Originally Posted by
Flying Doctor
Yes Re EK - one suspects trying to take pictures of huge queues etc will not be met with politeness but it must be absolute chaos. There is simply no way that DXB cannot be just full of people sleeping and stuck there (unless they are just using hotels etc).
As for EK - they are famed for as near as damn it refusing to use other carriers, even where with the EU rules which are quite clear, it is first reasonable route (airline not specified). Whilst nearly all airlines will try to offer the next flight with them (lowest cost) and then Alliance partners (usually as there are reciprocal agreements) if you push and say you need to get back they usually will open to all carriers. EK seem to ignore that this what they are supposed to do (though of course outside of the EU etc the rules are different....)
FD.
The issue EK have is down to staffers being stuck - and because they don't have much spare capacity, they're having to balance removing pax from flights with retrieving crew.
Back on point, QR have upgauged certain flights to help EK, and I'm told other local "rivals" have done similarly in the spirit of supporting their neighbours.
I'm glad the OP has made it onto a flight though, and definitely 9* points for following the FT "Rules" of researching exactly what you want, before calling BA!
M
*The OP loses a point for not researching SIN-SYD-HND-HNL-LAX-JFK-LHR, which we all know is the logical routing home 😀