Review of Emirates flight Melbourne Singapore in Business

Airline Emirates
Flight EK405
Class Business
Seat 8A
Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
Flight time 07:45
Take-off 22 Dec 13, 19:00
Arrival at 22 Dec 13, 23:45
EK   #1 out of 95 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 633 reviews
lammified
By 16391
Published on 25th December 2013
Hi everyone!

I just graduated from university last week, and after the last 3 wonderful years in Melbourne, it was finally time to move home to Singapore.

As I've mentioned in my previous Emirates report, I have flown Emirates for most medium to long haul flights since 2010, and have actually developed a strong liking for this airline. The main reason for this is my frankly absurd operational upgrade record on this city pair. This itinerary was booked as a Flex fare economy ticket for the roundtrip, but I upgraded the first leg SIN-MEL to Business with miles. However, there was no upgrade availability for this return leg, so I knew that there was a chance I would be stuck in Economy.

For the last 3 years, I've booked 2 roundtrips between Singapore and Melbourne every year, flying SIN-MEL in February and July, and MEL-SIN in June and November/December, all being Flex Economy tickets.

Of 6 flights between Singapore and Melbourne, I've only ever flown in Economy once, which was the first time I flew to Melbourne before the start of university, and before I had achieved my Skywards Silver status. The subsequent 5 flights were a mix of 3 operational upgrades, 1 email cash upgrade (SGD385 IIRC) and 1 mileage upgrade, with 4 flights in J and 1 in F (as chronicled in my earlier trip report) Emirates First Class SIN-MEL

Of the 5 return flights from Melbourne to Singapore prior to this flight, 3 were flown in Economy (most recently in June), 1 in Business (a mileage upgrade), and 1 in F (a combination of an email cash upgrade (AUD219) to Business and an operational upgrade to First). Based on this statistics alone, it would seem that getting an upgrade out of Singapore is more likely than out of Melbourne.

With over 3 years of stuff accumulated in Melbourne, I was hoping to maximise my baggage allowance. My family who had travelled to Melbourne to attend my graduation had left the day before, carrying close to 50kg of my university notes, textbooks and other miscellaneous items, and I was left with the remainder. Thankfully, I was able to pack up all my remaining things and squeeze them into my 2 trusty suitcases, which just met my 42kg baggage allowance (30kg in Y + 12kg as a Skywards Silver member).

I had completed my online check-in formalities 24 hours prior to the flight, and the system still showed my seat in Economy (18A), whilst there were about 4-5 seats still showing as unselected at that juncture. Getting to Melbourne Airport is always a pain, made less so on this occasion by the fact that my cousin was giving me a lift to the airport in his car. Getting dropped off at the kerb and grabbing a trolley (which cost AUD4 - biggest damn rip-off at the airport aside from parking, but beggars can't be choosers), I load my bags on it and head into the check-in area. Emirates has a dedicated set of check-in desks at the back of the departure floor due to the airline having 4 daily departures out of Melbourne. I queue at the Business Class line due to my Skywards status, and am almost immediately called forward to the counter. Tagging my bags (with Priority Business tags - they make such a difference) takes a short while, during which I start filling out the departure card for immigration. I enquire about the loads on the flight, and am informed that Economy is overbooked, following which the agent hands me my boarding pass, passport, express path card and luggage tags, and says the magic words - Sir, you've received a complimentary upgrade to Business Class today, you'll be in seat 8A tonight. Merry Christmas!
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I must say that the check-in experience with Emirates in Melbourne has improved greatly over the last year or so. My previous experiences at the counters from 2010 - 2012 were typically that of absolute indifference with a sprinkling of rudeness and usually not a smile in sight. Nowadays, the experience at check-in is extremely friendly, and the agents are generally quite chatty - sometimes this can make all the difference, especially at the start of a long travel day. I guess it must be something in the water they are drinking these days.

After the check-in formalities are completed, I head airside through security and immigration, thankfully the Express Path card spares me from scrutiny by the security guard (who have been known to give trouble over the size of handcarry bags) Security was quick and immigration had a short line, so I just bypassed it using the Express Path, which I didn't mind using since I have a stack of unused ones with me.

