nazgul From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2012, 46 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 2116 times:
Hi
Well, this is my first post in this forum! I read it all the time and I am interested in aviation but I do not claim to have a lot of knowledge about it so please be kind to me...haha
Here goes anyway. I am flying to Australia in 3 weeks on Emirates Gatwick - Dubai - Perth and then Melbourne - Dubai to Heathrow.
So basically, a myriad of questions! 1 - Entertainment on board...will it be ICE all the way? and 2 - And this is where I wonder - why are Emirates so successful from the UK (and the rest of the world and beyond I guess) to Asia/Oceania? I know Geographical factors play a part but is there really such demand to warrant X2 daily Glasgow to Dubai?? And for the matter X3 Manchester - Dubai etc etc...
The so-called "Emirates business model" lies at the heart of the airline's commercial success. Its main ingredients are a lean workforce comparable to a low-cost carrier and a flat organisational structure that allows the airline to maintain low overhead costs.
Some industry analysts believe the airline is second only to Ryanair on a cash cost per seat basis due to lower operating costs at its Dubai base. This enables it to serve secondary destinations profitably by connecting these via its global hub in Dubai.
SonomaFlyer From United States of America, joined Apr 2010, 1178 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1913 times:
The on board entertainment system as you mentioned is ICE. There are some different versions depending on the aircraft type and age of the plane. I can safely say its one of the best on-board entertainment systems available. You won't be board during your trip.
The airport at Dubai is also fantastic. Tons of shops, restaurants etc are there for you if you have the time.
Quokkas From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (6 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 1809 times:
Hi Nazgul and welcome to the forum.
Well Emirates certainly believe there is sufficient traffic to warrant GLA x 2 and MAN x 3 and reports show reasonably high loads. Bear in mind that there is both passenger and freight traffic.
Given EK's hub and spoke model with all traffic routed via DXB, it only needs a handful of passengers heading to each destination in North and East Africa, the Middle East and others in Asia and Australia to get a full load.
Regarding aircraft: which flights are you on? I understand that EK are using a mix of aircraft that includes the 777-300ER and the A340-300. The Airbus A340-300 ICE hasn't been upgraded and offers a more limited range of movies, but still offers seat-back email, sms and music. The A340-300 is scheduled to operate flight EK26. If you are flying in Economy you will like the 2-4-2 configuration if you have a window or aisle seat.
Flight EK28 is indicated as an 777-300ER. This should have a more recent version of ICE with a larger range of on-demand movies (i.e you can start, play, etc at will).
Services into PER are operated with EK420 as a Boeing 777-300ER and EK424 being a Boeing 777-200LR, both with private suites. All of Emirates 777s have a 3-4-3 configuration in Economy, which some can find a bit cramped.
I have flown extensively with EK over the past few years and have been fortunate to have great crews. Others haven't been so lucky. On arrival in DXB the flight connections list should be uploaded and displayed on ICE so that you can see what gate you need to go to for your connecting flight.
goosebayguy From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2009, 225 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1438 times:
The UK is very poorly served by BA. If you take a flight from say MAN then BA will charge far more for your overall flight than say EK. It used to be that BA did not charge for your UK portion of flights if flying internationally but now they add on a huge charge. It makes flying from MAN far easier and cheaper to use just about any airline than BA. BA should be addressing this but clearly aren't interested.
nazgul From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2012, 46 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1123 times:
Thanks for all your replies!
I have always been amazed at the success of EK and I can't wait to fly with them.
My flights are a mix of 77W, 77L and one trip on the A380 from Dubai to Heathrow (2.30pm flight). I will be miserable at the thought of coming home so the prospect of flying on the A380 will keep me happy
The Melbourne to Dubai trip stops in Kuala Lumpur - I think we should be able to get off the plane right?
nazgul From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2012, 46 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1076 times:
The only small thing that I'm not so much looking forward to is the horrible departure time out of Melbourne - 3.30 in the morning!!! Will the bar still be open in departures :-P
skipness1E From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2007, 2381 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 988 times:
Goosebayguy that's not true at all, BA serve a huge number of destinations via their main base at LHR, mainly going west, Emirates do the same going East. They are very similar, in that services depend largely on connecting passengers. BA are strong to the US, Emirates do well to Oz.
Quokkas From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (6 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 961 times:
Quoting nazgul (Reply 7): Will the bar still be open in departures :-P
Hudson's Coffee, Hungry Jack and Subway might be but the Air Bar and Lounge doesn't open until 06:00, from memory. If you are travelling in First or Business there is a dedicated Emirates Lounge that is open for all flights. But if you travelling in Economy, don't panic. They serve free alcohol on board your flights. They normally do a drinks run before meals and you can always ask at any other time, if you get desperate. On the cart you may only see non-alcoholic drinks so you will need to specify if you wish to have beer, wine or something a bit stronger.
nazgul From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2012, 46 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (6 months 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 947 times:
First or Business - I wish! It'll be down at the back for me! I'm sure i'll survive without "something stronger" - the bar reference was a joke Kind of...lol
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