Flying from UK LGW to Dubai DXB

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This afternoon we are flying from London Gatwick to Dubai UAE.

Due to the unpredictable traffic of the M25, we decided to leave the Beaconsfield hotel at about 7.00am as we had to return the car by 10.00am. We have a lounge booked from 10.00am for three hours so we have somewhere comfortable to relax before the flight.

We were really surprised that there was not much traffic on the motorway and we were at the airport about 8.30am. So we returned the car even earlier than expected and made our way over to the Emirates check-in desk.

Due to runway works in Dubai, Emirates are not currently running their early morning flight, so the desk was not open. For a month, DXB is using only one runway. Other flights are being diverted into the nearby DWC Al Maktoum International Airport. A gentleman nearby advised that check-in would open about 10.00am, so we were at the front of the queue.

A quick coffee and a chat with some of the other passengers now queuing, and the time flew by.

By 11.00am, we were through the security and sat in the lounge

When we arrived at the Aspire lounge, breakfast was still available and they were in the process of changing it for lunch, so there was a wider selection of food than we were expecting. The price of the lounge also included alcohol, so Theresa took the opportunity to have a couple of glasses of wine.

The arrival of our inbound aircraft from DXB into London Gatwick was late, so we were expecting to be late leaving. They did their best to get us all boarded as soon as they could. At about 30 minutes after our planned takeoff time, the captain announced that there had been a security issue at the airport and they would not let us take off. It was a further hour before we eventually got into the sky.

Things have changed a little since we last flew with Emirates. We noticed a few cost cutting issues, but none of them caused us a big issue. Drinkers beware!

Main thing we noticed was the drinks. In the past if you ordered a wine, you got a small bottle, or if you ordered a soda, you got a large can. Now wine is served by the glass and the soda cans are small. Not a problem, we just ordered more which the hostesses did not seem to have a problem serving.

For dinner, we both selected chicken curry and rice which was very nice.

The ICE entertainment on board is very good, so we were both kept busy for most of the flight.

As we were late leaving, it was about 2.00am in the morning by the time we arrived in Dubai. Dubai is three hours ahead of UK time.

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Comments

[Suzanne Batey]

And we are off!
Now i am getting excited we are in Dubai. ???