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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject: An Emirates Experience, Y+J (129 pics) |
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Hello, welcome to my sixth TR. This TR covers two Emirates flights; one on the KWI-DXB flight, and another on the DXB-MAA flight.
Background:
This would be the last time I'll be leaving KWI as a resident. I'll cease to be an NRI, though I'll be returning for short visits, in the future. I will be mainly in South India, which includes Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, a place called Vellore (which I believe is in TN), as well as Mumbai.
I delayed my departure until June 22 when I went about planning my trip, and my eventual relocation to India.
I deliberated over purchasing a ticket to BLR, but a few complications arose over that plan, so I looked at option 2 - Chennai. Since I always prefer daytime flights over Red eye ones, Emirates came into my head. I picked EK 856 on the KWI-DXB sector, and EK 546 on the DXB-MAA run. I realized that the KWI-DXB sector would be on an Airbus A330-200, so I went back to the EK website, clicked on Manage booking, and chose Business class. The DXB-MAA flight would be on a Boeing 777-200, and I had never flown Economy on this type, so I booked Economy. (I had flown the 772 with KU and EK before, both in J)
Total ticket price would be KD 346/-.
To the Airport:
Sunrise.
My luggage.
One last look at my room.
One last look at the Swimming Pool.
One last look at the Tennis Court.
My car.
Leaving Home.
To the Airport.
Construction for the largest mall in Asia, called 360 Degrees.
Kuwait International Airport (KWI/OKBK).
Parking.
I noticed that every employee around was wearing masks, obviously because of the Swine flu thing. That didn't slow things down however. I reached the airport at around 7:00 AM for my 9:40 AM flight.
Check-in:
There was a long queue in front of the KWI Zone 3 check-in counters, which EK uses. The other airline that was checking in at this time and zone included BA, codesharing with AA, direct to London Heathrow.
A view of the queue to check-in.
Once I entered the zone, I proceeded towards the Fast Track check in counter for F and J pax. The agent there was a European, and directly, without looking at the ticket/passport anything, made this request:
Sir, we're sorry to say that we're slightly overbooked in the Business class cabin. Would you mind if you are downgraded to the Economy cabin instead? You will be suitably compensated.
I refused, saying that I would stick with J. Maybe there was a chance that I would have flown Y, if it had been anything other than EK's old 332s.
He was pleasant even after I refused and the check-in part of the check-in proceeded quickly enough. He also said that my aircraft would depart from Gate #21.
Immigration & Boarding:
Once past check-in, I exited Zone 3 and stood at the queue marked "Other Nationalities" for immigration. Kuwait Airport is relatively empty in these morning hours, when there are only those feeder KU and J9 flights, apart from the BA one.
I walked towards Gate #21. The only other flight boarding was a Jazeera Airways flight to Delhi, out of Gate #1. Gate #21 itself was empty, and there was no aircraft in sight. From the airside view out of there, I could spot a KU 343 at Gate #27, and a KU 772 and a J9 320 parked on the tarmac. As I was watching, I saw an Etihad 319 come in from Abu Dhabi and park at a remote stand. I also saw a Wataniya Airways 320 taxi to its luxury terminal, called Sheikh Saad.
Finally, at 8:50 AM the EK 332 parked at Gate #21. It appeared to be a full flight, and pax of various nationalities alighted and proceeded towards the arrivals hall.
At 9:10 AM the LCD Screen near the Gate number flashed "Gate Open" and we were allowed in. The security guys were wearing masks here too. Curiously, all South East Asians on board this flight were asked to remove their belts and shoes and pass it through the machine. Can't comprehend such discrimination.
The sun was really beginning to shine in now, and I could get a good view of the craft from inside the Gate.
View of the 332. The J9 320 is parked on the tarmac in the background. If you look carefully, you will also see the KU 772 on the right.
