The question is put, "What to Expect."
Answer: INCONSISTANCY.
SWMBO and I decided to spend a week in Auckland. I purchased (Qantas points) First Class return flights with Emirates. The service SYD to AUK was exceptional. We could not have been looked after better. We were offered showers, photo's were taken by the crew and given to us in folders with little notes, the champagne was free flowing, we were treated like royalty. In fact I commented to SWMBO that the service was that good that we decided that we would purchase (cash) next year's flights to and from Europe on Emirates. We have traveled First on Qantas and BA and this was hands down a better experience. I was that impressed that when I arrived in Auckland I forwarded our complimentary remarks through the Emirates website.
The return flight could not have been worse. Before takeoff our meal orders were taken, at that point I indicated that I would like to have a drink with my meal and asked for the syrah. I told the attendant that I would like a port after the meal and was told that he would offer those types of drinks after the meal. Shortly after takeoff a flight attendant pulled my wife's tray out and placed a linen tablecloth on it. She was left with this set table without being offered a refreshment. My table was left stowed. The small basket that was taken away during takeoff was replaced, however my wife's was never replaced. 40 minutes after takeoff we had still not been offered a drink and although we thought it was unusual I thought the flight attendants must have been busy getting the meals ready. I didn't want to bother them while they were doing that so I walked back to the galley only to find two of them sitting down, two of them standing and they were all talking to each other. I asked for a drink for both my wife and I which we received.
I wasn't offered a drink with my meal other than the glass of water that came with it, nor did I receive the glass of Syrah that I had ordered. I waited sometime before commencing my meal as I wanted to enjoy the wine with my meal. My meal went cold before I finally decided to press the call button. The attendant came quickly and I explained that I was hoping to have my wine with my meal. She told me that they were opening the bottles and that the drink would arrive shortly. The wine never came and I ate my now cold meal. Sometime after finishing my meal, the same flight attendant that I had asked about my wine removed the plates etc. and gave me my dessert. there was no offer of the Port that I had been told would be offered, no mention of the syrah that she did not give me and both my wife's and my empty champagne flutes were ignored.
I eventually complained. The senior flight attendant spoke with me and apologised. He asked if I wanted the syrah now or a glass of Port. I told him it was too late as I wanted to have them with my meal. He offered a bottle of the syrah which I eventually agreed to take. The flight attendant that failed to provide the wine also spoke with me and told me that there had been a communication problem at their end. I rarely complain and generally try to avoid conflict. I felt uncomfortable and embarrassed complaining, but felt very strongly that we had been cheated out of the First Class experience.
As I had complimented the first crew, I felt the need to bring this poor experience to Emirates attention and emailed them a complaint worded almost exactly as above. I was fobbed off to Qantas (as they had issued the tickets) who attempted to summarise the complain) it was clear they hadn't properly read the complaint and that was the end of that.
In summary, I feel that Emirates First Class is hit and miss.
