10 years on, has the Qantas-Emirates partnership delivered?

1. For flying to Europe I prefer EK flights because of the extensive schedules and A380 options. Great that you can book the QF flight number for FF status + points, so I guess yes this is at the expense of the QF flight (which only goes to UK).

2. Business class I think the products on both EK/QF are their own, my preference is QF. First class EK (especially the A380) is 6 star with the lounges at DXB, inflight service, F&B is truly outstanding and the showers are of course a knock out. QF could improve their F Class focusing on F&B, this is where EK really shines. 

3. As QF Platinum, I appreciate getting access to the EK F lounge at DXB (when travelling in business class) and especially being about to use QF points for EK F/J reward tickets.

do miss the limo service when you book QF business on Emirates metal

Am sure this has changed but when the QF-EK alliance began I was working in a company which specified Qantas as 'preferred airline' and it was hard work to justify to the TA to book on another airline, so any flight to Europe meant flying QF to London and then backtracking on BA. As soon as the QF codeshares began on EK I was able to have the TA book those QF8xxxx flights, which was a total game changer for my work trips to Europe and even to other cities in the UK than London. So from that perspective Ek has been a big winner, and I think overall it gained a lot more from the partnership than Qantas did.

I don’t find EK to my liking so actively avoid it, but have flown it a bit recently because if the routes I was on. I was in F and J which reinforced my position. But I know everything is subjective and I know some people like the experience. 

I feel DXB is also pretty average - I don’t understand why people think the Flounges are any good there. They feel like barns with average food and lots of walking involved  

QF flights on EK are never competitive price wise and since I pay my own way I’d connect in BKK or SIN to QR or AY any day. 

So for me, I’d say it hasn’t been a bonus.  I wish QF played with QR, which I find much better on every level esp DOH and their Flounge.  Then I’d be keen 

The connections offered by EK are amazing and something QF could never match on their own.

The service on EK is at least as good as QF and often better.  The A380 offers a great passenger experience in all classes; the 777 isn't so good with an ordinary J class, no W class and a cramped Y seat (though no worse than the Y seat on a QF 787).

Sadly DXB is a bit of a zoo.  It offers lots of connections but connecting through it is seldom a pleasant experience particularly as it is often the middle of the night or very early in the morning and it just feels so much harder than somewhere like SIN.

The lounges at DXB are extensive and enable you to escape the worst of the terminal crush.  Having said that, none of the Business Class lounges could ever be called quiet escapes....never been fortunate enough to access the F lounges though imagine having the J Class lounge look down on you must be annoying.

I definitely trace the start of my Emirates flying to 2010 after the Qantas announcement, but I didn't like the way the journey was split into a long 14hr leg to Dubai and then a short 7-8hr leg to Europe, although that depended of course on the timing of the flights you chose. These days I prefer SQ because it swaps that around, a nice short leg to Singapore especially in the daytime and then you can sleep most of the way to Europe.

Connections are great, still the only way you can get to much of Europe with only 1 change.  The business class on 777 is becoming increasingly outdated though - I hope they continue modernising.

Count me in as somebody who got a LOT of upgrades during the first years of the QF-EK partnership due to my Qantas status! Definitely preferred Emirates A380 business class over Qantas, which then still had the old 2-2-2 drooping SkyBeds and of course Emirates has that wonderful bar which makes the hours fly by. So yes, this definitely changed my travel habits in favour of Emirates.

Emirates is ok, find DXB a crammed airport which doesn't make travelling stress free. 

The product disparity between QF and EK makes the relationship misaligned, but this is more of a failure on the Qantas end. QF has become very irrelevant to me and my family. 

Disappointing we still can't use Qantas Points for an upgrade on Emirates flights, and the Qantas access to Emirates lounges is a bit patchwork, doesn't apply to all Emirates lounges around the world.

Speaking for myself, I've flown Emirates a few times but honestly prefer Qatar Airways for the Qsuites and also because I find QR's Avios very useful for using on BA flights in the UK and to Europe.

