Business Class here I come!

This past week I’ve had a bit of time off from flying and been back in training college, studying for my business upgrade!

The 5 day course covered everything we’ll need to know transitioning from economy to business class (although I have a sneaky suspicion that once I’m onboard it’ll all be very different!).

Before the course started we were given some homework to prepare ourselves, and the first morning was spent doing an assessment to test our knowledge. Luckily everyone passed and we were all able to continue! We were thrown straight in learning all about how the “customer experience” is different and what they expect. Obviously they are paying a whole lot more to be in business class so they expect a much more personalised service.

The service style is very different from economy – instead of taking the carts into the cabin and practically throwing the meals out we only take two trays at a time…I think I’m going to be getting some big muscles!

We had to practice the full service, everything from welcoming our passengers to serving the food and drinks, although we practiced with empty trays.

We also learnt all about the bar/lounge in the A380. I have worked in it once, when we were one crew down on a flight from Munich and it was so much fun! Very different to the economy service, almost like bartending, but at 40,000ft! πŸ™‚

On our second last day we had a practical assessment on the service we’d learnt the whole week. We took it in turns in groups to run through the whole service, and even had some guests come and eat. Somehow I ended up eating my lunch at 10:30am because we practiced with real food!

At the end of the week we all passed and were presented with certificates. Only a few more days until I get my roster for October, and then I’ll know where my first flight in business class will be! Very exciting πŸ™‚

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P.s. If you want more regular updates on what’s been happening in my life, follow me on Instagram and Twitter @rachelwwilson!

19 Comments

  1. Jey
    September 28, 2014 / 9:56 am

    Hi Doll!

    Thanks so much for making time to share your experiences with us – I can imagine how much CC crave rest & time off, but you still manage to make time πŸ™‚

    I have been OBSESSED (such an understatement) with becoming cabin crew with Emirates since April of this year & non-stop scour the internet for any insight / experiences with Emirates recruitment process & life after you get hired. Just wanted to say thanks again for sharing!

    I am planning to attend an AD in January 2015 & hope to sweet baby Jesus that I am able to knock it out on my first try! I was wondering if you have a post about your recruitment experience? If so, could you please direct me to it? Any help is appreciated.

    Congratulations as well on your Business class promo – so maj!

    Jey (all the way from Guam)

    • October 4, 2014 / 12:37 pm

      Thanks for reading my blog πŸ™‚
      I wrote a post about my whole open day/assessment day here which might be helpful, although it was 2 years ago now! I’m sure they’re still pretty similar now though. http://thedubaidiaries.me/2012/11/14/the-interview-process/ Good luck!
      Thanks, I’ve just done my first flight in business class and it was awesome! πŸ™‚

  2. September 25, 2014 / 5:11 pm

    Congratulations Rachel!!! I keep reading your blog since I applied to Emirates!! I was successful and now have 22 days to move to Dubai πŸ™‚ I was wondering since I am from Turkey, if there would be layovers in Istanbul? πŸ™‚ Thanks in advance!
    Btw this is my blog! I hope you can have a look at it πŸ™‚
    http://dilanindubai.wordpress.com/

    • October 4, 2014 / 12:29 pm

      Congratulations!! Not long to go now πŸ™‚ Unfortunately there are only turnaround flights to Istanbul, no layovers πŸ™ I wish we could stay there! The flight is actually notorious for being one of the hardest, as it’s around 4,5 hrs each way and almost always full and very busy! I’ll check out your blog πŸ™‚

      • October 4, 2014 / 12:39 pm

        Ooh well doesn’t sound good either πŸ™ and yes only 13 days left, big day is coming I’m so excited!! thank you so much for replying, I hope you’re well:)

  3. September 23, 2014 / 4:05 pm

    Congrats Rachel! I’m so happy for you, can’t wait to hear about your new adventures in Bussiness Class πŸ™‚

    I also have a question for you: do you have any colleagues workingas cabin crew that don’t have absolutely perfect teeth? I see the pictures of all the lovely ladies working for Emirates and I see them with the straightest teeth. This worries me as I do not have straight teeth, I have a “bunny look” going on – and I really don’t know if this just kills my chances. What’s your opinion about this?

    Thanks in advance.

    • October 4, 2014 / 12:26 pm

      Thank you! πŸ™‚ Yes absolutely, not everyone has perfect teeth! I’m sure that won’t stop you from getting the job as long as you have a genuine smile πŸ™‚

  4. Chris
    September 21, 2014 / 3:14 pm

    Congratulations! Love reading about your adventures, I hope you get a great roster for your first business class trip! πŸ™‚

  5. Sora
    September 21, 2014 / 11:47 am

    Congratulations on your successful upgrade πŸ˜‰

  6. charlotte
    September 21, 2014 / 2:29 am

    Like!! Great job, keep the posts coming x

  7. Eileen
    September 20, 2014 / 9:01 pm

    Awesome accomplishment Rachel, congratulations! I hope you’re first business class flight is a ‘long haul’ on an A380-800. Be sure to write when you make it to first class also. I’m sure you’re parents are very proud of you.

    • September 21, 2014 / 12:00 pm

      Thank you! πŸ™‚ Eek not too long-haul, I’d like it to be somewhere in Europe πŸ™‚ I’m hoping to make it to first class one day, maybe another year or 2!

  8. Nike
    September 20, 2014 / 7:54 pm

    Congratulations, I’m so happy for you! Next year, Rachel: 1st class cabin crew? πŸ™‚

    • September 21, 2014 / 11:59 am

      Thank you! Ah fingers crossed, I’d love to work in first class! πŸ™‚

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