Hello everyone,
This flight report is the first installments of my 22 hours and 45 minutes journey back to my home country, Indonesia, after my first year as a student in Tilburg University, Netherlands. Here are the complete itinerary of my trip:
1. AMS-DXB: EK148 (codeshare with MH4586); 3-class Airbus A380-800 (registration A6-EOO); Economy Class Lowerdeck (This FR)
2. DXB-KUL: EK346 (codeshare with MH4502); 2-class Airbus A380-800 (registration A6-EUQ); Economy Class Upperdeck (Soon)
3. KUL-CGK: MH725; Boeing 737-800NG (registration 9M-MXO); Economy Class (Soon)
The trip was began 5 hours before the scheduled departure, because I had to take train services from my city, Tilburg, which is just 1.5 hours from Amsterdam. As soon as I arrived in Schiphol, the check-in queue for EK148 was already very long. The check-in agent told me that this flight was 100% full! So you can imagine how long the check in queue was for a full flight using an A380.
After around 40 minutes, I finally got my boarding pass for the Amsterdam-Dubai leg and the Dubai-Kuala Lumpur leg. The check-in agent told me that the boarding pass for my Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta leg could be taken upon my arrival in Kuala Lumpur.
My first Emirates boarding pass!
Then, I proceeded to gate G9, where the mighty A380 was positioned
A6-EOO, the A380-800 assigned on EK148 on that day
Soon, boarding was commenced in an orderly manner. First and Business Class passengers were allowed to board first. For the economy class, boarding was sequenced according to the cabin zone. I was assigned on 49F, which was a middle seat in a typical 3-4-3 configuration in the first economy class cabin, between the 1st door and 2nd door in A380's lowerdeck.
First time on Superjumbo (I called it as flying dugong). It was very very big
Engine Alliance GP7000 engines on EK's A380
A first taste of Emirates' Economy Class Cabin. Somewhat, I personally felt that Emirates' economy class did not look as tacky as the business class cabin, maybe due to less faux wood accent in economy class cabin.
My seat, 49F
My first impression on the seat was very positive. There was ample kneeroom, and I must say it was better than SQ's A350 economy class which I tried on SIN-AMS route. In addition, the legroom was very very spacious! Way better than Etihad's 777-300ER that I tried 2 years ago. I think this was due to no IFE boxes placed under the seat, so passengers can rest their leg comfortably, without any obstruction. However, there was no legrest, but it wasn't a big problem for me.
Each economy class seats were equipped with 11.1" Panasonic eX3 (correct me if i'm wrong) touchscreen IFE, along with the touchscreen remote controller. This particular hardware was not the newest one, because Emirates had already installed a larger 13.3" screen on economy class seats on some new A380s (including my aircraft on DXB-KUL segment) and 777-300ERs. However, I felt the mainscreen and particularly the touchscreen remote controller, were slightly unresponsive.
Spacious kneeroom and legroom. Good job Emirates!
That famous i.c.e., which has been the best IFE for 13 consecutive years from Skytrax. It was a bit unresponsive, though
Mood lighting even in Economy Class. Again, good job Emirates!
Each seats were already equipped with pillow and blanket
3405 miles to the first stop of this journey, Dubai
After everyone were seated, cabin crew began to distribute the menu card
Cover of the Menu Card for EK148
Lunch will be provided on this 5 hours and 55 minutes flight to Dubai. There were 2 choices: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce or Braised Beef with Horseradish.
Take off from AMS. See you next month, Netherlands!
Some moments after taking off from Amsterdam Schiphol, cabin crews were back in action for the beverages services. The choices were Orange, Mango, Pinapple, Apple, Tomato Juice, Still Water, Red & White Wine, Beer, Spirits, and Liqueurs. The beverages service was complemented by savoury biscuits.
Mango Juice for me and the savoury biscuits. Although it was a bit too sweet, it still tasted OK to my liking, .
Then, it was the time for Lunch Services. As I mentioned earlier, there were 2 options: Chicken or Beef. I chose Beef.
Tray for the lunch services. I like how Emirates packed its metal cutleries, since it somehow looked like the cutleries packaging for Business Class
Appetiser - Wheatberry Salad
Main Course - Braised beef with horseradish, served by mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach and carrots
Dessert - Fruit of the forest crumble, berries with custard mousse
Bread
Crackers
The appetiser was edible, although not quite to my liking. The main course was tasty and quite fulfilling. The beef was tender and the horseradish sauce was flavorful. The mashed potatoes was the best part of the main course, as it was perfectly seasoned. The vegetables were also flavorful, without being too overcooked. The fruit crumble was also tasty, without being too sweet. Overall, it was a flavorful and fulfilling lunch and I'd give 9 out of 10 for this lunch service.
However, there are some avenues of improvement. I think Emirates should place a small bottle of mineral water in every seat pocket before passengers board the aircraft, to keep passengers stay hydrated.
Not long after take off, I began to explore Emirates' famouse IFE, called i.c.e., which stands for Information, Communication and Entertainment. The movie library was extensive and well-updated. However, on this flight I decided not to watch any movies, in order to maximize my sleep. So, I went for listening to the music collection in the IFE. However, the music library was rather disappointing and not complete. For instance, there was no complete album of my favorite songs from Adele and Westlife. On the contrary, I could find these albums on SQ's Krisworld when I flew with SQ on August 2016. So, in terms of entertainment, I prefer SQ's Krisworld over EK's i.c.e.
Extensive movie collection and it was well-updated. However, the music libraries were rather incomplete (n)
Trying to enjoy songs available on EK's i.c.e. although most of my favorite songs were not there. Interestingly, there were some Indonesian song albums inside it.
Headphone was already available upon boarding. For economy class, the sound quality was clear and crisp and it's comfortable to use.
Upon listening to the playlist I created, I fell asleep and I had around 2 hours of solid sleep. The seat itself was not only spacious in terms of knee room and legroom, but also very comfortable. There was huge amount of recline, and I love the way the seats recline. It did not only recline to the back, but also the seat base slided forward, as like many economy class seats nowadays. As a result, I could sleep for 2 hours comfortably in economy class. Moreover, the seat cushion and headrest was extremely supportive. In addition, the headrest was a winged and adjustable one. Overall, I would say it was the most comfortable economy class I have ever tried so far and I would like to give 10 out of 10 (maybe 11 if it is allowed) regarding the seat and cabin comfort on EK's A380 economy class.
After solid 2 hours of sleeping, I decided to stretch my leg, while strolling around the main economy class cabin on the lowerdeck of A380. Here are the main economy class cabin onboard EK's A380
Not long after that, cabin crew began to switch on the mood lighting, meaning that we were soon descending to Dubai.
Panoramic view of EK's economy class onboard its A380
Mood lighting in full swing in economy class
Another photos of mood lighting in EK's Economy class. I think this feature really helps passengers to gradually adjust their body after some hours of sleeping.
Then, we were about to land in the airport that never sleeps, Dubai International Airport
One of the feature that I highly appreciated in EK: The tail camera
We landed smoothly in Dubai, and we were taxiing to the EK's terminal in Dubai, the Terminal 3
PA announcement shortly after landing in Dubai
Thanks for having me, 49F!
The last glimpse of EK's comfortable economy class cabin
Then, I exited the aircraft and headed to concourse A, where my connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur will depart from.
Very nice report. :)