BRITINJAPAN4

I am sure we are all grateful for the comments which have really benefitted us all, I have a trip to Nagasaki and Kyoto next week, Sorry, I forgot to get your approval...Oh thats right, none of your ........ business.

wakesetter93

Do I need a to fill out a form to get approval from you? I have a Mexico trip that's fast approaching.

SFO777 Looking forward to the remainder of your TR!

SKT-DK

It is sad to see that it seems this self-policing and judging of other people's actions is an increasing trend in this awful year 2020.

The only thing that prevents me from travelling is the absolute hassle and nuisance caused by the current travel restrictions making it too unfeasible to even consider - there, I said it, judge all you want.

Back on topic, nice report SFO777 - although I should be criticising you for fuelling my travel urge

enviroian

Yep. You win.

brokenwindow

@SFO777: Were you happy with your stay at Grosvenor House? Lounge open? How about service in general given covid?

NYC Flyer

Excellent report, per usual!

Some (much needed) fun to read...

SFO777

Thanks very much olafman.

Thank you wakesetter93.

LOL. Thanks so much SKT-DK.

We loved Grosvenor House and would absolutely stay there next time. Service was wonderful and apart from staff wearing masks, everything seemed totally normal. Despite lounge access, we never did. visit the lounge as it was in the other tower and only open during set hours.

Thanks very much NYC Flyer. I appreciate it.

SFO777

Heading home.

We left the hotel at 6am and our Uber dropped us off at 6:30am at what appeared to be the First & Business Class check-in area. Unlike SQ, EY, AF and others, not very impressive or very First Class. This was downright chaotic and annoying. There were separate First Class check-in counter but to get there you have to queue with the masses for pre check-in security questioning. Did you pack your own bags? Have they been in your possession? Blah, blah.



Then the long, long walk to the real security with the only advantage of Smart Gates being a somewhat shorter queue.





The Economy security setup, which was definitely closer and more convenient to the B gates.







The real Emirates First Class Lounges are currently closed but there is a temporary First Class area in the B Business Class Lounge. The entrance is another 100 meters past the Business entrance.



Another 100 meters inside is the First Class lounge area, a lovely but remote oasis.





Unfortunately, it took a ridiculous 45 minutes to get here from check in. Our first glass of champagne of the day, a nice but not extravagent Moet et Chandon Brut Rosé.



But then, making the rounds of the wine selections, batmandds made the discovery of the trip... a 2014 Eisele Cab.



With that discovery, it was game over. OMG, one of the most amazing cabs I have ever tasted.



And only $550 a bottle.



We did our best to polish off the bottle but didn't quite succeed as we had to get to the gate before boarding closed.

SFO777

Dubai DXB to New York JFK
Emirates EK 201
777-300ER
8:30am-1:30pm
December 2, 2020
New First Suites
Suite 2K and then 2A
Departed 4/6

The best jet bridge feeling... boarding Emirates New First Suites.







Ah yes, the good stuff on the ground at DXB.



Today's amenity kit.























After take off, another glass of Dom from our wonderful First Class flight attendant today, Tatiana from Belarus.





Today's menu.

















Today's delicious canapés...



... smoked salmon crepe parmentier with poached pear, houmous with lamb baharat and sweet potato tartlet.









Yummy carrot and ginger soup with cheese croutons.





Traditional Arabic mezze.



Back for another round of Beringer. Much better today.



And the Léoville-Poyferré.



My Thai red prawn curry was excellent.



And chocolate brownie for dessert.









batmandds were chatting in his Suite 1A when hit a spot of turbulence. Uh-oh. There goes the Beringer.



So I relocated to Suite 2A, and promptly went to sleep for a good 5 hours.



About three hours out, I sampled the Light bites menu. Sandwiches were a meh.



But the Murgh mahkanwala (aka butter chicken) was delicious.



And the pastry selection.



OK, really good.











Approach to JFK.





Cool view from the nose cam.





Eastern Airlines flies again.







Suite 1E with the crazy simulated windows and amazing HD camera view outside.



Another amazing Emirates First Class flight... in the best First Class cabin in the skies. Truly a game changer.

Seat 2A

Best report on these highly regarded suites that I've yet seen. Only you, SFO777 - Only you.

roadwarrier

And yet another amazing adventure!!!

Sir, so many thanks for sharing this trip with us, and, as usual, I look forward to many more TR's from you.

BobBHX

Well said. I fly about 80 leisure sectors each year. The last time I flew was December 2019 and, despite the withdrawal symptoms, I do not intend flying again until I have been vaccinated.

Yemona

You make us dream, in good times and bad.

SFO777

Thank you so very much Seat 2A. You are most kind.

Thanks roadwarrier. I appreciate it.

Thank you Yemona.

SFO777

From Emirates First Class to American Business Class... yeah just a bit of a downgrade


Terminal 4 CBP was completely empty when we arrived as we were the only flight arrival around this time.



batmandds and I bid adieu after security as he headed for Delta to stand by for an earlier JFK-MSP flight. With three hours to kill, I headed back to the Centurion Lounge.



With the same food options as three days earlier.









My first Po'Boy of the day.



And the beef which was excellent.





At around T-60, I headed off for SkyTrain and the short ride to Terminal 8.







JFK-LAX
AA 3
Ancient 777-200
6:00p-8:30p
December 2, 2020
Business Class
Seat 1A





Tonight's 772 was an old bird with forward and reverse seating.







My 1A.













Tonight impressive menu. Eat your hearts out, Delta nOne pax who get no meal service on the same route.







FIFO was followed and despite being in 1A and one of the last to choose, I was stilI able to get the Chicken Parm.



Which all looked very nice when unwrapped.



Tomato goat cheese strata was quite good.



And the Chicken Parm was excellent.



This was so rich that I could only eat half of it.



We landed nearly an hour ahead of schedule but waited some 30 minutes for a gate to open. And back in Orange County well before Governor French Laundry's 10pm curfew kicked in. What a wonderful 3 days of Emirates and Dubai. Thanks so much for following along.


For more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com...

• Off to Dubai
• American 772 Business Class to JFK
• TWA Hotel at JFK
• Amex Centurion Lounge at JFK
• Emirates Amazing New 77W First Suites to Dubai
• Grosvenor House Dubai
• Our day and night in the Dubai Marina
• Emirates First Class Lounge and a spectacular $550 bottle of Cab
• Another 14 hours in Emirates New First Suites back to JFK
• Back to reality... American 772 Business Class to LAX