I mean, when you've got that much airplane and nothing to do with all that space, why not just throw in a swimming pool and be done with it? Petting zoo? Uh, how about the Air France art gallery concept? Airplanes move people from A to B. No one says, "I'm going to go to the bar; I'll just by a ticket on Emirates, now, to make that happen." Niceties are nice, but they're not going to save the whale. I'm sure the bar will be very pleasant and have swinging chandeliers and a grand piano and so on. Color me not impressed.

I guess Airbus is delighted that they have to consider yet another design for the few remaining EK-orders. :-/

Brilliant - I flew DUB-DXB-AKL with DXB-AKL in business. Loved the entire trip, bar was fantastic to have a cocktail, relax and meet other travellers. Felt like old school travel on a a train in Europe. I loved it, and EK now has all my future long haul J travel. Only area they needed to improve was their lounge offering in DXB. Was not relaxing at all.

QF have a great new lounge space on their refurbed 380s, can’t wait to see what EK dream up.

380s work, when used correctly. QF, BA and EK seem to have them down pat along with perhaps LH. The basket cases of MH/TG/CX were never going to make them work.

747-600X wrote:

I mean, when you've got that much airplane and nothing to do with all that space, why not just throw in a swimming pool and be done with it? Petting zoo? Uh, how about the Air France art gallery concept? Airplanes move people from A to B. No one says, "I'm going to go to the bar; I'll just by a ticket on Emirates, now, to make that happen." Niceties are nice, but they're not going to save the whale. I'm sure the bar will be very pleasant and have swinging chandeliers and a grand piano and so on. Color me not impressed.

I'll be gallivanting around the world and enjoying it. I'm guessing you wont be.

smi0006 wrote:

I loved it, and EK now has all my future long haul J travel.

How much did they pay you for posting this! ... just kidding.

smi0006 wrote:

Only area they needed to improve was their lounge offering in DXB. Was not relaxing at all.

True, to use a similar comparison, felt like an old overcrowded train station in Europe.

smi0006 wrote:

380s work, when used correctly. QF, BA and EK seem to have them down pat along with perhaps LH. The basket cases of MH/TG/CX were never going to make them work.

CZ.

And I will never understand why people mention TG together with MH and CZ as bad examples. I use their A380‘s three times a year. J is always full and the main deck full of tourists. I guess that’s how it should be. TG‘s CEO is on record for saying that they are happy with their A380‘s. But I guess many a.net members do not believe him, given TG‘s overall financial results.

smi0006 wrote:

Brilliant - I flew DUB-DXB-AKL with DXB-AKL in business. Loved the entire trip, bar was fantastic to have a cocktail, relax and meet other travellers. Felt like old school travel on a a train in Europe. I loved it, and EK now has all my future long haul J travel. Only area they needed to improve was their lounge offering in DXB. Was not relaxing at all.

QF have a great new lounge space on their refurbed 380s, can’t wait to see what EK dream up.

380s work, when used correctly. QF, BA and EK seem to have them down pat along with perhaps LH. The basket cases of MH/TG/CX were never going to make them work.

I agree. I am loyal in another program, but if there is a J class opportunity for an EK A380 I take it.

N14AZ wrote:

smi0006 wrote:

I loved it, and EK now has all my future long haul J travel.

How much did they pay you for posting this! ... just kidding.

smi0006 wrote:

Only area they needed to improve was their lounge offering in DXB. Was not relaxing at all.

True, to use a similar comparison, felt like an old overcrowded train station in Europe.

smi0006 wrote:

380s work, when used correctly. QF, BA and EK seem to have them down pat along with perhaps LH. The basket cases of MH/TG/CX were never going to make them work.

CZ.

And I will never understand why people mention TG together with MH and CZ as bad examples. I use their A380‘s three times a year. J is always full and the main deck full of tourists. I guess that’s how it should be. TG‘s CEO is on record for saying that they are happy with their A380‘s. But I guess many a.net members do not believe him, given TG‘s overall financial results.

Interesting - I thought TG was trashing their yields and high overheads with such a large fleet. And typo of course -CZ.

Has anyone used the KE, or EY lounge? What’s the feedback? Apart from EK, QF and the above two no one else has a lounge/cafe

TWA 747 Copy Cat

If been in the KE lounge onboard the A380. That was very nice and elegant. They looked after the passengers so nobody got close to being drunk or similar. So it was not a pub but a real cocktail bar. Quite luxurious and great to walk around the airplane in flight.
However if been in their 747-8 C mini suites too and those were very enjoayble as well even without a lounge.

