Time is money. And while business class cannot save you time in the air, it can certainly save you time on the ground.
During a recent flight on Emirates business class from Dubai to Chicago, the offering in the air was glitch-free, but the offering at ground level was at least as important.
This is how my journey from my home in Abu Dhabi to my seat on the plane went:
6.09am: Meet the Emirates driver in car park of my local Adnoc. He places my bags in the rear of his Volvo estate car.
7.38am: Arrive at Terminal 3 business-class entrance at Dubai International Airport.
7.42am: Arrive at check-in counter. There are loads of counters and no queue.
7.48am: Arrive at customs. Fourth in queue; through quickly.
7.50am: Through baggage inspection.
7.52am: On lift to level where business lounge, with space for 1,400 people, is located.
7.55am: Arrive at the lounge's check-in counter. Second in queue.
7.57am: Enter business lounge.
Now let’s pause for a second and consider that. Total time from stepping out of the car to stepping into the lounge was 19 minutes. It was pain-free, and a marked change from previous experiences in economy.
Continuing with the timeline:
7.57-9.02am: Relax in business lounge. I have a light breakfast of fruit and yogurt, followed by a dash of dim sum. I get a cappuccino from a machine, realising later that there is a Costa Coffee branch inside the lounge. Sit in a leather armchair, read, email, nibble.
9.02am: Leave lounge for my gate.
9.08am: Arrive at gate. Short mixed queue of passengers.
9.10am: Through a second ticket check, but in a dedicated business queue; no one else in queue.
9.12am: On plane.
On the flight back from Chicago the pre-departure routine was less serene but almost equally time-saving. I arrived at O’Hare at 4.17pm and was in the Swissport lounge, which Emirates shares and which is no great shakes, by 4.38pm. That was only two minutes slower than the pavement-to-lounge time at the Dubai end.
q&a comforts along the way
Rob McKenzie reveals more details about the flight:
So how was it?
No problems. Good food (though better from Dubai than from Chicago); on the outbound leg I had an appetiser of smoked salmon and main of Tawa Murgh Masala (pan-fried chicken masala), and it was very tasty. For the return I had sea bass with broccoli, but it was overcooked. There was also a lie-flat bed; I ate, slept, and watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Anything new?
Emirates has updated its amenity kits for first and business class, with Bulgari-branded kits. For men in business it includes a brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and a box with Bulgari body lotion, shave balm and spray.
How does the kit for women compare?
It drops the deodorant and adds a mirror.
Flight times?
The daily flight to Chicago leaves Dubai at 9.45am and lands at 2.55pm. The return leg leaves Chicago at 7.40pm and arrives in Dubai at 7.10pm the next day.
Type of plane?
A Boeing 777-300ER in both directions.
Other observations?
I am 51-and-a-half, and find many of the cabin crew on Middle East airlines to be extremely young. So it was pleasant on the return flight to see a stewardess who was, if not in my demographic, at least in her early thirties. Experience counts.
Price tag?
Round-trip business class fares to Chicago start at Dh15,895 in a sale until January 18.
* The writer was a guest of Emirates airline.
rmckenzie@thenational.ae
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