Emirates -Suite/First Class- FDX
 

Just curious how to obtain the legendary suite/first class on emirates,

I have a 8+ hour deadhead on the 380, but only booked in Business....
Any suggestions on what I'm missing?

THX

Could always put in for the upgrade in VIPS and submit how much you're willing to pay out of pocket.

I "think" the contract says that block times over 5 hours get an upgraded class of service. Does Business Class now qualify as that service. Is this a new battle? Does Contract Enforcement / Negotiating Committee have to make an issue out of this?

As a long time senior MD-11 f/o (pre 777 days), I was a frequent First Class traveler. That experience taught me that there are few things in the airline business as nice as Emirates First Class. I recommend that you keep up the hunt and see what comes of it.

Does anyone have a copy of the CBA? :rolleyes:

8.A.4.c Higher Class of Service

i. If a higher class of service is authorized on a deadhead with less than 10 scheduled block hours, such service shall be booked in Business or First Class at the Company's option, subject to availability on the scheduled flight. ‡

ii. If a deadhead has 10 or more scheduled block hours, the travel shall be booked in the following order based upon availability on the scheduled flight:

(a) First Class (discounted);

(b) Business Class (full fare or discounted);

(c) First Class (full fare).

iii. If the deadhead is scheduled for more than 16 hours duty, the following shall apply:

(a) The flight must be a non-stop flight; and

(b) A special booking priority shall apply to deadheads scheduled over 16 hours. That priority shall be:

(1) Discounted first class;

(2) Full fare first class;

(3) Business class; and

That length flt is first or business at the company's option. I guess they opted NOT.

If you have extra bank you could use it to deviate and get first, but you would need a lot of bank. How much is your accepted fare vs what the company actually spent on the business ticket?

I deviated once and did this. It's nice for sure, but not sure it's worth depleting your bank. Then again, the shower before arrival in JFK was sweet.

I just did CDG-DXB in business on the 380 and even that was very, very good. I had FC until inside 24 hours and the someone must have re-read the section that Busboy posted and caught the error. Psych!

If you can't swing FC, BC easily exceeds anything available in any class on a US carrier. I would recommend a seat in the smaller aft section of BC just forward of the bar. Window bulkhead (first row) is very private. The bar section is very cool and chances are you'll meet some interesting folks. The 18 yo single malt they have isn't bad either.

Air France A380 Le Premier was $12K one way CDG-IAD. I had $10K in the bank so I made an offer at the counter to pay $10K for the ticket and the ticket agent said no thanks. All 4 seats in Le Premier class went empty that leg. My Biz ticket was $5K. I now have no pity on airlines that go bankrupt...not that I ever did to begin with.

What makes you think that the agent had the authority to accept even $1 less?

Oh come on!! I can't count how many times the United Agents in ORD have lowered the first class fare for me. :rolleyes: