Emirates A380 First Class to Hong Kong

EK 384
BKK-HKG
A380-800
February 8, 2011
1:45P-5:20P
Suites 1A and 2A

As one turns left, the first impression is of a very elegant cabin.

Video: A380 First Class cabin tour in HD

To our suites, Mrs. SFO immediately claiming 2A...

... Relegating me to seatguru yellow-flagged 1A. I was struck by the small width of the seats and the suite itself. The curvature of the cabin wall on the single window seats makes the space even smaller. Absent this curvature, the middle pair seats seem more open and spacious. And in the case of 1A, with only two of the four windows of the other window seats making it seem even smaller and more confining. On the other hand, there was considerably more storage space (than CX) underneath the entertainment console to store both a wheeled carry-on and a backpack. Very nicely appointed console with orchid, mini shade lamp and personal snack basket, which other than a can of Pringles, was heavy on the sweets.

Major issue are the seat controls, which are on a touch screen TV, that was fixed in place at an odd angle. While it appears that it may indeed be removable or portable, there was no obvious way I could find to remove it. With the window shades open, it was nearly impossible to see the controls without contorting one's body to see the damn controls.

And in the not very elegant department, the duvet/mattress are stored out in the open between the seat and the cabin wall.

The in suite minibar...

Seatguru claims 1A is little narrower than other seats but I couldn't see much difference. The negatives about this seat are the absence of two (of the normal four) windows, an even more pronounced deficiency since we're already dealing with smaller Airbus windows. In addition, some may be bothered by the view from 1A...

Other suite features including headset and writing set...

And IFE system which functions at all times, including taxi, takeoff and landing!

And the really cool remote control electronic double blind...

Video: Video of electronic blind

Time to explore the cabin before take-off. In the foyer in front of my seat was a really cool water feature...

Video: A380 First Class water fall in HD

And of course the amazing lav including shower and hidden toilet.

Video: A380 First Class lav shower tour in HD

And the stairs separating us from the unwashed masses...

Our two (or three) FAs provided excellent pre-departure service including six separate rounds, in order...

- PDB including Dom
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Slippers and eyeshades
- Dates and Arabic Coffee
- Hot Towels

Today's route...

And a very cool outside camera feature shows us taxiing for takeoff...

Shortly after takeoff, the FAs began meal service. Unfortunately, this FA was not working the flight today. 

Nor apparently was the same crew that did the pre-departure service, presumably running out of gas once we were airborne. Things started out well when the FA brought a nice leather bound menu and wine list, and took my drink order. A glass of Dom please. Sorry, I thought I took pics of the the menu itself, but no can find, and I've discarded the menu. 

The tray table is elegant and quite large. The only problem with the tray table is that releasing the table from the cabinet requires that one push a button. Unfortunately, even a modest seat recline covers up the button, requiring that one return the seat to the upright position to release the tray table.  A few minutes later, still no Dom, but our FA returned with a large linen tablecloth and took my lunch order.

A few minutes later, FA brings the bread basket. OK, where's the Dom? Surely, another FA is on the way with it. Another five minutes and still no Dom, but here comes lunch! Our FA brings what looks like a Business Class tray with salad and my starter. Apparently, the Dom is not going to arrive on its own. After I remind him that I'm still waiting for the Dom, he apologizes and scurries off returning 20 seconds later with a bottle of Dom.

My starter was some weird looking pickled veggie salad with chicken. Unfortunately it was inedible. The chicken had apparently turned into something with the consistency of leather and I gave up, fearing a loss of a few teeth. The salad, although at least chewable, wasn't much better. But I now had my Dom, and my FA did return for periodic refills. And the bread and butter were good!

Next up was the beef tenderloin with au gratin potatoes, snow pea pods and (I think) sweet potatoes. The au gratin potatoes were excellent, but the beef was disgusting and cooked beyond well done. Yeah, let's keep it in a hot oven for 10 hours and drain every drop of juice from it. 

I was going to have a glass of the Shiraz but my FA never asked and then left so fast that I couldn't even ask. Yeah, I could have pushed my call button, but that probably required me to return my seat to its upright position!  And I had my 4th glass of Dom, so why change a good thing.

Next up was dessert, a pretty looking mille feuille. I figure, this will be tough to screw up. But no, ding-ding-ding, we have a winner for the most inedible mille feuille I have ever tasted. OK the custard was tasty, but I couldn't cut the pastry, first with my fork and then with the freaking knife. All I managed to do was pancake the pastry onto the plate and eat the custard that squirted out.

Mercifully, the meal ended with me having not eaten much of anything, but thinking longingly of an AA dinner. 
Just as well I didn't eat much anyway, since we had a 7:30P reservation at Spoon.

After "lunch", I decided to explore the rest of the upper deck. The lounge is waay back, at the back of the Business Class section. The 80 seat J section was quite large and actually looked pretty comfortable. I also discovered where my lunch tray came from. Indeed as btang noted, it was a Business Class lunch.

The lounge itself was pretty nice and an attractive addition for J pax. Today, during meal service, it was empty but still hectic as the J galley is at the back end of the lounge, open to the lounge and with much activity with FAs back and forth, trying to complete lunch service for 80 J pax. Some nice premium booze including Grey Goose and Bombay, certainly a step up from the crappy Gordon's Gin on CX.

Also discovered dishes of mix nuts, which F pax (or at least this one) didn't get.

In summary, I'm glad I sampled Emirates and the new A380, but I don't think I'd rush back to fly them any time soon. As confirmed by roadwarriorafrica and avm2806, my experience does not seem to be an aberration. Positive included the 380, the elegant looking First cabin, showers, remote controlled window shades. But other than that, it was pretty disappointing.