rather than on trays like now and a more recent meal in First Class served by EK last year on a CMB-DXB flight. I know everyone is looking at cost-cutting measures but this is supposedly First Class. The flight departed DXB and arrived in CMB on time. Baggage delivery in CMB was prompt and baggage transfer from BA at DXB was very well handled by EK. For a four hour flight EK Business Class which I typically use on this route seems a better value.

EK371 Bangkok to Dubai on 23rd Mar. Flew Emirates on the late night flight at 1.55am. Crew were fantastic and meals and drinks were plentiful and served with a smile. Aircraft not too new but clean and ICE was very enjoyable.

EK 027 DXB to GLA on 23rd Mar. Aircrew were outstanding and very professional. Meals were tasty and enjoyable. Aircraft was new with excellent ICE range of all the latest movies. Aircrew were very friendly and worked well serving refreshments during the whole flight with a good caring smiling attitude and did a fantastic job.

Manchester - Dubai -–Phuket -–Dubai - Manchester. Flew on the A380 on the Manchester legs and the 777 on the Phuket leg. Both experiences top class crews on all sectors excellent. Food and beverages first class. A fantastic experience that I hope to do again.

Caught EK408 from KL back to Melbourne on 21 March. From the lounge to the arrival the staff were fantastic. The inflight entertainment along with the meal starved should make Qantas wake up. Both beat Qantas and was served with staff who smiled and were a pleasure. Looking forward to my next flight in a week or so!

DUS-DXB-CGK (Dusseldorf - Jakarta) on 08/09 March and return 21 March. All flights 777 300ER. Air fares a fraction of what Lufthansa offered. Very satisfied with flights on time and service prior to take off and at the airports. Service during flight overall OK but staff could be more attentive. Seats a bit old partly broken. Met a friend in Economy and found out the main dish was exactly the same food I ordered in Business! Was not hungry when lunch was served and 2 hours later there was nothing left over except for desserts was disappointed.

EK 409 on 16 March. Left on a 3.20am flight that I would not really recommend given the time. Travelling business I at least thought the staff would promptly go around the cabin and get any services out the way ASAP. I wanted a nightcap to help me sleep and it took an amazing 1.5 hours before I got it. I have travelled Emirates before and they have been good but a little more attention to customers paying for service regardless of time would not go astray. The one saving grace was inflight entertainment.