How early can I check into my Dubai flight and use first class lounge?
Feb 10, 2015, 8:18 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Kuwait
Programs: WoH Globalist
Posts: 601
Feb 20, 2015, 1:23 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold, UA G
Posts: 596
On my first time through DXB EK F last year the sleeping room was actually jam packed, I was there from around to 4am before I went to the on-airport hospital (shouldn't have had the sushi on China Eastern the day before). I was still able to sleep though. It's not as great as LH FCT sleeping rooms or TG F sleeping rooms but it's definitely serviceable.
Feb 20, 2015, 7:27 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Please please folks .......if you have long long transit times (and definitely if an overnighter) you should be either a) out exploring or b) sleeping in a hotel bed, not an airport lounge - yes, even an FC one.
Your body will thank you for it .....
Your body will thank you for it .....
Feb 20, 2015, 9:59 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
I agree it's crazy people are flying f and not using a hotel. Makes no sense to me at all. Lounges are places to spend. A couple of hours max!
Feb 20, 2015, 11:33 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,196
I gave my reasons for inquiring about this in my post upthread. We will have been in Dubai for four nights prior to this, so "getting out to see the city" is not a concern. If our SFO flight were an afternoon or evening flight, this would be different. But with an 8am departure, I think it's at least a reasonable question to inquire about partaking of the amenities available in the lounge--as it is part of the experience of flying F--and those amenities are typically much better appreciated in the evening than in the early morning.
I do wonder why it seems the attitude over here in the EK forum is so judgmental. I haven't found that to be the case elsewhere on FlyerTalk.
Feb 20, 2015, 11:45 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
Thanks for your perspective, but I don't really appreciate being called crazy.
I gave my reasons for inquiring about this in my post upthread. We will have been in Dubai for four nights prior to this, so "getting out to see the city" is not a concern. If our SFO flight were an afternoon or evening flight, this would be different. But with an 8am departure, I think it's at least a reasonable question to inquire about partaking of the amenities available in the lounge--as it is part of the experience of flying F--and those amenities are typically much better appreciated in the evening than in the early morning.
I do wonder why it seems the attitude over here in the EK forum is so judgmental. I haven't found that to be the case elsewhere on FlyerTalk.
I gave my reasons for inquiring about this in my post upthread. We will have been in Dubai for four nights prior to this, so "getting out to see the city" is not a concern. If our SFO flight were an afternoon or evening flight, this would be different. But with an 8am departure, I think it's at least a reasonable question to inquire about partaking of the amenities available in the lounge--as it is part of the experience of flying F--and those amenities are typically much better appreciated in the evening than in the early morning.
I do wonder why it seems the attitude over here in the EK forum is so judgmental. I haven't found that to be the case elsewhere on FlyerTalk.
As for the rest, a hotel will be far more comfortable than any lounge, even the f lounge in Dubai. I guess I value my sleep and privacy more than you.
Feb 22, 2015, 4:20 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Germany
Programs: QR Gold, Skyteam Silver, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 144
@globaltrotter I sympathize with your conecpt of maxing it out) And it can be done. I loove concourse A and you can spend quite some time wandering around there..or even take the train to Concourse B, where you have even more shops. Dinner in the F lounge is excellent. And there will be nice cozy corners to fully enjoy it..and the exquisite wines of EK. They have this quiet room with sleeperettes which looked quite comfi to me. So enjoy the dinner, walk around in the terminals..have 3 hours of sleep..and then enjoy the amazing breakfast choice in the F lounge..you might wonder then whether you still need the flight)) And no - if you love airports like me: there is nothing wrong about enjoying the whole experience..there are many things an airport like Dubai can offer which even the best hotel cannot - Dubai at night..where East meets West, Orient meets Occident..and some DOM in between..its an expereince in itself))
) And it can be done. I loove concourse A and you can spend quite some time wandering around there..or even take the train to Concourse B, where you have even more shops. Dinner in the F lounge is excellent. And there will be nice cozy corners to fully enjoy it..and the exquisite wines of EK. They have this quiet room with sleeperettes which looked quite comfi to me. So enjoy the dinner, walk around in the terminals..have 3 hours of sleep..and then enjoy the amazing breakfast choice in the F lounge..you might wonder then whether you still need the flight)) And no - if you love airports like me: there is nothing wrong about enjoying the whole experience..there are many things an airport like Dubai can offer which even the best hotel cannot - Dubai at night..where East meets West, Orient meets Occident..and some DOM in between..its an expereince in itself))
Feb 22, 2015, 8:52 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
