PLEASE send me on another trip.
Written: Dec 12 '01 (Updated Dec 12 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: After several flights with Emirates the greatest Pro is going to the airport.
Cons: Only a three hour stop over in the new Business Class lounge in Dubai.
The Bottom Line: There are two classes of airlines in the world - Emirates, and the others.
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| colcrys's Full Review: Emirates Airlines |
I have flown Emirates Business Class 6 times from Hong Kong to Europe in two years and First Class once on a return from Frankfurt.
Unfortunately I have also had to fly many times to other countries where it was not convenient to fly Emirates and this to my deepest regret.
My latest trip was on Sept. 30 and it is this I will comment on as all of the others involved a transit through the 'old' Dubai airport and the situation of those journeys is really no longer relevant - although the quality of the airlines was evident even then.
Let's start with the price which was over USD800 less than any of the other 'name' airlines.
As always, ground staff were attentive, professional and courteous which is not common with airlines at the Hong Kong airport - especially their so-called 'flag carrier - Cathay.
The real pleasure of course was finally being seated and offered the now obligatory champagne or orange juice - but it was not powdered orange juice but real orange juice; and the champagne was not - for example - Cathay's watered down 5 buck a bottle fizzy wine - and yes, you can have a glass of each without recriminating stares.
As always it seems with Emirates, the doors were closed exactly on time and the only delay was for what I have come to be used to on Emirates of their having to off-load the luggage of someone who thought the airlines policy of closing the boarding gate exactly on time was meant for everyone but them.
This was also done with their usual aplomb though and 5 minutes late we were on our way. They seem to know exactly were the luggage that needs to be expelled is.
Once in the air it is like flying in your living room with the added benefit of more entertainment available than you could possibly watch, listen to or play (10 video games compared to the solitaire and mines of most airlines).
Our meals came hot, well presented, creative and satisfyingly more than adequate.
Perhaps the most descriptive comment on the next few hours is 'relaxing.'
In an unfortunate result of the terrible and horrendous tragedy in New York, the usual brief stopover in Bangkok without getting off the plane was changed for security reasons to an actual de-plane and two hour security check and re-boarding. Not the most pleasant time as the Bangkok airport leaves much to be desired but this again not the fault of Emirates.
Once again on board, and after apologies - yes, actual apologies for the inconvenience - chocolate treats.
Our journey on to Dubai was only disappointng because we had to eventually leave the plane.
But now comes the mention in the 'Cons' for this review.
For the first time I was able to enter the new Dubai airport and my first of hopefully many 'stays' in the new Business Class Lounge.
There were 4 of us and I was at first a little embarrassed because I thought I had led everyone to the First Class lounge and we would be told to leave - but it really was 'only' the Business Class Lounge.
Really unbelievable. Two levels, showers - and not tiny stalls but real shower facilities with an attendant for each four 'showers,' very large real leather armchairs and many, many sofas in the lounge. Floor to ceiling windows, various 'REAL' plants, huge area. No crowding here. In fact in the measly 3 hours we were there - (Please! Oh Please send me back to Europe boss. If you let me fly Emirates Business Class again I'll wash your car for a month!) - the closest anyone came to intruding on our 'space' was when a gentleman walked by on the way to the 'massage lounger.'
Upstairs was where those who choose to enjoy a cigarette are accommodated without the insulting and pompous posturing often found by those who think their freedom to not smoke automatically gives them the right to curtail the rights of those who choose to do so - even when they are separated.
Each level was equally well-appointed as well. The smoking area had somehow been outfitted with some form of 'exhaust' fan - technology which the knowledge of so many places seem to not have been exposed.
Each level had large 50-inch plasma-screen wall monitors and low and behold you could actually hear the news - and it was well balanced with CNN on some, BBC on others.
After we had our showers, a massage and a rest, we went for a tour of the new airport to look at the luxury cars, motorcycles and of course immense quantities of gold for sale among all of the most famous brand name products from around the world. "Just looking thank you" was gloriously NOT accompanied by the usual snears and behind the hand comments so common in the Hong Kong airport and as a result we all bought something - although not enough to participate in the chance to 'Instantly win and be presented with 1 million dollars cash' - but I thought about it as I did at the old airport - one day!
Then back to the lounge for a meal before we were dragged kicking and screaming to continue our trip - damnable efficient airline schedules - and we did have a meal. This is not your cold toast, old and cold coffee, and anemic day old buffet of many airports but imagine a nice hotel in your hometown with, say, a Sunday Buffet special and then add to that traditional Arabian fare, fresh exotic fruits, nuts, hot omelettes, several different brands of water both bubbly and not, various desserts, everything one would expect and more.
Er! Better make that a 5 Star hotel in your hometown.
I could say here that the saddest part of my flight was when the Lounge Attendant came and informed us it was time to go to our Boarding Gate.
If I had only known (I do now so I already have my plan for next time as there is a possiblity of an 8 hour layover on a trip to Europe), and I forgot to mention there are 'staterooms' available with full size beds (I asked if I could look and of course they said yes), a night table and chair and a closet.
Back then at our boarding gate, rested, happy, wondering how they can do this at a rate so much lower than other airlines and wishing Emirates flew direct from Hong Kong to North America so we would never have to use the 'much less than their advertised claims' airlines that presently fly that route.
Of course the flight from Dubai to Germany was delightful - as if by this point you would think I would have anything negative to write.
If you EVER get the opportunity to fly this airline - especially if you fly a lot - do yourself a luxurious, and well-deserved I'm sure, favor and fly Emirates. You will forevermore look at the big airline fleets with derision and contempt.
I am even now saving so I can take my wife with me on a First Class flight - just so I can see the inside of the First Class lounge at the new Dubai airport - and I have already asked our firm's President to remove me from involvement with the N. American division.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
colcrys
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Location: China via Canada
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Canadian expat living and working in China for over 12 years.
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