Bad experience with Emirates airlines? You are not alone!

After publication of my article I got lot of letters where people shared with me the similar bad experiences they had with Emirates airlines. Following are some of these similar experiences. To be fair, I am also including messages which support Emirates service.

Emirates Airlines is buying first spot on most Search Engines, and by doing so dislodging this page from its premium position, so if you would like to keep this page "known" on Internet, make a link to this page and tell your friends about this page. Thanks!

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/9653/emirates2.html

This page is updated regularly so visit it again to read more letters.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in these pages are of different authors (people who have send me these emails) and there is no way for me to check the authenticity of their claims. I welcome any response from Emirates on these specific complaints and that will be published on these pages also.

Please send your opinion or comments to the [email protected]

Send a comment

Thanks!

Complaints by Year (Click the followings to read complaints of that year)

2002

2001

2000

1999 and Before

2000

`From:`	`[email protected]`
`Date:`	`Sun, 10 Dec 2000 11:09:55 EST`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`(no subject)`

I just happened to stumble upon your web site and had a good laugh at the
many letters you have received regarding Emirates.

I live in New York but fly Emirates anywhere from 4 - 8 times a month on the
London - Dubai or Dubai - Singapore sectors. I must have flown them at least
100 times in the past year and have NEVER had a bad experience. The crews
are terrific, and the ground staff is helpful. All you need to do is speak
with alittle respect. I get a good laugh out o how passengers behave (or
should I say misbehave) on so many of these flights. Of course people are
not going to get there way when they yell and scream at a ticket agent. What
ever happened to mutual courtesy.

Now, to be fair, I only travel first class...But I do have eyes and ears.
Can you really blame the ground staff from limiting carry on bags when people
are trying to get on the plane with 3 or 4 cartons (not even suitcases)

Or - How about the stewardess that was considered rude for trying to stop a
man from cooking his own chicken at his seat.

Just like any other business, you get what you pay for and it is my
understanding that Emirates offers good fares in economy to South East Asia
and India/Pakistan. Instead of complaining, why don't these people just pay
30% more and fly Singapore Airlines......I think not

Jeff Rosenthal
New York

`From:`	`[email protected]`
`Date:`	`Sat, 2 Dec 2000 16:20:09 EST`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`My Experience with Emirate Airline`

Hello Everyone
I would like to let everyone know that I have a dreadful experience with
Emirate airline. The crew at London airport was rude, unethical and downright
unprofessional. My luggage arrived late at Lahore airport; and on the top of
that, one of my suitcases was ripped off and a few items were stolen from it.
When I filed a complaint about it I was told that I was lucky I got at least
some of my belongings. It is a shame that we have to deal with such an
obnoxious people. I am planning to a make a complaint to "Better Business
Bureau" and will see how long this airline keeps this attitude towards its
customers.
Nauman

`From:`	`[email protected]`
`Date:`	`Mon, 27 Nov 2000 21:46:39 EST`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`Bad flight`

Be happy, my Pakistani friend!!! We Indians have even worse from National
Carrier AAAAAir India- Ho Ho

I went to India to attend funeral of the five year old daughter of my
brother. I purchased a Video Camera on my way to airport and boarded the
aircraft. In flight I was reading the manual while camera was in a bag near
my leg. After a nap I woke up to see my camera is missing. Reported to crew,
no one will make a report and kept directing me to others. Upon landing in
London, I complained to irport Police, who said they have no jurisdiction in
air.

I demanded to see Air India Security chief, who started talking circastically
to me and I asked him to talk in a business like fashion. Next what I knew
was him giving instruction to have me off loaded. Oh God I am going for
funeral.

I used my IQ to escape the situation and continued flight and gave up on
camera. "Air India staff steal passenger's things", that was the news paper
article I saw in a news paper. Then I was not surprised about what had
happened to me.

Be happy.    You got a seat and a hotel......Thomas George

`From:`	`[email protected]`
`Date:`	`Wed, 22 Nov 2000 23:07:21 EST`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`well`

THATS URS MISTAKE AND NOT EVERY TIME ITS HAPPEN.
BYE
ALI.

`From:`	`Jawad Nasrullah`
`Date:`	`Fri, 27 Oct 2000 11:49:19 -0700 (PDT)`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Cc:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`Bad Experience with Emirates`

Dear Sirjee,

Here is my bit for bad experience with Emirates. This summer when I
travelled home with Emirates following bad incidents happened and I
decided not to travel with them again.