In the early years when the partnerships started, it was great as I could easily find EK flights with QF8XXX flight numbers (for SC) to Europe, with stopover in SIN and DBS which made the journey a lot easier (about 3 chunks of 8-hour ish flights), especially if you are in Y.

But since COVID, I found the partnership useless. I can hardly find QF8XXX with Emirates to Europe anymore, except on award bookings, while QF metal price (to Europe) is so not competitive, especially for W. So I somehow started to switch my alliance to other airlines nowadays, still within OneWorld, but just not QF or EK.

All great points. I first started flying with Emirates in 2005 and loved the A330-600. Then I would book EK just for the A380 and the bar. However I've noticed incremental decline in the quality of F&B over the years.

Have booked my next UK J flight EK codeshare, but only because Qatar was too expensive. Found the Dubai lounge overcrowded a few years ago, and was unhappy to have the A380 downgraded to the old and noisy 777 J seat. Still, will always try to fly in A380s - love them. And from Perth, EK is a great choice.

I'm in the minority in that I preferred Dubai as a transit point - mainly because most of my travels are to Africa, the Mid East and Central Asia, so Singapore is fairly useless as a connection option for me.

The first few years of the partnership were the only times I ever flew Qantas internationally, as it was now a viable option to the Middle East. I was sad when they stopped serving the Dubai route, as I probably did prefer them to Emirates (though I like both, I like Etihad and Qatar as well).

I now redeem basically all my Qantas points on Emirates, Qatar (though damn these flights are hard to find now) and Jordanian. It was/s great to have sooo many options in the region.

Emirates has declined over the years but regardless the product, esp the catering, is overall better than that of Qantas. The Emirates first class offering is chalk and cheese compared with Qantas. A partnership with Qatar would have been a win-win, although the service difference between Qatar and that of Qantas would have been even more stark. The Qantas offering is woeful in comparison. Catering on both Emirates and Qatar is vastly superior. Still the SC and points advantages of being able to book a QF flight on Emirates metal is still a positive move and much better value for money.

The partnership has felt like nothing since covid. Award availability on EK through QF is impossible to find. The same cannot be said when searching on Emirates on website or through their other partners. 

I haven't seen the advantage to book through Qantas if I wanted to fly Qantas for some time anyways, and I actually forgot they were partners. 

Big downer is not being able to use Qantas Club membership when flying with EK to access the EK lounges outside of DXB. Given QF has used the partnership effectively to hive off all of its customers to EK when flying to Europe from Australia, I think it is disappointing that I can't use the Qantas Club membership at the start of the journey back home to Australia from Europe.

The new Emirates premium Economy is streets ahead of QF so when added to the schedule it's Emirates before QF for me now. 

I fly to Vienna in Austria, often. I find the QF/EK flight one of the best connections possible - depart Sydney at 06.00 hrs, and arrive in Vienna just before 20.00 hrs the same day (long day though). QF Gold allows me to  use the Business lounge in DXB with all its offerings. The business lounge in Vienna is also open to me for my return. One of the downside is that the lounge in Sydney does not open until 05.00 hrs and boarding begins around 05.15 hrs. The queue of people at the door of the lounge at 05.00 would mean about 15 minutes before I would even get into the lounge!

The other main downside is that I can't use my QF points to upgrade on the EK machines. That could be something Qantas could look at if renewing the contract.

My experience has been limited to flights between Australia and NZ so to go from Business EK on the 380 to the disgusting QF business on 737's has been awful.  I decided a few months ago never again and will be looking for any alternative to QF next time.

Definitely. I would never fly EK if it wasn't for the QF points (always QF flight numbers of course!).

In the beginning it was great, cause we could we all fly Emirates who have better services, lounges and plane and get the same points and status credits.   Then Qantas worked out people were picking Emirates a lot more than Qantas, even flying extra hours.   So they reduced the points and status credits, rather than fixing the poor service, standard lounges and very poorly configured planes in first and business

In the beginning it was great, cause we could we all fly Emirates who have better services, lounges and plane and get the same points and status credits.   Then Qantas worked out people were picking Emirates a lot more than Qantas, even flying extra hours.   So they reduced the points and status credits, rather than fixing the poor service, standard lounges and very poorly configured planes in first and business

The Emirates Limo service on both ends is a winner

Adelaide has been abandoned by the EK-QF partnership. First Qantas handballed international flights to Emirates and now Emirates have cut all flights since 2020, leaving poor point earning options with Qatar or Malaysia. The new Qatar-Virgin partnership is much better & will definitely drive me to use Virgin over Qantas.

