Emirates - New 2 class configuration A380 starting soon.

[Fatboyfat 361]

I'm not too sure if this flight is much used by transit travellers, but I have on occasions used it when just travelling as far as Dubai, due to "sociable" hours, but will no longer do so due to 1st removal.

They are introducing their mass people carrier on the EK376/377 flights in early December (Arrives BKK 1300 Departs BKK 1600) These monstrocities have had the 1st class removed and Business class capacity greatly reduced. Capacity now up to about 615; Boarding and clearing immigrationq, luggage etc gets even more fraught I would imagine, especially as they have bizarrely configured the Biz section at the "arse end" of the upper deck, so as to leave the bar in place

I was told the Dubai/Bangkok flights on average have a 50 seat over-sell in economy, and therefore results in a large number of free upgrades. This is one measure to avoid that I suppose; Not for me tho'!

[BBB 3]

Maybe they have a point, had a lot of free upgrades lately.

[jacko 8,815]

I'm not too sure if this flight is much used by transit travellers, but I have on occasions used it when just travelling as far as Dubai, due to "sociable" hours, but will no longer do so due to 1st removal.

They are introducing their mass people carrier on the EK376/377 flights in early December (Arrives BKK 1300 Departs BKK 1600) These monstrocities have had the 1st class removed and Business class capacity greatly reduced. Capacity now up to about 615; Boarding and clearing immigrationq, luggage etc gets even more fraught I would imagine, especially as they have bizarrely configured the Biz section at the "arse end" of the upper deck, so as to leave the bar in place

I was told the Dubai/Bangkok flights on average have a 50 seat over-sell in economy, and therefore results in a large number of free upgrades. This is one measure to avoid that I suppose; Not for me tho'!

Are there steps at the back? I was wondering as most planes unload from the front and it would seem strange for Biz Class to have to walk forward through the bar and upper deck economy cabin to disembark.

[Fatboyfat 361]

Are there steps at the back? I was wondering as most planes unload from the front and it would seem strange for Biz Class to have to walk forward through the bar and upper deck economy cabin to disembark.

Yes there are steps at the back, but the point you highlighted is exactly the one that is causing a brouhaha on the dedicated flying forums.

I was picturing the Biz class pax struggling through the economy sections with "the great unwashed" ( : poor taste ?) chucking garbage at them, unhappy at being told to remain seated whilst the "hoity-toity amble through.

Bizarre decision indeed!

The one saving light is that at least in economy upstairs the config. Is 2-4-2 rather than the 3-4-3 downstairs.

[Odense 492]

And that upstairs economy is pretty good - at least with Qatar Airlines

 

Posted from my mobile so I blame any spelling errors on that.

[Brown1950 67]

The high density A380 Emirates is also to start soon on one of the Manchester-Dubai flights.

[jacko 8,815]

And that upstairs economy is pretty good - at least with Qatar Airlines

 

Posted from my mobile so I blame any spelling errors on that.

When I flew with Qatar the upper deck economy was at the back though.

[jacko 8,815]

Yes there are steps at the back, but the point you highlighted is exactly the one that is causing a brouhaha on the dedicated flying forums.

I was picturing the Biz class pax struggling through the economy sections with "the great unwashed" ( : poor taste ?) chucking garbage at them, unhappy at being told to remain seated whilst the "hoity-toity amble through.

Bizarre decision indeed!

The one saving light is that at least in economy upstairs the config. Is 2-4-2 rather than the 3-4-3 downstairs.

Seriously! I only fly to the UK once a year and go Biz Class, and this 'arrangement' will make me prefer alternative carriers. Shame as I like the A380 service, and Emirates offer the limo. I could have understood getting rid of the bar, or sliding everything forward and removing first.

Edited October 29, 2015 by jacko

[Odense 492]

When I flew with Qatar the upper deck economy was at the back though.

Yes - it has been at the back on my flights too. That does not bother me.

 

Posted from my mobile so I blame any spelling errors on that.

[Fatboyfat 361]

Seriously! I only fly to the UK once a year and go Biz Class, and this 'arrangement' will make me prefer alternative carriers. Shame as I like the A380 service, and Emirates offer the limo. I could have understood getting rid of the bar, or sliding everything forward and removing first.

