My better half found a good deal on Emirates' website
from London Gatwick (LGW) to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK). We hadn't been there
for five years and wanted to return. We were at first a bit concerned about the
coup and unrest in Thailand, but it seemed peaceful enough, so we decided to
book the flight. To get to London Gatwick we bought a separate flight with Aer
Lingus from Dublin.
The flight from Dublin to LGW South Terminal was full.
Previous experience had shown that a pre-booked seat wasn't necessary. On this
flight we were unlucky and weren't able to sit together. We chose then two
middle row seats behind each other. Thank goodness a lady was so nice to change
seats with us when she realized we belonged together.
Next time we consider the payable option of choosing our
seats when booking the flight.
We had pre-ordered a meal, because our flight left in the
afternoon, and we thought we would be peckish. Since a few months in-flight
catering is provided by Clodagh McKenna, an Irish chef and TV personality. We
chose the quinoa chicken salad with multi seed crackers, gluten free chocolate
cake, fruit salad and coffee. For those, who don't like coffee, there's also
tea available. Overall we were happy with the meal. It was refreshing, healthy
and tasty. We would appreciate, though, if the description of the ingredients
would be slightly more detailed. The salad contains raisins. One of us is
allergic to them, so he had to pick them out.
More choice in regards to the beverage selection would be
also great, i.e. also juice or water.
We find it also a bit sad that the beef salad is no
longer available.
This particular Airbus A319 was a former Iberian plane.
When Aer Lingus bought it they didn't change the interior, so the first
generation Recaro seats are a bit uncomfortable (too few leg room) and don't
have a net at the seat in front to store items.
Otherwise the flight was event less.
Before our next legs to Dubai International Airport (DXB)
and Bangkok we spent a night at the Hilton London Gatwick. The review for this will follow.
The next morning we made our way to LGW North Terminal,
where Emirates is based. The check in went flaw less and very few people were
queuing.
Having heard only good things about Emirates we were
looking forward to our first flight with them and we weren't disappointed.
The plane type was a Boeing 777-300ER. The seats were
comfortable and there was ample leg room.
ICE, the entertainment system, offered a wide choice of
movies, series, documentaries, games and music.
We were served lunch (prawn salad, chicken curry,
chocolate dessert) and afternoon tea. Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and
liqueurs were also available.
I watched a documentary about Lance Armstrong and a few
World Cinema Movies.
Connecting in Dubai was easy. To our surprise we were
handed new boarding passes at the gate and advised our seat had changed. I
thought I didn't read right. It stated we had been upgraded to business class -
a first for us.
The plane type used was an Airbus A380. The Business
Class configuration was 1-2-1. I had an aisle seat; he had the window seat. Our
hostess introduced herself as Suzie and explained she and her colleague Fatima
would take care of us during the flight. We were offered a welcome drink and
had a glass of Champagne (Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial).
We were handed the wine list, which included two white
(De Bortoli Estate Grown Chardonnay 2012 Yarra Valley and Voyager Sauvignon
Blanc Semillon 2012 Margaret River) and red wines (Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2005
and Te Muna Road Pinot Noir, Craggy Range 2011 Martinborough) as well as Quinta
do Portal Colheita Port 2000 Douro.
There was also a large selection of spirits, beers,
cocktails and liqueurs available. We tried the Patron XO Cafe. The coffee
liqueur was excellent.
Our order from the light bite menu was taken. There were
sandwiches, vegetable pie, Asian-style chicken fried rice, fried udon noodles,
coconut tart, and instant cup noodles. We chose the Asian-style chicken fried rice.
It was very tasty.
We were also asked if we wanted to be woken for breakfast
and invited to join the bar at the back any time.
The amenity bag containing Bulgari toiletries was handed
out and we were also offered to have our bed made.
The seat itself was very comfortable and at the press of
a button turned into a lie flat bed. I thought it was romantic when looking up
and the ceiling twinkled with star lights. There was enough room to either
sleep fully stretched out or on the side.
There was also a minibar stocked with a Sunrasia juice,
Voss water and other beverages.
ICE could be accessed via the IPad at the seat or via the
large flat screen TV. Storage space was either overhead, in front of the seat
or at the side.
The window blinds could be opened and closed fully
automatic.
The seats were angled in a way that guaranteed privacy
and nobody would disturb the neighbour, if they had to get up for some reason.
It was an overnight flight and if we hadn't taken care,
we could have been easily overwhelmed with all the services provided and not
slept at all. Lying flat definitely helps arriving more rested at the
destination.
Continental breakfast consisted of fresh fruits, yogurt,
croissants, pastries and bread, butter and preserves. He had as hot item the
scrambled eggs with mixed peppers and I had the courgette and cheese omelette.
There was coffee/tea, Champagne, orange or apple juice to choose from.
We were also given priority lane access at Bangkok's
Suvarnabhumi Airport. Immigration was a breeze and the wait for our luggage
wasn't too long.
After ten days in Bangkok it was time to return to
Dublin.
Checking in at BKK was hassle free again and waiting time
very short.
Our planes was on the legs between Bangkok/Dubai and LGW
the Queen of the Skies.
It seems we had a slightly older Airbus A380 between
BKK-DXB, because the seats were slightly different than between DXB-LGW and ICE
slightly more difficult to use.
There was only lunch service (we had fish), but there was
also noodle pots as snacks available for those, who felt a small hunger pang.
Connecting in Dubai was longer than on the journey to
Bangkok. We had to take the connecting train. Previously we were able to simply
walk to our next gate.
My fiancé wanted to surprise me with a watch from duty
free shopping between DXB and LGW. When asking the attendant if it was
available she promised me she would check with her colleague if he had it in
his cart, because it wasn't in hers. After waiting for ages I had to follow up
and was left disappointed. It wasn't available.
The crew on this flight seemed to be generally stressed
out and tired.
For lunch we had chickpeas and sweet corn salad with
tuna, grilled chicken and blueberry streusel cake.
Later afternoon tea with cheese and chutney and chicken
sandwiches, double chocolate cake and scones with clotted cream and strawberry
jam was served. Unfortunately the scone was with raisins again and no
alternative offered, so my better half had to forgo it.
Arrival at London was on time. After crossing the longest gate
connecting bridge in the world we had to walk for about ten to fifteen minutes
to Immigration, where a long queue had built up. It was moving fluid and within
twenty minutes we were at the baggage claim to pick up our suitcase.
We enjoyed flying with Emirates, the comfort in both
Business and Economy Class, the service, the delicious food and ICE.
After staying another night at the Hilton LGW we checked
in for our flight with Aer Lingus back to Dublin.
We were sitting together even without having chosen our
seats prior to the flight and hadn't any meal, because we had paid access to
the Number 1 Traveller Lounge at the South Terminal.
The flight was eventless, punctual and the staff as
always friendly.
Dublin International Airport was efficient and we were at
home two hours after landing.
©2014
