Route
EK764 from Johannesburg to Dubai 23 March 2014Scheduled Duration
8 hoursOn time departure and arrival
Departed on time and landed 20 min earlyGround Crew and check-in
This was a connecting flight and I could check in online 24 hours before departure of the first leg of my journey. I pre-booked my seat when I made my booking online.The ground crew were friendly and helpful.
Boarding procedure
Priority boarding for First and Business Class passengers, as well as skywards gold/silver members, families with small children and assisted passengers.Economy class boarding by zone, with passengers sitting at the back of the aircraft boarding first.
Boarding by zone is strictly enforced at O.R Tambo airport.
Luggage allowance
Hand luggage - One piece of carry-on luggage.Checked luggage - 30 kg. Extra allowance depending on Frequent traveller status.
See more on baggage allowances and rules.
Before take-off
Moist hot towels were provided to freshen up.Seating
This flight had 3 classes, First, Business and Economy.Seat pitch - 81.28 cm (32")
Seat width - 43.18 cm (17")
Seat map can be viewed on Seatguru or on Emirates Airbus A380-800
I sat in row 36G. It is a bulkhead seat and had normal recline. It had limited overhead storage space, printed on the locker was "Crew equipment". The locker was empty and I could store my hand luggage in it but I will avoid this row in future.
Manual air vent and remote controlled reading light. Button to call the flight attendant.
The seat had a headrest that can be adjusted at the sides to make sleeping more comfortable
In flight Amenities
Pillow and blanketStereo headset
Entertainment
Emirates won numerous awards for their ICE in-flight system.See more on Emirates ICE
On demand entertainment system with a wide selection of movies, TV programs and music.
You can stay in touch with latest headlines from the BBC and WSJ, follow the progress of your flight or view outside through the aircraft's external cameras.
The ICE touch screen system is easy to use and movies can be started as soon as you are seated. A remote control is also provided.
Flight progress were displayed on screens against the bulkhead
In-flight communications
Satellite phone.Mobile phones could not be used.
No Wi-Fi available.
Charging points for electronic devices
USB charging point. Regular 110V AC power port at every other seat (shared port)Meals and refreshments
Dinner
A hot dinner was served shortly after takeoff.
There was a choice of chicken and fish.
I had the chicken, and found it tasty.
On the tray - Salad, bread roll, snack pack with biscuits, Mediterranean spread and chilli dip. Water and cup for coffee. Desert. Cutlery, wet wipe, one sugar sachet, salt and pepper, serviette and small chocolate.
Breakfast
A hot breakfast were served before landing at around 04:00 Dubai time (02:00 in country of origin).
I did not have any breakfast.
Specify any dietary requirements at time of booking e.g. vegetarian.
Refreshments
Coffee/tea was served after meals. Drinks and wine were served before the meal. A small packet of pretzels were served with the drinks.
Toilets
The toilets were kept clean.Soap, body lotion and fragrance were provided.
Paper towels and tissues.
Basin to wash hands and brush teeth.
Baby changing facilities
In-flight shopping
In-flight shopping was availableTravelling with Children
Baby bassinets must be pre booked. Meal request for children must be made at time of reservation.Milk and baby food can be warmed up by the cabin crew
Read more on Emirates - Travelling with infants
Crew
The on board crew was friendly and helpful.Disembarking
First class disembarked first, then business class. Economy class disembarked from the front of the plane.Overall opinion
What I liked
Tasty and well presented meals.
Entertainment system
Not so good
No Wi-Fi.