Airliners-India.com

[jbalonso777]

Link to previous TR: http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=115758#115758

INTRODUCTION
‘Can we go out of this continent for a holiday?’
‘When am I going to be a passenger on the Boeing 777?’
These were two questions I asked back in grade 5 kept me waiting for five
years to achieve this.
Dad also, had a dream to go to the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Although he went to Johannesburg back in 2011 for just about 48 hours,
he knew he had to go back to visit Kruger. He took the direct 9W A332
flight out of Mumbai, making it the longest flight for him, beating his
previous record of 7hr30min from Manchester to Dubai.

SELECTION & BOOKING
So one fine day, Dad told me about this, and the first thing that came into
my mind was The Emirates A380 out of Johannesburg. Our initial plan was
to fly only to Johannesburg to visit Kruger and come back. The search
began. Before we searched for flights for getting into South Africa, we
searched for flights from JNB to MPG, the gateway to Kruger. This would
have given us flights on interesting regional aircraft. Since we were based
in Colombo, Middle Eastern carriers and 9W were the top contenders. QR
(via DOH on an A321 and A332) and EY (via AUH, A320 and A332),
showed extremely high prices for the flights. They were immediately
written off. 9W (73H and A332, via BOM) was the cheapest, followed by EK
(773, 77W, A380 via DXB). So, it was Emirates then, which allowed us to
visit our friends in Dubai for a few days.

Final itinerary:
6APR2012 (the day when SQ last flew their 744): EK349 CMB-DXB (Seat 29K)(4hr15min, 3 class Boeing 777-300)
6APR2012: EK772 DXB-CPT (seat 30K) (9hr35min, 3 class Boeing 777-300ER)
17APR2012: EK762 (Seat 75K) (8hr00min, Airbus A380-800)
20APR2012: EK348 DXB-CMB (Seat 19A) (4hr15min, 3 class Boeing 777-300)

We also booked on an internal B738 flight, MN910 from GRJ to JNB

RANDOM FACT: Although I had 3 flights on a Boeing
777 in front of me, it is kind of humiliating for me that my dog flew on the
Boeing 777 and Emirates before me. His crate was just one inch too wide
to fit in the cargo hold of the Boeing 737-800 (9W) and Airbus A320-200
(UL). Both airlines told that tilting the crate won’t help. So, a 2hr20min
flight turned into a total flying time of 6hr05min via DXB on an A332 and B77W. Ugh.

DISAPPOINTMENT ALREADY!
One day, I did a check on Emirates’ website about the services on the
flights. Normal I.C.E on the CMB-DXB and DXB-CPT flight. On the JNB-
DXB flight, normal I.C.E. Normal I.C.E? Yes. It was downgraded into a
Boeing 777-300ER. WHAT! HORRIBLE! LUCK! We paid a lot extra, just for
the experience on the A380. Dad was extremely disappointed by both, not
flying in the A380 and paying extra. It was mixed feelings for me, as I had
to wait for the ‘next time’ (never, that is Boeing 747-8i before that!) to
fly on the A380, but an extra 8 hours on my dream aircraft!

One of my friends then reminded me of what happens in flights from
South India and Sri Lanka: Maids, drivers, housekeepers, construction
workers, etc are the main passengers on these flights. Many passengers
have reported gadgets going missing from their bags when they visit the
loo. Answer is clear. I started to freak out now.

4th April, before the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai
Super Kings, one final confirmation of seats, JNB-DXB was downgraded to
a B77W. So obviously, no Digital Widescreen for me. Hopefully, someday,
but I had to be happy that I was finally about to board a Boeing 777!!!

DEPARTURE DAY
5th April, I woke up at 3 in the morning, just to web check in for the flight.
Technically, both flights. 100% loads for both flights! On the final day in
school, everyone of us were discussing who was going where. Most people
said Australia, Europe, Far East, etc., I was the odd one out. South Africa
for me. I felt good actually, going to a place where not many people go to!
That evening, I did a quick check on FR24, in hope to catch our aircraft on
the CMB-SIN sector of EK348. Luck was with me! It showed A6-EMP, a 11
year old Boeing 777-300!