Being a complimentary upgrade, lounge access is not provided, and the dearth of Priority Pass lounges in Australia means I'm left to wait at the regular gate lounges for my flight. WIFI at Melbourne Airport is the next thing that pisses me off about the airport, with pricing packages for different time periods being completely extortionate in nature. Being used to the free WIFI in Singapore, there's no way I'm paying for WIFI here, and I instead choose to tether my iPad to my Blackberry to get all my goodbyes and farewells in before I leave Melbourne.

The flight was initially assigned to Gate 11, which at that time had just closed for an earlier flight, QF9 to London Heathrow via Dubai, and the A380 VH-OQB sat there with both jetways connected awaiting its 4.15pm departure time. The 777 operating my flight sat across the tarmac at a remote stand where it was parked after arrival in the morning, where there were several catering trucks servicing the aircraft. As the time for my flight neared, QF9 still sat at the gate more than an hour past its scheduled departure time. It was only then that an announcement was made to inform us of a gate change, this time to Gate 16, which is in the new wing of the international terminal, quite a walk away from Gate 11. The aircraft was also towed from the remote stand to the new gate at this point, whilst the ground staff hastily relocated their barriers and placards as well. QF9 finally departed for Dubai at 5.45pm, an hour and a half after scheduled departure.

The gate area in the new wing is very spacious, and has a much larger seating area to accommodate passengers, which was essential because of simultaneous departures from the neighbouring Gate 12 being a Jetstar 787 (JQ35) to Bali, and a Singapore Airlines A330 (SQ208) to Singapore from Gate 14. Departing from Gate 16 also removed the need to have to take the escalator to a lower floor for boarding unlike Gate 11, where a chokepoint forms at the escalator during boarding, which then usually devolves into a huge clusterf***.

Gate 16 is a lot more civilised, though the agent making boarding announcements was almost unintelligible with the amount of people talking over the sound of the speakers. Boarding was first called for people requiring assistance and families travelling with young children, with the subsequent boarding call being made to start boarding by zones. Holding a Business Class BP, I chose to board early and made my way to have it scanned and then walked down the aerobridge to the aircraft.

Date: 22/12/13
Route: MEL-SIN
Flight: EK405
Reg: A6-EGF (Boeing 777-31H/ER)
Seat No: 8A

The 77Ws operating EK404/405 are configured 8F (Suites) 42J (Angled-Flat) 304Y and are fitted with crew rests. These aircraft are usually assigned to the longest 77W flights in the Emirates network. The aircraft operating this flight was A6-EGF, one of the newer long-haul configured 777-300ERs in the fleet, and thus fitted with the abovementioned cabin products as well as the Panasonic eX2 IFE system.

