I will be flying to Rome via Dubai on the QF/EK alliance and have the choice of using QF to Dubai or using EK the whole way. Which F offering is better? I have flown QF in F MEL LHR return last year.
Providing you do not care about accumulating QFF sc's (unless you book EK flights on a QF flighnumber) I would go for EK. You can fly the A380 all the way and the service is outstanding. Especially if you have not flown EK in F it is worth the experience. The service is totally different from QF, but definitely not worse. One has to have experienced having a shower at 38K feet if you ask me ;)
I've done both several times. EK suites are by far the better: more spacious, fully enclosed with that "private" feel and a better layout. The showers on EK - yes there are 2 of them just for 14 pax, with a dedicated attendant - are fabulous. Service is different on each airline. QF comes with the friendly, some would say "blokey", approach: at it's best this is personal and refreshing, at it's less than best it can seem opinionated and at worst like staff think they're doing you a favour. EK is impersonal, polite and efficient - sometimes to the point of seeming remote - but nothing is too much trouble and the pax is always right even when they're not. On balance it's EK for me - they are more adept at catering to expectations at the expensive end of the plane. With QF there always seem to be times when LCC attitude comes to the sharp end.
Agreed with HTC, it is understated luxury vs bling. The experience is totally different. Some people like the enclosed suites, some prefer the semi enclosed seats that QF has. i love the showers on EK, not only because you can have a shower but rather because you have ample room to change into PJ's. I do like the food onboard QF a bit better (although I love caviar and QF don't serve it).
In terms of crew, I have had very good an personal service on both carriers, always feel that it all depneds on how you interact with crew yourself. They can be reserved/ impersonal at first, but if you yourself are open and talkative they normally warm up.
It's a good dilemma to have! I just flew F on Emirates from Dubai and it was pretty special. Having a shower at 35,000 feet is an unique experience. I also particuarly like the privacy of the suite in that you can shut the doors and pretty much be in your own space without the claustophobic feeling of the SQ Suites.
However, there is something still very special about QF First. The service on QF I find is better as is the food quality but you just can't shut the doors to your suite and be in your own space and the screen on Emirates is better. QF First is more understated and is less about the gaudy gold trip that you find on Emirates.
So I would book on a QF flight number on Emirates in F one way... and then on QF First the other. Go for broke and enjoy both experiences!
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F to Europe QF or EK?
nmalon
nmalon
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Jan 2013
Total posts 182
F to Europe QF or EK?
Hi guys,
I will be flying to Rome via Dubai on the QF/EK alliance and have the choice of using QF to Dubai or using EK the whole way. Which F offering is better? I have flown QF in F MEL LHR return last year.
Thanks heaps
KG
KG
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2011
Total posts 249
Providing you do not care about accumulating QFF sc's (unless you book EK flights on a QF flighnumber) I would go for EK. You can fly the A380 all the way and the service is outstanding. Especially if you have not flown EK in F it is worth the experience. The service is totally different from QF, but definitely not worse. One has to have experienced having a shower at 38K feet if you ask me ;)
wilsoni Banned
wilsoni Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Sep 2011
Total posts 302
I've done both several times. EK suites are by far the better: more spacious, fully enclosed with that "private" feel and a better layout. The showers on EK - yes there are 2 of them just for 14 pax, with a dedicated attendant - are fabulous. Service is different on each airline. QF comes with the friendly, some would say "blokey", approach: at it's best this is personal and refreshing, at it's less than best it can seem opinionated and at worst like staff think they're doing you a favour. EK is impersonal, polite and efficient - sometimes to the point of seeming remote - but nothing is too much trouble and the pax is always right even when they're not. On balance it's EK for me - they are more adept at catering to expectations at the expensive end of the plane. With QF there always seem to be times when LCC attitude comes to the sharp end.
htc
htc
Qantas P1
Member since 18 Jan 2012
Total posts 40
Having flown both EK and QF in F - I would go for QF everytime if there was an option. The luxury is more understated than EK which is what I prefer.
KG
KG
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2011
Total posts 249
Agreed with HTC, it is understated luxury vs bling. The experience is totally different. Some people like the enclosed suites, some prefer the semi enclosed seats that QF has. i love the showers on EK, not only because you can have a shower but rather because you have ample room to change into PJ's. I do like the food onboard QF a bit better (although I love caviar and QF don't serve it).
In terms of crew, I have had very good an personal service on both carriers, always feel that it all depneds on how you interact with crew yourself. They can be reserved/ impersonal at first, but if you yourself are open and talkative they normally warm up.
AusFlyer
AusFlyer
Member since 10 Mar 2011
Total posts 137
It's a good dilemma to have! I just flew F on Emirates from Dubai and it was pretty special. Having a shower at 35,000 feet is an unique experience. I also particuarly like the privacy of the suite in that you can shut the doors and pretty much be in your own space without the claustophobic feeling of the SQ Suites.
However, there is something still very special about QF First. The service on QF I find is better as is the food quality but you just can't shut the doors to your suite and be in your own space and the screen on Emirates is better. QF First is more understated and is less about the gaudy gold trip that you find on Emirates.
So I would book on a QF flight number on Emirates in F one way... and then on QF First the other. Go for broke and enjoy both experiences!