EK384 - BKK - HKG
A380(sorry cant get reg)
29th Dec 2012
After a few days working in Bangkok I decided to take the BTS back to the airport express train to get back to Bangkok. I checked in online and was assigned an aisle seat on the flight to Hong Kong. I had thought I might use the miles I had to upgrade but in the past I have actually been very lucky with this particular flight and OP uggrades. It seems that economy is always full with large groups of either older tourists or schoolchildren. Today's flight was no different. So I decided to leave the miles and chance it at the airport.
Check in was easy enough and I mentioned to the lady at the desk that I was wondering what the chances were of an upgrade. I hate asking, but if you don't ask you don't get, and I was dressed well and thought I might stand a good chance seeing that the economy line was full and flightstats had said there were 0 seats in economy.
The manager came over and there was some discussion and sure enough I was lucky enough to be moved to Business.
I had seat 26G assigned, not the best of the seats as its an aisle middle on the very last row, if I had paid I wouldn't be happy but I was grateful and thrilled with the lady.
I had a few hours at BKK airport and wandered around, had something to eat and then headed to the gate. The gate area was rammed and boarding was soon called.
Finding my seat was easy enough and I was greeted as I walked to the back. Once settled the FA for our rear cabin, came over and asked whether I had flown the A380 before and, I said yes, so she welcomed me and got me a glass of champagne. Anyone who hadn't was given a run down of what to do, seat, bar etc. She was an amazing FA, super nice, chatty and just great at what she did. Top marks!!
We pushed back, headed for the runway and took off. Menus was passed out and drink orders were taken. It took a while for them to get around the packed cabin with food and then even longer for a drink. Its not a long flight so they have a lot to do. Finally with wine and food, (I am sorry I can't remember what I had), but it was pretty good and I settled in for the short hop to HKG.
We landed a few minutes early and it took a while to get off and then I did my usual high speed sprint to immigration in HKG which was rammed. I think I managed to get in front of most of my plane at least but at about 5.30pm a lot of the European flights are landing so it gets busy. Bags came through quickly and 45 minutes later I was of the train and on the bus heading to my hotel in Kowloon.
Hong Kong was good for work but the weather was dreadful. I know they do have seasons but was hopefully it would at least be sunny and warm. It was like a bad day in England. Spitting rain, fog, mist and not that warm. Grrrrr
The flight to Hong Kong was superb and I just can't fault it. For someone on a budget, usually at the back of the plane it was a thrill to experience Business Class on Emirates. I was very lucky to be upgraded for this short flight.
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EK383 HKG- DXB
B777-300ER -A6-ECT
1st Dec 2012
After a couple of days of work it was time to bid farewell to the fog and return to London. I headed to the airport by shuttle bus and train from Kowloon and when I arrived at the airport was greeted with tons of screaming girls! Not for me this time but many of South Korea's most famous pop stars were returning home after a concert in HKG the night before. I think Psy of Gangnam Style fame was one of them.
After checking in, sadly with no upgrade this time, I headed through to grab some food and then boarded on time. I was seated in seat 37K an exit window seat so was very happy. It was a great seat. The food was all ok but I have to say they were the most miserable bunch serving us this time. Not a smile at any point to a customer, they reserved that for there chatting and laughing in the galley just next to me. Oh well!!
Flight was fine though and I slept a little, watched a movie or two and generally had an ok time. Except for the staff it was a good flight.
We seemed to take a strange routing though which took us down and right over Bangkok continuing up over India and straight over Mumbai before hitting Dubai. It seemed strange as last time I flew it we pretty much went straight across the top of Thailand and then passed over Bangladesh , India basically hugging the bottom of the Himalayas. It must have been weather related but seemed strange to me.
Landing in Dubai I had a four hour connection to my next flight to London. The airport was completely mobbed. I have only ever been to one other airport , Atlanta, that was this busy. People everywhere, bumping each other, sleeping , eating, drinking. It was quite extraordinary.
EK007 DXB - LHR
A380 A6-EDT
2nd Dec 2012
Again I was lucky to get the window exit on this A380 seat 68A. I was exhausted at this point and fell asleep while on the tarmac, only to be literally bellowed at by an FA to wake up as we taxied as I was to be awake. Whoops, sorry mate. And chill!!! I woke up assumed my duties! And the minute we took off , seat back , eye mask on, shoes off and I passed out. Waking somewhere over Germany / Poland. They started to serve breakfast and I woke up.
The rest of the flight I was in an out of sleep and we began decent over the Channel. We then flew north over London, turning back towards The City of London over Wembley Stadium. We then turned back over the city and onto finals heading in over a dark and cold London, with a backdrop of the most wonderful red sunrise.
Landing was all fine and I was soon heading into a packed immigration hall. It was pretty much bedlam with so many US flights beginning to arrive.
Soon enough I was on the tube heading home feeling all ok after a good sleep on the plane. I made it through to about 8.30 sunday night and slept 12 hours, so apparently I was a wee bit tired!!
I hope that you enjoyed the report. I will now work out how to do the photos.