747-600X wrote:

I mean, when you've got that much airplane and nothing to do with all that space, why not just throw in a swimming pool and be done with it? Petting zoo? Uh, how about the Air France art gallery concept? Airplanes move people from A to B. No one says, "I'm going to go to the bar; I'll just by a ticket on Emirates, now, to make that happen." Niceties are nice, but they're not going to save the whale. I'm sure the bar will be very pleasant and have swinging chandeliers and a grand piano and so on. Color me not impressed.

Announced in 2017: https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlin ... l-airplane

747-600X wrote:

I mean, when you've got that much airplane and nothing to do with all that space, why not just throw in a swimming pool and be done with it? Petting zoo? Uh, how about the Air France art gallery concept? Airplanes move people from A to B. No one says, "I'm going to go to the bar; I'll just by a ticket on Emirates, now, to make that happen." Niceties are nice, but they're not going to save the whale. I'm sure the bar will be very pleasant and have swinging chandeliers and a grand piano and so on. Color me not impressed.

And yet those were some of the early concepts bandied around when the A380 was first mooted. Emirates may as well exploit some of that space to full comfort advantage. I'm sure there's plenty of well heeled travellers willing to pay the price to make it viable.

That was quick - the second generation EK A380 lounge only debuted a couple of years ago!

They will need to avoid people standing for too long. So it will be more tables and belted seats.

Please, please, please, please get rid of the utterly tasteless lashings of faux wood and gold trim. Some calming, muted tones in organic materials, please, with splashes of contrasting colour, would be lovely.

I shan't hold my breath though. This is EK, after all.

N14AZ wrote:

smi0006 wrote:

I loved it, and EK now has all my future long haul J travel.

How much did they pay you for posting this! ... just kidding.

smi0006 wrote:

Only area they needed to improve was their lounge offering in DXB. Was not relaxing at all.

True, to use a similar comparison, felt like an old overcrowded train station in Europe.

.

Another reason why I refuse to fly EK. It's Dubai lounge and quite a bit of the airport remind me of a crowded fish market in a lesser developed country

Do the bars serve alcohol? If not it seems like it would be a waste.

Greetings Folks, the negative comments re DXB 's lounge (I assume the reference is the business class one) surprises me .
Over the last ten years I have been through DXB more than 18 times and have never experienced any "train station syndrome".
It will never compare to Doha's but it is still pleasant enough for a two hour break.
Cheers, 325i.

EK is going to use one of their spare 380 Frames as a Bar and Lounge? Good idea - what airport will it be based at....

747-600X wrote:

I mean, when you've got that much airplane and nothing to do with all that space, why not just throw in a swimming pool and be done with it? Petting zoo? Uh, how about the Air France art gallery concept? Airplanes move people from A to B. No one says, "I'm going to go to the bar; I'll just by a ticket on Emirates, now, to make that happen." Niceties are nice, but they're not going to save the whale. I'm sure the bar will be very pleasant and have swinging chandeliers and a grand piano and so on. Color me not impressed.

Just about to board my 30th long haul J trip this year, and I have a similar feeling about this. Granted, I have yet to try a plane with a bar yet, but reality is that I am perfectly happy in my lie-flat/reclining seat. Half the time I don't even realise there is a self-serve bar available!
Will I use the bar when I get the chance? Most likely yes, but only the first time. It is a gimmick, nothing more. I would prefer a slighty bigger or better seat, better mattress or something.

xwb777 wrote:

ItnStln wrote:

Do the bars serve alcohol? If not it seems like it would be a waste.

Ofcourse they do!

Thanks. I was told they didn't due to muslim rules against drinking which is why I asked.

xwb777 wrote:

ItnStln wrote:

xwb777 wrote:

Ofcourse they do!

Thanks. I was told they didn't due to muslim rules against drinking which is why I asked.

They serve alcohol on all routes except the ones to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah & Madina).

On the A380 flights to Saudi Arabia, the onboard bar is emptied from all drinks and spirits.

Thanks!

vhtje wrote:

Please, please, please, please get rid of the utterly tasteless lashings of faux wood and gold trim. Some calming, muted tones in organic materials, please, with splashes of contrasting colour, would be lovely.

I shan't hold my breath though. This is EK, after all.

You clearly have not seen the 2nd gen bar concept. Definitely moved away from the gold and louder faux wood. It is now more chrome and dark faux wood which is much nicer and more muted.