EK CGK-DXB-CDG-DXB-CGK

[StarG]

Guys, I'm pleased to present the second Trip Summary on EK on SQTalk.
Will post the pictures first, and my comments to follow later.

EK 359 CGK-DXB 30JAN11
EK 356 DXB-CGK 02FEB11

Aircraft: B777-300ER (3 class)

Business Class cabin







First Class cabin

[StarG]

EK 073 DXB-CDG 30JAN11
EK 074 CDG-DXB 01FEB11

Aircraft: A380

EK A380 at DXB





EK A380 at CDG





Business Class cabin

[StarG]

Business Class cabin (continued)

[StarG]

First Class cabin

[StarG]

Business Class catering



Oops... wrong picture... the above was not from EK C, although I certainly wish it was!

[StarG]

EK Lounge at CDG








Some Observations

- Trip was in Business Class, except for the last sector DXB-CGK on which I received a semi-upgrade to First Class seat (CGK flights are sold as 2 class flights but served with 3 class aircraft - with F closed off) due to overbooking. Meal was Business, but I would say service was semi-First, as the curtains separating F & J was closed during the flight, and there were three FAs working exclusively in the F cabin. I was so happy with the upgrade since I was very tired & sleepy, and the 'regional J' on the 77W was really uncomfortable to sleep on.
- Overall it was a pretty good trip with EK. The only two things I dislike are that they use 'regional J' product for the CGK overnight sector, and the overcrowded lounge in DXB T3.
- Price was very competitive, around 30% less than if I were to fly SQ.
- Limo service included (arrival and departure @ CDG, Merc E Class equivalent).
- Checked baggage allowance is probably the most generous around (for weight system): 50 kg for F, 40 kg for J, 30 kg for Y.
- Speaking just on the long haul products (the A380 F & J), EK is definitely in the same league as SQ.
- ICE (their KrisWorld) is top notch. I have always thought KrisWorld's the best out there. ICE is a serious competition. The 3 exterior cameras are super cool!
- There are three input methods for ICE on the A380 J: touch screen on the viewing screen itself, handset, and via wireless touch screen control panel (which also handles other things like seat adjustments).
- Amenity kits have pretty good contents (include Bulgari toiletries).
- Meals are of similar quality as SQ overall. Except they serve Godiva pralines in J. 5 meal choices on EK vs. 4 on SQ (long haul J).
- I never thought I would, but I really like some of the interior details on EK. Probably because the metal trim is steel in J (not gold like in F). The overhead bin handles, for example. The burled walnut trim on the side bins actually doesn't look bad.
- J seat is very comfortable in seat or bed mode, but it could use some improvements to make better use of existing space for more shoulder room.
- The onboard lounge in J ('Social Area') looks way better than the one on SQ A380 J. It is more spacious and has proper couches (with seat belts).
- I didn't have my measuring tape with me, but it seems like the aisle seats have slightly shorter pitch than the rest (window seats & center twin seats).
- EK Lounge in CDG serves excellent lunch food before take off. The best outstation lounge food I have ever tasted. As you can see in one of the pictures above, it has a proper dining section.

[milehighj]

Trust it was mission accomplished in CDG

[SQflyergirl]

Oooh another EK groupie I like.

Regards

EKFG

[HUGE AL]

EKFG

[jjpb3]

Some Observations
- Price was very competitive, around 30% less than if I were to fly SQ.
...
- Checked baggage allowance is probably the most generous around (for weight system): 50 kg for F, 40 kg for J, 30 kg for Y.
- Speaking just on the long haul products (the A380 F & J), EK is definitely in the same league as SQ.
- ICE (their KrisWorld) is top notch. I have always thought KrisWorld's the best out there. ICE is a serious competition. The 3 exterior cameras are super cool!
- Amenity kits have pretty good contents (include Bulgari toiletries).
- Meals are of similar quality as SQ overall. Except they serve Godiva pralines in J. 5 meal choices on EK vs. 4 on SQ (long haul J).
- I never thought I would, but I really like some of the interior details on EK. Probably because the metal trim is steel in J (not gold like in F). The overhead bin handles, for example. The burled walnut trim on the side bins actually doesn't look bad.
...
- The onboard lounge in J ('Social Area') looks way better than the one on SQ A380 J. It is more spacious and has proper couches (with seat belts).
- EK Lounge in CDG serves excellent lunch food before take off. The best outstation lounge food I have ever tasted.

SQ should be concerned about those observations from one of their most loyal flyers.

Looking forward to your further comments, StarG. Thanks for the report.

[StarG]

Trust it was mission accomplished in CDG

Merci.

Oooh another EK groupie I like.

Regards

EKFG

Yep, EK is really pretty good.
CDG route for me, the only inconvenience is the long transit on the return. 4:40 hours in DXB is quite a wait!

SQ should be concerned about those observations from one of their most loyal flyers.

Looking forward to your further comments, StarG. Thanks for the report.

Thanks for reading, jjpb3.
Flying EK, I could feel that they really try to be the best out there. They have some good qualities of SQ (friendly service, A380, superb IFE, etc.) and some of CX (toothpicks , having amenity kits in J, spontaneous crew, recognition of elites), plus some more (limo service, extra baggage allowance).

Having said all that, SQ is still my favorite airline.
Perhaps it is the convenience of SIN being just 1.5 hours away from CGK, perhaps it is the 'at home' feeling whenever I fly on SQ.
It is worth noting that the overall margin SQ is leading (in comparison with other airlines) is getting less and less.

[UMD]

Love the pictures and it is good to know that you had a good trip. I am surprised to find that EK has such outdated J seats on its B77W.

Foods looked good and the bar area for J is definitely the place to mingle with other passengers. I love the same bar idea that IT install on its A332 as well. Whenever I fly with IT, I usually spend most of my time in the bar area mingling with the crew.

By the way, was that uni in some sort of cream sauce? Which airlines or restaurant? Where can one sample a dish like that?

Last but not least, are you sure you were on J all the way? Why were there photos of the A380 suites?

[StarG]

Love the pictures and it is good to know that you had a good trip. I am surprised to find that EK has such outdated J seats on its B77W.

...
By the way, was that uni in some sort of cream sauce? Which airlines or restaurant? Where can one sample a dish like that?

Last but not least, are you sure you were on J all the way? Why were there photos of the A380 suites?

Thanks, UMD.

It seems like EK has several different configurations for the 77W with some fitted with Suites in F + lie flats in J, and others like the ones I flew on. Additionally there are those fitted with just 2 class (J & Y).

The dish was L'Oursin from L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - Etoile (Champs Elysee outlet). This is different from L'Oursin from the NYC branch but both are tasty.
This is what I like about the L'Atelier - the 'inconsistency' between branches is always on the good side.

Yes it was Business all the way (except the involuntary seat change on the last sector ), but one of the FAs on my flight was kind enough to offer to take some pictures in F with my camera.

[9V-SIA]

Are the staggered business class seats made by the same company as NH? Prefer NH.

Are drinks in personal minibar cold? Or FA brings ice?

Thanks for sharing!

[StarG]

Are the staggered business class seats made by the same company as NH? Prefer NH.

Are drinks in personal minibar cold? Or FA brings ice?

Thanks for sharing!

I am not 100% sure but it seems like they are basically the same seats with different extra features (EK version being the more fully loaded one).

No cooling function in the personal minibar, so you would need to ask for ice from the FAs if you want your drinks cold.