VS400 LHR-DXB 26 Sep 08 (Econ)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a terrible bus journey from Charing Cross to Paddington, the usual efficient HEX whizzed me to LHR, where I merrily headed right towards T1 [:I] They need clearer signage. This being my first flight since the unexpected elevation to AG, I was looking forward to the whole UC check in experience. It was a pleasure to check in (for the first time I can remember I wasn't issued with a printed boarding pass to replace the one I printed earlier), strolled through the security channel and find my way to the CH. Paddington to CH in 45 minutes, not bad in my books.

Anyway, an hour later than anticipated I was firmly glued to the bar with a more than welcome beer to wash away the dust of the journey. Shortly after this Baloobear arrived, en-route to Sydney, and we proceeded to try and make a serious dent in the CH's supply of champagne ably abetted by some very attentive, and free pouring, staff. A burger followed (very nice, spicy but would benefit from being cooked less an option that apparently is not available due to the health and safety people), a much needed haircut by a charming young lady and finally a few Mojito's before wending my way to gate 36, where boarding was in progress and the airbridge broken, so we left almost an hour late as a pax needed a lift to get them on board an, according to the captain, BAA couldn't find one.

This delay rather blew my cunning plan of drinking and eating in the CH and then sleeping off during the flight out of the water that and the uncomfortable seat and the noise from the Essex girls behind me. Once we got going the flight was uneventful: managed to reboot my IFE a couple of times before giving up on that, can't comment on the food, as I gave that a miss (it was the usual beef, chicken and vegetarian choice). However, sadly, I have to report that the breakfast offering on this route is still the muffin/cereal bar option.

I would like to particularly mention the crew, who were excellent throughout: water/juice was offered during the delay an there were at least three other 'water runs' during the flight. It was explained that water, juice, fruit was available in the galley if anybody wanted any something I've not heard on any other flight before. The FSM was very visible throughout which probably helped not that I'm suggesting they wouldn't have done as good a job had he not been.

Getting out of the airport was relatively harmless and quick, except that priority luggage wasn't working. None the less, within an hour of landing I was in the executive lounge of the Hilton Dubai Creek having breakfast and waiting for them to finish my room which they had 20 minutes later...

I've marked food and entertainment as average as I didn't use them and there's no NA option.

[buns]

That's the way to go - make the most of the Gold Card[}:)]

Enjoy the Hilton Dubai Creek - my fav hotel in Dubai

buns

Great TR![y][y]

Don't you just hate that Health and Safety get out excuse! Like you I prefer NOT to have my burger or beef/steak cremated. It makes me laugh/angry when a waitress/waiter/server offers you a choice on how you want your burger/steak/horsemeat done and it comes out 'well done'. [V][V]

Originally posted by daharris
It was explained that water, juice, fruit was available in the galley if anybody wanted any Ð something I've not heard on any other flight before.

Cheers for the report. Certainly when flying overnight to PVG I've heard this announced religeously and can testify that there is a full dry bar set up in the (most spacious) rear galley on the 346. I much prefer filling up here then waiting for a drinks round as it gives a leg stretching excuse too.

[mitchja]

Thanks for the TR [y]

There's also those water fountains mid-way down the Y cabin on all the A346's and quite often there are a few snacks left in what used to be the mid galley behind those fountains as well as the soft drinks available in the rear galley.

You might want to get used to baggage priority not working with an AU card when flying Y or W. It very rarely works [n] Mind you last time I arrived at DXB, immigration took that long, all the bags where already coming off.

Regards

[Neil]

Great TR, thank you.

As James said, I find priority baggage still to be so hit and miss, usually good on the outbound but rubbish on the inbound. Not sure if that is to do with the loading of the baggage carts, or how the are unloaded at each airport.

Neil

Don't you just hate that Health and Safety get out excuse! Like you I prefer NOT to have my burger or beef/steak cremated. It makes me laugh/angry when a waitress/waiter/server offers you a choice on how you want your burger/steak/horsemeat done and it comes out 'well done'.

In which case I send it back. Record so far is three times at a well known pub chain, at which point the manager came out to explain that they were not allowed to cook steak any rarer than medium, to which I, in my opinion, reasonably asked why they took my order in the first place and he threw me out...[?] GF not best pleased. And straying further off topic, the Gourmet Burger Kitchen will quite happily do a rare burger. Back on topic, the CH burger could have benefited from a little less coking but was still very good as it was well seasoned and not at all bland.

You might want to get used to baggage priority not working with an AU card when flying Y or W. It very rarely works Mind you last time I arrived at DXB, immigration took that long, all the bags where already coming off.

I had put the delay down to the fact that I checked in almost 6 hours before the flight. Immigration was very quick, just a huge empty hall with people shouting and gesticulating at me. Took longer to queue at the ATM.

Good to hear of the experience down the back in Y.

As I posted last week I somewhat put off by DXB currenlty but positive reports are helping me change my mind.

Re Health and Safety. Hate it when this one gets reeled out along with 'data protection reasons' and other non common sense approaches (Sky/mobile phone operators any one?!). A little bit of common sense would not go a miss. Often quite enjoy whipping out a bit of legalese on the manager sent over to me in x shop or y restaurant as I complain. Normally you see the smug little smile on their face drop and they do what you ask.

Anyway back On topic, hope you enjoy DXB.

I'll add my tuppence worth on Dubai on the original thread sometime in the next day or so, plus hotel, Verre and return TR.

Thanks for the TR i might travel Y if i go back as UC is too short a flight to sleep at night and likewise travelling back being too short, also Gulf airs lounge there isnt much either, i would prefer to spend the saved money out in Dubai.

cheers
alex