Kev's first flight on the 380-800
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14 seats in First Class Thats a ratio of 4.5:1 23 A - Mark Jerome 23 K - Kev Townsend |
This is the one I take the controls of......... Gotta Love Flightsim!
This flight took place on Feb 2nd 2009, from Dubai to London Heathrow EK001
Departure time est 07.45 local.
Our journey from the Hotel to Dubai was early enough to avoid the notorious
Dubai Rush hour (<G>) and in the luxury of a Lexus Limo.
As Club passengers
Emirates supply a car to pick up and drop off in London, without charge if
within 50 miles of the Arrival airport,
certainly an advantage when flying
Club Class, as we were later to find out...
Mark and I arrived at the First and Business Terminal Entrance and checked
in swiftly,
The extra 10 kilo's very welcome after nearly a month away, Security was easy
with few passengers, and a lift sped us up to the Lounge mezzanine floor.
We were dissapointed by the numbers in the Club Lounge, and I would say I
prefer the comfort of the Lounge in the Old Terminal.
Breakfast was taken, and the call for boarding came at 07:10.
First and Club gates are conveniently on this mezzanine level so you would need to descend to make use of the Duty Free facilities.
The third Airstair in this picture connects directly to the upper deck
Can you see the lower deck passengers all cramming in ?
Once on board 23 Alpha and 23 Kilo were discovered in the rear upper cabin.
After doors closed there were just 4 passengers in this 18 pod compartment
I would guesstimate 24 Club and 7 First Class travellers on this flight.
Each pod has a nearly perpendicular lie flat bed with 6 zone massager, a 20" screen with the usual I.C.E. system from Emirates
It would take a couple of years to listen/view all their collection.
I was more interested in the Flight Information Section, and this new view from the on-board camera's.
At the hotel we had heard that Arctic weather had brought snow to the UK
and it was predicted as the worst in 18 years
Gatwick and London City were already closed, and Heathrow was accepting a
few incoming flights on the one cleared Runway....
Victoria (the Purser) during her personal visit, recalled
the flight deck conversation
"Further heavy snowfall expected during the morning with a 2
hour window around our arrival time before worstening forecast.
If lucky we should have no problems.... "
Each pod has a deep footwell, incorporating a bin for your shoes, a mini
drinks compartment with water and soda's
There are 2 huge bins against the sides which house all the blankets, pillows
and the like. (easily opened inadvertently by your elbow).
Eye shade and Toilet bag are supplied, along with some comfortable high quality
noise cancelling headphones.(powered by the socket).
I had only just time to enjoy the hot towel and Champagne before we were pushed
back by the tug, and Iroon came to check that I was strapped
in.
Take-off run felt quite long, but extremely quiet, almost as if on half power,
with a little shuddering up to ~ 600ft.
Wings clean was achieved quite rapidly and it would appear that speed restrictions
do not apply over the UAE
Stepped climb proceedure saw us to 9300m (31,000ft ) within 40 minutes, where
we stayed for another half an hour.
We used this opportunity to renew our Champagne glasses at the Club bar,
and to descend the sweeping staircase to Economy to see how our usual seating
fared.
I can recommend the Bloody Mary's (No Celery please) which I "Ataaackt !"
I spotted the sun move from Mark's side around to mine - oops - Victoria's voice booming through the PA
"Medical Emergency"
It felt like we were now in a hurry, and any window behind the trailing edge
showed the full story "Fuel Dump!"
The tea with breakfast was finished, but I declined the need for the rest
of my order, this was exciting!
We were quickly descending and wind direction meant a straight in approach
to 12R
I see the new Sheik Mahktoum Airport in Dubai will have 6 parallel runways
L, C, R and err? nother 2
The patient was evacuated from the aircraft, along with a businessman who
would have missed his meeting in London,
so by the time his bags were found and fuel loaded it was 12:30 before we
took off again, almost 5 hours after the first go.
The time on the ground, wasn't wasted, as the crew decided to keep the bar
area open, although the alcohol was stowed
there were all manner of bar snacks, sandwiches, pies, mini baked potatoes,
fondants, cakes - oh and did I mention the Champagne?
Phones had been allowed on and information exchange was rapid...
M25 closed - 11"of snowfall overnight - Flights cancelled across
the UK.
How was this going to affect our 2 hour window? "Manchester or
Frankfurt" said the ever present Victoria
"I know these things can operate into Farnborough "
I hopefully offer.
We learned that Emirates most senior pilot was operating this as a Training Flight, so today was already a great learning experience for this crew!
The Doctor who had tended to the heart patient, came back from First Class,
saying it was a little boring
"Pah Mostly Golfers!" he did report later that
the shower was sensational, "only 5 minutes of water per passenger
though!"
We spent most of the flight to-ing and fro-ing bar and pod.
The main meal was served a course at a time, but was not of exceptional standard,
Mark's fish choice "running out" also a shocker.
But a good choice of French and New World red's were on offer, completed with
a coffee and Drambuie
The "Airshow" display was informative and amusing, using graphics
straight from FSX
Information : Climbout over Doha - 145kms out, OAT -35', Headwind 175km/h,
Speed Mach .85 Groundspeed 766kph
Some short Video's from my mobile phone
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Fuel Dump over the Gulf |
On Board Facilities |
Arrival into Heathrow |
Overall
I admit that when I first learned of the double decker, I was horrified.
All those people, getting on and off at once.
Travelling Club Class was a treat, and I really enjoyed it. We were aboard
for 12 hours and it felt like 3.
The Emirates crew were fantastic. Service and comfort, fantastic. Limo to
and from, fantastic. I could do it every week.
However
It didn't look too good for downstairs! They say it is better, roomier, but I'm glad my bag came off in the first 20, it was getting pretty tight around the luggage conveyer!
I'll certainly do it every time that Skywards Miles allow.