TRIED & TESTED FLIGHT
Emirates A380 new Business Class LONDON-DUBAI B A C K G R O U N D London to Dubai is one of Emirates’ busiest routes, even during the pandemic, meeting demand for business and leisure travel, as well as catering to the UAE’s large British expatriate community. For this reason the airline has deployed its latest flagship A380 aircraft on the route, debuting new Premium Economy seats and enhancements across all cabins. At time of press, Emirates operated a fivetimes-daily service to London Heathrow from Dubai, four of which were operated by an A380 aircraft. C H E C K - I N Despite the checks conducted for the GDRFA paperwork required to enter Dubai, check-in was smooth and fast. B O A R D I N G Fast-track boarding for
Business and First Class makes for a stressfree experience. The shorter queues make it easier to social distance and give you peace of mind, which is required in large doses due to the anxiety caused by the pandemic.
BEST FOR Service – attentive but discreet
C ONFIGURATION 1-2-1
SE AT WIDTH 18.5”
SE AT PITCH 44” extending to form 76.6” to 78.6” fully-flat beds
FLIGHT TIME Around seven hours
PRICE From AED6,000 (US$1,613) one way (from late February)
CONTACT emirates.com
T H E S E A T I was lucky enough to be one
of the first to experience the new Business Class cabin on the flagship A380. All 76 business class seats have been refreshed with champagne-coloured leather covers and wood finishing, inspired by executive jets and similar to Business Class on the new Emirates B777s. I was in seat 14K, a window seat with a view and was provided with a sanitisation kit featuring masks, sanitiser and wipes, as well as an overnight flight kit with toiletries by Bvlgari. The blanket, personal mattress and pillow were cosy and of course, sanitised. It set me up for a good night’s sleep.
B E S T S E A T If you are travelling solo,
grab a window seat, but if you have a companion, opt for two seats together in the middle as it’s a cosier option.
T H E F L I G H T The choice of food and entertainment was impressive. There were three to four dish options for each course, plus six different wine options and Champagne. The food quality was very good and I noted the nod to sustainable fishing on the menu, indicating that chefs are making strides in sourcing more eco-friendly ingredients. This is much appreciated when COVID-19 has meant single-use plastic packaging has become a necessity for hygiene reasons. This even applied to the re-opened and revamped
Fast-track boarding for Business and First Class makes for a stress-free experience on-board lounge (with the same colour scheme as the new Business Class cabin) with items available for consumption now individually packaged. Offering a nice change of scene during the flight, lounge numbers are limited to four at a time to allow for social distancing. The bar was open and sweet and savoury snacks were served throughout the flight. The Emirates ice entertainment system is always a highlight and offered plenty of viewing choices. Wi-Fi is currently available at an extra charge.
A R R I V A L Business and First passengers
join the fast-track queue for PCR testing, which is compulsory on arrival to Dubai. This was appreciated given the flight was busy as many passengers were returning from the UK at the end of the winter holiday period. Another bonus was the e-gate system, which is now up-and-running again meaning residents and citizens can pass through immigration more quickly, easing up queues for visitors.
V E R D I C T There is a reason Emirates
remains one of the world’s most popular airlines. From catering to entertainment, service to on-board design, it offers value for money, style and comfort. Add-ons like the chauffeur-on-arrival service are also appreciated. The Emirates website and digital services are also kept up to date, with regular email alerts sent to passengers to keep them informed of the rapidly changing legislation concerning travel in and out of Dubai during the pandemic. Complimentary COVID-19 travel insurance is another major plus point. Melanie Swan FEBRUARY 2021
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