09 February 2007
Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok (HKG/VHHH) – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl (BKK/VTBS)
Emirates Airline EK/UAE 387
Boeing 777-31H ER
A6-EBS
2355-0140 – On Time
Business Class, Seat 1B
Woke up at noon, cursing the place for no extended checkout, and headed to the Airport Express station. A large group of Gulf Air pax were taking their sweet time with 17 suitcases or something at the shared EK desk, but I was soon checked in for EK387 leaving at 2355. Took the next train to the airport, headed through immigration and security, and found a comfortable sleeping/resting chair below the lounges by gate 60. Had a couple of hours of sleep, and made my way to the new Emirates Lounge as soon as it opened at 7.30pm.
Truly a fantastic lounge, there was a variety of hot dishes as well as an extensive cold buffet available. Drink selection was great as well – Veuve Cliquot champagne, Hennessy XO, Perrier – couldn’t ask for any more. It was rather busy until EK385 to Bangkok and Dubai departed – completely deserted after that. I must have gone through several bottles of Veuve during the three hours I was there. I chose the later flight purely because of the equipment – 77W vs 773.
Emirates Lounge Hong Kong
Hot food buffet
Drinks
I made my way to gate 32 at about 2330, boarding had just started. I was greeted by three ladies at the business class side which was completely empty. Made my way to 1L where I was greeted by a Thai F/A and escorted to my seat in the first row. The cabin of A6-EBS looked immaculate – not surprising considering it’s one of the latest additions to the ever growing EK 777-300ER fleet. The orchids on the front bulkhead were a nice touch. High density configuration as usual – the seats are 2-3-2 with about 48” of pitch. Comfort was about the same as GF F first row, but we are talking J here.
Gate
A6-EBS cabin
A glass of Moet was brought immediately by a smiling Western (I guess Aussie or UK origin) lady – I gladly accepted. Hinting that I’d like a refill, they just kept coming later, SQ F style. Menus, winelists, socks and eyeshades were handed out – I was completely stunned by the menu. Salmon and caviar in J... And in real EK style, the ordeal was called a light meal!
Pre-departure Moet
Menu and Wine List
Service started with nicely presented warm nuts
The salmon and caviar... well you know my opinion of that! Had the lamb chops for main course, excellent as well. Garlic bread was of course available unlike GF F. The dessert was very tasty as well, and I don’t know who on the earth would call this a light meal! Service was very good, the glass of Moet was never empty. First refill after the meal, and I was brought a plate of hot nuts again.
Starter
Main course
Dessert
Emirates ICE
Soon, we were on descent into Suvarnabhumi, and landed a few minutes ahead of schedule. A quick taxi to the “preferred gates” right in front of passport control concluded this truly excellent business class experience with Emirates. The ground service guy promptly informed that the 1L jetway is the only one working – have fun boarding that full 777-300ER to DXB with one bridge... Congratulations AOT, you did it again! I thanked the excellent crew and walked into deserted passport control.
Emirates C
- Outstanding food
- Very good service
- ICE is amazing
- Great new HKG lounge
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 6119 posts, RR: 53 Reply 3, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 10826 times:
Hi Lari,
Thanks for another enjoyable read and decent pic's!
HB-IWC From Greece, joined Sep 2000, 3907 posts, RR: 78 Reply 4, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 10043 times:
Good to see that EK hasn't given up yet on its excellent reputation for inflight catering in adequate quality and quantity. Nothing worse than stepping off a longhaul flight feeling hungry.
Star_world From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2001, 1118 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 9638 times:
Nice trip report!
One big complaint I would have about the ICE system, although it seems great at first glance, is the amount of editing that they perform on the vast majority of the movies. Anything even remotely questionable, either language or actions, is generally edited out. There are a few exceptions to this (they showed The Departed without any major changes) but most of the movies suffer form this. I've just flown two JFK-DXB return trips in the last month in J and by the last flight I had given up watching movies - I decided I'd rather watch the original on Netflix!
Several other airlines (VS for example) seem to be a lot better in this aspect.
EK773 From United Arab Emirates, joined Jul 2004, 166 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 9507 times:
Quoting Star_world (Reply 7): is the amount of editing that they perform on the vast majority of the movies
I think this would have alot to do with local UAE laws and being the base of Emirates. Have you ever been to a cinema in Dubai?? Theres alot of censorship in the movies and they dont even try to blend the scenes together ... just CHOP! Then it leaves you wondering for a minute what just happened.
BrianDromey From Ireland, joined Dec 2006, 2939 posts, RR: 10 Reply 9, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 9327 times:
Great report.....brings back good memories of EK's 777W! (although in Y!)
Lot of people say that Emirates are this that and the other, but I have to say I found them excellent! Amazing aircraft, great crews, spellbinding entertainment options(not so much without ICE), and very good food. Add to that the seamless transfers and geat fares.
