Howdy all
Just back from the EK A380 inaugural flight
Some pics at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...d&id=701265228
Crew rest for tech and cabin crew located at rear of a/c in main cabin. 2 Tech crew bunks and 9 bunks for c/crew.
No movement of passengers allowed from Main deck to Upperdeck. Movement of pax from Upperdeck to Lowerdeck only permitted if unaccompanied child in main deck
Dedicated A380 cabin crew due to different safety and service delivery requirements to other aircraft in fleet.
Cabin crew were offered a chance to fly on the A380 without knowing any important conditions such as pay, layovers, specific A380 destinations etc. Therefore, one could argue the fleet has attracted people that really want to be there.
5 lots of cabin crew trained up already
Service issues were experenced (1.5hrs into flight before drinks were served, 3hrs until main meal was offered). I've had this happen on other inaugural flights (SQ A380, AO B763) where crew are unfamiliar with the aircraft. Give it a week or two and it'll be moving along fine.
The 'Lounge bar' is awesome!!! Good quality selection of food and drinks on offer.. and a crew member is at the bar the whole time. A different sort of repore is built when they are behind the bar.
Lounge Menu (ie at the bar)
Hot Snacks: Goat cheese and caramelized onion tart, Spirals of cheese straws, Tomato and red onion confit tart, Mini chicken shawrma, Toasted cheese and turkey sandwich, Chicken and vegetable pie
Cold Snacks: Mini bagels with smoked salmon and cream cheese, Mini croissant filled with cheese, Triangle sandwich, Tomato mozzarella and olive stick, Mini red pepper filled with cheese, selection of stuffed olives, mini potatoes with sour cream and caviar
Sweets: Selection of mini Arabic pasteries, Mini fruit tartlette
For these particular flights, the DXB-JFK route was very North – over Eastern Europe, Germany, just south of Greenland (Icebergs were visible) then down over the East coast of Canada into JFK. Takeoff weight 546Tonnes with a flight time 13:39hrs.
The return journey JFK-DXB tracked a lot further South – over the Atlantic ocean, Uk, Austria and down into DXB. Flight time 12:31.
New uniform launched 1st August. Only A380 cabin crew are wearing it at this stage with the all crew wearing them by December or April (depending on who you speak too). Pin strips are the trend.
EK are hoping new dedicated terminal to be open on 15OCT08 but not a firm date.
Not sure if people are aware that upgrades on departure possible, subject to availability. Request to be made with the cabin crew who will advise USD/AED amount or number of Skyward miles required.
Example DXB-HKG USD1125.00.
Also, EK transit pax are entitled to a free meal at a dedicated transit restareaunt within the terminal for transits of more than 4hrs.
Regards
Luke/PER