Emirates A340-500 first class

[cottonfoo]

There is no way in hell would I ever be able to afford or justify this, but I've upgraded my Auckland-to-Dubai leg in late January from business to first for nothing, using a bunch of what I thought were useless air miles. Good job I checked, they expire in July.

Anyone done it? What's it like? Part of me thinks it won't be so interesting since it's very private. I usually go business and sit next to someone interesting - last time was one of the WRC technical directors (best flight ever and a jolly nice chap), another time a fit german film director, then some guy who'd only say he was a 'civil servant' - but they don't fly business, I think he was a double-0 spy personally. I digress.

Is it as good as it looks?

[dazco]

Thats nothing. My dad's Bobby Charlton and my mum invented snow.

[cottonfoo]

dazco said:

Thats nothing. My dad's Bobby Charlton and my mum invented snow.

Wow, your parents must be loaded then, especially your mum. Is that where your tidy lump sum is coming from for your 997?

Seriously, I save up all year for a holiday and it just so happens I can upgrade for free. Get a grip.

[dazco]

But I never started a thread stating that I was getting a 997. Which I am not now because of the silly changes to the extended warranty.

Enjoy your flight, us plebs have to sit next to someone that dribbles whilst they sleep.

[cottonfoo]

dazco said:

But I never started a thread stating that I was getting a 997.

Ahh, I must deserve your reaction then, for asking.

[AdeTuono]

cottonfoo said:

dazco said:

But I never started a thread stating that I was getting a 997.

Ahh, I must deserve your reaction then, for asking.

Serves you bloody well right. Now, if you just edit your profile and tell us how much money you've got in the bank, amount of premium bonds held, if anyone you know has named you in their will, and what you'll do with any excess cash you have in the future, preferably in relation to what car you'll buy, we'll all be happy.

[Olf]

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

[Silver993tt]

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

[Olf]

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

The mistake you make is to use your own money.

[Dai Capp]

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

What Olf said really - first on BA has better service, beds, I think the foods better as well (or it could just be the environment that makes it seem better) but the big things for me are preferential disembarking to get through customs quicker and the first class lounge so you avoid the terminal building scrum. It's really about segregation and a bit of peace and quiet.

Cheers

DC

[Silver993tt]

Olf said:

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

The mistake you make is to use your own money.

Not really. When I was an employee (now self-employed), I negotiated a flight allowance which allowed me to make my own flight arrangements, which I have always preferred. So basically it covered full fare business class on all flights and also some in 1st. I chose to fly economy on nearly all of my flight after realising that you get so little extra for your money in the 'premium' classes. You can work out what I pocketed over 10 years flying at least 10 long haul flights a year plus all the short haul stuff

Anyway, even if it's not my money I won't fly in any kind of 'premium' class because I don't fint it worth it on principle. I run my own business now but still don't splash out on extortionate flight seats even though it's a business expense and I'll get most of it back. It's just a personal thing that I don't agree with

Edited by Silver993tt on Thursday 28th August 08:40

[anonymous-user]

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

You need more imaginations!

[Silver993tt]

garyhun said:

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

You need more imaginations!

Well, ok a 997 turbo isn't everyone's cup of tea but maybe more topical it would give you £100k as a deposit on a house which would be advantageous at the moment

[Dai Capp]

Also if you're 6ft 4in and built like a barn door (and your medication gives you cramp) economy is rubbish for you. I flew on BMI to Glasgow yesterday and by the end of a 1 hour flight I could hardly walk.

I would agree that first is expensive but even if I flew using my own money I would rather travel less and flight at least premium ecomony (preferably business) than fly frequently and try and crowbar myself into economy...

Cheers

DC

Edited by Dai Capp on Thursday 28th August 08:52

[Fidgits]

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

Or just go buisness upstairs in a 747... nice small cabin - far away from the engines, so nice and quite... get a window seat for great storage bins and loads of privacy..

[Olf]

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Silver993tt said:

Olf said:

Emirates first is very nice. Not as god as BA first I don't think, but nice all the same. Always good to get some Don Perignon down your neck. Truth be told though all first buys you on most airlines is exactly what you said - segregation from others.

I've been in BA 1st a few times. Waste of money. Food is same as a £15 meal in an average restaurant but half the portion size. Wine? How much can you drink? 5 glasses at £2.50 a glass (they are tiny glasses), so that's another £12.50. Let's be generous and say £40 for the food - but I've paid £5k The so called 'flat beds' are not beds - they are just a seat that reclines fully. The width is still pitifully lacking for any really comfortable sleep (I'm not fat, 70kg). To cap it all you'r in a small room with 13 other strangers for 10 hours or whatever with all their own personal habits fully audible, how lovely and all for £5k+

Better to fly economy and pocket the remaining £4.5k If you flew 4 times a year that's nearly £20k - over 5 years that's a free 997 turbo

The mistake you make is to use your own money.

Not really. When I was an employee (now self-employed), I negotiated a flight allowance which allowed me to make my own flight arrangements, which I have always preferred. So basically it covered full fare business class on all flights and also some in 1st. I chose to fly economy on nearly all of my flight after realising that you get so little extra for your money in the 'premium' classes. You can work out what I pocketed over 10 years flying at least 10 long haul flights a year plus all the short haul stuff

Anyway, even if it's not my money I won't fly in any kind of 'premium' class because I don't fint it worth it on principle. I run my own business now but still don't splash out on extortionate flight seats even though it's a business expense and I'll get most of it back. It's just a personal thing that I don't agree with

Edited by Silver993tt on Thursday 28th August 08:40

Well I have to say there are too many corporate heroes like you making life worse for the rest of us. Every company has the guy who says 'I don't need business class' that has only one effect - it changes the corporate travel policy so that people like me end up having to fly economy.

For the record - I am one who doesn't see business travel as a perk. I would rather be at home in my garden in a comfy seat sipping a G&T and p[laying with my kids.

[K50 DEL]

Olf said:

Well I have to say there are too many corporate heroes like you making life worse for the rest of us. Every company has the guy who says 'I don't need business class' that has only one effect - it changes the corporate travel policy so that people like me end up having to fly economy.

For the record - I am one who doesn't see business travel as a perk. I would rather be at home in my garden in a comfy seat sipping a G&T and p[laying with my kids.

I'm with you Olf, I have it written into my contract that I fly a minimum of business class (of 16 flights in the last year 5 have been 1st) and only on BA
I don't view it as a perk, I view it as a necessity - I need to sleep well on both flights as I'm the office immediately from the airport.
The only way to guarantee this is with a flat bed.

I wouldn't even have considered the job if the flights were economy and even if I paid and rebilled, I'd still fly business.

[Accelebrate]

Flown first class with Emirates to Dubai, Aus and NZ recently. Was nice enough, separate little cabin 'boxes' with decent fold flat seats, bigger TV, nicer cosmetics, vase of flowers

Not sure it's entirely worth the extra over business, unless you've got privacy issues. I think the food was the same as business and you only get to use the same lounges as business. But with air miles or expenses then what the heck

[Bee_Jay]

Olf said:

For the record - I am one who doesn't see business travel as a perk. I would rather be at home in my garden in a comfy seat sipping a G&T and p[laying with my kids.

100% with you there. After 40+ countries in 5 years I bloody hate flying and have been in all classes. It really isn't a perk it's an embuggerance.

Really looked hard this year at the necessity of every trip and as such have managed to cut back drastically (only 3 transatlantic instead of the usual 15-20+) and it has really made a big difference to my quality of family life and general happiness without affecting my business much at all.

[cottonfoo]

Cheers all. I can't do long haul in economy (did it once, never again), I'm not big but the queues were a nightmare and it took me two days to recover, I get a decent nights sleep in business giving me more time on holiday. Cost is partly offset by staying with family at the other end. Emirates' "free chauffeur service" is pretty useful, especially when travelling on dates when there's no public transport.