EK435 BNE-DXB 17 FEB 13 (FIRST)

My third Adventure before Dementia trip to Australia in the last nine months.

I love what I have seen of the amazing country so far and there are still lots more bits to explore. Adventure’s Parts 4 and 5 are in the planning!

I had super flights down, the EK004 from Heathrow to Dubai followed by the EK412 Dubai to Sydney non-stop. The trips were in J, both on 380s and all was as I have described before. I found nothing to complain about except the cheese was a tad cold(!!). Yes, that is about as worthy a moan as I can manage. And for those who knew the old J lounge in Dubai’s terminal 3 the new now fully open Concourse A facility is excellent, still huge....catering for over 2,000 passengers but was quiet on both my visits at what should be the busiest time. And the wifi worked!!!

Before setting off I knew that I would have enough miles to upgrade part of the journey to First. After a bit of advice on FT I opted to do this on the EK435. This is a fourteen hour non-stop from Brisbane to Dubai and fourteen hours sounded like I would get my monies, or rather miles, worth. However I didn’t have enough miles to book it until the miles were credited to me for the outbound journey. It was frustrating seeing there was a reward seat available before I set off however when I logged on the day after arriving in OZ the seat was still there so I grabbed it. 57500 Skywards Miles spent...Easy Peasy. I also discovered how difficult typing is when you have your fingers crossed!!!!

My trip was fabulous despite me battling with flu at the start. Melbourne was lovely as were other places but the real jewel in the crown was Tasmania.

Such a beautiful place with beaches to die for. And the food was delish.

The last few days in Queensland were dominated by torrential rain and, goodness me, does it rain.

No whales or kangaroo or death adder experiences this time but I did have a close encounter with a tarantula. And if people tell you they don’t bite don’t believe it...if they decide to bite THEY BITE...in spades!!! I was just glad it wasn’t me on the receiving end.

Anyway, home time and what this TR is about...my journey in First.

Check-in at Brisbane Airport International Departures was the proverbial “piece of cake”. There is a dedicated desk for First Class and I was the queue of one. Boarding cards were given, including for my connection (in J) from Dubai back to London. Also a personal note from the EK Brisbane Airport Services Manager, wishing me a good journey. Little touches which count.

I like the Emirates lounges.

They are tidy and spacious and the food and booze offerings are high quality. They require you to be proactive as a rule, there isn’t too much “can I get you a drink sir?” ..actually, none. I don’t care, I do not need people fawning all over me and I am surprisingly adept at pouring Veuve Clicquot. As at Heathrow, the Brisbane lounge is a combined Business/First facility. So after a tasty steak and a couple of glasses of fizz, a bit of Facebook and a few messages I was ready!!

We were called to the flight about half an hour before departure. Boarding is from the lounge and I was directed to a separate air bridge for the First Class cabin. My vehicle of choice was a Boeing 777 ER. And that itself was another attraction, the First Class cabin only has eight suites, two rows of four, one each side by the window and two in the middle. I had chosen 2K, a window suite.

Throughout my Emirates experience I have been greeted by name with a welcome back, both in the various lounges, at check-in and onboard. The welcomes were even greater this time as I got to gold status with EK on the way out, (now for platinum). I know that they are working from a list and your Skywards status is printed on the boarding card but they do make an effort to acknowledge their frequent flyers.

I was greeted at the door by the purser who introduced herself and then introduced me to the girls who were going to be looking after the cabin. I was shown to 2K.

Wow.

You can make up your own mind as to what you think of the decor. Some people have described EK as “a bit bling” ...well, I like it. It certainly makes a change from boring old colours etc. The suite is very spacious.

Continued so I can add more photographs

I had a quick go at everything, discovered how to shut the doors and settled down to the brilliant ICE system, which runs from boarding to getting off while quaffing the first of what would be several glasses of Dom Perignon 2003.

We left pretty much on time. I had a walk around the plane later and both J and Y were rammed. Six of the eight First suites were occupied.

Amenity pack and pyjamas were soon delivered as was the menu and wine list (and more Dom). In First there is an a la carte dining menu which enables you to create meals of your choice, when you want them. I suppose you could have a steak for appetiser followed by caviar followed by another steak followed by caviar for pudding. The wine list adds to those in J with such as a lovely dessert wine, this was a premier cru Barsac, Chateau Coutet 2006. Tasting was compulsory...delicious.

hot canapes....delicious

bring on the food

caviar

the breads...hot garlic bread in the foil

a chicken thingy

across the aisle

passion fruit tart with a raspberry coulis and Chateau Coutet
....Ooh, and another glass of Dom, of course!

and cornflakes and Dom Perignon.....perfect!!

Apart from the few hours I wasted trying to sleep..

..I spent the rest of the time enjoying myself eating and drinking and watching the telly, just like being at home apart from the absence of one wife and my three girlie gundogs. The EK 777s don’t have wifi yet but I guess they will soon so the FB “look at me” stuff would have to wait for the later 380 flight.

The flight lasted a wonderful fourteen hours and seven minutes. Throughout, the cabin crew were attentive and helpful and the purser was noticeably doing her share, not just chatting. I could not fault the experience at all. Everything worked and was in good condition. The seat converted to a very comfy and spacious bed. The food was high quality and the booze was Dom Perignon and that wonderful Barsac.

I like J on Emirates.....This made it seem ordinary.
Enough said.

Oh you poor lamb having to eat and drink all that!

They should be ashamed for forcing it onto you!

First class with EK and some Dom,

Glad you had a good flight and your adventure continues.

And as I was told yesterday, " you've got to go home so you can come back "

David

Enjoyed reading your past emirates experiences and this one seems just as good ,personally I love the suites ,decor etc and love the closing doors,
Hope you enjoyed your time in oz and look forward to parts 4&5
Blacky

[honey lamb]

Oh you poor lamb having to eat and drink all that!

They should be ashamed for forcing it onto you!

He's not a lamb - he's a wolf in sheep's clothing

Just to echo Tasmania is fantastic ( congrats on making it to Wineglass Bay) Having also been lucky enough to travel with EK in F on the 380 I'd say it's my favourite mode of travel to date. Fantastic staff , food and wines and I like the bits of bling ( and the fresh orchids in the cabins). Shame the 777s don't have showers fitted- lets hope you manage a F seat on the 380 next time...
DL

I've said it before but I love it when you go away!!! Your reports are brilliant but I do have a complaint. Your EK in F feedback has cost me a fortune as I have just booked our next trip to Sydney in December on the back of it! Really hoping they can replenish the DP stocks by then.

What a terrific TR and photographs. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for the great TR and pics.

Thank you for the comments.

Unfortunately I have discovered the consequences of my indulgence, pre-planning AbD4 now features me checking out the prices of FIRST first.

EEK. Financial ruin beckons!!!

It's only money !
Blacky