Need to be awake for the 24+ hours? No problem, I have tried and tested this!!

Well, I'm just saying!

No doubt about who I support, just wishing them good luck while I was
away

So, that night, we headed for the airport. Roads were luckily empty, so we
reached the airport quickly. First thing, I saw the FIDs. Flydubai and
Cathay Pacific were the only flights that were delayed. The CX flight by
about one and a half hours. We had to wait for about 10 minutes before
the check in counters opened.


Curbside

Walking towards check in

This isn't duty free yet

Most of them were off to SIN or HKG on the CX flight


PRE-BOARDING STUFF
Emirates, like in all airports, have their dedicated counters, like the ropes,
etc. Check in opened, and we went to the ‘Internet Check-In’ baggage
drop. The line was obviously full, because everyone had web checked in!
A few pax were sent to the standard Economy Class line. Our agent took
forever to get everyone’s bags through! I decided to time it. Our turn
came. It took the agent a total of 9m14sec to get our bags through and
give our boarding passes.


I can't stand for so long!
While going towards immigration, we met a few of our friends, off to PVG
for their holidays. Even before they checked in, they knew they missed
their flight to PVG as their CX flight to HKG was delayed, now by over two
hours. Horrible for them! :O


All those people you see there? EK-349. Oh God.

Swift immigration!

Duty free is here..

We went to the Palm Strip Restaurant at the end of the terminal. Before
we ordered something, I started clicking away on the Malaysia Airlines
Boeing 737-800 which was being pushed back when we arrived.


(Sorry about the quality!)

Once that departed, I looked at the planes on my side of tarmac: 2 UL
A332’s facing the terminal and 1 UL A343 facing away. There was also a
UL A320 and a Boeing 727 at the remote parking bays of CMB.





Boarding passes for the day
Once again, apologies for the horrible pictures, I wasn't in a mood to play
with the aperture or shutter speed!

A few minutes later, one of the A332s, 4R-ALD, was being pushed back for its departure to CDG.




Followed by that, its sibling, 4R-ALA was pushed back…and towed back
beside its larger family member, the A340.



In the meantime, I quickly checked the status of EK-349 on its way from
SIN. My fears were confirmed. Estimated time of arrival changed from
0155 to 0237, and departure from 0315 to 0355.


Just then, 4R-ALD took off into the night sky after a long take off, followed
by a longer take off show by a Star Alliance liveried Boeing 777-300 to
Singapore. The airport became silent. I had no idea on what was there on
the other side of the terminal. There was only movement of ground
vehicles (a few with EK and CX cargo crates) moving in the airport, which
was followed another UL A343 departure to BKK and PEK, at 0219 hours.
As our departure gate (No.10, the one at end of the terminal) opened, the
airport became dead silent. Not even a single ground vehicle moving.

Later, Mum and I heard a faint ‘whoosh’ behind us. I knew it was
something massive. I thought it was the CX aircraft. As the sound became
louder, my dad told, ‘Look behind you’. And there it was: An Emirates Boeing 777-300! 0224 hours arrival, a delay of 29 minutes. I was hoping
the ground staff at CMB would make a quick turnaround!


I feel proud to say: That, is my aircraft
Also note how the two liveries match..

Two minutes later, our official family transporter from MAA had arrived:
Jet Airways flight 9W-254, VT-JGM, a Jet Konnect Boeing 737-800.


We headed for the departure, where Dad bought some stuff in duty free,
as the CX crew members walked in towards the gates. No sign of the CX
a/c, though. As we walked towards our gate, there was a long twisty line
blocking the walkway in front of gate 7, the departure gate of the CX
flight.



The lonely part of the airport: just EK-349 from there.


This was marked, finally, by the arrival of the CX aircraft, a Boeing 777-
300, most certainly more than three hours late now!
After going through security, Dad realized his phone had been stolen at
the duty free. Second BB lost in Sri Lanka in less than one year! Worried
and tensed, he was assisted to the duty free by a UL agent. Our friends
called up from Gate 7 (who must have been relieved to see their aircraft
come in!), asking what was wrong.


I simply can't believe it! My time board a Boeing 777!!!!! (Also, the no
photography sign, NAILED IT!)