1-When I was transiting at Heathrow from a United flight to a Dubai bound
codeshare United/Emirates flight operated by Emirates a man stepped upto
me and started questioning. He introduced himself as the Agent of Her
Majesty's Customs department and asked me who the hell I was, where the
hell I am coming from and why am I going to Pakistan and do I have any
money and what do I do for living. I told him I had $1000 in cash and he
let me go. Then I noticed that those customs agents were only singling
out South Asian faces and were subjecting them to questioning and
search. Nothing can be more frightening than the threat of getting stuck
in a third country. Passengers in transit should not be questioned like
that by British Agents. Emirates or United airlines may not be directly
responsible for this search but it is their duty to inform their
passengers that if you are South-Asian looking you have a good chance of
getting racially profiled at Heathrow.

2- On my check in at Dubai, the Emirates check-in staff first refused to
take my boarding pass as it was issued by United at SFO. They were
untrained and had to call a supervisor to verify that it was ok
to accept United Boarding Pass. Then I gave them my Skywards(Frequent
flyer) number and they were insisting to see a card instead. I assured
them that the number is sufficient as per their own website however it was
no use and I had to take care of it later. This all goes to show that
their staff lacks proper training and courtesy on their flights to
Pakistan.

3- On my Dubai to Lahore flight, Emirates Staff took away my carry-on
citing its size and weight moments before boarding. They allowed few
seconds to take my documents out and did not supply with any alternate
bag. There were few delicate items in the carry-on and guess what they
were broken when I received it. Please note that on trans-atlantic United
or Emirates flight from London to Dubai, no one complained about my
carry-on.

4- When I called in to reconfirm my return, they told me that their
computer does not show OK status on my return United flight so
they put me on the wait list. In USA my seat was showing OK. I called
United Airlines in Lahore and they told me that my seat with United was
OK and I did not need to worry about it. Again it shows lack of training
and management. A similar incident happened last time I travelled with
them. No wonder why Emirates first issued Dr. Jawad an OK ticket
for Aero Asia, looks like their computer system needs repair. Another
thing, their courtesy depends on the language you talk to them
with. Also never make a mistake of calling Urdu speaking flight
attendant on emirates flight, she seemed ready to beat the hell out
you. Also she would translate half of the announcement in Urdu and leave
rest for you to figure out.

5- On my return flight from Lahore to Dubai they cited again the size and
the weight of me carry-on right at the check-in counter. I was very lucky
this time that I only had one other luggage piece otherwise they were
ready to charge additional baggage (Usually I travel with two
luggage pieces and one carry-on). My carry-on is a very regular size
carry-on However they were very anal about weight and size of carry-on. I
had worst experiences with PIA but they never objected to my carry-on.

6- When I was standing in the long check-in line at Lahore, there was this
check in clerk who crashed the line and brought another passenger to
the front of the line saying that she was his cousin. Althought her
pretty face did not resemble a bit to his.

7- At Milan Airport (MXP) we literally waited for 1.5 hours to get our
luggage. There was one Emirates staff member at the airport and she had
no clue what was going on. After the passengers staged a protest and
attracted a lot of attention, we finally got our luggage. Other flights
were getting their luggage in less than 10 minutes.

There is a very unreasonable and rude response posted on your website from
Mohamed Cherif Farhat ([email protected]). I salute to your
honesty for giving place to such an imbecile reply. If he is attacking
your personality and identity, he is beyond reasonable argument. He is
playing the old trick of pointing out that all other airlines are evil but
Emirates is less evil. He is wrong. There are better airlines serving
Pakistan, look at Singapore. I notice that this person is on Emirates
airlines network and must be an employee or a relative of Emirates
airlines employee. His posting coroborates the theory that Emirates
Airlines though claiming to receive all these European awards has an
employee base who have national discrimination in mind. I suggest that
his posting be forwarded to the management of Emirates Airlines for an
explanation.

-J Nasrullah

`From:`	`[email protected]`
`Date:`	`Sat, 30 Sep 2000 15:57:37 EDT`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`Emirates Airline`

