BA & Dubai
Jan 20, 2021, 1:42 pm
#601
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
Jan 20, 2021, 3:35 pm
#602
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,184
Jan 20, 2021, 4:01 pm
#603
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London, NYC, LCA
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 169
Jan 20, 2021, 7:02 pm
#605
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
I've had quite a few longhauls on QR and BA in the last five months, and while I love the Q-suites, and in the past absolutely would have routed via DOH if I could have to get to DXB -- I flew way too many LHR-AUH/DXB segments on BA in the past three years when QR was not an option -- now as long as I can fly a BA 351 I'm happy.
FWIW, while the seat and service on QR is great, I find the food to be nothing special. And while food may be dead last in my priorities for choosing a flight/airline, I know people here view airline food as the second most important factor, after the champagne, when choosing a flight. Oh, and while I do quite like QR's champagne options, that's also lower on my priority list than seemingly for most on this board!
Last edited by Blumie; Jan 21, 2021 at 3:16 am
Jan 21, 2021, 12:12 am
#606
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,756
Some changes happening today in Dubai:
- all non essential surgeries have been cancelled for the next month
- all entertainment permits have been cancelled (I think this is just dancers, singers, DJ's etc)
According to the official statistics COVID cases are less than a third of the UK rate.
- all non essential surgeries have been cancelled for the next month
- all entertainment permits have been cancelled (I think this is just dancers, singers, DJ's etc)
According to the official statistics COVID cases are less than a third of the UK rate.
Jan 21, 2021, 1:15 am
#607
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,620
Jan 21, 2021, 9:56 am
#608
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: QRPC Platinum, KFEG
Posts: 999
Some changes happening today in Dubai:
- all non essential surgeries have been cancelled for the next month
- all entertainment permits have been cancelled (I think this is just dancers, singers, DJ's etc)
According to the official statistics COVID cases are less than a third of the UK rate.
- all non essential surgeries have been cancelled for the next month
- all entertainment permits have been cancelled (I think this is just dancers, singers, DJ's etc)
According to the official statistics COVID cases are less than a third of the UK rate.
Hopefully I can get out in time and into the UAE as I'm using this trip also as my 14 days outside the UK to be able to return to Singapore after.
And then hope that Singapore doesn't ban UAE by early February. Travelling truly has become a gamble and stressful occupation.
Jan 21, 2021, 1:55 pm
#609
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,271
Some changes happening today in Dubai:
- all non essential surgeries have been cancelled for the next month
- all entertainment permits have been cancelled (I think this is just dancers, singers, DJ's etc)
According to the official statistics COVID cases are less than a third of the UK rate.
- all non essential surgeries have been cancelled for the next month
- all entertainment permits have been cancelled (I think this is just dancers, singers, DJ's etc)
According to the official statistics COVID cases are less than a third of the UK rate.
Jan 22, 2021, 12:07 am
#610
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,570
Just an anecdote.
Any pax who has spent two hours in UK in the past 21 days is banned from entering Hong Kong.
Numerous people have decided to spend 3 weeks in Dubai and then fly to HK where all arrivals have a strict 21-day hotel quarantine (forbidden to leave the room or receive visitors). Some fly to Hong Kong on SQ via Singapore. SQ does not have pre-departure testing requirement. On a recent SQ flight, three of them tested positive upon arrival in Hong Kong. Two of them acknowledged that they had symptoms boarding the flight in DXB, but did not want to be stranded in Dubai.
Those currently waiting in Dubai to complete their 21 days are worried.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...-overseas-fear
Any pax who has spent two hours in UK in the past 21 days is banned from entering Hong Kong.
Numerous people have decided to spend 3 weeks in Dubai and then fly to HK where all arrivals have a strict 21-day hotel quarantine (forbidden to leave the room or receive visitors). Some fly to Hong Kong on SQ via Singapore. SQ does not have pre-departure testing requirement. On a recent SQ flight, three of them tested positive upon arrival in Hong Kong. Two of them acknowledged that they had symptoms boarding the flight in DXB, but did not want to be stranded in Dubai.
Those currently waiting in Dubai to complete their 21 days are worried.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...-overseas-fear
Last edited by brunos; Jan 22, 2021 at 12:12 am
Jan 22, 2021, 4:59 am
#611
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA GGL, GfL, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, AllAccor Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 1,042
I've just spoken to a colleague out there. Again, very anecdotal but it seems COVID is rampant amongst the Under 40s expats and "almost everyone" has had it in the last few weeks. Denmark has now banned arrivals from DXB because of the prevalence of fake PCR test results.
I looked at my BA flight out there and it is quite busy in Club. I think I am going to pass.....
I looked at my BA flight out there and it is quite busy in Club. I think I am going to pass.....
Jan 22, 2021, 7:41 am
#613
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,992
Associated Press is reporting that Denmark has temporarily suspended all flights from the United Arab Emirates for five days over concerns that Dubai is not using reliable coronavirus tests.
Denmark suspends Dubai flights amid doubts over virus tests (apnews.com)
Edit: Just noticed that this was already mentioned a few posts above. But the link offers further info.
Denmark suspends Dubai flights amid doubts over virus tests (apnews.com)
Edit: Just noticed that this was already mentioned a few posts above. But the link offers further info.
Jan 22, 2021, 9:17 am
#614
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: KSA
Programs: BA LTG, UA Gold, EK Silver, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,242
Lots of allegations in the last few posts most all of which can be labelled circumstantial and bordering perhaps on fake news.
Contrary to what has recently been mentioned, Covid is not rampant out here (depends on your definition).....yes, it more than doubled over the Christmas period (like so many places) as Dubai et al went for the money and traded off a 70% hotel occupancy rate against higher infection rates from a low base - deaths are often in single figures (a lot to do with the fact that lots of people out here are young (or at least under 50).
