A little bit of moderation in Dubai.

[JessicaTam]

Thanks to our mods and BossR for the pics and reports. This thread alone has probably done more to allay fears/suspicions and done good for Dubai tourism on this forum than all the naysayers have damaged the redroo's choice of partner and routing. So for QF, mission accomplished. I'm now regretting that I'll only have approx 1:45hrs in DXB enroute to LHR in a few weeks. Is that enough time to enjoy the Flounge dinner and a shower? thanks again all.

I will second that. Nothing like some facts to quieten the hub-bub. I look forward to the couple of days I will have in UAE in June.

 

[JohnM]

As the old saying goes: there's nothing like travel to broaden (open) the mind...

 

[pagingjoan]

Brilliant reporting! As we've said before, this was a well-deserved and unique experience for two of the hard working AFF stalwarts - but their reports have created a magnificent flow-on effect, as so many of us have vicariously enjoyed the festivities.

Well targeted QF. And well played, Mods.

 

[drewbles]

With around 38,000 views, this thread alone was worth the investment for QF. Perhaps they're finally getting social media

 

[Pushka]

With around 38,000 views, this thread alone was worth the investment for QF. Perhaps they're finally getting social media

Hmm, I think I might be responsible for at least 1,000 of those views.......

 

[QF WP]

What I am loving is the 873 unique members who have viewed the TR.

I'm thinking I will simply add photos that are unique rather than adding my verbal TR over the top of markis10 because he is so far ahead - otherwise it will be too confusing.

 

[Pushka]

What I am loving is the 873 unique members who have viewed the TR.

I'm thinking I will simply add photos that are unique rather than adding my verbal TR over the top of markis10 because he is so far ahead - otherwise it will be too confusing.

So, if you let me create another account then that will make 874 unique members and you will be ecstatic. .

 

[markis10]

I'm thinking I will simply add photos that are unique rather than adding my verbal TR over the top of markis10 because he is so far ahead - otherwise it will be too confusing.

I just wanted to catch as much detail while the memories were still young, getting too old!

 

[amaroo]

What I am loving is the 873 unique members who have viewed the TR.

Thats a cool stat. Can anyone find this or admin/mods only?

I'm currently in the middle of a TR and it would be nice to see details like this.

 

[markis10]

Thats a cool stat. Can anyone fine this or admin/mods only?

I'm currently in the middle of a TR and it would be nice to see details like this.

Must be mods only, your TR (which I am enjoying) is
[h=4]Members who have read this thread: 130[/h]

 

[markis10]

Got a survey about my last international flight with QF today, had to say under the question of value that it was exceptional .

 

[Paddy55]

Got a survey about my last international flight with QF today, had to say under the question of value that it was exceptional .

Sure, but are they going to keep that up?

 

[markis10]

Sure, but are they going to keep that up?

Maybe I need to send QF a survey asking how the value was in terms of sending AFF members to experience a destination, hopefully they tick good or better!

Both Lindsay and I were keen to enjoy the experience but also report back on what it meant for our members in terms of the experience, the traps and tricks and a general overview of what to do, we feel we have barely scratched the surface, and hope members travelling in some of our footprints add their views and experiences to the knowledge bank.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Maybe I need to send QF a survey asking how the value was in terms of sending AFF members to experience a destination, hopefully they tick good or better!

Both Lindsay and I were keen to enjoy the experience but also report back on what it meant for our members in terms of the experience, the traps and tricks and a general overview of what to do, we feel we have barely scratched the surface, and hope members travelling in some of our footprints add their views and experiences to the knowledge bank.

Sure there'll be some TR before me, but 31 days and counting to BNE-MEL-LHR-BNE. Then I'll have my own own view of the great semantic debate: "Is there direct lounge-plane access"?

 

[JessicaTam]

Sure there'll be some TR before me, but 31 days and counting to BNE-MEL-LHR-BNE. Then I'll have my own own view of the great semantic debate: "Is there direct lounge-plane access"?

You will beat me by 20 days. I hope to contribute to the debate. All the other stuff just pales into insignificance.

 

[JohnM]

I have been to DXB briefly about 5 years ago on a trip as part of an AONEx down from LHR and back. Stayed at the Jumeirah Beach hotel right next to the Burj Al Arab. can recommend it highly. Had a very pleasant dinner on the verandah of the JB French or Italian-style restaurant adjacent to the grassed area looking directly up at the Burj with the light show changing on the 'sail' - it was just sensational! Highly recommend it. I'll be passing through DXB on QF9 on 2 September this year en route LHR on the annual DONEx (hopefully on an F UPG - request has been in for months) so will be very interested to scope the lounge situation.

 

[workingman]

A fantastic thread to read and amazing to see how Dubai has changed. I was there a lot from 1988 to 1995 and in those days Emirates was a small airline. Dubai airport was small, and it was airsteps and a bus between the plane and terminal. They did have separate buses for F, J, and Y. The EK lounge was nothing special, but a welcome relief from the rest of the terminal. I remember once being in the lounge (From memory J and F shared the same lounge) and there was a direct walkway from the lounge down to the buses. They called the flight and when I showed my F BP I was told to please wait, and then about 10 minutes later called me and put me on my own bus out to the plane. I was the only person in F, going DXB to HKG.

Dubai has expanded beyond all recognition. The last photo in post #415 has a 'small' approx. 20 storey apartment to the left of the interchange. I had a friend that lived there, and that apartment was in the middle of nowhere and no one could believe that his company had rented the place for him. Getting a taxi to and especially from there was a nightmare as you could not call for a taxi, just stand at the side of the road and wait. The first photo in #198 in the far distant at the end of all the sky scrapers is the 'Dubai World Trade Centre' , at that time by far the tallest building in Dubai and this was considered the 'edge of Dubai' from a practical perspective. This was where the Hilton used to be, and again was considered one of the worst places to stay as it was by local standards so far out form the city.

After some unpleasant experiences in 'rural' Dubai I decided it was not a place that I really wanted to stay anymore, as it was obvious that foreigners were not really welcome, no matter the gloss that is shown in public areas.

 

[bossreggie]

Well. I am pleased to say that at least one new AFF member is on here because of the DXB trip.

Just got a PM from someone we met over there wanting my contact details.

#Win

 

[Pushka]

The joy of networking.

 

[Grooba]

What an amazing thread. What an amazing experience it must have been for you three. And most importantly (for me) what an amazing array of useful information, as I'll be spending 2 days in DXB as part of my first ever RTW in a few months.
Will refer to this for years to come, great stuff guys.