EY / CX / JL F reviews

[Dr Bob]

Keen to hear your thoughts on CX & JL F & of course their lounges. Both are on my wish list.

 

[boomy]

Boarding was on time but there was a bit of chaos when economy, business and first all started boarding together. It took a couple of minutes until the crew eventually closed the economy lane and gave priority to business and first.

The stunning F cabin



Cream leather window seat



Chocolate leather aisle seat



Window seats are better not just for their position but they also have 3 windows compared to just two for the aisle ones.

Last minute change of schedule meant I had to change my flights and I've lost my preferred seat (4A) on the MEL-AUH leg. Only seats left available were rear facing so I've selected 3A which was at least window seat. I'm not huge fan of rear facing seats, to say the least after a bad experiences on BA 777 J where I felt sick during turbulence sitting in one of the A seats, first and only time it happened.
Luckily on the second leg AUH-LHR 4A was available.

The seat is wide and very comfortable



There are no overhead compartments in the cabin but plenty of storage space under the bench.

 

[boomy]

Pre-departure champagne and dates.



The CSM came to introduce himself (nice Pommy bloke) and delivered a bag of goodies: pyjama, slippers, his and hers amenity kits and EY branded playing cards.



Make-up area in the apartment.



Soft drinks mini-bar.



EY branded NC headphones.



They are ok but not as good as Bose.

 

[boomy]

There are two toilets in F, one large and specious and another one smaller which also has the shower inside.

This is the larger toilet.





EY don't have a "traditional" bar on their A380s as on EK & QR, instead there is a big lounge between J & F cabins with self-serve bar.







F pax who choose to spend some time in the lounge receive full service by the crew who will offer to deliver drinks, snacks or anything else from the kitchen.

 

[boomy]

After takeoff more champagne and nibbles served.



Followed by dinner.



I'll post some more dish photos on the next EY leg, no need to do it twice as the menu is similar on all flights. Important note is that EY offer dine on demand, meaning anything from the menu can be ordered anytime during the flight and since there is a chef onboard he can also prepare things not on the menu using the ingredients available.

I will however post one photo of this very nice French red I had with the main course.

 

[boomy]

After dinner and shower (as you do when flying) it was time to sleep.
The apartment bed is a bit on the hard side but there is a simple solution to that problem - double mattress, works a treat.
When asked the FA to put another mattress (off course can only be done if there is at least one empty apartment) she was surprised and as it's the first time getting this request but was happy to do it.





I love the notes they leave on the pillow, always find different ones on every flight.



I must say the rear facing seating didn't bother me at all, maybe because the flight was smooth with no bumps or turbulence, quite unusual for such a long flight.

 

[boomy]

The CSM agreed to give me a tour inside the Residence and even agreed that I'll take photos and post them. His only request was that I will not give the impression I received a free op-up because EY do not upgrade pax from Apartments to Residence.

The crew used to take F pax inside the Residence for sneak pics in the past but after some idiots bragged on social media that they received onboard op-ups (which they didn't) the policy changed and no one was allowed to visit since (with some exceptions).

I was lucky to fly with this CSM before so he knew I'm not one of those one-time-flyers who are looking to impress their Facebook "friends" by making false statements. In general, I'm against posting extravagant lifestyle photos on social media and will only do it on FF forums or closed groups with like-minded people who will not take it the wrong way.

Welcome to the Holly Grail of commercial aviation!

The living room - two seats sofa facing a giant TV screen.





The private shower, basically a replica of the Apartments shower.



The Bedroom - real bed, double size, it doesn't get more comfortable than that in the air!





While the living room is part of the main F cabin with similar doors as in the apartments the shower and bedroom are separated by full size door for ultimate privacy.

Off course only the hard product is on display here and with the price tag comes an incredible soft product which includes private butler that will prepare anything on request. Pax can ask for special meals to be loaded such as caviar, lobster etc. also the wines and spirits list is quite flexible, so I heard.

The (very expensive) residence fare is for two pax so I can imagine it should be a popular of transport for the rich and famous (those who don't own private jets).
I've never seen the residence occupied on AUS routes, just once flying LHR-AUH.

