The first thing that strikes you about Emirates is its consistency – and it is consistently excellent.
It has been a while – four years – since I travelled with the world’s largest international airline and the first thing that struck me was it hasn’t changed, although I am yet to try its new Premium Economy Class or First Class.
For my flight (EK405 November 11, 2023) from Singapore to Dubai check-in was a breeze, with no hassles and only a few minutes wait. As always Singapore Airport is awesome – there is a sense of order while at the same time tranquillity. Everything works and works well.
The Emirates lounge was as welcoming as ever with its beige leather seating conveying a dignified elegance. The food on offer was comprehensive as always and hit the need for a light breakfast perfectly. I knew what was in store so didn’t want to ruin my appetite or push my waist any further.
Boarding was effortless and once seated Moet & Chandon champagne was offered – this is going to be a really good flight.
Our Canadian captain told us that the crew on board were from 13 nationalities and spoke 30 languages. This really is an international airline.
The cabin crew attending me were outstanding – a young lady, I think, from Romania and the gentleman was Polish-born, raised in Germany but had spent many years in Australia.
Our captain informed the passengers that the flight on the Boeing 777-300 would be smooth – and it was. Not bad for flying over the Bay of Bengal and India.
While I waited for take-off, I thought I would check out the ICE (Information, Communication and Entertainment) system. One word! Amazing.
My mind wandered back to the mid-90s when Emirates ran an amazing campaign which showed three young children pointing at a seat back video and laughing. This picture said it all for those parents dreading a long flight with their children.
Back then there were eight channels with one devoted to children’s cartoons. Fast forward to today and there are 2000 movies, 500 TV shows and 4000 hours of music. And those 2000 movies fall into about 20 categories.
Once at cruise more Champagne with olives or nuts.
For lunch, I opted for Arab Mezze which was well presented and tasty.
There were three choices, the others being a Thai beef salad or a Courgette and mint cream soup.
The main course options were Terriyaki chicken, Prawn machbous or Pan-seared salmon, which had me won over. It was perfectly cooked and very tasty and hit the mark.
To finish I opted, as I almost always do, for a cheese board. There were again three choices the other two being Greek yoghurt panna cotta or seasonal fresh fruit.
Later in the flight comprehensive Lite Bites were offered but lunch had satisfied my needs. Those Light Bites were a choice of Salmon poke bowl, Beef rendang or Mushroom tortellini.
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All in all a great experience and there was a twist at the end.
At the luggage carousel, my heart sank as my suit pack, with clothes essential for the upcoming Dubai Air Show didn’t arrive. Disaster, Emirates how could you do this?
I went to the Business Class Baggage Assist office and was motioned to a lounge chair as the lady finalised another lost item from the same flight.
However, on checking the number of my missing suit pack, I was quickly informed that my suit pack had indeed arrived and was at belt 4A which is adjacent to Carousel 4 but for odd-sized and fragile items or items that will muck up the airline’s amazing baggage sorting system.
I was impressed!
Geoffrey Thomas was a guest of Emirates to attend the Dubai Air Show.
