@Big-nosed Pengie, @Winkypop
I've flown Emirates a few times from Oz to Europe and back. The stopover in Dubai is a PITA, though the view on departure can be pretty amazing...
Oh - and the prices were less than those of Qantas.
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QANTAS will soon stop all international flights from Perth.
So the decision is clear.
Emirates all the way. They are superior anyway...
As a bloated plutocrat (retired) who flies from Perth to Europe, I have travelled in the pointy end on both. I have just booked for two of us to travel to the UK to enjoy a cool, wet, summer (as opposed to a cool, wet, Perth winter). Originally Qantas went through Singapore, a longer flight, but a pleasant stop-over. Now that they both go through Dubai (not that pleasant) there is little difference, other than cost and service:-
Qantas - Food OK; staff friendly; service is so, so.
Emirates - Food OK, particularly if you like it spicy, service good; staff a bit reserved.
I am not that bothered about the in-flight entertainment. I take a book/iPad and go to sleep. The seat/beds are better on Qantas, but not enough to make much difference.
A hint to Qantas: The pointy end people pay 4 times the cost of cattle-class. The cost of Qantas (on a special deal) was $60 less than a similar deal with Emirates. Emirates always arrange for a chauffeur-driven limo to and from the airport, and will chauffeur you up to 100 miles to and from your destination airport - This would cost them less than $100 x 4 - If I am paying you $16,000 for two people, I WANT this. Yes I know that I could (and have) arranged this myself, but with this concept called "service", I should not have to...