Airline: Emirates Airlines
Aircraft: Airbus A330-243
Registration: A6-EAP
First flight date: 28/02/2003
Test Registration: F-WWKV
Serial Number: 525
Load in F: 100%
Load in J: 100%
Load in Y: 100%
Scheduled Departure Time: 9:40 AM
Actual Departure Time: 9:52 AM
Scheduled Arrival Time: 12:15 PM
Actual Arrival Time: 12:18 PM
Flight Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Boarding commenced at 9:20 AM and for once, there was no mad rush to board the aircraft. Many people, including me, remained seated, while a few walked towards the aerobridge. Strangely, there was no separate call for F or J passengers. We boarded along with the Y pax.
The Gate Area.
I got up at around 9:25 AM and walked towards the jetway when it was bereft of the queue not so long ago.
I was welcomed on board by a black male FA, possibly European and taken to my seat, 9E, which was a middle seat. This was odd, as I had booked a window seat. When I pointed this to the FA, he said that there were some irregularities on the flight today as it was overbooked in all classes. But if there was any vacancy, I would be offered a window seat.
The business class configuration was 2-3-2, and I was stuck in the centre of the 3 seats.
9:40 AM came and went, but we didn't begin pushback. The captain came on line and said that we were missing a couple of passengers and thus the delay. Meanwhile, the FAs came around and offered us hot towels and juices. 4 FAs were serving us today, 2 Filipinos, the European and a very professional Indian who knew all our first names even without the manifest.
I opted for the orange juice, and it was placed along with a coaster on my wooden armrest.
The orange juice.
Legroom.
PTV. This is TV and Radio, not ICE. The ICE system is not present on EK 332s, 343s and 773s.
The Airshow.
TV remote and the Noise cancelling headset (Not Bose)
The FAs came around offering the menu, as well as newspapers. The only English newspaper offered was the Financial Times, which I took.
The Menu and the Newspaper.
The Menu was in English and Arabic.
Breakfast
Juice: Fresh Fruit Juice
Fruit: Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Fruit Yoghurt
Main Course: Spanish Omelette
omelette filled with peppers, accompanied with
wild mushrooms, parmesan croquette and
chicken kofta
Konafah naboulsiya
garnished with crushed pistachios, served with
caramelised peaches and apple crepe with sugar
syrup
Bread: Bread Basket
a variety of freshly baked breads, croissants
and breakfast pastries, served with butter and
preserves
Beverages: Tea
Ceylon, China, Earl Grey, Camomile
Coffee
freshly brewed, decaffeinated, espresso and
cappuccino
Flight:
We began pushback after I had read the menu and taxied to the runway.
Forward Camera.
Safety Card.
The takeoff run was quite long and we were up in the air fighting our way through haze.
Down the Gulf.
The FAs seemed harried and began doing everything at 2x the pace, owing to the short nature of the flight. A table cloth was laid on the tray table, which folded out from the armrest. I opted for the Spanish omelette. I also picked a muffin from the bread basket, which was wonderful.
The meal. Apologies for cutting the tea from the frame.
The FAs came around to clear the tables and asked us about the meal.
Almost there.
We began our final descent to Dubai and the Forward camera gave us good views of DXB's runway.
We taxied for around 15 minutes, passing one EK bird after another, and parked at Gate #208. Didn't catch the A380 on the way, though.
Forward and Downward camera.
We used the aerobridge meant for First and Business pax. The FAs thanked us as we left the aircraft.
Scores:
Punctuality: 9/10
Seat: 9/10 (Would be uncomfortable on longer flights)
Catering: 9/10
Aircraft Condition: 10/10 (One of EK's later 330s)
Entertainment: 9/10 (For a short flight)
Total: 46/50 = 92% = Five stars out of Five.
A view of the 332 from T3.
All pax walked to the transit/transfer hall to wait for or to board their connecting flight.
EK 77W to BOM.
EK 343 to Jo'Burg.
FIDS.
Some T3 pics.
Some Duty free pics.
Self plugging.
Nice gardens, though fake, just like the islands.
At around 14:00, I finished my shopping and began my long walk towards Gate #226 were my flight was boarding.
Gate #226.