Dear Jawad,
I am of Indian decent and although I have travelled with Emirates Airline
and my first Impression have been great, I do agree with you that no matter
what Airline it is ! Airlines should not treat people the way they did to you
and I am glad that you had the Guts to go on Internet and at least vent your
anger. Five years ago we could not have done this Publicly and now Internet
is world wide I encourage
everyone to post their problems and any complain on Internet for the whole
world
to see and hope these will lead to better measures for all the Airline even
if it means
that we are putting down our own Proud Airlrine and if it means that we are
demeaning our own country. Think this is the only way to better our society
and
to have a better service for us ("NOT SO RICH PEOPLE") We cannot afford a
First Class Seats but there is no reason to treat us like ANIMALS. In fact I
treat
my cats and Dogs with great respect as they are part of my life too. Your
posting
on Internet has already created so much response , even from Emirates which I
thought was such a Pathetic answer. To me it looked very Childish and
Ridiculous
and it seems they are running away from their responsibility. Yes, all US
airlines
are sometimes late but when people complain they will immediately take the
responsibilty and correct the situation and you know why because there is
COMPETITION which brings out the best in Companies when you know no one
likes a BAD NAME. Unlike Pakistan, India and Emirates they have monopoly
and no competition. have you noticed when they have to fly to Europe and
America
they have the best service and it is only when they are flying to Home
countries that
they give us a very hard time and to our own people because going out they
have
competition and coming there is no competition.

Happy travelling
Dilip

`From:`	`Ajmal`
`Date:`	`Wed, 20 Sep 2000 08:55:38 +0400`
`To:`	`[email protected]`
`Subject:`	`A reader`

Dear Dr Rana

Assalaamalaikum R wa B

I just happened to read your sufferings due to poor service stds and
discriminating behaviour of Emirates Airlines, the so called Award
winning Airlines....? Infact I wanted to book a flight for my parents
but now I am totally confused.
I felt really soory for you. Thanks for the hints you mentioned.This
action taken by you would definitely result positively if acted promptly
by the concerned Airline.

Your Well Wisher

Ajmal

From:   [email protected]

Date:   Sat, 8 Jul 2000 23:17:20 EDT
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   (no subject)

Dr. Saab...I saw your interesting complaint ....and wanted to ask you now
which
airline you are preferring...i am planning a trip to pakistan in September
and was
considering pia/emirates/gulf/swiss/ any suggestions???? thanks....UShah

From:   mohamed cherif farhat

Reply-To:   [email protected]
Date:   Fri, 07 Jul 2000 16:50:01 +0300
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   Emirates airlines

Dear Sir,

There are journeys such as yours on Emirates airlines everywhere in the
world.
Please let me draw your kind attention to the following :

1-Emirates airlines is- truly - the best in the eyes of the whole world
and in the eyes of IATA itself , you may refer to a travel guide if you
dont know the word .

2-Hundreds of "Messy" flights occur on all american domestic and
international flights , if you want me to email you a sample of the
complaints , I'll gladly do that ,but you'll be reading them
continuously for the next three months.

3-An "American OK " on the ticket does not mean OK as you said , if you
want to know the" pitiful " truth , you only have to go to any
"American" airline headquarters office and ask for the person
responsible for flight overbooking control , and ask him about the
thousand of messy flights and rough times they give to their "Own"
citizens, but on the other hand , I wouldn't blame you for your
defensive attitude as it is very obvious that you are not a frequent
traveler ,nor a professional person.

4-" If " and I say " if " you are such a " proud " citizen of your
homeland Pakistan why dont you fly ( your ) " PIA " next time instead
of publishing silly things on the internet.( After all , you are most
definitely a big hotshot " Dr " )

5-Finally,Sorry to say this but it seems that you are suffering a major
complex of inferiority , ......you have to know that no one"
underestimates " Asians, Nor Africans because " as you know " 65% of the
U.S citizens are of "Asian and African " descents.
Feel free to contact me on my email [email protected] at any time of
your conveniance .

Sincerely yours,
Mohamed Cherif Farhat.

From:   [email protected]

Date:   Fri, 30 Jun 2000 13:54:16 -0400
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   Enirates Airlines

I really appreciate the fact that someone is bringing out the truth
about this inefficient and useless airline, that has only been able to
establish a name through currents of advertisements, attractive
stewardesses anb heavy sponsoring of foreign events.

Thank you.

From:   Lisa Sarmas

Date:   Tue, 27 Jun 2000 16:32:10 +1000
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   emirates debacle

Dear Dr Rana Jawad Asghar,

I have just read your comments on Emirates Airlines. I, together with many
other passengers on a recent connecting flight from Dubai to Melbourne,
Australia, also experienced an appalling lack of service from Emirates.

In your note you mention that you wrote to the CEO of Emirates. I would
also like to do this. Could you let me know what the address is? I would
prefer to write to the CEO at the central office rather than to staff at
the Australian branch of the airline, in the hope that my complaint will
reach those who can do something about it. If you know of an email address
for the central office, could you also pass this on.