I was welcomed onboard by 2 female flight attendants, and headed straight to my seat seeing that it was just around the corner from Door 2L. I turned right and was at my seat immediately, it being directly behind the lavatory that was immediately adjacent to Door 2L. I stowed my bags in the overhead bin, and quickly stepped out of the aisle in order not to block the passengers who were passing through into Economy.
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The IFE screen for 8A is affixed to the bulkhead in front, with the screen for 8B stowed in the partition between the seats as seen below. Screen placement in Business Class on the 77Ws varies depending on when the aircraft were first delivered to Emirates or their last date of refurbishment. Some aircraft have both screens stowed in the seat partition, others have both affixed to the bulkhead, whilst this configuration also exists. Each configuration is influenced by the bassinet placement within the cabin. It should be noted that the screen itself is a touchscreen.
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Touchscreen Mode Controller, Headphone Jack and IFE Controller
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I selected the Flight Information channel for a start, selecting the nose camera view
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The seat has 3 windows, and since this aircraft is a newer delivery, it is fitted with electronic window shades in First and Business class which are raised and lowered by the touch of a button. This was the view out of the window immediately next to the seat.
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At this point, a flight steward of Middle Eastern origin welcomes me onboard and offers to introduce the various features of the seat after seeing me snapping photos on my iPad for the purpose of this report, but I tell him that I am familiar with the seat and therefore require no introduction. Welcome drinks were offered, and I chose the champagne, which was Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial. I also perused the menu and wine list whilst boarding continued.
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Boarding was soon completed with the aircraft 100% full in Economy and 90% in Business - I was not able to ascertain the load in First. The Malaysian captain came on over the PA and made an extremely detailed introduction of the crew by name, including the Dutch senior First Officer and the Singaporean purser, and informed us of a northbound departure off Runway 34 to an initial cruise altitude of FL320. The aircraft sat at the gate for another 10 minutes before the doors were closed and the aircraft was pushed back. The safety video was played on the IFE, followed by the ICE welcome video. It was a short taxi to runway 34 and the aircraft lined up on the runway without stopping. The cabin lights were dimmed for departure, and the starry sky effect in the ceiling was also activated - which I found a little odd since it was broad daylight outside the aircraft.
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The aircraft held on the runway for a few minutes whilst an Air New Zealand 767 departed off the crosswind runway, after which the engines spooled to full power and the aircraft started rolling. We rotated just prior to the intersection of both runways. The aircraft maintained the runway heading for a minute or so before turning left to head northwest toward Singapore. Shortly after takeoff, the standard announcement of the languages spoken by the crew was made in Arabic followed by English.
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During the climb, the pilot announced over the PA that there was an area of turbulent air and that the crew were to remain in their seats until advised otherwise. It was only at this point that I realised that the crew had already missed several key actions up to that point - They had yet to serve hot towels, something that is normally done on the ground once the doors are closed, and had also neglected to take orders for post takeoff drinks. At this point, I had thought that they were probably rushed and therefore forgotten to carry out these actions, but this was merely a sign of things to come.
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Shortly after passing through this turbulent patch, the crew were finally able to resume their duties, quickly giving out the hot towels, followed by amenity kits and then taking orders for dinner, without taking any orders for drinks – which led to many people personally requesting for specific drinks, delaying the dinner service as the crew scurried about meeting the requests individually.

The menu and wine list were as follows:

Bar Service

Aperitifs
Campari Bitter
Martini Vermouth - Dry/Sweet
Sake - Nanbu Bijin (Japan routes)

Beers
A selection of international beers including Heineken, Budweiser, Amstel Light and Asahi (Japan routes)

Cocktails
Black Russian, Bloody Mary, Bucks Fizz, Champagne Cocktail, Cosmopolitan (US routes), Fantasy Island, Kir Royal, Manhattan, Martini Cocktail Classic, Screwdriver, Vodka Martini

Spirits

Premium Scotch Whiskey
Chivas Regal 18 Years Old
As the world's leading 'super premium' Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal 18 years old is enjoyed by many of the world's most discerning connoisseurs as each cask is hand selected by master blender Colin Scott

Single Malt Whisky
Glenfiddich 15 Years Old
A solera matured expression of the world's best-selling single malt. Aged in Scotland for a minimum of 15 years in a selection of three distinctive casks; American Bourbon, Spanish Sherry and new oak

Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
A genuinely iconic brand, enjoyed in over 200 countries worldwide. A vanilla and toffee nose gives way to a balanced rich and honeyed palate

Irish Whiskey
Jameson
Established by John Jameson in 1780, Jameson is a single distillery blended, triple distilled, smooth Irish Whiskey

Cognac
Hennessy XO
Originally created in 1870 for the personal use of the Hennessy family, Hennessy XO is the result of more than 100 eaux-de-vie crafted together having been aged for up to 30 years

Vodka
Grey Goose
Officially known as the 'world's best tasting vodka', Grey Goose is the result of the finest ingredients, distilled to perfection by maître de chai, Francois Thibault

Gin
Bombay Sapphire
As the world's leading premium gin, Bombay Sapphire is crafted from an ancient recipe dating back to 1761. It is made using a blend of ten distinct botanicals giving a unique flavour

Rum
Bacardi Superior
Another icon, the perfect cocktail ingredient and a favourite of Hemmingway during his time in Cuba, Bacardi Superior has been one of the world's most popular spirits for decades

Liqueurs

Bailey's Irish Cream
An award-winning definitive blend of smooth Irish cream with quality spirits and whiskey