The Gate had an elevator and an escalator which would take us downwards to the jetway. Pax were alotted separate zones. I was given Zone C, which would board 5th, the last. But being an Indian flight nobody gave a damn and there was a mad rush to the aerobridge.
View of the aircraft from the Aerobridge.
Airline: Emirates Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Registration: A6-EME
First flight date: 14/06/1996
Test Registration: ?
Serial Number: 27248 LN:33
Load in J: 50%
Load in Y: 100%
Scheduled Departure Time: 14:55
Actual Departure Time: 15:20
Scheduled Arrival Time: 20:30
Actual Arrival Time: 20:40
Flight Time: 4 hours, 5 minutes
View of an A330 off the other side of the jetway.
My flight again. The aerobridge had branched into two, and I took the one for Y pax.
We were greeted by an all-British crew. My seat was 14 K, a window seat.
Gate #226 was at the corner of the terminal, so the aircraft was parked at a slight angle, which gave us great views of the terminal and various aircraft.
Let the pictures do the talking for a while.
Our Rolls Royce engine.
Safety Card.
Legroom, slightly hindered by the IFE system.
Headset and stickers.
Apricot Juice.
And ICE!
The FAs came around giving out hot towels before pushback.
The captain came on line then and said that we were slightly delayed for take-off due to congestion. Currently we would taxi to the runway after a certain 737 jet clears our path for pushback.
Ahem, this was that very 737.
We began pushback after the "737" got out of our way and taxied to the runway.
Construction work, all in a day's work at Dubai.
Buses have liveries too.
Taxiing to the runway.
Emirates Engineering Centre.
We waited on the taxiway for an EK 332 to come in and land......
........and then began our take-off run.
The Cargo Terminal.
It was quite dusty, as is the case with the region at this time of the year, and the RR Trent groaned through some turbulence as well.
Sea down below.
The fine line between brown and blue.
Sand storm brewing over Sharjah.
Clouds.
If you notice carefully, you can see the fuselage reflected on the Engine.
We were served a snack and orange/apple juice (I opted for orange) which I wolfed down as I had not eaten anything at DXB coz I was busy shopping.
I began watching Transporters 3 - listed under the Action/Thriller section.
2 hours passed. The FAs had still not started the Lunch service, and I was really really hungry.
Finally, we were handed the menu, written in English, Tamil and Arabic. This menu was slightly smaller than the menu in the KWI-DXB flight as this was Economy Class.
Lunch
Appetiser: Dahi Bhalia
soft lentil dumplings with yoghurt
Salad: Seasonal salad
served with Italian dressing
Main Course: Gosht Curry
South Indian mutton curry, butter rice
stir fried cabbage with coconut and Indian
bread.
Bhagara Baingan
eggplant and onion masala, tomato rice,
creamy vegetable curry and Indian bread.
Cheese tortellini
cheese pasta pockets with a creamy mushroom
sauce.
Dessert: Semiya payasam
a sweet vermicelli dessert with pistachios and
flaked almonds
Beverages: Tea or Coffee
Chocolates
Reading this menu made me hungrier than ever. After yet another 20 minutes, came the food cart, and I opted for the Bhagara Baingan.
My meal.
Nice little chocolate.
Off the coast of BOM, we were facing heavy turbulence due to the onset of monsoon showers in the area.
My movie ended as day changed to dusk outside.
The purser came on line and said that the EK ground staff had forgotten to load the Beverage cart on board, hence no tea or coffee today!!!
I switched on the audio. I'm no huge fan of Coldplay, but this album is not bad. 3 grammies for this in '08.
Inflight magazines.
BBC Sport News. Younis Khan being slightly optimistic there.
The Airshow. Almost there.
Descending to Chennai City.
We looped over the Bay of Bengal to approach onto runway 25, as KCM told me in an earlier TR. Only this time, pictures didn't come out too well due to turbulence and low light conditions.
Touchdown!
Taxiing to the International terminal.
Parking next to Sri Lankan Airlines A320 UL 123 from Colombo. There's also an IX 738 from Mumbai. What's it doing in the international terminal?