Kind Regards, Lisa Sarmas

<
From:   Mohammad Alam

Date:   Fri, 2 Jun 2000 05:18:28 +0100 (BST)
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   Emirates

Dear Dr. Jawad,
I happened to read your letter about your agony of
Emirates Airlines experience during your recent visit
to Pakistan. Fotunately or unfortunately we specially
Pakistanies always critisize our own product or
service as a habit and always see others comparatively
better than us in all respects but this is not the
case always in the practical life. Emirates Airlines
is a good airline but when it flies on the Asian root
it is no way better than our airlines as than they
come to the same level of standards due to the
standard of our respected passangers. I do travel much
spacially on the UAE/Pakistan roots specially and
oftenly to Europe, you feel a much difference of
service, behaviour and facilities. Emirates is a rich
airline it can afford lot of advertising budgets to
brain wash the public but other asian airlines donot
have that capacity to compete with it so they loose
ground and their immage remains lower.Thanks for
keeping the public informed.

From:   [email protected]

Date:   Mon, 15 May 2000 12:13:51 EDT
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   Emirate Airlines

Read about your bad experience on Emirates in 1997. I have never flown on
Emirates. Now I will avoid it plague.

You complained to the airline officials. I think the best trick is to contact
Travel Editors of as many daily newspapers in USA as possible. Somebody will
publish it. To avoid legal problems, you just don't have to be nasty; just
tell the truth. This will hurt them in the pocketbook, and hurt them very
quickly. After all writing to newpapers is quite easy; same e-mail can be
copied sent quickly, and cheaply. Just don't be Mr. Nice Guy; this is
business; even if you paid low/discounted fare, but that wwas the fare they
agrreed to charge.

Romesh Chander
Falls Church, VA

From:   Bimal

Date:   Sat, 06 May 2000 02:14:44 +0400
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   (no subject)
Dear Mr.Jawad,
I read your article and was shocked .I am going to calgary in June,and
decided not to fly Emirates.I choose British Airways or KLM,which I
travel mostly.Ofcourse,I never flre emirates,but thought will try this
time. But reading your shocking stories,I changed my mind.
Thanks,
Bimal sarkhel

From:   [email protected]

Date:   Mon, 24 Apr 2000 14:07:26 EDT
To:   [email protected]
Cc:   [email protected]
Subject:   Hi....
-Hi, i just wanted to tell you that I will be flying Emirates this
summer......I live in America near New York and I was usually gona take PIA
but i heard that when we get there they will be asking for $200 more to come
back....thats rediculas i would never wana travel PIA in my whole entire
life..I have heard that Emirates is one of the best airline in the
world.....and this will be my first time flying in Emirates because i usually
fly PIA....last time I flew PIA it was the worst experience....their service
was sooooo bad. I have a mentally retarded brother that was with me....The
flight had a stop in Frankfurt and the people that were gona get off in
Franfurt were offered first class seats for free.....so my dad and mom asked
if one of us could sit in first class with my brothere and the rest in
economy but they said no and gave us the worst seats...The seats that my
brother sister and mom sat in were in the first row right infront of the
seats was a huge wall which really disturbed my brother. All of their seats
were dirty and their service was horrible and this happened in 97 not too
long ago.... so now i am gona fly Emirates and this time its gona be me my
mom, brother (mentally retarted), and my sister my dad isnt going because he
has to run his business. I heard that Virgin Atlantic goes from America to
London and then emirates goes from london to dubai to islamabad. And i know
Virgin Atlantic and Emirates are one of the top airlines in the world. I
think Emirates will start service in the North Atlantic in the year 2003..

From:   [email protected]
Date:   Sat, 15 Apr 2000 21:24:27 EDT
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   Bad experience

If I had read your letter before August 1999 I would not have bought aticket
with the Emirates. They took me to Africa okay, but on the return journey
they delayed me for two good days making me almost lose my job here in U.S.

When I complained they used delay tactic. They didnt seem remorse at all for
overbooking and living me behind withiout even accomodation. Anyway the
matter is in court and we have a hearing in May.

Give me any feedback you may have.

Charles

From:   [email protected]

Date:   Sun, 23 Apr 2000 12:41:19 EDT
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   (no subject)
i have just booked my flight to bombay from boston on emirates/virgin
combined. now after reading your site, i am having second thoughts.

thanx

From:   [email protected]
Date:   Sat, 1 Apr 2000 16:47:26 EST
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   (no subject)

I have a friend who flew from Nairobi to Dubai on Emirates and she also said
it was awful. I was surprised as their ads look great!

From:   "sam lokman"

Date:   Thu, 16 Mar 2000 12:08:01 GMT
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   RE:EMIRATES

Every year as cabin crew it is manditory to do our safety and emergency
procedure training. Part of this training deals with experiences and
situations we face working in this industry. One of my colleges brought it
to our attention that someone had written an e-mail page describing a bad
experience they had with our airline. Of course curiosity got the better of
me and here I am.

