Originally Posted by skywardhunter

Dubai Connect becomes available when there is no shorter connection on the same day for any combination of flights (incl. a earlier/later departing flight from the origin), even if the shorter connection is more expensive. Given EK's schedules it is unfortunately kind of difficult to find itineraries with such long layovers (used to be easier) as EK often has multiple flights a day. If you're flying from CPT take into consideration that the 3 daily flights ex CPT arrive between midnight and 8am in DXB, so your best bet for Dubai Connect is to a destination where the only flight departed between 4pm and 11pm DXB time, thus forcing a long layover.