I choose not to fly via Dubai. OK, but why ???

[Pushka]

Doesn't sound sexist to me - same could happen anywhere and quiet rightly IMO.

I have already acknowledged the issue of it being/not being sexist.

 

[dfcatch]

Alan Joyce had no problem!

Indeed....

But wonder how he would have gone sharing a hotel room with his partner??

 

[sergeyvzn]

Indeed....

But wonder how he would have gone sharing a hotel room with his partner??

twin beds?

on a serios note, I won't do a stopover there exactly for this reason (on top of other, more serious ones) - how am I supposed to behave at a hotel? Book a twin room? Book two rooms (twice the cost)?? Be careful not to display any affection to my partner in order not to be arrested?

rather than worry about all that, I'd go via an Asian port instead

 

[markis10]

Mod Hat On :

This thread is about Dubai and asks why you wont go there again if you have previously etc etc, please stick to the subject.

 

[AIRwin]

on a serios note, I won't do a stopover there exactly for this reason (on top of other, more serious ones) - how am I supposed to behave at a hotel? Book a twin room? Book two rooms (twice the cost)?? Be careful not to display any affection to my partner in order not to be arrested?

My friends are a gay couple and they have booked a stop over in DXB. I'll find out their experience when they are back.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I completely understand that some people may have an objection to transiting through DXB or other areas of the ME, however statistics will show that a significant proportion of Australian travellers heading to Europe, Africa and other destinations do not (EK, EY, QR, VA, QF).

Isn't that part of the current debate? That (for whatever reason), some who have been loyal QF flyers are now abandoning Roo to fly to Europe via BKK, SIN, KUL,or HKG? Conversely other fliers will now prefer to use QF because of the direct DXB-Europe flights avoiding LHR (but if not handcuffed by QFF, why use QF code on EK metal?).

I guess the statistics will show up in QFi's bottom line....

 

[markis10]

Isn't that part of the current debate? That (for whatever reason), some who have been loyal QF flyers are now abandoning Roo to fly to Europe via BKK, SIN, KUL,or HKG? Conversely other fliers will now prefer to use QF because of the direct DXB-Europe flights avoiding LHR (but if not handcuffed by QFF, why use QF code on EK metal?).

I guess the statistics will show up in QFi's bottom line....

Oh how times have changed!

Qantas Airways CEO, Alan Joyce, stated Middle Eastern carriers are struggling to compete on the highly competitive "kangaroo route" between Australia and Europe and have been forced to reduce capacity on the sectors as they are losing substantial amounts of money (Sydney Morning Herald/ABC, 30-Sep-2010)

http://centreforaviation.com/news/gulf-carriers-struggling-on-kangaroo-route-qantas-ceo-67513

For some months now, traffic between Europe and Southwest Pacific (Australia and New Zealand) has been one of, or the, worst performing markets in IATA's premium traffic monitor. While this market, which recognises only through services between the two continents (and so not connecting flight options), has been impacted by the reduction in service frequency by British Airways and Qantas in late Mar-2012, the traffic decline occurred well before then.
There has been some movement since Mar-2012, when Europe-Southwest Pacific showed the highest year-on-year loss of traffic (24%). Meanwhile Middle East-Southwest Pacific had the third highest growth (21%). Premium traffic between Europe and Southwest Pacific in Apr-2012 continues to record the highest loss (13.5%) while Middle East-Southwest Pacific recorded strong growth (13.3%).

http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/europe-australia-market-changed-forever-as-sixth-freedom-carriers-gain-scale-and-drop-prices-78646

 

[dajop]

My friends are a gay couple and they have booked a stop over in DXB. I'll find out their experience when they are back.

We were in Dubai in February. We booked twin rooms. At one hotel (western chain) we were actually asked if we wanted twin or king on check in, the other had twin doubles so it didn't really matter. From what I've read and heard general approach is no displays of public affection (actually, irrespective of whether it is M+M, M+F or F+F), and don't get involved (in the bedroom) with a local. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that we spotted more gay couples on our Dubai visit than we did on recent (admittedly off-peak) visit to Mykonos:!:

 

[legroom]

When we went mall-shopping in Dubai recently (both Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Mall), the mall brochure has some "cautions / warnings" incl. the followings:

1) Revealing clothes

2) Public display of affection

Regarding (2), it has a symbol of disapproval (red circle with a line across) over the image of a couple holding hand.

I was guilty as charged as my wife & I often held hands walking around.

But we were not stopped or looked at by the locals at all - women in abayas, men in white flowing long robes.

About dress codes, we did see some shorts and T-shirts but no "hot pants" or plunging necklines.

Admittedly, the brochure warnings were a little off-putting but are of no real-life significance.

Not sure what would happen if you were to kiss your loved ones in public.

The only thing I remember well is the Patek Phillipe boutique, next to Vacheron Constatin / Audermars etc....

Display stock values must run into millions of Oz dollars, I am sure.