My wife and I have flown both partners many times in Business Class to European destinations. I don’t see a great distinction between the two services on board or inside the lounges. The biggest advantage is the access across Europe with EK.   

Not so sure it's worked or indeed working now! Emirates taxes for Classic Reward flights have gone through the roof...would much prefer a Qantas/Qatar closer relationship but can't see this happening unfortunately! The Qantas/Emirates partnership has only succeeded in alienating the Qatar One World relationship with Qantas!

Originally I was flying on the company contracted to Qantas and an EK A380 absolutely killed the QF Skybed alternative, but over the last 8 years 75% of my international travel is me paying, and I have putting most of my cash with SQ who were running 4 flights a day from MEL with better timing for my needs. (And despite everyone else hating the SQ "flip seats" I love the extra width)

So, for me, the overall reduction of service to MEL through the partnership has seen me move away from trying to hold QFF status, If I am using another OneWorld carrier, I will still credit the points, but since I am in J I already have Lounge access and domestic I just choose Virgin to get a lounge.

I never like this "marriage" that looks to me as slavery and it was much relieve for me when QF start flying via SIN and PER. All aside just one thing - pork was banned to and from DXB. Qantas says that it is because Qantas respect customs where they flying to and for example serving Asian food when flying to Asia. It is fine, but for example JAL serving Australian food when flying to Australia (I personally prefer exclusively Japanese food when flying JAL) while Emirates never did anything except of Arabic food. I have nothing wrong against Arabic food or Arabic customs, but you have the idea. Also I was not particular sold with EK service and their interior in business with plastic-fantastic wood was looking kinda childish. Ditto their uniform. For QF (because of it relatively small size) it is very difficult to pick up a "partner" and not became the slave. I would be really really happy if they make arrangement with Finnair to all indirect flights to Europe (i.e. except routes like PER-LHR). Changing plane second time is not that big deal - AY known for fastest transition and considering Earth curvature it is pretty much the same time-wise. In return (no pun!) one will have two breaks with two lounges access plus potentially sauna in HEL (no pun!)

I hope to fly to UK in May and have flights held with Emirates, MEL to MAN and BUD to MEL.  It depends on whether I can get a cruise in Europe.  The big advantage for me is the limo transfer as I'm using a wheely walker.  I flew with them 8 years ago and the limo was really good--that was 12 weeks post hip replacement and I took one crutch with me.  I must say I prefer the A380 to the 777.

Emirates is useless nowdays, the taxes/fuel surcharges make the reward flights not worth it, and if you're paying full price, SQ is significantly cheaper and better quality for J.

I'm surprised by how many on here are poo-pooing EK... I absolutely love EK's A380 J class... who doesn't love a stand-up bar at the back of the plane?! I don't give a rats bum about the QF/EK alliance - I've gone rogue and pretty much only fly EK now (on an EK ticket earning EK points/miles). As far as I'm concerned QF's standards (in all aspects) are way behind those of EK. Although admittedly it's been that long since I've flown QF I wouldn't really know if they've picked up their game or not? I suspect not! And okay so EK's A380 J class is probably getting a little tired now (but still great), although I'm sure I read somewhere (on Executive Traveller) that they're upgrading their A380's F & J class bit by bit, but I don't think any of them are flying out of MEL yet? David... do you have intel on that?  

Travel frequently domestically, overseas only once/twice a year. Most trips to Europe, esp ATH to visit relatives, all on Y which I pay myself. Makes no sense to go via London, so a Middle East connection is as good as SIN. 

Found EK pretty good in most occasions. Due to QF status, always travel QF8xxx, don’t travel Etihad or Qatar.