Yes, and I see Brown 1950s post above would make both legs similar; I'd lay odds on them dropping the early morning Manchester flight (777) when the high density starts on that route too. For the moment that morning option would be preferable as the BKK A380 flights involved are not changing, and the 777 biz accomodation looks to be the same as on the A380s, but no bar (The Glasgow route uses these, and although I used the boxes up front, which are exactly the same, the biz section also looked the same as the A380).

I think most people anticipated the biz section being at the front, with the small bar that is already there, being converted along with the palatial 1st class "crappers", if a bar service was to be kept. First was always going to be removed on these configs. They say there are no plans to retro-fit any of the current A380s, so hopefully this will prove do be a disastrous decision, and ensure that remains the case!

You could do with one of Qatar's 787 dreamliners transferring on that Manchester route; The biz class on them is the same fit as on their A380s. Birmingham is getting a 787 connection soon.

Edited October 30, 2015 by Fatboyfat

[Brown1950 67]

Yes, and I see Brown 1950s post above would make both legs similar; I'd lay odds on them dropping the early morning Manchester flight (777) when the high density starts on that route too. For the moment that morning option would be preferable as the BKK A380 flights involved are not changing, and the 777 biz accomodation looks to be the same as on the A380s, but no bar (The Glasgow route uses these, and although I used the boxes up front, which are exactly the same, the biz section also looked the same as the A380).

I think most people anticipated the biz section being at the front, with the small bar that is already there, being converted along with the palatial 1st class "crappers", if a bar service was to be kept. First was always going to be removed on these configs. They say there are no plans to retro-fit any of the current A380s, so hopefully this will prove do be a disastrous decision, and ensure that remains the case!

You could do with one of Qatar's 787 dreamliners transferring on that Manchester route; The biz class on them is the same fit as on their A380s. Birmingham is getting a 787 connection soon.

The morning Emirates is expected to change from a 777-300ER to another A380! As this change will hit freight capacity would expect

Emirates to announce a fourth daily flight with a 777-300ER - departure time around 1700 hrs. These changes are expected mid 2016.

[bigbadbaz 69]

My mate usually flies Emirates blizz class and goes about 4 times per yr, usually gets the 380 for 3 of the 4 legs Man to Bkk and the last 5 times been upgraded to 1st class on the 1st leg. The last time about 3 weeks ago and he was the only person in1st class

[jacko 8,815]

My mate usually flies Emirates blizz class and goes about 4 times per yr, usually gets the 380 for 3 of the 4 legs Man to Bkk and the last 5 times been upgraded to 1st class on the 1st leg. The last time about 3 weeks ago and he was the only person in1st class

When I had a daft moment and stumped up for 1st class I think there were just 3 of us in there from Manchester, a few more from and to Doha.

Not much of a 1st Class crowd from Manchester I guess. Biz was doing okay, I think there were a lot of recently retired doing their trip of a lifetime or visiting relatives down under.

Got to adapt to the market, as I have to adapt to my finances!

[Fatboyfat 361]

My mate usually flies Emirates blizz class and goes about 4 times per yr, usually gets the 380 for 3 of the 4 legs Man to Bkk and the last 5 times been upgraded to 1st class on the 1st leg. The last time about 3 weeks ago and he was the only person in1st class

I suppose that would be a fair argument for them changing to the 2 class high density model on the Manchester flight then. I only tend to use the A380 for the Bangkok legs, and the 1st class is generally at capacity (of course I don't know how many of them have been upgraded; Some occasionally "stand out like sore thumbs" though ) My UK legs were normally to Glasgow, and First was always at capacity there, but there are only 8 suites on the 777s used on that route.

Your mate must be a lucky guy, or well thought of, as there were many quite high tier Skywards members complaining that Emirates were not upgrading anybody to First from Manchester a while back.

[Brown1950 67]

Emirates 2 class A380 will be on Manchester -Dubai EK 19 on 24th Nov.

[TheFiend 1,181]

Booked for Manchester-Bangkok next April and the 2 class A380 is on the EK376 diagram so I'll get to enjoy it on one of the 4 legs.... might be tempted to book one of the upper deck seats...