QF or EK First?

[sng1971]

My partner and I are looking at booking an award flight from MEL to SIN next year and have enough points to fly FIRST - we're just not sure if we should fly Qantas or Emirates. We have flown Emirates First previously, so is it worth giving Qantas a try?

The thing's we've loved with Emirates First are:

The limo pick up (would we still get that with an award booking on QF?)
The onboard bar
Great seats for couples travelling
Great IFE
Dom Perignon & Paradis
The caviar service (although haven't been amazed by the rest of the food offering)
The shower

I realize that Qantas doesn't offer a lot of these things, but does anyone prefer Qantas first - and why?

Both flights are on the A380, with the Qantas flight leaving 6 hours earlier at 11.55am.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pushka]

My partner and I are looking at booking an award flight from MEL to SIN next year and have enough points to fly FIRST - we're just not sure if we should fly Qantas or Emirates. We have flown Emirates First previously, so is it worth giving Qantas a try?

The thing's we've loved with Emirates First are:

The limo pick up (would we still get that with an award booking on QF?)
The onboard bar
Great seats for couples travelling
Great IFE
Dom Perignon & Paradis
The caviar service (although haven't been amazed by the rest of the food offering)
The shower

I realize that Qantas doesn't offer a lot of these things, but does anyone prefer Qantas first - and why?

Both flights are on the A380, with the Qantas flight leaving 6 hours earlier at 11.55am.

Thanks in advance.

I’ve just completed one Q first and several EK ones. I think I prefer EK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think it's EK isn't it? Bling, but at least bling for your buck. Who knows what QF is going to offer. Could even be a reduced lunch service because the is 'so short'.

 

[Robert K]

QF first is 'Premium business' at best.
Hardware meh, food meh, service meh.

I haven't flown EK, but from what I've read, it seems miles ahead, even if it does look very gaudy.

 

[TomVexille]

Champagne is better on QF, and the bed on QF is amazing. The English content on the IFE is about same same. Don't think QF do any of the other things MEL-SIN that you listed

 

[UP4014]

I'd go QF. The reason won't please everyone, because I'm not a supporter of business from countries that have human rights issues around sharia law and blood money.

You asked for the reason and that's it. Emirates Being a govt airline via a couple of investment funds influence opinion on the credability of the UAE.

I'm not saying they aren't a good airline, but my money would go elsewhere.

 

[RooFlyer]

Emirates, every time. Private suites, shower and consistent service does it for me.

For a 'relatively' short journey as MEL-SIN you could easily give QF a try and satisfy yourself, but you run the risk of getting one of QF's bad service flights.

 

[LadyC]

My advice is unless you are ticking off a bucketlist item, choose which ever suits your schedule better.

 

[TomVexille]

Emirates, every time. Private suites, shower and consistent service does it for me.

For a 'relatively' short journey as MEL-SIN you could easily give QF a try and satisfy yourself, but you run the risk of getting one of QF's bad service flights.

To be fair, EK also has bad service flights.

 

[perthjay85]

I'd go QF. The reason won't please everyone, because I'm not a supporter of business from countries that have human rights issues around sharia law and blood money.

You asked for the reason and that's it. Emirates Being a govt airline via a couple of investment funds influence opinion on the credability of the UAE.

I'm not saying they aren't a good airline, but my money would go elsewhere.

While I respect your opinion completely, wouldn't being an award ticket influence your decision.

I can't imagine Emirates making much money off of the taxes added to the fare pricing.

If I was buying a first class ticket I would consider qantas over Emirates.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

To be fair, EK also has bad service flights.

But no escape if you're on QF

 

[blackcat20]

But no escape if you're on QF

I disagree with that, we've had some great service on QF.

 

[RooFlyer]

This is worth considering (Aust Biz traveller article): QF first

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I disagree with that, we've had some great service on QF.

My point was that *if* you have bad service on QF there's no escaping. On EK you can head to the bar. QF F can be fantasic, one of the best. If you get a great crew. No one is disputing that. But the inconsistency comes to bite. And the chances of a 'poor' crew on QF seem to be much higher than other airlines. Perhaps due to the informal nature of the service.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Have flown both QF and EK First Class international in the last 6 months. In my view you shouldn't even be considering QF as a viable option.

 

[UP4014]

While I respect your opinion completely, wouldn't being an award ticket influence your decision.

I can't imagine Emirates making much money off of the taxes added to the fare pricing.

If I was buying a first class ticket I would consider qantas over Emirates.

I wouldn't take a free ticket on what is in reality a govt airline where the govt treats parts of society pretty poorly at the same time luring western passengers and their money.

Perhaps hard for FF people to accept but even I have principles more important that taking a flight or destination.

Matt

 

[Pushka]

Please let’s not get into the ‘values’ type of discussion here. We each have our own set of guiding principles in life and none of us have the right to comment on the principles of others.

 

[phily]

Both airlines have pros and cons with their First cabins. EK has great bathrooms regardless of whether you use the shower, a great bar, and excellent resolution on their large IFE screens. But EK's First is upstairs where the cabin is a little narrower, and it's 4 across, and the First suite is crowded with benches all around you.

On the other hand, QF First is downstairs where it's a little wider, plus it's only 3 across. If travelling with a colleague, one can sit at the other end of the large dining table. Best of all is the sense of space in the QF First suite. This sense of space is a similar issue when comparing Business in both EK and QF.

 

[flyingfan]

To answer the OP's question, no, I do not prefer QF F. I think all airlines and all cabins are subject to 'off' crews which could ruin your experience, however EK's F service tends to be more of the fawning, once in a lifetime, ooh-ahh experience with dates, Arabian coffee, magazines, etc etc etc that IMHO make it a remarkable flight... you've experienced this so you may find the QF service more subdued and understated.

I've found the EK food to be great. The shower is awesome and the bar is pretty good. The cabin feels a lot more exclusive than QF (although the decor verges on tacky). QF just doesn't have these trimmings.

According to the QF chauffeur drive page, it's not available on the MEL-SIN sector, however that may be because it hasn't been updated yet ahead of QF's move out of DXB.

 

[craven morehead]

My partner and I are looking at booking an award flight from MEL to SIN next year and have enough points to fly FIRST - we're just not sure if we should fly Qantas or Emirates. We have flown Emirates First previously, so is it worth giving Qantas a try?

The thing's we've loved with Emirates First are:

The limo pick up (would we still get that with an award booking on QF?)
The onboard bar
Great seats for couples travelling
Great IFE
Dom Perignon & Paradis
The caviar service (although haven't been amazed by the rest of the food offering)
The shower

Thanks in advance.

I wholeheartedly agree with your summary above however if you've already tried EK why wouldn't you give QF a crack? Then you will be able to give your thoughts when the next person asks after all it's not a long flight. Cheers CM