So, lets not scare everyone off and talk of everyone in JBR/Marina etc being infected are laughable.
Tests are free and easy to get - test to fly PCR tests cost around £40 GBP rather than the total rip off UK where they cost £150 GBP min and some as high as £250. The Dubai medical system has many great hospitals with the latest equipment and the UAE has vaccinated 20% of the population (yes we can argue about the China vaccine effectiveness).
I recall seeing some weeks back some guy in Dubai being out here funded by issuing his own fake PCR test certificates to anyone who wanted one for a small fee. Given how little attention is paid to the certificates, the tens of thousands of testing centres around the world I am astounded that there aren't more fakes. I have 3 or 4 genuine certificates from recent tests any one of which I could fake (name, positive -> negative) etc in less than 5 mins - therefore the whole PCR certificate regime requirement in itself is a farce (can Denmark vouch for the authenticity of every PCR certificate and testing centre ?)
I support needing a certificate to fly - law abiding travelers like me and most of the flying public will have genuine certificates but all airports should test on arrival if they really want an accurate picture of positive/negative.
Contrary to what has recently been mentioned, Covid is not rampant out here (depends on your definition).....yes, it more than doubled over the Christmas period (like so many places) as Dubai et al went for the money and traded off a 70% hotel occupancy rate against higher infection rates from a low base - deaths are often in single figures (a lot to do with the fact that lots of people out here are young (or at least under 50).
So, lets not scare everyone off and talk of everyone in JBR/Marina etc being infected are laughable.
Tests are free and easy to get - test to fly PCR tests cost around £40 GBP rather than the total rip off UK where they cost £150 GBP min and some as high as £250. The Dubai medical system has many great hospitals with the latest equipment and the UAE has vaccinated 20% of the population (yes we can argue about the China vaccine effectiveness).
I recall seeing some weeks back some guy in Dubai being out here funded by issuing his own fake PCR test certificates to anyone who wanted one for a small fee. Given how little attention is paid to the certificates, the tens of thousands of testing centres around the world I am astounded that there aren't more fakes. I have 3 or 4 genuine certificates from recent tests any one of which I could fake (name, positive -> negative) etc in less than 5 mins - therefore the whole PCR certificate regime requirement in itself is a farce (can Denmark vouch for the authenticity of every PCR certificate and testing centre ?)
I support needing a certificate to fly - law abiding travelers like me and most of the flying public will have genuine certificates but all airports should test on arrival if they really want an accurate picture of positive/negative.
Last edited by moral_low_ground; Jan 22, 2021 at 9:42 am
Jan 22, 2021, 11:38 am
#615
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: QRPC Platinum, KFEG
Posts: 999
Lots of allegations in the last few posts most all of which can be labelled circumstantial and bordering perhaps on fake news.
Contrary to what has recently been mentioned, Covid is not rampant out here (depends on your definition).....yes, it more than doubled over the Christmas period (like so many places) as Dubai et al went for the money and traded off a 70% hotel occupancy rate against higher infection rates from a low base - deaths are often in single figures (a lot to do with the fact that lots of people out here are young (or at least under 50).
So, lets not scare everyone off and talk of everyone in JBR/Marina etc being infected are laughable.
Tests are free and easy to get - test to fly PCR tests cost around £40 GBP rather than the total rip off UK where they cost £150 GBP min and some as high as £250. The Dubai medical system has many great hospitals with the latest equipment and the UAE has vaccinated 20% of the population (yes we can argue about the China vaccine effectiveness).
I recall seeing some weeks back some guy in Dubai being out here funded by issuing his own fake PCR test certificates to anyone who wanted one for a small fee. Given how little attention is paid to the certificates, the tens of thousands of testing centres around the world I am astounded that there aren't more fakes. I have 3 or 4 genuine certificates from recent tests any one of which I could fake (name, positive -> negative) etc in less than 5 mins - therefore the whole PCR certificate regime requirement in itself is a farce (can Denmark vouch for the authenticity of every PCR certificate and testing centre ?)
I support needing a certificate to fly - law abiding travelers like me and most of the flying public will have genuine certificates but all airports should test on arrival if they really want an accurate picture of positive/negative.
Contrary to what has recently been mentioned, Covid is not rampant out here (depends on your definition).....yes, it more than doubled over the Christmas period (like so many places) as Dubai et al went for the money and traded off a 70% hotel occupancy rate against higher infection rates from a low base - deaths are often in single figures (a lot to do with the fact that lots of people out here are young (or at least under 50).
So, lets not scare everyone off and talk of everyone in JBR/Marina etc being infected are laughable.
Tests are free and easy to get - test to fly PCR tests cost around £40 GBP rather than the total rip off UK where they cost £150 GBP min and some as high as £250. The Dubai medical system has many great hospitals with the latest equipment and the UAE has vaccinated 20% of the population (yes we can argue about the China vaccine effectiveness).
I recall seeing some weeks back some guy in Dubai being out here funded by issuing his own fake PCR test certificates to anyone who wanted one for a small fee. Given how little attention is paid to the certificates, the tens of thousands of testing centres around the world I am astounded that there aren't more fakes. I have 3 or 4 genuine certificates from recent tests any one of which I could fake (name, positive -> negative) etc in less than 5 mins - therefore the whole PCR certificate regime requirement in itself is a farce (can Denmark vouch for the authenticity of every PCR certificate and testing centre ?)
I support needing a certificate to fly - law abiding travelers like me and most of the flying public will have genuine certificates but all airports should test on arrival if they really want an accurate picture of positive/negative.