VTHokieFlyer

I'll be doing DXB-IAD Feb 6th and will be booked in H class, plan on upgrading with miles, lets see how long it takes to clear! Seatcounter is showing C9 and Z8, so I think I might have a good shot ;-)

VTHokieFlyer

Well my company's travel department just informed me my itinerary was ticketed so I went to upgrade DXB-IAD on Feb 6th and IAD-DXB on March 10, I was waitlisted for Feb 6th but cleared on March 10!

tashi

Dude, they dont care if you bring pork or bible or cross... there are more blondes in Dubai than in most American cities. Its just a security precaution because there are a lot of flights that come in from 3rd world countries where there is almost no airport security.

VTHokieFlyer

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8310/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I was being sarcastic! But all that stuff is illegal in Saudi Arabia...

JC5280

I did this trip RT back in the fall, and loved it. The plane was completely full on the way over, but empty on the way back. By empty, I mean about 10 of us in Business. One of the FAs noted to me that they have been seeing that frequently lately - full planes some days of the week and empty planes the other. She was telling all of her FA friends to travel over there now before UA pulls back the flights. I know, I dont believe FA rumors either, but you never know.

My experiences were great though, and especially appreciated the excellent customer service at check in and at the gate. Same girl, she remembered my name a few hours later! Most of them are contract, but there are a few true UA employees floating around as well.

The flight back seemed way longer than on the way over. 12.5 hours in the air east-bound, and a solid 15 on the west-bound portion.

tashi

I just came back from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj. Yes, alcohol and drugs are prohibited but there is no restriction on Bible and Cross. I dont know about specifics of bringing pork products but I have heard thats available in the western housing compunds.

VTHokieFlyer

How was your trip? I'm in Al-Khobar right now... I found this on the state department website under country specific information for Saudi Arabia

"Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning importation into Saudi Arabia of such banned items as alcohol products, weapons and any item that is held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam, such as pork products and pornography. Imported and domestic audiovisual media and reading matter are censored.

Saudi customs and postal officials broadly define what is contrary to Islam, and therefore prohibited. Christmas decorations, fashion magazines, and "suggestive" videos may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties and fines."

Many websites and info I received from my company mention the Bible or crosses, christmas stuff... of course this doesn't mean you can't bring it in, just don't get caught! I can go back to my compound tonight and have a few glasses of wine if I want some!

ff100

Just returned to DEN from DXB. They wouldn't let me use the online boarding pass . . . said had to answer security questions and get boarding card.

C had about 15 empty seats. Good thing because several IFE units did not work and people shuffled around to find working ones. The flight attendant told me that mine was not working and a csr would come on board and reseat me. No one showed and after they closed the doors the fa moved me and other people who had issues.

Dinner was fairly typical . . salad but no appetizer, choice of chicken or lamb or a salmon salad servrd all at once, cheesecake or cheese for dessert.

Midflight snack cart with egg salad sandwiches, chips, and candy.

Breakfast was fruit plate or runny scrambled eggs.

The food seemed a little light for a 15 plus hour flight.

Went over last Wednesday via FRA. Even though I was in Y from FRA it was nice to break the trip up. LH refused a SWU upgrade on a W fare. Said there was no way their computer would let them do it. LH did block the adjacent seat (one of very few empty coach seats) due to my *G standing. I don't think United blocks adjacent seats anymore.

ua_to_ord

Did you point out that, on the printed SWU-for-use-on-LH certificate, W is not among the explicitly prohibited booking codes? If so, what was the agent's response?

ff100

My certificate does exclude W booking codes.

Moving Chicane

It's been a good 8+ months since the last post, and with the DEQM offers this year, I wondering if anyone else has flown this route more recently and can provide a mini-trip report. Anyone

FWIW, I'm booked for a turn-around trip in late November, W fare class from LAX (LAX-IAD-DXB); 3 of 4 legs cleared at booking with SWU's.

magiciansampras

Cabin?

It's a transatlantic flight.

Moving Chicane

I'll take any cabin if you want to provide airport details - especially if it was a MR without leaving the airport.

DEN

The flight is much the same as described. Currently it's a 777-200 WW 1 ( seatguru.com) with the smaller mini cabin in C. Seats 9A&B are reserved as Pilot rest so the cabin is especially quiet.

Two meals in C, one just after departure and one at arrival, with a snack service available at the galley doors midflight.

RCC, C & F customers can use any of the RCC's at IAD. *G can use the LH Lounge on the B concourse, a nice change if you have a long layover at IAD.

Depending on winds, you can arrive up to an 90 minutes early. There is a fast track card given to F & C customers to get you through passport control & customs quicker. For those who are doing a turnaround, the flight back to IAD currently leaves at 12:10A and you go through a quick security check at the Transfer desk to get into the main airport, including the hotel. Again, the transfer desk doesn't open until around 9PM and you should enter the airport complex via the Transfers desk area.

The bottom floor of the Airport is the duty free shopping area, with lots to see, but I haven't found many real bargains. Buy some Barfi (figs and nuts pressed together) to bring home. I bought it the first time only because of the name, and it turned out to be a nice Holiday treat and you gotta love the name.....

If you want a good distraction, you can use the Hotel gym and have a shower for $20 US. Nothing special but a good way to get your blood pumping again and smell better.

The above information is about a week old. See my post from last year :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/10833501-post12.html

There is a *G lounge near gate 126, small, but ok, with some light food and drink. You can lock up your bags there and head up to the Connections Desk at 9PM to check in and get your boarding pass if you are doing a turnaround. The connections desk is V e r y S l o w so bring your patience....

Have a good trip.

DEN

Moving Chicane

Thank you for the recent experience - much appreciated. A couple of questions if I may:

1. Does one need to go through "passport control & customs" if they are going to the Transfers desk? Since I arrive at 8:40pm and depart at 12:10am and the Transfers desk opens around 9pm, and I need to get my boarding pass on the "inside," it seems going direct from gate to Transfers to terminal makes sense.

2. Where am "I" when I'm in between Passport Control/Customs and the Transfer desk?

3. Is there no way to get UA to issue the return flight paper tickets in LAX or IAD?