Check in exceptionally smooth due to being Skywards Silver members and allowed to use Business Class check in so no queues. Managed to snag the exit row seats (all at no extra cost) - definitely one advantage over Virgin).
Had a quick mooch around duty free and then into Birmingham's Servisair Lounge. Basic lounge with biscuits/cakes/mainline spirits on offer but certainly a lot quieter being away from the main throng of people.
We were the last flight of the evening at 2115 and by the time we left the lounge, the whole airport was ready to close for the evening. Only the cleaners were around.
Exit row seats 25J&K were great with the usual slide on the door to put your feet up. On the Airbus 330-200 there are 4 toilets in the middle (just in front of your seats) but as the flight wasn't busy (only about 60% full) there weren't too many people hanging around in front of your seat.
The FSM introduced herself to us as Silver members which we thought was a nice touch especially in economy (we thought we may have been getting an upgrade when she first came over but no such luck I'm afraid).
The usual night flight service - serve your meal and put you to sleep. No drinks service was offered and when I asked for a wine with my meal, I was advised that it would come later. Not sure about you, but I like my wine with my meal, not 20 minutes later [:(]. The food was good - lamb tagine with rice or chicken teriyaki and of course the usual array of special choice if pre-ordered - Emirates still hand out menus to economy class, therefore saving time for the crew having to explain to virtually every passenger what the meal is.
The crew came round with water/juice (apple/orange/mango) throughout the night but if you wanted anything more, just pop to the galley.
The IFE on the Airbus is still the old 'roll around' Schedule A or B type so watched something simple with Sarah Jessica Parker called 'Failure to Launch' and hubby watched King Kong. Tried to sleep after, but even in exit row found it difficult as the seats are very narrow.
No breakfast offered anymore on night flights, just tea/coffee and biscuits about an hour before landing.
On the whole, a typical night flight with crew efficient but not especially friendly.
In Dubai we seemed to land at an outpost and were bussed to the terminal. However, this actually worked to our advantage in that transit passenger and people staying in Dubai were dropped off at different points. We were dropped off virtually in front of the immigrations desks which we found wonderful - compared to the usual hike from gate to immigration this made a pleasant change.
Straight through immigration - no queues at 0730 and with our baggage having priority/business class tags this was waiting on the carousel for us.
Waited about 5 minutes for our the Intercontinental hotel car and made our way through the heaving rush hour traffic from the airport in a nice air conditioned Jaguar which at 40 degree c heat at 0730 was very refreshing.