Tia Maria
Dating back to a mid-17th century recipe, Tia Maria is an exotic infusion of natural vanilla and the finest fresh coffee roasted to perfection, complemented with a touch of Jamaican rum

Drambuie
This luxury expression of Scotland’s defining whisky liqueur is crafted using malts from the Speyside

Cointreau
A wonderful combination of sweet, zesty and bitter orange entwined with smooth alcohol. Drunk either with ice to finish a meal or mixed with fresh juice to quench your thirst

Champagnes, Wines & Port

Champagne

Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial
A harmonious blend of the three Champagne grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, from the most expressive crus of the Champagne region. Brut Imperial embodies the Moet & Chandon style. It is a complete, generous and dynamic champagne. The wine has matured on the lees for several years until considered ready for drinking by the Chef de Cave

White

Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012 Rhone
The La Nerthe estate is one of the stars of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. This is a delicious blend of classic white Rhone varieties including Roussanne, Clairette and Grenache Blanc. Rosewater, licorice and citrus notes on the nose, a broad palate with exotic fruit, marmalade and notes of honey. Excellent with seafood, light pasta and poultry dishes

Vasse Felix Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon 2012 Margaret River
Three hours south of Perth the Margaret River is fast becoming one of Australia's key white wine regions, well known for its expressive Sauvignon and Semillon blends. The Vasse Felix 2012 Sauvignon Semillon is predominantly Sauvignon Blanc giving it freshness and flavours of gooseberry, grapefruit and red apple with around 30% Semillon which overlays a waxy and creamy texture. A perfect aperitif which also drinks well with seafood and salads

Red

Chateau Siaurac 2005 Lalande de Pomerol
Lalande de Pomerol lies to the north of the Pomerol appellation but good examples such as Chateau Siaurac produce wines as good as those from the better known neighbour. The 2005 is a blend of 80% merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The nose is dominated by cedar, spice and black olives leading to a rich palate of red berries and chocolate

Tournon Pyrenees Shays Flat Shiraz 2010 Victoria
The Shays Flat vineyard is ironically in the foothills of the mountains, producing a cool climate Shiraz, very unlike many of the blockbuster wines seen from Australia and actually more like those of the Rhone from where winemaker Michel Chapoutier hails. The result is a rich, meaty Shiraz with blackcurrant fruit, white and black pepper notes, licorice and a very fine, long finish. Excellent with meat dishes and soft enough for casual quaffing

Port

Cruz LBV Port 2001 Douro
Late Bottled Vintage Port (LBV) is produced entirely from a single harvest, and aged in large wooden barrels for 4 years, after which it is bottled. In this case the Cruz 2001 has been aged for a further 8 years for greater integration of flavours and ultimately more enjoyment. Blackberry, cassis and hints of mint on the nose. The palate is full bodied and sweet with delicious blueberry and damson fruit, exotic spice with great balance and poise. Excellent with salty cheese and chocolate desserts

Dinner

Appetiser

Lobster and prawn cocktail
Served with grilled asparagus spears, a chunky cherry tomato and salted caper vinaigrette and fresh lemon

Confit chicken terrine
Wrapped in fresh spinach leaves, with a tangy aubergine caviar, sun-blushed cherry tomatoes and a balsamic reduction

Soup

Roast tomato and garlic soup
A warming soup made of slow-roasted tomatoes with fresh basil leaves and garnished with lemon flavoured crème fraiche

Salad

Seasonal Salad
Crisp fresh garden salad leaves and vegetables, with balsamic and olive oil dressing

Main Course

Grilled tenderloin steak
With creamy mashed potatoes, slow-roasted seasonal vegetables, and a light herb and chilli butter

Thai chicken curry
Classic coconut based curry served with steamed jasmine rice, fresh pak choy, and spiced yams, garnished with fresh coriander and chilli

Prawn biryani
Prawns marinated in aromatic spices and slow cooked with rice, garnished with fried cashew nuts, raisins and onions

Bread

Bread basket
Choose from our range of freshly baked rolls and breads

Dessert, Cheese and Fruit

Delicate strawberry tart
Filled with a rich pastry cream, topped with roasted sliced almonds, served with chocolate sauce