Aircraft wise: BROTHER!
Airline wise: ENEMY!

BOARDING THE BOEING 777
At 0320, boarding was underway, zone wise. When Dad came back,
without finding his phone, the EK staff asked us on our arrival, etc. We
gave the details, and both airline staff and security told us that they’d go
through the CCTV footage and try to find evidence. We thanked them, and
finally, being one of the last, boarded the Boeing 777-300.

At that point of time, it didn’t dawn on me that I was FINALLY boarding a
777! As we walked down the jetway, we were being divided into the side
of our seats. Because all our seats were on Starboard, we got to get on
the airplane through door 1! A view of first class! Now EK doesn’t offer
Private suites on this flight, but the older 2-2-2 first class was there.
Those ‘beds’ (and in Business class), looked like benches (I felt the same looking at 9W’s herringbone business class ) Kind of scary how reality
differs from internet images! Many people were asleep in those benches.
Announcements began even before I sat! EK was in a hurry to get the a/c
out of CMB! I sat down and told myself, ‘Finally! The Boeing 777’! The lady
on the middle seat, dumped her belongings on the aisle seat, and headed
for the washroom. The lady in the aisle, who came a few seconds later,
asked the FA what was wrong. In a really helpful manner, the FA just took
the middle seat pax stuff, and dumped it onto the seat! Stressful times for
sure! After I looked out of the blurry window, I saw the menu card in the
seat pocket, 2 blankets and 2 pairs of head phones! Legroom was slightly
compromised because of the IFE box.

Captain came over the P/A system, apologizing for the delay, caused by
traffic in SIN, and headwind in flight. He gave details about the morning’s
flight, in which he said more head wind was expected (NO!!), a flight time
of 4hr14min (1 minute lesser than scheduled), and a smooth flight, except
for some turbulence over the Gulf (that’s not too bad). He also mentioned
that we’d be over DXB airspace by 0630, and expects to arrive then,
unless there is traffic, which was expected (NO!!!!!!!).

Yup, that's my set!

I.C.E!! Heard so much about it!!

A slightly older version of what I saw on the 9W A332

That's the most famous thing on EK!

AT LONG LAST-THE BOEING 777: EMIRATES EK-349 COLOMBO-DUBAI, 6TH APRIL 2012.
Airline: Emirates (EK/UAE)
Registration/Aircraft type: A6-EMP, Boeing 777-31H
Seat: 29K, Economy.
Scheduled departure: 0315 hours, Actual Departure: Quite late.
Scheduled Arrival: 0650 hours, Actual Arrival: Quite late again
Loads (exact): F, J and Y=100%

DEPARTURE
Push back began just 6 minutes after I boarded the Boeing 777.
As the safety video began, the RR Trent 800’s were powered up, with
almost no sound. I was waiting for the start on the CPT flight! While taxiing
towards the runway, the crew distributed the menu cards (although I read
through it already), and the lights were dimmed throughout the cabin.

Safety video
Not too good of quality because of the window: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5cffj2CNyw


Cabin!

Front view camera..

Cabin lights dimmed, ready to go!

After a powerful take off (I under estimated the power of the Trent 800s),
we were up into the night sky, with no sign of dawn yet. The crew then
informed the passengers about the languages spoken; I heard Hindi and
Bengali, two of my home languages! Continuing with the slow climb, we
flew over southern India.

Take off (THAT SOUND!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjKt4vne2OY

We are on our way!

INFLIGHT
I saw the first part of The Dark Knight, because I saw most of the movie
on TV a few days ago! After that, The Simpsons followed. Before starting
the food service, the crew distributed cold towels, which they must have
forgotten due to the busy departure sequence!


My first wing photo of the 777! Not too bad, considering the fact that there was ZERO light!

We are getting there!

Towels given out..

Still in Lankan airspace!

Home, INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breakfast started, and I took the continental option(other was SriLankan,
bored of it! Although Mum said it was good!). Lights were turned off since
taxiing! At that point of time, we were cruising at 34000 feet, at 795kmph
ground speed, and a headwind of about 115kmph.


