I've just flown into DXB at 0100hr this morning (after an hour delay) to catch my connecting flight to KUL at 1020hr. EK gave me a hotel but by the time I got there, it was well past 2am and dozed off at 3am. Slept 4hrs before the chauffeur drive shuffled me back to the airport at 0820hr to catch my connection. When I got there, I was told : "Maam, you flight has been delayed to 1345hr"

Now, I figured EK knew about the delay well ahead of time. Who really knows how long more this delay will be (yes, I've experienced delay upon delay by EK before). Do you think that EK should've informed me while I was back at the hotel so I can continue resting over there instead of sitting here for at least 5hrs at the airport? Very naughty of them, me thinks

They would have likely known about the delay, and that they should have a system of telling people about delays.
I remember recently I had an MS to Cairo at 0300-at 0015 they called and said that the flight had been pushed to 0630. This gave me a few more hours of sleep, but eventually the flight took off at 1000, something they had known about but who knows why they did that? All I can say is that airlines have an annoyingly vague way of relaying delays to passengers and yes, we don't expect the airline to be held accountable for unforseen delays, but we DO expect some sort of forewarning. I suggest, krazykat that you write some sort of complaint, and given your premium traveller status they'll grant you some miles.

They certainly shud have informed you, though I think the August travel rush is in full swing, and is therefore mostly to blame.

Now when I travel in summer and have a hotel offered, I call the airline before I leave the room to ensure no delays.

Though it shud be the airline that take the proactive step in informing passengers, I think u can save urself some headache by the passenger contacting the airline instead.

try and go for the business class lunge instead. I think you can pay $20 and gain access.


good luck

I think krazykat was flying in J.

Still I would have been disapointed by having to leave the hotel that early. I usually check if there are any delays, though you can't do much about it if the chauffeured car arrives and is awaiting downstairs.

A coupe years ago flying F/J with a layover in DXB at Emirates' expense, they slipped a letter under my door alerting me to a delay in my connecting flight. I guess they've got the capacity to do this, but as any customer service issue, can at times fail.

Yup, I was traveling in J class. So, I finally left DXB around 1400hr & arrived KUL at 0110hr (not good for a single female traveler & the city center is 1hr away from KUL). Thanks for the tip, I guess sleep deprivation got the best of me so I forgot to check with the airlines on the flight status that morning.

The passenger next to me said he did call the airlines that morning & was informed that the flight was on time. He only found out about the delay when he checked in at the airport.

As 'nice' as DXB is, I'd hate to be loitering in an airport for so long. I "blame" EK for my US$200 shopping & Mimosa breakfast during the 5-hr waiting time. hehe