AFAIK residence can't be booked using points and I don't think it's possible to upgrade from apartments.

 

[cjd600]

AFAIK residence can't be booked using points and I don't think it's possible to upgrade from apartments.

SYD-LHR Residence = c4.7m Etihad Guest Miles

 

[boomy]

SYD-LHR Residence = c4.7m Etihad Guest Miles

Sorry, I was thinking AA or VA points, surely you can book it using EY miles. Thanks for the correction.

 

[cjd600]

Sorry, I was thinking AA or VA points, surely you can book it using EY miles. Thanks for the correction.

Yeah, understood....I think initially it wasn't available for redemption at all?

Personally I have as much chance of booking it with $$$ as with EY miles...ie zero

 

[boomy]

Landing in AUH was smooth and no queue at customs. Then waited for my luggage at the dedicated conveyor, saw all the other pax collecting theirs but no trace of mine. I have some experience with AUH ground services and know they sometimes send luggage from the same flight to different conveyors so I've checked them all to no avail. After 30 min I gave up and went to report my lost luggage.
It didn't help that I only had the QF baggage receipt but eventually they figured out my luggage was never transferred from QF to EY. The baggage service agent said they will locate it ASAP, send it on the next flight and deliver to my hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Well, it didn't happen. The luggage didn't arrive and no one contacted me from EY to let me know what's going on. Only after I contacted them the next day they told me they are still looking for it. Knowing how incompetent Menzies agents are I decided to call QF P1 SST. The excellent team got to work strait away and by the end on the day located my bag in MEL (apparently it was in EY hands all that time!) Sigh...

 

[blackcat20]

Looks fantastic. I really want to do away F but the new VA surcharge is a killer.

 

[boomy]

Looks fantastic. I really want to do away F but the new VA surcharge is a killer.

And the AA devaluation is another nail in the coffin.

 

[boomy]

My flight to LHR scheduled for 8am departure. I've decided to check in as early as possible to maximise time in the F lounge and take photos before it gets crowded.
Chauffeur arrived for pick up at 4:45am and just after 5am we arrived to the airport.

Dedicated first class entrance.







EY has dedicated sitting down check in counters for F pax, very civilised.





Only problem there was no one to check me in! Am I the only crazy F pax who arrives 3 hours ahead? Lol
Eventually someone at the J counters noticed me and came over. Australian e-passport holders can use SmartGate which is very convenient. Security checks in AUH are the most lenient I've seen and considering the F lounge located just after security, it took less than 5 min from check in to the lounge!

 

[boomy]

We already know EY have some fantastic F products on their planes but something was missing in order to make the experience complete - proper F lounge.

Most of the leading airlines have impressive F lounges at their home airports but for some reason it took EY long time to introduce their flagship lounge.
So, was it worth the wait? Let's go in and have a look.





Style & Shave, offers haircut, shave or manicure.



Used to be complementary for F pax. Now need to select between one of the above OR spa treatment.

 

[boomy]

The dining area located just after reception.



There are two private relaxation rooms on the right of this photo. I wanted to check them out and take some photos but unfortunately they were both occupied.

The open kitchen and one of the bars (yes, there is more than one bar in this lounge!).





There is small self-serve area located in the other end for those who don't feel like dining in the restaurant.



The main signature designed EY bar.

 

[boomy]

One of my favourite parts of this lounge is the relaxation area with comfortable recliner seats.







Seating for those who prefer to watch the news.



There is also a large playroom. There were kids inside so didn't seem appropriate to take photos.

 

[boomy]

Time to sit down and check out the F&B.

Food menus









Everything looks delicious, I'm impressed!

 

[boomy]

Drink menus









What can I say, fantastic! Too bad it's barely 6am because there are so may things on those menus I'd want love to sample. Must come back in a more civilised hour and spend some time on the bar...

 

[boomy]

After a good breakfast it was time to check out the most cool feature of this lounge - the cigar room.

Entrance located on the right of this photo



Now this is my kind of room



Cigar selection



Can't have one without a proper drink