Flying Emirates for the first time - long haul

faceman

I'm flying to Shanghai next month with work and will be using Emirates for the first time. Unfortunately its economy the whole way!

Its a lengthy journey. 7.35hrs to Dubai from Dublin with a 2.5 hour stopover, then 8.40hrs to Shanghai. The trip over, both journeys are on the B777-300ER. The return journey is on the A380-800 and B777-300ER

While most people are very positive about the airline, when i hear something negative its usually to do with seating being cramped. I'm an average sized male.

Realistically speaking, how uncomfortable is it? What are my chances of getting an update if i take my emirates skyward card with me when checking in? (Given its my first time using them with no miles on it!)

I should also point out I hate flying and Im travelling alone. What are you experiences?

Tabnabs

The only time I've been uncomfortable on an Emirates flight is on an Airbus A330. Their 777 is very comfortable and you'll enjoy the flight immensely.

I-Shot-Jr

Flew with them a couple years back economy to Dubai then on to Cochin in India, a similar enough journey. As a relatively large male (just shy of 6 foot and a belly) I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, the seats were very comfortable and there was plenty of legroom. The staff were excellent and the service provided was top notch. I don't think you'll have any issues to be honest.

Safe journey, hope you enjoy it.

ProudDUB

faceman wrote: »

Realistically speaking, how uncomfortable is it? What are my chances of getting an update if i take my emirates skyward card with me when checking in? (Given its my first time using them with no miles on it!)

I presume you mean upgrade? I'd say not good. Other travelers who have more points on their frequent flyer card would qualify for upgrades before you do. That is normally how it works. They reward regular customers who fly with them a lot versus people who are only using them for the first time. Which is fair enough when you think about it.

However my brother & his wife were upgraded to Business Class when they were flying to Oz (via Duabi) without ever having flown with Emirates before. When they were checking in, his wife laid it on pretty thick that that they were going to Oz on this trip of a lifetime for his 50th birthday blah blah blah. She is a very chatty, bubbly person who could talk for Ireland, so I think that is what swung it for them. If you are traveling for some special reason, and have a check in clerk who looks like he gives a damm, give it a go...what do you have to lose?

They also dressed very well and had brand new hand luggage. They looked like they "belonged" in Business Class if you know what I mean. I know, I know, that sounds very snobby, but it does make a difference. Dress for comfort and show up in your old but comfy sweats and you can kiss any chance of an upgrade good bye. Best of luck to you !

Stinicker

I'm 5ft 9" and flew their Boeing 777 this year and it has put me right off their airline, I will never again fly a Boeing 777 with 3-4-3 seating as it is far too cramped and it was a total ordeal. Etihad's 3-3-3 Boeing 777's are fine by comparison. I have flown with dozens of airlines and it was for definite the worst long haul flight I ever took, totally cramped. I can only compare it to spending 8 hours in only a slightly larger amount of room as you would get on a Ryanair flight, I also had the box for the IFE under window seat so that totally aggravated the situation. Get an aisle seat on their 777 and it might just about become bearable. Dubai airport is far too busy for my liking also and the queues to clear security were brutal leaving me absolutely no time to browse Duty free on my way home.

I flew Emirates on their A330 from Dublin this year which was OK, and then their awful Boeing 777 onwards to Kuala Lumpur, I flew back from Bangkok on the A380 which is decent and no probs there. Emirates cramped 777's and the stress of Dubai airport at peak time of midnight will see me choose Etihad instead for future jaunts East. The A330 was good enough even though the IFE (In flight entertainment) was brutal at least it was more spacious than the 777 but Emirates no longer send that plane to Dublin now.

I wrote about my experience with Emirates a few times below

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056588205&page=2
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=80075897&postcount=10
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056535208&page=5

coylemj

ProudDUB wrote: »

I presume you mean upgrade? I'd say not good. Other travelers who have more points on their frequent flyer card would qualify for upgrades before you do. That is normally how it works. They reward regular customers who fly with them a lot versus people who are only using them for the first time. Which is fair enough when you think about it.

However my brother & his wife were upgraded to Business Class when they were flying to Oz (via Duabi) without ever having flown with Emirates before. When they were checking in, his wife laid it on pretty thick that that they were going to Oz on this trip of a lifetime for his 50th birthday blah blah blah. She is a very chatty, bubbly person who could talk for Ireland, so I think that is what swung it for them. If you are traveling for some special reason, and have a check in clerk who looks like he gives a damm, give it a go...what do you have to lose?

They also dressed very well and had brand new hand luggage. They looked like they "belonged" in Business Class if you know what I mean. I know, I know, that sounds very snobby, but it does make a difference. Dress for comfort and show up in your old but comfy sweats and you can kiss any chance of an upgrade good bye. Best of luck to you !

OP sounds like he is male and is travelling on business so probably travelling alone, I'd say his chances of being upgraded are zero. Unless he's a frequent flyer he'd need a quick sex change to be upgraded as a solo traveller.

The check-in clerk in your brother's case was obviously aware that there was two seats going in business class so there's no problem given them to a well dressed couple who could pass for folk who can afford to fly business but they would not typically upgrade a male solo traveller who is not a frequent flyer for fear he would get sitting beside a female CEO and make a total tits of the situation by which I mean get drunk or (worse) blurt out that he got an upgrade.