Chocolate and spearmint layered gateaux
Served with a raspberry coulis and chocolate garnish

Cheese board
A carefully chosen assortment of the finest boutique cheeses

Selection of fruits
A seasonal assortment of the finest fresh cut fruits

Hot Beverages

Tea
Black and herbal teas from around the world

Coffee
Brewed to order, your choice of decaffeinated, espresso and cappuccino

Chocolates
Fine luxury chocolates

Light Bites

Cold Snacks

Panini sandwich
Filled with tomato and cucumber slices, shredded chicken and cheese with mayonnaise and hard boiled egg, served with crunchy coleslaw salad

Hot Snacks

Stir-fried egg noodles
Topped with five-spice marinated duck and a rich hoisin sauce

Crab cakes
Made with a blend of crab and fish served with seasonal grilled vegetables

Mushroom, leek and feta cheese parcels
Light flaky filo pastry filled with delicious combination of sautéed woodland mushroom, leek and feta cheese, served with tangy tomato relish

Sweets

Chocolate and walnut fudge brownie
Served with caramel sauce and whipped vanilla cream

Hot Beverages

Tea
Black and herbal teas from around the world

Coffee
Brewed to order, your choice of decaffeinated, espresso and cappuccino

The crew first came around to lay the tablecloths, which are just generic white tablecloths with no logo, unlike in First Class
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Next, a tray with the appetiser, salad, bread and seasonings (Salt, Pepper, Butter and Salad Dressing) along with the cutlery and a glass of water is set down on the table

Lobster and prawn cocktail
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The main course is served shortly after

Thai chicken curry
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It is at this point that the crew completely lose the plot - I don't expect much of them, just that they do their job efficiently. I certainly don't make special requests or make their life hell, so the next part really baffles me

A female flight attendant starts clearing the trays of my seatmate and also that of the passengers across the aisle after we finish our mains. She is clearly aware that my plate is empty at this point. Keep in mind that being in Row 8, this is the first row next to the galley, and even though I'm in the window seat, the crew can clearly see that I'm done eating. She clears their trays, and then takes their dessert order. She then returns with their desserts, and then walks off into the galley, again ignoring my empty tray. The next time she passes through the cabin, I ask her to top up my water glass, which she does, and despite seeing that my tray is empty and sitting there, she still fails to clear my tray. At this point, my tray has been sitting empty on the table for more than 20 minutes. It falls to the male flight attendant, who I had to ask 3 times to clear my tray, to finally get it cleared from my table, whilst the same female flight attendant has cleared every other tray in my row and in the 3 rows behind me. By the time my dessert order was taken, there was only the strawberry tart left

Delicate strawberry tart
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After dessert is cleared (thankfully without me having to ask), I request a cup of black tea to end off the meal. The hot drink at the end of the meal is typically served along with a small box of Godiva chocolates, but the female flight attendant fails to serve it, despite every other passenger getting theirs. I'm not picking at straws here, but at this point I'm seriously beginning to think I'm invisible sitting in the bulkhead window seat, or maybe I'm just not in their peripheral vision. I actually have to request for the chocolates before the male flight attendant brings it to me. It is the small things that set airlines apart, and in this instance, this crew is seriously lacking in attention to detail.

The male flight attendant then comes around offering the mattress pad to passengers wanting to get some rest, which I accept and place on the seat. I then recline the seat into its fully reclined position, even though I have absolutely no intention of sleeping, instead choosing to watch We’re the Millers, Elysium and Season 20 of Top Gear. The cabin lights are dimmed, with the starry sky lighting at full intensity.
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A light meal is served about 90 minutes before arrival into Singapore. I'm still feeling a little peckish at this point so I order two dishes, which are quickly served by the male flight attendant