@globaltrotter I sympathize with your conecpt of maxing it out) And it can be done. I loove concourse A and you can spend quite some time wandering around there..or even take the train to Concourse B, where you have even more shops. Dinner in the F lounge is excellent. And there will be nice cozy corners to fully enjoy it..and the exquisite wines of EK. They have this quiet room with sleeperettes which looked quite comfi to me. So enjoy the dinner, walk around in the terminals..have 3 hours of sleep..and then enjoy the amazing breakfast choice in the F lounge..you might wonder then whether you still need the flight)) And no - if you love airports like me: there is nothing wrong about enjoying the whole experience..there are many things an airport like Dubai can offer which even the best hotel cannot - Dubai at night..where East meets West, Orient meets Occident..and some DOM in between..its an expereince in itself))
) And it can be done. I loove concourse A and you can spend quite some time wandering around there..or even take the train to Concourse B, where you have even more shops. Dinner in the F lounge is excellent. And there will be nice cozy corners to fully enjoy it..and the exquisite wines of EK. They have this quiet room with sleeperettes which looked quite comfi to me. So enjoy the dinner, walk around in the terminals..have 3 hours of sleep..and then enjoy the amazing breakfast choice in the F lounge..you might wonder then whether you still need the flight)) And no - if you love airports like me: there is nothing wrong about enjoying the whole experience..there are many things an airport like Dubai can offer which even the best hotel cannot - Dubai at night..where East meets West, Orient meets Occident..and some DOM in between..its an expereince in itself))
Feb 22, 2015, 9:02 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
@globaltrotter I sympathize with your conecpt of maxing it out) And it can be done. I loove concourse A and you can spend quite some time wandering around there..or even take the train to Concourse B, where you have even more shops. Dinner in the F lounge is excellent. And there will be nice cozy corners to fully enjoy it..and the exquisite wines of EK. They have this quiet room with sleeperettes which looked quite comfi to me. So enjoy the dinner, walk around in the terminals..have 3 hours of sleep..and then enjoy the amazing breakfast choice in the F lounge..you might wonder then whether you still need the flight)) And no - if you love airports like me: there is nothing wrong about enjoying the whole experience..there are many things an airport like Dubai can offer which even the best hotel cannot - Dubai at night..where East meets West, Orient meets Occident..and some DOM in between..its an expereince in itself))
) And it can be done. I loove concourse A and you can spend quite some time wandering around there..or even take the train to Concourse B, where you have even more shops. Dinner in the F lounge is excellent. And there will be nice cozy corners to fully enjoy it..and the exquisite wines of EK. They have this quiet room with sleeperettes which looked quite comfi to me. So enjoy the dinner, walk around in the terminals..have 3 hours of sleep..and then enjoy the amazing breakfast choice in the F lounge..you might wonder then whether you still need the flight)) And no - if you love airports like me: there is nothing wrong about enjoying the whole experience..there are many things an airport like Dubai can offer which even the best hotel cannot - Dubai at night..where East meets West, Orient meets Occident..and some DOM in between..its an expereince in itself))"East meets West, Orient meets Occident ...." Steady on homer !!
I know you always enjoy your Emirates travel (especially some of those cabin crew who look after you .......I've seen a couple of your youtube clips ......
). But your description here makes DXB sound like the Eighth Wonder of the World.In fact, it's a place to go and catch your plane. And a very busy place too. Apparently now the most active airport in the world based on international movements, having just overtaken LHR.
Personally I tend to rock up to check-in at DXB a couple of hours or so before scheduled departure, and then relax for a (little) while in the F lounge. The airport authorities obviously like people to spend as long as possible in the terminal itself, because that's where the cash-generating retail outlets are located, with the terminal strategically designed so that pax can see as many of them as possible as they navigate their way around.
I'm always intrigued that some folk feel that an FC lounge - or an airport overall - is one of life's great magical experiences !
Each to his own, I guess .....
Feb 22, 2015, 9:24 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
I think I'm just over it. When you've done anything enough times it becomes normal, although I still only went at t-2!
I'm going to the lounge early on. Thurs night about 11pm for a 2.35 departure because I'd only be sat at home waiting about. That's as early as I've ever gone!
I'm going to the lounge early on. Thurs night about 11pm for a 2.35 departure because I'd only be sat at home waiting about. That's as early as I've ever gone!
Jun 14, 2015, 9:30 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 1,231
I'm in a similar situation here. I could either take a 4:50am flight from MCT to DXB, and the connect at 8:25 am to SFO, or take a night flight to DXB and stay overnight at the lounge. Waking up that early for a flight seems rough. I like the idea of maximizing my time in the lounge overnight like Jackal suggested. Is the lounge open 24 hours to stay overnight? Thanks!
Jun 14, 2015, 9:40 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
I'm in a similar situation here. I could either take a 4:50am flight from MCT to DXB, and the connect at 8:25 am to SFO, or take a night flight to DXB and stay overnight at the lounge. Waking up that early for a flight seems rough. I like the idea of maximizing my time in the lounge overnight like Jackal suggested. Is the lounge open 24 hours to stay overnight? Thanks!