FLIGHT: EK 309
ROUT: PEK-DXB
DEPARTURE TIME: 6:55AM (actual 6:45AM)
ARRIVAL TIME: 11:55AM local (actual 12 noon local)
Aircraft: A345 (A6-ERH)


BACKGROUND:
About seven months ago, I got a job transfer to Beijing from SFO. Part of my decision to do it was the adventure of living in another Country and the other half was to be a little closer to my wife, a Chinese citizen, who has been working in Beijing. We have been commuting between the US and China for the past ten years and I took the initiative.

New Years was fast approaching and we always went somewhere to spend the holiday. I always wanted to go to Dubai and experience Emirates. EK flies into SFO but the 16hr flight on a ten across 777W was not appealing. EK flies twice daily from PEK using their A345 and A380. Looking at their schedule, I found a 6:55AM departure from PEK on their A345 with an arrival of 12 noon local into Dubai. The second flight, the A380, departed late in the afternoon from PEK with a late arrival into DXB. I did not want to book the A380 because I was always was hesitant to fly into a Country that I never visited before with a late arrival. I could not pass up the return on their A380. Even though it departs DXB at 0325, it allows us one full extra day in Dubai.

I looked to see where their Beijing ticket Office is located and found it not to be too far away from where I worked. The next day, we headed over to their Office in the Chaoyang District. It is located in an Office building right down the street from the American Embassy. Upon entering the office, we were given a number as there were a few people ahead of us. The Office was spacious and the agents were dressed in their traditional EK tan uniforms with their red little hats. Our number was called and I gave the agent the flight details. She typed away on her computer and a few moments later, quoted us the price. It will be Y class all the way on this trip. We gave the approval for the purchase and a few minutes later, we were handed our e-ticket confirmation and headed out the door.

The EK agent told my wife that she could get her Visa through the EK website and it would only take four days. When I arrived at work, I signed onto the EK site to review their options. I filled out the required biographical information for my wife and myself and looked over the seat assignments. I used seat guru for a little help. What I first noticed in the seat map section was there were plenty of seats open. I booked seat 31K for my journey. Either this was going to be an empty flight or people did not do their seat assignments. I found the visa area and got that information together for my wife’s application. The site was user friendly and everything came together without any problems.

DAY OF DEPARTURE:
The day of departure finally came and the realization of us getting up at 4:15AM sunk in. We had packed the night before so there was little to do. My wife’s company driver was to pick us up at 5AM for our ride to Beijing Capital Airport. Normally, Beijing traffic is a nightmare but I am betting the roads will be quiet at 5AM. Now another issue arose, it was about -6C outside and Dubai was about 22C. I really did not want to wear my heavy gear so I opted for a sweater and light jacket. It would be only a one hundred yard walk to the car anyway. The driver was there on time and we were off. The road were quite empty and we pulled up to Terminal three at PEK at about 5:30AM.