Emirates take some beating as far as I am concerned.
Out of interest how much was this trp in J? If you dout mind me asking?
Brian.
Next flights: ORK-MAN (WW); MAN-ORK (EI) DUB-HHN-DUB(FR)
FlyEmirates From United Arab Emirates, joined Dec 2005, 226 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 8582 times:
Correction with regard to registrations A6-EBQ onwards features the new lie flat J class, therefore looking at the seating it would appear you travelled on an A/C registered prior to,and including A6-EBP.
I can recommend the new J class lie flat seats, the glossy TV screens are simply huge,we need to catch up with the likes of EY/QR.
Although you experienced the old seats I am glad you enjoyed your flight this time around.
Star_world From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2001, 1118 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8300 times:
"J" is the generic fare code for business class, similar to how Y is usually used for economy and F for first. There can be several fare "buckets" within each seating class, so J, C and D tickets would all be for the same business cabin. They will differ in the level of restrictions for changes, cancellations, etc. but the onboard product is identical.
The Seatguru site http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Emi...Airlines_Boeing_777-300_2class.php
has 46". Thanks for report. I am a great fan of the old-fashioned good service of EK. I was interested that you waited extra hours to get on the B77W rather than the B773. I wonder whether you felt it was worth the wait? Better ICE? The B77W engines must be awesome, at the very least - and more time in the bar before the flight (smile)...
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4289 posts, RR: 28 Reply 15, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 8144 times:
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): The ground service guy promptly informed that the 1L jetway is the only one working – have fun boarding that full 777-300ER to DXB with one bridge... Congratulations AOT, you did it again!
Hahahaha... good on them. What happened to the bridge? The problems for this new airport seems to be never ending.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Lufthansa747 From Finland, joined May 1999, 2955 posts, RR: 47 Reply 16, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 8112 times:
Quoting Star_world (Reply 7): One big complaint I would have about the ICE system, although it seems great at first glance, is the amount of editing that they perform on the vast majority of the movies.
Seems unnecessary for a PTV system, main screen I understand. Must be UAE laws as posted later.
Quoting BrianDromey (Reply 9): Out of interest how much was this trp in J?
HKD 1600 one way in booking class C.
Quoting FlyEmirates (Reply 11): Correction with regard to registrations A6-EBQ onwards features the new lie flat J class, therefore looking at the seating it would appear you travelled on an A/C registered prior to,and including A6-EBP.
I'm 99% sure it was EBS - something doesn't match here. Is there still a separate ULR and shorthaul config post EBP?
Quoting Antskip (Reply 14): I was interested that you waited extra hours to get on the B77W rather than the B773. I wonder whether you felt it was worth the wait? Better ICE?
It turned out EK 385 was very full while this one was very empty, so definitely worth the wait. For ICE alone, might not be worth it for just a 2hr flight.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 15): What happened to the bridge? The problems for this new airport seems to be never ending.
No idea... a whole bunch of jetbridges are out of order for some reason.
N178UA From Australia, joined Jan 2001, 1419 posts, RR: 75 Reply 18, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 7609 times:
Great trip report. EK387 is my favourite HKG-BKK flight out of all carriers.
Antskip: Definity worth it. the 2 class high dest 773 (NON ER) is old and offer less leg room , 7 rolls of seats iso 6 rolls on 77W.
FlyEmirates: I flown A6-EBV (after EBP) DXB-KUL in Dec 06 but still have the non lie flat style J class seat. Is EK making the 2 class 77W with new seats as well or only the 3 class ones? I never got the skyward miles as it was a last minute switch flight they said can't find my records even I pay a full J fare sigh
FlyEmirates From United Arab Emirates, joined Dec 2005, 226 posts, RR: 2 Reply 20, posted (2 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 6837 times:
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Reply 19): Quoting N178UA (Reply 18):
I flown A6-EBV (after EBP) DXB-KUL in Dec 06 but still have the non lie flat style J class seat.
Actually, I've been on A6-EBV as well (Y), but it definitely had the same older seats in C. So it can't be lie flats for all 77Ws post A6-EBP.
Clarification here, apparently all 77W are being delivered with crew rest, presumably to avoid future problems such as DXB-JFK operating with no crew rest which has happened on occasions!
It would appear that the 2 class aircraft are STILL being delivered with outdated J class seats, probably due to lack of space that they are now putting in 400Y (15 seat increase) J remains at 42 and an extra toilet? (Not in SEP manual! but shown in seatmap in timetable). This must have reduced legroom considerably.
Greedy EK you are further widening the gap of product (seating inconsistency)
Are you expanding too quickly?
Do you have to be so greedy 442 seats? if EZY flew 77W would they be able to fit many more seats in?
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