SFO777

Thank you mucaari. Other than people wearing masks, Dubai felt perfectly normal and busy, at least in the Marina. Restaurants and bars were open albeit some with reduced hours. As US residents, all we needed was a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of our Emirates departure from JFK. We did not need one out as the US did not (at least at the time of our flight) require one. Once in Dubai, unless you are connecting, the requirement for a test to board your departing flight will depend on your destination. If you choose to stop in Dubai, you will not be able your HKG PCR test even if it the test was taken within 72 hours of your DXB-EU departure.

Thanks so much PerStockholm. So glad to hear that haven't had to endure the ridiculous lockdowns of other countries. Sweden certainly looks like one of the few intelligent countries in dealing with Covid. Good for you for booking a trip to Dubai. It is open and wonderful as always. Test negative and you are welcomed to come. What a concept.

YVR guy

I was surprised to see EK serving that tasteless Veuve Clicquot NV champagne on the ground. You wouldn't see that on CX or SQ in long haul first class.

ffman999

It is kind of funny. In my experience, that only happens in out stations. In DXB, I’ve always gotten Dom.

glasman19

Bucket list for sure.

Genius1

It's nice to read an international SFO777 trip report again! Comments as usual:

What’s the point of having shrink-wrapped plates for display purposes only below flight information display screens in the LAX Admirals Club?

At least you got one of the 772s with the Collins Super Diamond seat on your outbound flight, rather than the backwards/forwards Safran Concept D seats of your return. The Super Diamond seats are very similar to the Safran Cirrus Flagship First seats on the A321, so hopefully it wasn't too much of a downgrade. I’m intrigued why the menu says Flagship First, when presumably this was Flagship Business? Why are AA still using plastic glasses in premium cabins?

Is the terrace/bridge part of the lounge open in the Admirals Club in JFK? The TWA Hotel is definitely on my list of places to visit! The design of the Amex Centurion lounges at both LAX and JFK is certainly a cut above the usual North American domestic lounge, and the catering looks more than decent.

All the bling of Emirates First Class is not for me, but the new 77W suites do look like mini private jets and are unquestionably impressive. Small details like the ability to individually control each window blind are well thought out. The food selection and presentation all looks excellent, although three curry main courses on the return sector is an odd mix. The amenity kit bags look a little underwhelming from the outside. It’s nice that EK have created a separate F area in the J lounge at DXB - similar to what BA have done in the Galleries First lounge at LHR with the Concorde Terrace, whilst the Concorde Room is closed.

Dubai has never really grabbed me, but I’d take any destination if it meant international travel right now (we are almost 6 weeks into our third national lockdown in the UK). Grosvenor House looks very comfortable without being too over-the-top - a welcome change in Dubai, I’d imagine.

not2017

I really enjoy all the pictures that you put up. Pictures really are worth a 1000 words! Thanks again, SFO777. Emirates First is probably not going to be in my plans for awhile. The color lighting would stay off, LOL. But Dubai is. as there is the Expo Dubai in the fall. And I want to do a cruise that sails from Dubai. So Dubai March 2022, here I come!

SFO777

Thanks very much Genius1. Those shrink wrapped sides are apparently supposed to entice you to order off the for sale menu. Not sure how many takers they get.

All the US3 serve drinks in plastic glasses these days. Apparently cheaper than handling and washing. I’ve learned and now to do a domestic DIY kit with tumbler like I did with BA last year.

The terrace part of the JFK AC was not open in December but I suspect it may be now with the big recent uptick in domestic travel. At LAX, the Flagship Lounge is now being used as an extension of the regular Admirals Club.

Thank you so much not2017. Hope you get to experience Dubai next year.

NashVegas37206

Thanks SFO777. What hotels did you consider and why? I am headed there in July and have only 1 night. My brother and I are relatively unfamiliar with the city. The food you got nearby your hotel was certainly mouthwatering and photogenic. Thanks

SFO777

Thanks NashVegas37206. Since we've both been to Dubai multiple times but never stayed in the Marina, we chose on a combination of price and location. The Grosvenor is in the heart of the Marina, highly rated and attractively price when we were there.

synd

SFO777, thanks for your trip report. was wondering if you had a choice between AF & EK which would you take? never tried La Première, thinking of giving it a shot for my next trip in Oct, but can also fly EK which i have done several times. My only issue with EK is that I usually find the food a bit meh, much more a fan of LX for example.

SFO777

Thank you synd. AF and EK are both excellent, IMO the two best First Class products in the world. For me, it would come down to the route(s) you are flying and whether your EK flight is the new 77W. AF CDG La Premiere ground service (PA, limo, Alain Ducasse) is the best in the world and much better than the pedestrian EK ground experience at DXB. I love AF's single row La Premiere suite, but EK's 77W New First suite would likely tip the scale to EK for me. Sadly, it is only available on limited routes. Inflight, I'd rate food about the same although overall, I prefer the variety of EK. As for wine selection both in the air and on the ground, EK is the winner.

efincomputer

Another awesome TR from SFO777 - thanks for sharing with us :-).

SFO777

Thank you very much efincomputer.

ffI

As usual, a great TR.
That is the reason we are grounded. Not because we can't but we won't until it is a lot easier.
We had tickets to Paris for June after vaccine early but the curfew and restrictions made it not worth the trip UK - you can forget about wasting 5 days in a hotel at Heathrow. SE Asia is having a spread of virus. China is not worth the indignity A/NZ don't want us for a year
Greece is the best bet so far

ffI

It has to do with the tax on liquor consumed on the ground; so once you are in the air no worries.
Dubai does not penalize EK for that while on the ground there, so the good stuff can be opened early..