Would like to see using QF points for upgrades, for me this is a must. Food is average, DBX lounge is very nice but with average food choices. Having a shower always makes a difference. Ability to carry extra luggage weight reciprocally is a big plus. On board service is average to good, don’t have many expectations in Y class. Love the 380s too, although seats are a bit tight. Service has definitely declined over the years, same happened with SQ and other airlines over time though. 

All in all, 7/10 for the alliance. I just hope one day QF would fly direct from SYD to ATH or FCO or IST etc, so a connection to Southern Europe is not simple via London.

As a lifetime Gold flyer with Qantas and now Platinum for many years, the service I get on QF flights is excellent. Now Gold on EK and soon Platinum, I also find the service excellent.

I use QF for the USA, Asia and Africa, while EK is for Dubai and Europe.  I love this partnership. It works great for me.

Recently flew Brisbane to Athens and return in economy.

The return trip was via Singapore where I transferred to Qantas to Brisbane.

The difference between Emirates and Qantas economy was so different that I doubt that Jetstar would be as bad as the Qantas flight.

The cabin crew was all male and terrible as was the food offering.

The A330 was disgusting. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned since it came out of covid mothballs.

I toilet was U/S the others were a disgrace.

And to top it off we were 2 hours late departing Singapore, with not one apology.

So which airline would I choose between Emirates and Qantas? 

I am a QF FF Silver. 

Maybe it was just a bad day for Qantas, but they really do need to be better because on that trip there was no comparison.

I have been flying-self funded on business class from LHR to Perth for several years-and have chosen Emirates above Qantas for two main reason-the chauffeur car service is incredibly useful, and when I book my ticket, I can immediately choose my seat .Qantas appears to block seats in business class-so I flew in a seat on the non stop flight, in a cold corner of the 787 cabin with no overhead locker available, and was uncomfortable for the entire flight. My choice of food was not available, as it was salmon ,which was "always popular" according to the steward-so poor planning, also plays a part in my decision. So on balance, the partnership worked at first, but once Qantas dropped the car service, I opted for Emirates. 

Unless your trips are to the US, in my opinion, the merger was like was a shark merging with a fish.  All my trips are to the Middle East, so it's alway EQ. Despite being a Gold QFF, it's been impossible to use Qantas points to obtain Business or First class seats, so I have now joined Emirates program. 

In the early days I resented the fact that I was being forced to transit through DXB. Since QF reverted back to SIN I find it better to have the choice.

Based on flight times I now tend to fly on EK out of BNE on the evening departure for a lunchtime arrival into Europe, but the QF double overnight trip back to Aus as it works best for me in terms of jet lag. 

Only issue for me is the lack of opportunity to use QF points to upgrade on EK and now absence of any kind of reward seats in premium cabins through QF FF program. 

Service wise I find both a bit hit and miss but overall I find EK a bit more consistent. 

The EK mini bar is a waste if space. The same is available in most budget hotels in Singapore. It doesn't even have a beer in it. It should contain miniature spirits and mixers then it would be worthwhile. 

My first QANTAS points were used in 2018, booked with Emirates, Biz and 1st class to the UK from BNE. I have since tried to go with a Emirates flight when possible with points. Emirates Biz class is 100% better than QANTAS, sure the gold and wood look is getting dated now but it still offers better value all round. I have flown QANTAS BIz class twice in the last 6 months and its still very average, for that reason i joined Skywards and have a 1st class to the UK this year, using up my QANTAS points return on QF2 in 1st. It will be very interesting to see the difference in both these 1st class offerings. I have also never had a bad experience with Emirates they are a few steps above QANTAS.

In a minority who miss DXB stop. Can use F Lounge which is a very pleasant place to be. Changi QF F lounge is fine but given the quick transit, one barely has enough time there. Changi is great airport but for regular trips, monthly, to UK I tend more often to transit on QF through Perth and straight to London. 