Some info for you to read further (some is dated)

link 1

link 2

 

[browski]

Here are a few answers to some of the questions posed:

1. Yes. at DXB, couples and families can approach immigration at the same time. In fact it is encouraged; especially if you are carrying 14 passports for yourself, your 3 wives, your 9 kids and your maid.
2. At DXB, anyone with children will be offered a quicker, separate immigration line. Typically, you must wait to be offered this option. If you decide to create your own new line, this is considered a bit rude; and you might be killed instantly.
3. Nobody cares if you are gay; just don't wear hot pants at immigration; (common rookie mistake.) Most of the gay clubs in Dubai allow a fair amount of PDAs; however the hetero clubs never seem to like 2 men dancing together for too long; especially if you are ****e dancers.
4. Nobody cares about your medication; unless it is cough, then you might have to share it around a bit.
5. Nobody cares about your booze; and I often buy at the in-bound dutyfree. Here's a tip though, if you head up to Barracudas in Ras-al-Khaimeh you can buy slabs of Coopers Pale ale cheaper than in Oz.
6. Terminal 3 is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Terminal 1. In addition, the separate Emirates (Qantas) Business class terminal (ie. separate from the economy pax) for departing customers is also a really nice touch so as to avoid the filth.
7. One more tip, if you'd like to avoid immigration staff altogether, then just use the smart gates; they are available for foreigner use (for visa waiver countries) if you possess an e-Passport and a small-medium sized brain.

So yes, I like DXB3 as a transit; DXB1 not so much.

 

[Ausbt]

Dubai is an amazing place, you have to respect the culture to appreciate the differences when it comes to rules etc

The airport might be candy-on-a-stick, but what culture do I have to respect again? Do I need to respect a culture that disrespects gay people? No, I do not. Do I need to respect a culture that disallows my girlfriend and I to canoodle discreetly in public? No, I do not. Do I need to respect a culture that is openly antagonistic to my desire to drink from a brown paper bag in public? Yeah, I get that. But for the other stuff and the fact it looks very boring, ahh ...pass.

 

[NM]

[Mod Hat]
As previously directed, stick to the topic folks.
[/Mod Hat]

Mod Hat On :

This thread is about Dubai and asks why you wont go there again if you have previously etc etc, please stick to the subject.

 

[Flying mermaid]

The airport might be candy-on-a-stick, but what culture do I have to respect again? Do I need to respect a culture that disrespects gay people? No, I do not. Do I need to respect a culture that disallows my girlfriend and I to canoodle discreetly in public? No, I do not. Do I need to respect a culture that is openly antagonistic to my desire to drink from a brown paper bag in public? Yeah, I get that. But for the other stuff and the fact it looks very boring, ahh ...pass.

It depends how one defines "culture" I think. I am happy to wear discreet clothing (at my age that is a positive not a negative...), not canoodle with Mr FM in public (after 32 years of marriage not a hardship), not drink - seriously is that a hardship for a short period and quite happy to respect that. I am looking forward to be in transit in Dubai and even a stop over. However some of things that are being labelled as part of the culture that we have to respect go a step too far for me. The gay thing is one, also the fact that if someone rapes me and I complain I will be jailed - that is not "culture" I am prepared to respect. In the 70s, it was OK to boycott South Africa because of discrimination against a segment of the population - something I totally agreed with - not seeing too much difference here......

 

[Jack_OC]

If you refuse to set foot in any country that has laws discriminating against gay people, then I'm afraid your options for travelling out of Australia are extremely limited. And our Kiwi friends might be inclined to point out that Australia itself has slipped some way behind the leading countries on that particular measure

I'm intrigued by the fact that several people are attempting to contrast Dubai with Singapore on political/human rights issues. Singapore is slightly better on that front, but not by very much. For example, gay sex is also illegal in Singapore, and they have many other laws and policies that are very draconian by Western standards, to say the least. In The Economist's "Democracy Index", Singapore is in the third category out of 4 (4th being the least democratic). It's in the same category as Libya, Pakistan and Iraq, and ranked lower than places such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. UAE is in the bottom category, but that's primarily because it's an absolute monarchy, rather than for the issues raised in this thread.

Anyway, my point is simply that if someone is unwilling to even transit through a country that is not genuinely democratic and egalitarian, I would suggest their only real option is to head east on the way out of Australia.

 

[Ausbt]

Anyway, my point is simply that if someone is unwilling to even transit through a country that is not genuinely democratic and egalitarian, I would suggest their only real option is to head east on the way out of Australia.

Maybe not even that? Any ideas on where the Principality of the Hutt River stands on these issues? Surely brown-paper-bag drinking is legal there. I'll bet zero GST as well. But yeah, I get you. I've had the odd concern about Japan, you know I'm a bit 'land-rights-for-gay-whales' and all that. But look, 3 feet of dry powder snow and I'll sell out my grandmother.

 

[love_the_life]

Anyway, my point is simply that if someone is unwilling to even transit through a country that is not genuinely democratic and egalitarian, I would suggest their only real option is to head east on the way out of Australia.

Were you thinking of LOTFAP? Hardly an improvement on DBX.

 

[Jack_OC]

I meant NZ!

 

[love_the_life]

I meant NZ!

I wondered about that - NZ was my next guess (LOL).

 

[superpang]

Ok Dubai is a horrible city, but its probably the best city in the area, Riyadh anyone?!? But the airport is great and if you are just in transit I thought most people would chose airline over transit point. I would much rather take a QF flight via Dubai than a BA flight via Singapore, because QF is a better airline with better service.

Anyway all this talk about the gay scene in Dubai there are gay friendly nights in Dubai and everybody knows that they are gay nights an nobody cares. Its not like the cops go around asking everyone if they are gay and if they say yes throw them in the slammer. If anything it works better I know loads of gay guys who are always allowed into hotel rooms with other men, where its against the law for a woman to be a hotel with a room with any other man except for her husband. Ive had to sneak girls into my room in Dubai because the hotel will not let a man have any female guests in his room.

In the end Dubai is rubbish if you are straight or gay so to transit is fine but if you want to stop over Asia will probably be more fun!

 

[ashleyn]

Were you thinking of LOTFAP? Hardly an improvement on DBX.

Seriously LTL ? I question that. I'd go to LOTFAP anyday before UAE