9W still remains a winner in dessert, (only a sponge cake?!) but the quantity? Oh my..I had to take another picture!


The trays were cleared. After breakfast, I went through the music
(METALLICA!!!) in ICE. There was some horrible crackling sound, which
prevented me from listening to anything clearly. Aging signs of the B773?





Lights still off!

More than half way! A 1000 miles to go!

I felt sleepy and decided to put my face on the window, so that I’d atleast
see the sun rising. I turned off my reading light, and saw the orange line.
God didn’t let me sleep! I missed the sunrise (like a massive idiot) on the
BOM-HKG flight, so this time, I wasn't letting it go! But I'm glad it came
JUST when I felt sleepy. Success.


The sun is finally shining on a day which was started frantically!

I remember this screen from the videos Dad took on his Manchester-
Dubai J class flight!

Yup, the south-western most route is my final destination for the day!

I kept clicking pictures, which may have woken up a few passengers. As
the sunlight kept pouring in, more and more passengers started to wake
up, and the cabin was alive.



Wonderful.


Not bad for a 11 year old!



I followed the airshow, which showed the EK connecting flights departure
and gate numbers. It showed flights which were departing as early as
0735 hours. Therefore, we had nothing to worry about missing the flight! Our flight was to depart from Gate 210.



Ah, the wing!

What's this, EK?!

DESCENT AND ARRIVAL
Just then, as expected, we hit turbulence. But no one seemed to care, and
kept going to the wash room one after the other. Announcements of
arrival started just about 40 minutes before landing, so the cabin looked
like a rush hour scene! Descent started a few minutes later, and Dubai
welcomed us not only by its deserts, but a large number of planes criss-
crossing each other!





Yup, we certainly are descending.



I shall do exactly the same, not in Dubai#10, but 12 hours later in Cape Town.




I missed all of this in BOM, because it was ALWAYS at night..

Oh, sweet!

Almost there!

During the rather bumpy approach, the over head bins of the 11 year old 777 started to open. 3 of them. One passenger tried to get up and fix it,
but the FA sitting requested her to sit down, as the runway was in sight.
After a pretty smooth landing, we taxied to the gates.

Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goXLnCnwjcY

In every TR I have read all of them had one line: ‘What is DXB without an
Emirates A380?’ I didn’t see just one, there were no less than NINE A380’s
in the airport at point of time! 6 of them were undergoing service. (All in
the video ) After announcements in 3 languages, we docked right next to an EK 77W.


Thin but comfy!

Brilliant way to avoid confusion!

Looking back at the T7..

I also saw the construction of another terminal in the airport. Another
terminal. How many more, DXB?!


Y class.

J class.

Old F class.

As we got off the aircraft, I finally noted the registration A6-EMP, as I had
managed to figure out over 13 hours ago.

Pretty old 77W:


As we got off, Dad asked me ‘What do you think’? I said, ‘I am so glad I
named this as my favorite, I can’t wait for the 77W!!’

TRANSIT



At the transit check in areas, there weren’t too many people, because
obviously, everyone was through checked in. We went through the silent
security check area, entered the elevator and arrived at the departure
deck, aka, Dubai Duty Free............

So far, Emirates has shown why they are in the Top 10 airlines of the
world. Great offerings on this sector! Better than my 9W flight from BOM-
HKG, but 9W had done a fantastic job on that flight.

What happens next? Read here!
http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=12500
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

[sumantra]

Jishnu, another superb starter. It just feels as if the reader is with you, during the trip. The wing photographs were superb, too.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful trip reports with us!
Cheers, Sumantra.

[shivendrashukla]

Nice TR. Keep up the good work.

[Nimish]

Nice - TR - thanks for posting. Loved all the pictures of the terminal and those on the flight too. Looking forward to reading Part 2 and 3 next .
_________________
We miss you Nalini!

[jbalonso777]

Thank you all
I just need to write two more parts now, I hope you're enjoying the others
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

[Karan69]

Nice work dude

I flew A6-EMP last month as well on DXB-BOM and yes i was also unlucky as you were with an A380 sub on MUC fortunately i got a fair compensation with the aircraft swap

Keep up the enthusiasm

Karan

[jbalonso777]