Hello Skywards'ites! (or should it be Skywardians??),

I have just moved to Dubai from Brussels and am seriously thinking about ditching my 10-year strong loyalty to BA and switching to either EK or EY. It will be tough to get through the tiers from scratch but am already Silver on EK 2 months after getting here (and thats with a lot of my travel still on BA and some on Oman Air and SV).

Any tips/hints? I understand the Dubai Duty Free Amex card is a must-have since it gives you 10% off all purchases? Which of EK/EY should I jump on the loyalty wagon for? I am leaning towards Skywayrds because tehy seem to have better route coverage. I live on the Palm and am told that it should take me about the same time to either airport?

Look forward to getting to know you all on this neighbourhood of FT!

It will definitely take you less time (30mins) to DXB than to Abu Dhabi (1hour 30 min)

Come on, from the Palm to the Airport that is on Dubai direction is 45-55mins (vs 30mins).

I would say go with EK as there are more flights to more places... It also can be determined by which class you are traveling in, if in J or F with either airline you get limo service. I have friends with EY and we often compare, for various things, they wish they had switched to EK, I never think I wish I had swapped. EK lounges are superior to the ones used by EY. However, there are more high status EK flyers than EY I would imagine. IMO I would go EK.

FYI Palm to Airport at 5 am (if you are heading to Europe) will take you 25 mins. I am very close to the palm so do the trip often! I would "guess" palm to AUH will take you 50 mins. It all depends on the timing of the flights!

If its just a distance thing, then consider this, if there is a hold up on the way to DXB then there are many alternatives, if you get one on the way to AUH you are stuffed, as there is just the one road!

EK over EY. the global routes are much better. i also don't know many people who live in dubai and make the trek to AUH just for a flight. frankly speaking, i've lived in dubai for 13mo and have never set foot in abu dhabi. i don't think i'm missing anything

EK does seem like the better option. I fly Business so will use the limo from either airline but I have not been using the EK limo for pick-up but only for the return. Thsi is because I was told that they still insist on picking you up a ridiculous amount of time before the flight (2-3 hours before) which was fine when Dubai was packed and traffic was hell but these days, its completely unnecessary. So I have been taxiiing it to the airport but using the limo back. Any thoughts on this? And by the way, who gets to park in the little parking area on the right side of the Bussiness/First class drop off at T3? Is it for Business/First passengers?

i'm sure DTB will agree with me, but if you arrive 2-3hrs before your flight and are sitting in the T3 lounge, that's 2-3hrs of complimentary champagne.... really, the time just flys by.

i haven't seen this little parking area you're referring to. is it outside of this enclave or within?

I have used it before when changing tickets for those annoying "you have to go to the ticket desk" changes. No one ever stopped me and never had a ticket.

Re the 2 - 3 layover, I always go for minimum pick up but always get there 2 hours prior, and as DeeBee said, its 2 hours lounge use, food etc, also 2 hours of drinking enough so you can sleep well in flight!

Anyone there 1st August,10:30 - 12:30? Only J lounge this time though

I live in the Marina, close to the Palm. I can drive to DXB airport in 30 minutes, AUH my record is under 45 but that's not recommended I would usually leave an hour, maybe 90 minutes to be safe though.

FWIW I've taken EY more than a few times, and if I were living in Abu Dhabi I wouldn't hesitate recommending them. But EK is more convenient for someone living in Dubai, and the route network is better.

You know you could use the other ticketing desks:

1. Jumeirah Plaza (which I always use)
2. Emirates ticketing office on Sh. Zayed (next to Metropolitan hotel)
3. DNATTA - next to the clock tower

Unless you live next to the airport, the above 3 would be a better / easier option.

True, but not when it is a morning flight and you also have don't have any luggage check-in. With a pre-printed boarding pass you can walk straight to the gate with the 20min closing limit.

Thats exactly my style ... 25 mins before and walk straight thru with may a quick stop in the lounge ...