( As per Latest October 2008 survey Emirates ranks 9 th among the top 10 Airlines) The below review is based on 2003 performance.
Being a consultant I am travelling round the world. I have travelled by many airlines like Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian, Air India, Ethopian and so on but there is no air lines like the Emirates.
It is the best air lines in the world. They take care of every thing. There is one unique and extremly benificial facility by Emirates for Indians.Book tickets on line through there web site and the whole Emirates is behind you.The web site is skywards.com with a mutiple choice booking.For one leg you can book Economy for other leg you can book Buisness and they will charge accordingly.
On First time booking they will award you a free 5000 skywards points minimum depending upon the class. Every time you book online and thousands of miles are awarded to your account.You can upgrade your flights from Economy to Buisness class just after your first phase of your journey through your skwards miles.
Can you imagine with my two travel from Delhi to Europe and back and Delhi to Africa and back I am having enough miles to get a free ticket to Maldives, Middle east etc.I do not think none of the other airlines in the world is so generous. The food is excellent and with a hundreds of variety.No kich kich if you ask 10 times an air hostess for any thing available on the board.If you are travelling in a buisness class you will be treated like a Maharaja.
The air hostess will come and give you a menu card for a food and Wine saying we have the best wines in the world.I think it is mouth watering for the wine lovers and even tempting me who is a tea tottler. They have a chauffer driven car waiting for you at almost all airports if you travel by buisness class. The staff is extremly coutseous and generous. If you are passing through Dubai a five star lounge is waiting for you with a thousand variety of foods and drinks with bed rooms for hault for more than 6 hours. Tens of PCs with high speed internet vailable at lounge.What else one can give.
I feel the Arabs are the most generous in hospitality and this is one of the main reason for an International style hospitality on board. I remember when I was first time travelling in Emirates from London to Dubai in Nov. 1997 and I picked two packets of cookies when the air hostess brought the tray in front of me.I told her one for my 2 year son at home.
In some of the european airlines the air staff will not even bother to come to for you second time and many times loose there patience also. Other facilities includes all kinds of music, movie club with hundreds of cassetes, satellite phone and tv on every seat and so on.
I am happy with the facility and hospitality by Emirates and I reccommend it.