All inflight magazines collected during both the flights.
Scores:
Punctuality: 8/10
Seat: 7/10
Catering: 6/10 (Hungry I was, but the food didn't quite make the cut, no tea and coffee too)
Aircraft Condition: 8/10 (retrofitted with ICE in '06)
Entertainment: 10/10 (ICE works it's magic)
Total: 39/50 = 78% = Three stars out of Five.
The swine flu thing was going on at MAA too, and my bag took forever to arrive. I exited the airport only by midnight, by which time there was also an SQ flight from SIN.
Thanks for reading, henceforth you can expect a slew of domestic TRs from my side.
Varun _________________ Yeah.
Last edited by Spiderguy252 on Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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karatecatman Guest
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Spidey,
Great TR!
Guess some folks must have got sacked for not loading in the beverage cart!
What about the onboard kettles? |
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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks!
We were halfway down the Deccan when they realized that the cart was missing. Even the on-board kettles would have been only for the J pax (?) _________________ Yeah. |
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Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Varun - another great trip report - thanks! I guess you can now change the location on your handle to Chennai ! _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
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shivendrashukla Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 1354 Location: Mumbai, India
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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Nice TR Varun. Now we can look forward to some South Indian TR as you will be taking flights in and outta there.
Cheers
Shivendra |
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avbuff Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:09 am Post subject: |
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Excellent TR! beautiful pics. |
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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:30 am Post subject: |
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@ Nimish:
Thanks. I'll do that right away.
@Shivendra & Ojas:
Thanks a lot! South Indian TRs are on the way. _________________ Yeah. |
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rutvij Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Skies of Fire!
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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Great Reporting!
- Rutvij. |
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ajaind Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 146 Location: Dubai, UAE
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Amazing TR.....Awesome pics....great going... |
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AirIndia0001 Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 391
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:16 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting another excellent TR. Lovely pics.
Could'nt help but notice the pic showing the FIDS.. does the display show only EK flights ? Even the TG one is an EK run codeshare. |
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vivekman Member
Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 1897 Location: BOM
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Nice report Spiderguy252! Great coverage of DXB T3 too
- Vivek _________________ Boeing makes planes. Airbus makes videogames! |
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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:53 am Post subject: |
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@rutvij, ajaind, vivekman:
Thank you!
@AirIndia0001
This was T3, exclusive for EK flights and EK codeshares. The TG and EK logos kept alternating. I clicked the pic when it was showing TG. Otherwise it would have been all EK. _________________ Yeah. |
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sri_bom Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Nice Report Spiderguy enjoyed every bit of it....
Although your luggage seems far less for the fact that you have lived in Kuwait for more then a decade
Anyways welcome back to India....
Sri_Bom |
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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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sri_bom wrote: | Although your luggage seems far less for the fact that you have lived in Kuwait for more then a decade
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Packers & Movers will send the rest of the stuff through Cargo. . I myself will go back in around September to do some last minute Visa/Residence Certificate things... _________________ Yeah. |
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sri_bom Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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Spiderguy252 wrote: | sri_bom wrote: | Although your luggage seems far less for the fact that you have lived in Kuwait for more then a decade
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Packers & Movers will send the rest of the stuff through Cargo. . I myself will go back in around September to do some last minute Visa/Residence Certificate things... |
OK make sure you take the benefit of Transfer Of Residence to avoid any customs duty on your personal stuff.
Sri_Bom |
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HAWK21M Member
Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 8132 Location: Mumbai, INDIA
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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Nice TR varun.It sure took a lot of effort.
enjoyed the pics.
regds
MEL. _________________ Think of the Brighter side !!! |
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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:33 am Post subject: |
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Thanks MEL. _________________ Yeah. |
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Boie215 Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2011 Posts: 1
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:41 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for share with us!!!!! |
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Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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Boie215 wrote: | Thanks for share with us!!!!! |
It's a couple of years old by this point but thanks for reading anyway. _________________ Yeah. |
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