I have flown to Europe many times in Emirates Business Class, usually via a QF8*** booking. I like them a lot, although I think Qantas is OK too. I prefer Emirates food offerings to the pared back trendiness of the Neil Perry QF alternative, and the EK lounge in DBX is good. Food is fine, and as I am in the wine business, those DBX lounges sometimes amaze me with the wines they pour. Mount Mary Quintet, Bordeaux classed growths, white burgundy.

Not much mentioned here is Emirates economy class. I have travelled to New Zealand many times and always go economy, the Emirates trans-Tasman service is vastly better than QF in my experience. 

For those of us who live in Adelaide, the partnership has meant that we can't fly international out of Adelaide on Qantas metal. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's especially inconvenient (for example) when a DSC offer requires flying on Qantas metal. Adelaideans then have to fly to some other capital city before they can leave the country. While the Emirates in-flight quality is excellent, Dubai airport in too busy and too soulless, plus I tend to get off-loaded at the dusty outer perimeter of the airport and then bussed to the terminal. I'd love to see Qantas bring international service back to Adelaide -- perhaps when we finally get a Business Class lounge?

I'm a QF lifetime Gold and multi year Platinum, earned through economy flying. Virtually all my Europe flying has been on EK using QF flight number since the alliance was announced. 

Platinum recognition is consistent on EK. 

I'm ambivalent on Dubai airport. Avoiding Heathrow to fly direct to regional UK is a huge bonus. 

Down back, I prefer EK to QF. As far as economy class goes, it is hard to better the Emirates A380 experience. 

Not for me, I avoid Qantas at almost all cost (bad experiences, maybe unlucky).

Prefer EK (only wish we could use their miles for longer, lost 180 000 miles ha ha...)

Delivering? Not for me. I completely fail to understand what they see in EK and why on earth they do not strengthen the agreement with QR. QR walks all over EK and I've flown them many times in business and first. I've flown EK twice both in the last 8 months, and completely disenchanted. Here is why (disclaimer - some arrogant first world issues noted here I realize, but I am paying for the relevant class after all!):

- I'm QF platinum so able to access the first class lounges at DXB - lounges are OK but nothing special, certainly not a first class experience. Wooden unrefined service. The showers are horrendous! Tiny sweaty boxes, can't shut the door with the baggage in the way, which fills all the floor space, no basins/mirrors - after the shower you have to finish up out in the public space.

- Liquids duty free at DXB are 'confiscated' and checked under - enormously painful wait at AU end when only having carry on baggage. (this rule is the same at Abu Dhabi)

- Onboard service in business class is not refined and polished, including the meal/drink service, in some instances a little unprofessional. I hate the way they waltz up prior to landing and demand the mattress and blanket back! I like to use them all the way to landing... And the EK mini bar should be replaced with storage and the crew should be more inclined to keep offering drinks instead.

- DXB is just a heaving mass of people and too big... Also the boarding and security experience didn't separate classes very well.

- I do love A380s but last time, the First pax took so long to exit, that by the time business was allowed off, the Econ pax were already streaming down the concourse to fill up customs.

Here is why they should be working with QR instead - aside of the fact they're OW already...:

- DOH is a great airport. And the lounges are a super classy experience; in fact in business class I've been treated like first class. They also handle premium classes better at security.

- Onboard service is far more refined, I've had nothing but perfect experiences in the meal service down to the little details.

- Liquids duty free is not handled like DXB - you can take it on board.

- The connection options of QR to worldwide destinations in reality are virtually the same compared to EK. Anyway I bet that wherever EK flies that QR does not, is probably rarely utilised by QF customers. They probably book directly with EK trying to save money.... QR would give perfectly good coverage in place of EKs route map IMO.

- I note that many are referring to using the QF8xxx numbers for full serve of SCs and points. This of course would be defunct if QF partnered fully with their OW option QR - you should get the same then, as you do on BA and AA.

- It's also not QR's fault there is no QF reward seats available... it's a result of the poor relationship/(no) agreement...

Please... AJ bye bye and the next CEO dump EK for QR.

On the topic of QF although it's not exactly the question here - my main issues with them are offboard (bookings/checkin/airport/call centre etc). Onboard, I generally get treated very well by the crew and also in the lounges. I actually think in many respects they're better than EK...