A couple of months ago I was browing KAYAK checking fares for Australia.UAL had one very intesting, MCO-SYD for about $800, DL a little more expensive. I had never flown the 772LR, on the other hand I have PREMIere status on UAL and I may be getting close to renew it for next year, no chance to obtain GOLD. But then, I was browsing EK website and found SFO-DXB-AKL for $1050, 34000 miles round trip, not bad. Adding to the 2700 I have on CO, I would try to use them next year on Star Alliance. Then my boss told me he was going to visit Australia for 10 days, and I decided to surprise him down under. I booked SFO-DXB-BKK-SYD-DXB-SFO, a little over $1150, still 32000 miles and the rep at CO told me miles would count towards ELITE STATUS.Still hoping, but it does not shows yet. I would still fly the 772LR and finally the whalejet, A380.I did not tell anything to my dear friend(boss), just imagining the see his face at tHE at SHANGRI-LA. Now I had to book a round trip MCO-SFO, which was in excess of $500 on US, roughly the same on different carriers. I manged to book a o/w MCO-SFO for $110, and I used some credit I had with B6 to book a SFO-MCO for less than $200. So everything was set for August 26. My friend came to pick me up at 4.00 am and I was at the airport before 5.00 am, my first flight at 7.00am. The lady at check in with US were nice, friendly but the could not check the bag to SYD, the system would only accept it(?) to DXB, they tried twice but eventually she had to give up. Nothing worth reporting on MCO-CLT, flight a little over 50% full. CLT-SFO was busier, the FAs very average exceot a gentleman who was going around talking to almost everybody. He stopped by my seat and asked me how long I played soccer, he knew I am Italian form my accent. I was surprised by his question and he said he could understand whether a person is an athlete by his feet, yhings you learn. Anyway, we had a nice chat and in no time we were if SFO.There were a couple of drinks run but the power port were switched off, because the geniuses at US decided to discontinue movies on almost all domestic flights. My EK flights was at 4.45 pm. Check in was actually funny. No more than 10 people at ECONOMY, it was around 1.00 pm. I had to explain to the person at check in the problems I had with my luggage. He said there would be no problems in getting the back from US and retag to my destination which is... When I said SYD he looked at me and wanted to know why I was travelling to SYD by way of DXB-BKK rather than a short hop across the Pacific. I tried to explain my passion and my wish to fly the A380, he insisted I could fly QF. The other agents actually stopped checking in passengers and they were amused by this simple itinenary, insisting they I should have flown across the the shortes route. Obviously none of them have ever heard of FLYERTALK and the things we do for miles and status. Boarding was a little late. After reading several reviews of EK 10 seats abreast, I selected a seat, 37B at the rear, only 2 in the row, which was actually very confy. The flight was 50% full, but faster people took the empty rows. Still I was happy to be there. One think surprised me was taking off, quick and we did not use much runway. I remember the A345 TG take off from JFK, and we used almost all the runway, roughly the same number of passengers but obviously TG had at least a couple of hours more worth of fuel. A hot towel and menu were offered, followed by a drink service. EK offers a full complimentary bar, if you want champers then it is $8. The manu had a lunch and breakfast plus mid flight snacks, I had selected a special meal, seafood for lunch and ovo veggie for breakfast. My lunch, beside the entree, was good, the entree, grilled salmon was bone dry and tastless but the breakfast scrambles eggs were the best I ever had on a plane. A couple of bottle of wines, a cognac and let's start the ICE.You cannot be bored on EK with ICE, I am sure it is the best, tons of movies. I watched WALKIRYE, again, and I did not like it again. I was interested in one character, FROMM. All in all, I think events were not really accurate but this is not an history forum. 15 hours went fast. Another funny thing was watching the FAs getting ready for bed, they got changed in their PJs and walked around the back. The flight was fine, I had a long talk about EK with a FA who worked in Milan and she knew the hotel were I worked for 3 years. Other FAs were personable, they took care of a couple of kids, passed frequent drink runs and they were helpful.
At DXB I had a 7 hour layover. I went to GFORCE at T2, worked out at the gym for a couple of hours, had a really nice showeres and with no lounge access on EK I was told I could go to T2 MAHARABA lounge. But there was a VIP MAHARABA lounge at T3, I tried my luck but the told me no. Then I saw AMEX members were entitled, again they said no, only cards issues in UAE.I was leaving but one of the hostesses asked me" Do you have a MC?" Of course, I added and I was let in, enjoying a couple of drinks and a full meal. The lounge offers a good selection of booze and nice hot dishes and it is refreshing oasis from the hell of T3 when it gets to be busy. I spent 2 or 3 hours there and I was ready to board my next flight to BKK, my second favorite city in the world, beside London. To be continued

A little bit hard on the eyes but thanks for sharing

Thanks for the post, but paragraphs exist for a reason - they would have made the report much easier to read.

Very interesting TR! So tell us about your ride on the A380....

Best regards,

Lukas

I can't bear to read this. It is too much of an assault on my eyes.

Thanks for sharing your trip so far.

i have to agree though, please add some paragraphing

I have no words except my biggest apology, mea culpa. It looks like I have written it with my feet. Sorry again. I will try to do better with the sequel