V-Flyer

Im looking at the First or Business flights to Dubai with Emirates, has anyone done this sort of recently? If so, please let me know what you think?

I have never flown Emirates but i hear they are quite good?
I took at look at their website but couldnt fathom out which plane they would be using to Dubai, and there were no interior pictures but i did get a good view of the seating plan.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated

Highflyer

We're flying from LGW to DXB Business class next weekend and it will be on a 777 with 3 class configuration. As far as I know all flights between LGW/LHR and DXB are operated by this equipment.

We haven't been there for nearly a year now but used to do trip regularly and have always flown on 777 either Business or occasional op. upgrade to First. EK also operate 2 class 777's and various Airbuses including I believe A345 now on very long haul sectors such as JFK and SYD.

EK business accommodation is good but not as good as UCS. Opinions of service are always subjective but I prefer EK to VA in this respect although they are both very good. EK is a bit less informal but I find FAs are better at anticipating and catering to requirements of pax. (I spent some time back in the '80s working on training programmes for FAs - CX when they were winning lots of awards - and have been burdened ever since with subconsciously marking FAs against various performance criteria whenever I fly).

First class accomodation is a bit dated with suite type seating being rolled out but not as far as I know across the fleet yet. Service is absolutely first class.

Odyssey type IFE with some V:PORT type features such as multi-player games on all planes I've been on. Forward and downwards facing cameras, forward facing one shown on "big" screens during take off and landing.

Lounges at DXB are excellent, variable shared ones at other airports. United Red Carpet Club at LHR is not very impressive although it has interesting choice of beers!

Limo service from Tristar - same company that VA use -at LGW and LHR. Free up to 65 mile radius for J class pax, £1.80 per mile excess. No limit for first class. Free limo anywhere is UAE at other end.

Hope this helps

Elwood

Thanks Elwood, great info!

Le me know what you think after your trip, always helps to get a recent eye on things! I plan to fly from LHR so i wonder if there will be any/much difference in that?

Do you think First is worth the extra over business then?

Highflyer

I think the only reason EK started flying from LGW was because they couldn't get any more slots at LHR and wanted to expand London to DXB service. We've always flown from LHR in the past but I doubt that there's any difference apart from personal preferences about the respective airports and their facilities. We get to use Delta lounge at Gatwick which will hopefully prove more salubrious than the United Red Carpet Club at LHR.

Personally I wouldn't pay the extra for First class but again it comes down to personal preferences and choices over discretionary expenditure. Apart from anything else there are often seem to be deals on offer for Business class which I've not seen for First. Mind you I've only recently started looking - until last year someone else was always paying! We've got Business class flights and 6 nights HB at Royal Mirage Residence and Spa - by general agreement the second best hotel in Dubai - for about the same price as discounted J class fare.