I think it is unfortunate that any one of us should have to experience any
kind of unsatisfactory service, whether it be the service we recieve when
buying a burger, or the service we recieve when flying on a reputable
international airline.

I fly quite frequently, and have had a chance to fly with many airlines. I
still think Emirates gives outstanding service. I think it is very
unfortunate that you've experienced it differently. Maybe one day you will
fly Emirates again and see that it really does surpass the rest.

     Sincerly,

     S.lokman

From:   [email protected]

Date:   Wed, 15 Mar 2000 07:49:50 EST
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   (no subject)

i am very sorry to say that u r disturbing muslim image and i have been
always much better off with emirates compared to PIA. but what ever it may be
lets not disturb muslim image. thanks. shahid malik md

From:   "941NNAYI" <[email protected]>

Date:   Tue, 29 Feb 2000 12:09:06 -0000
To:
Subject:   EMIRATES RULES!!
HELLO, I AM A STUDENT IN BRITAIN ALWAYS FLY EMIRATES, I CAN'T BELIEVE
THESE HAPPENING HAVE TAKEN PLACE. EACH TIME I HAVE FLOWN, WITH THEM,
SERVICE HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD, RANGING FROM THE A300 TO THE A330. I FLY
ABOUT ONCE A YEAR AND HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH THE TREATMENT RECEIVED. I FLEW
ON THE 777 LAST YEAR AND THE NEW A330 THIS YEAR AND ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE
SERVICE WAS GREAT. I ALWAYS HAVE TO STOP OVER IN DUBAI AND THEN CATCH
EITHER A A300 OR AN A10 TO BOMBAY BUT I AM PLEASED WITH THE UPGRADES OF THE
TV'S ON EACH SEAT IN THESE OLDER PLANES. NOW IF EMIRATES WERE NOT CONCERNED
ABOUT SERVICE LEVELS, THEN WHY WOULD THEY UPGRADE THE SERVICES?
FRANKLY I THINK EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES AT TIMES AND IT WAS BAD LUCK THAT
YOU WERE INVOLVED AT THAT TIME!! AFTER ALL IF YOU COULDN'T GET A
RESERVATION FOR AERO ASIA THEN EMIRATES IS NOT AT FAULT, YOU SHOULD HAVE
CONTACTED AREO ASIA AND CONFIRMED YOURSELF! I HAVE FLOWN OTHER AIRLINES BUT
NONE OF THEM CAN BE COMPARED TO EMIRATES!!

NILESH NAYI >>>>[email protected]

From:   "GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ"

Date:   Tue, 29 Feb 2000 13:29:05 MST
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   United Arab Emigrates

Hello,

I recently read your journey about your bad experience from UAI airlines.
It sounds like you had an awful situatuin going on. I hope their services
get better.

The reason why I'm also writing you, is because I've plan to fly to UAI in
Aug. In I want to know if you would give me some advices on what places to
visit, what country should I go to, ect. What's places are affordable. I
will be flying from Denver. I have never been there and I would like to
have an idea og what to expect since I would like to through something like
you experienced.

Thank you.

From:   [email protected]

Reply-To:   [email protected]
Date:   Tue, 08 Feb 2000 16:17:17 -0500
To:   [email protected]
Subject:   A Bad Journey

Hello Dr. Jawad,

My name is Gigi and I'm Writing to you from Canada. I just finished reading your story on the Emirates' bad curtosy. I'm shocked to hear of such misstreatement. I do know that the Emirates Airlines is run by English people and we all know that English people have some strange hate feelings against all who are either Arabe or Asians or Indians or any ethnicity that is not American or European. I therefore understand why you would and should place a major complaint with Customer Protection Agencies. If you ever need any backup help, please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] I'll make sure that your voice is heard.
Best wishes and regards.
An angry reader...

Gigi Atallah

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected] Cc:
Subject: Salaam Dr. Saheb Sent: 1/1/2000 00:00

My name is Siraj. I read your story (nightmare) Emarit Airlines.
I am just puzzled and dont know what to say. You are just one person who
decided to go public with your story. There are probably thousands of
passengers who go through this everyday and there voice is never heard.

I would like to thank you for letting us know your story and the wonderful
guideline (step by step) that we need to do if we are ever in the similar
situation.

Thnak you again Sir.

Bye
====================================================

Return to the Emirates Bad Experience Page

Return to the Home Page of Jawad

Dr. Rana Jawad Asghar
Email -- [email protected]
Web -- http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/9653

Send a comment

[email]