EK405 - A380 MEL-SIN / New or Old A380?

[mashup88]

Hi there,

Managed to pick up a reward booking for two of us in F from Mel>Sin.

Just wondering if anyone has flown this route since they reintroduced the A380 and can advise if it is the older or newer version?

New to the forum so I apologise in advance if I have broken any rules.

 

[Mattg]

I believe that there is only one configuration of the Emirates A380 featuring First class? Happy to be corrected if this is not the case though.

 

[dajop]

I believe that there is only one configuration of the Emirates A380 featuring First class? .

Essentially I think you are correct. Although technically speaking there are two configurations of the A380 that have first class, its just the lower deck configuration (extra economy seats on the second version) that is different, upper deck seems to be the same configuration across both.

 

[Pushka]

Will let you know after January. Can you tell from the seat map on EK?

 

[mashup88]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I have reviewed some photographs and trip-reports for the EK A380 and it looks like some of them have had a refresh. The main tell-tale for me is the handheld control for the ICE System. One looks like an iPad and one is quite old and chunky....

Perhaps that is the only change?

 

[Quickstatus]

There are 2 versions of 3EK A380 which have F

F,J are both the same but one version has more Y seats downstairs. I think they all use ICE.

The one with 399 Y seats are used for their ultralong range operations because there is a rear main deck crew compartment and their Y seat row starts at 43. The 427 Y seat version has same seat pitch but they removed the rear crew compartment from the rear main deck and their Y seat row starts at 41.

Not sure if there are any differences in the ICE systems in F.

Bear in mind that equipment changes can occur all the time. Over at Qantas not infrequently an A380 is substituted by a B747. This is industry wide, so I would not have the expectation that your flight is served by a particular A380 model. Remember, The T&C of your ticket will state that the airline will get you there, not how or when they will get you there.

What day are you flying out, and I should be able to look which A380 is proposed for your flight

 

[mashup88]

Thanks a lot. Completely understand the possibility of equipment change, however that will not mitigate my displeasure should it happen!!!

It is Feb 15th next year, so a long way away. Probably end up on a 737 by that stage!

 

[Happy Trails]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I have reviewed some photographs and trip-reports for the EK A380 and it looks like some of them have had a refresh. The main tell-tale for me is the handheld control for the ICE System. One looks like an iPad and one is quite old and chunky....

Perhaps that is the only change?

ISTR the more recently delivered (last year or so?) A380 F seats do have a slightly different trim, including the control unit you mention, but essentially the same overall.

 

[mashup88]

Great, thank you. Really looking forward to the trip despite being a very anxious flier.....

 

[Princess Fiona]

There are definitely differences in J between the new and old A380's but not sure about F except for the ICE things you have mentioned.
You would be more likely to score the newer A380 on MEL/SYD- DXB I'd think.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks a lot. Completely understand the possibility of equipment change, however that will not mitigate my displeasure should it happen!!!

It is Feb 15th next year, so a long way away. Probably end up on a 737 by that stage!

Hey, you are travelling in F, can't see any reason to be displeased. I think a lot of stuff here is overstated. Unless you go looking for it the difference will be small and not worth getting worked up over it. Aircraft type , arrival date, and lots of other thing are out of your control. You may be diverted, delayed, stuffed around.

As with all travel - leave expectations at home because there will then be more space for the great memories.

 

[kevrosmith]

You could use EK Tracker to see which aircraft registrations are configured which way Emirates News |

And then closer to the date, you could possibly attempt to determine the patterns used for aircraft utilisation on various routes to see if you can work out which aircraft might turn up for your flight... then you'd have an idea of which config will be used. Also a tool like ExpertFlyer would show which config is currently allocated for a particularly flight, though that would be subject to change also of course.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks a lot. Completely understand the possibility of equipment change, however that will not mitigate my displeasure should it happen!!!

It is Feb 15th next year, so a long way away. Probably end up on a 737 by that stage!

At the moment and its a long way in the future so anything can happen.

You are slated to be on the high density A380 (427Y). Additionally everyday for 1 week prior to Feb 15 is the 427Y A380

 

[Pushka]

How about Dec 27th then

 

[Quickstatus]

How about Dec 27th then

Same 427Y A380, and everyday for a week prior.


MEL-SIN is not long haul, I can understand the higher density A380 as there would be a lot of people in Y for a SIN-DXB.

High density EK A380 Y starts at row 41

 

[mashup88]

Hey, you are travelling in F, can't see any reason to be displeased. I think a lot of stuff here is overstated. Unless you go looking for it the difference will be small and not worth getting worked up over it. Aircraft type , arrival date, and lots of other thing are out of your control. You may be diverted, delayed, stuffed around.

As with all travel - leave expectations at home because there will then be more space for the great memories.

Thanks for a much needed reality check. Got very caught up in the idea of the flight having to be perfect on a new A380 with showers etc. You are right - the experience will be great regardless.

Diverted wouldn't be such a bad thing though - means more time in the air for the same cost!

Cheers.

 

[mashup88]

At the moment and its a long way in the future so anything can happen.

You are slated to be on the high density A380 (427Y). Additionally everyday for 1 week prior to Feb 15 is the 427Y A380

Thanks for the in-depth reply!

 

[Quickstatus]

Diverted wouldn't be such a bad thing though - means more time in the air for the same cost!

Cheers.

Thats very true. By the time you peruse the wine list, have a white table cloth multi course meal, watch a few movies, explore every button and nook, let the ambience remind you that you made it, go for a return DVT prevention walk down the now extra long aisles to the tail and back, type contemporaneous notes for a trip report for AFF, you will be landing..

The most difficult things to decide are: 1) Are you to put on an air of "I've been here before its my second home" and pretend you are familiar with F cabin or are you going to declare like an excited kid in a candy shop you have no idea what happens in F and you need help with every button?. They will ask you whether this is your first time in F. 2) Are you going to sleep because if so then you are missing out on the F service.

One airline sometimes call a diversion a "complimentary stopover". Any guesses which airline?

 

[mashup88]

Thats very true. By the time you peruse the wine list, have a white table cloth multi course meal, watch a few movies, explore every button and nook, let the ambience remind you that you made it, go for a return DVT prevention walk down the now extra long aisles to the tail and back, type contemporaneous notes for a trip report for AFF, you will be landing..

The most difficult things to decide are: 1) Are you to put on an air of "I've been here before its my second home" and pretend you are familiar with F cabin or are you going to declare like an excited kid in a candy shop you have no idea what happens in F and you need help with every button?. They will ask you whether this is your first time in F. 2) Are you going to sleep because if so then you are missing out on the F service.

One airline sometimes call a diversion a "complimentary stopover". Any guesses which airline?

I have flown J Emirates a few times so I won't be saying I am out my comfort zone. But I'll be making it known that it is a very special experience and I want to get the most out of it. I've had nothing but great experiences on Emirates so I have no doubt it will meet or exceed all expectations. I usually fly Scoot or Qantas domestic so there is going to be quite a difference.

Not one wink of sleep will be had. Nice to have a bed but nicer to drink top shelf booze, eat nice food and enjoy the experience. Will definitely be going back to the J bar - had some good times there. Just hope they don't mind bringing the good stuff back for me!

 

[Pushka]

Flying J or F? Only the good stuff is brought to F at the bar and J has the usual.