Stir-fried egg noodles
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Chocolate and walnut fudge brownie
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Once the meal is done, the First Officer announces that we are about to commence our descent into Singapore
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The cabin lights are turned on, causing most people to rise from their slumber
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We approach Singapore from the South, skirting some thunderstorms over the Riau archipelago before turning right for a straight in approach to Runway 02L, flying over Singapore's eastern anchorage, providing those seated on the left with a beautiful view of Singapore at night
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Once the aircraft touches down, reverse thrust is engaged and the spoilers deploy. Singapore's oppressive humidity causes the windows to fog up almost instantly, preventing any further photos from being taken. We taxi on the greens to Gate C1, where the aerobridges are quickly connected and I bid the crew goodbye before heading into the terminal building. Gate C1 is right next to the escalators heading to immigration and being Singaporean, I whisk through automated clearance in less than a minute. A quick jaunt through duty free to pick up some liquor for Christmas and then its to the belt, where my bag is among the first out the gate, and then it's a painless exit past Customs and 15 minutes after getting off the plane, I'm heading home, something that's only possible in Singapore.


Read my previous trip reports here:
Jetstar 787 Economy Class OOL-MEL
Jetstar 787 Business Class MEL-OOL
Emirates First Class SIN-MEL
See more

Verdict

Emirates

8.0/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew7.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Meal/catering8.0

Melbourne - MEL

6.2/10
Efficiency8.0
Access5.0
Services5.0
Cleanliness7.0

Singapore - SIN

8.2/10
Efficiency9.0
Access8.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0

Conclusion

Over the last 3 years, I've travelled mainly for school, with the exception of my annual sojourn to Europe, and I've been extremely fortunate to have had the experience of travelling on international First and Business class, especially on a student travel budget. My experiences flying with Emirates have been extremely inconsistent, ranging from perfection to mediocrity – this flight ranks in the middle - which are more a sign of growing pains at the one of the world's fastest growing airlines than anything else, as maintaining a uniform experience across thousands of flights becomes a challenge.

I've personally found that the crews are heavily influenced by the attitude of the purser. The flights where I've had good service have typically had proactive pursers, who were regularly seen in the cabin and were walking around making sure everything was fine. Those where service was bad were completely anonymous and for some reason, this is reflected in the attitude and service delivered by the crew. The purser on this flight was more the latter than the former. The crew were friendly and engaging, but their service lapses were inexcusable, considering that this is a premium cabin, and that Emirates was Skytrax Airline of the Year (though I tend to take Skytrax rankings with a big pinch of salt)

That being said, I will continue to fly Emirates for the bulk of my medium-long haul travel as their pricing and service offering is typically better value than Singapore Airlines with a wider range of destinations, with the exception of intra-Asia travel.

Thanks for reading this report. Comments and questions are most welcome.

Wishing all a very Happy New Year! Safe travels and upgrades galore!

V

Information on the route Melbourne (MEL) Singapore (SIN)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 14 avis concernant 3 compagnies sur la ligne Melbourne (MEL) → Singapore (SIN).


Useful

La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Singapore Airlines avec 8.7/10.

La durée moyenne des vols est de 8 heures et 0 minutes.

  More information

10 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 95778 by
    Durian 1171 Comments
    Thanks for the report! It triggers a number of questions:
    - can the substandard service you experienced be due to your upgrade? Apparently you were consistently ignored, so I would assume the crew knew it and (sadly) acted accordingly by neglecting you? Or is it more up to individuals' behavior on that day?
    - who would buy a full price J ticket if upgrades are so frequent on EK ?
    Congrats for graduating and happy festive season too !
    • Comment 285711 by
      lammified AUTHOR 14 Comments
      I highly doubt it was due to the fact I was upgraded - the cabin had multiple op-ups, and I did not notice any different treatment being given. As I said, the crew were friendly, I would say forgetful or over-focused on other things but it's very hard to pinpoint where the fault was. Having been upgraded on multiple occasions, this was certainly not the case on previous flights, only once was the service this poor, on a SIN-MEL flight in Business (complimentary upgrade) in July 2011, where the crew were absolutely mediocre - amenity kits distributed to one side of the cabin, forgotten the other side, main course cleared, dessert served 45 minutes later and the list continues, that flight would rank as the worst Emirates flight I've ever taken. THis was for the entire cabin,, not just me.

      As for the upgrades, I feel that this issue is most apparent on 5th freedom flights out of Singapore, where there is only a single daily flight, and therefore the need to maximise the loads and minimise offloading passengers as there will be difficulty arranging alternative travel arrangements, unlike Dubai where there are multiple daily flights to each destination. In addition, this typically only occurs during peak travel periods - between Singapore and Melbourne, the highest loads are when university holidays begin and end, as the students leave and arrive en masse. This festive season has also seen very full loads.

      Thanks! Happy holidays!
  • Comment 95779 by
    Caribel 113 Comments
    Congratulations for graduating from school! My teachers used to say observation is the first sign of intelligence. You documented your experience with concise detail. To address the issue of service inconsistencies the clear answer is training. Emirates emphasizes physical attributes instead of education or customer service experience. Just read the numerous physical requirements in their job postings, along with a photo requirement.

    Flight attendants deal with dozens of stressors: disturbed sleep schedules, low-pay, changing routes until seniority is attained, differing aircrafts requiring different service protocols, legal requirements of each destination, diverse cultural expectations and so forth. I take my food tray to the galley when it sits for a while. After meal service, I make a point to ask the cabin staff about their experiences. It is very telling when one speaks to a FA that shares suggestions on what to do and see at the destination versus one that has no input.

    Wish you lots of success in your beginning career path.
    • Comment 285712 by
      lammified AUTHOR 14 Comments
      Whilst looks may matter, for an airline I believe that service quality is essential. There should be no compromise - if Singapore Girls can look good and maintain their legendary service quality, I don't see why an airline like Emirates is unable to follow. I have on several occasions struck up conversations with various Emirates cabin crew members, typically the more friendly ones who are smiliing, and the experiences they share are eye opening in many respects.

      Thanks for the comments! Happy holidays!
  • Comment 95825 by
    KévinDC TEAM SILVER 6668 Comments
    Congratulations on graduating! This upgrade is a great way to celebrate! Too bad the service was so-so. I completely agree with you--crews tend to follow the Chief Purser's lead and I do believe that part of th service inconsistencies are a manifestation of growing pains. EK is recruiting FAs like crazy all over the world. I know at least here in Washington, DC they've held several recruiting events over the past year. I feel like they may be having a difficult time recruiting in Western Countries because of the ME3's reputation for poor working conditions for crews. I too take SkyTrax with a grain of salt. Personally I feel like Flight-Report's airline rankings are a more accurate measure of airline satisfaction as the grades are attributed by the passengers themselves who report on the service. SkyTrax is a mystery :-)

    Happy Holidays!
  • Comment 95845 by
    lagentsecret 12186 Comments
    Thanks for sharing this comprehensive FR

    Congratulations on graduating

    Unfortunately the crew seemed to have a bad day

  • Comment 95853 by
    flyingjapans 1349 Comments
    Hi and thank you very much for this report.

    Your conclusion summarizing your travel experience with Emirates is very interesting. As you said, maintaining the same level of service on all flights of a same global airline is the target that needs to be achieved. It would be interesting that your next flights on EK match what has previously been said.

    Your main, the chicken curry, looks very tasty though.

    Hope to see some other reports soon!

    Kristof
    • Comment 285794 by
      lammified AUTHOR 14 Comments
      Well, I hope to be able to reassess their service standards sometime soon, although it's the first time in over 3 years that my upcoming travel record on Emirates.com is empty. The thai chicken curry was very good, and the portion size was adequate. Thanks and happy holidays!
  • Comment 95860 by
    pititom GOLD 11487 Comments
    Thank you for this new report and congratulations for graduation !

    Carrying 50 kg of notes...but you may never read them again ;)

    I'm curious, but is there any specific reason why would you buy Flex tickets ? I believe the university calendars are known in advance and not subject to change, so why the extra ? You bet on the upgrades ?
    • Comment 285793 by
      lammified AUTHOR 14 Comments
      The university calendars are typically published well in advance, but exam timetables are not, so the flex ticket typically gives me the option to change my return date to Singapore once the exam dates are finalised. I don't necessarily bet on upgrades, but given the nature of the peak periods in which I travel, I'm almost certainly guaranteed an upgrade most times.

      As for my university notes, they will hopefully be useful in a future career path, so I decided to fly them back just in case. Thanks and happy holidays!

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