V-Flyer

Hi All,

Sorry for the fairly stupid questions. Due to personal reasons I haven't flown as a passenger for a very long time (I'm ex cabin crew though!) so really have forgotten what it's like strangely!

I was looking for a few pointers regarding my trip to New Zealand in a few days! I'm flying from Heathrow to Auckland with Emirates.

EK4 - LHR-DXB
EK406 - DXB-MEL-AKL

- When trying to buy an upgrade is it typically cheaper at the airport than online in advance? Could I upgrade on one leg only or would I have to upgrade on all of them. (Agent at EK couldn't help me with this as apparently company have booked tickets through travel agent...)

- When connecting in Dubai is it an airside transit? or do I have to clear customs and re-clear security? Also would my bags be checked all the way to Auckland.

- Do all pax disembark in MEL even if we are continuing to AKL?

- What is customs/immigration like at AKL, the only aisle seats available seem to be right at the back of the A380 and I'm very aware that a whole A380 load will be in front of me in the queues!

Many Thanks,

Steve

I can only comment about the transit in Dubai. On my recent trip, I didn't have to clear customs but just a quick security check when arriving in the terminal. Our in bound flight arrived at a remote stand so whether it's the same if you arrive at a gate in the terminal, I do not know.

Paging HWVlover!

honey lamb wrote:I can only comment about the transit in Dubai. On my recent trip, I didn't have to clear customs but just a quick security check when arriving in the terminal. Our in bound flight arrived at a remote stand so whether it's the same if you arrive at a gate in the terminal, I do not know.

It's the same if you arrive at the terminal. No customs, just security.

For negotiating EK's upgrades etc.

honey lamb wrote:Paging HWVlover!

+1 or Sarastro...

honey lamb wrote:Paging HWVlover!

:X

Steve,

I cannot answer all of these as I have not been to Auckland. And I am not sure about relative upgrade costs online/check-in...I would follow the VF mantra, if you see a price you like then grab it AND don't check the prices later!

You would not have to upgrade both flights. When I have upgraded on my trips to OZ I have typically only done this on the DXB-OZ bit.

As the others have said you would have to go through transit security at DXB and perhaps gate security on departing, but you remain airside. You might need to change terminals for your NZ bound flight, but again this is all done airside..there is a speedy free underground train service.

Your bags would be checked in at Heathrow for the entire journey so you will next see them in Auckland (hopefully!!!!)

You will disembark at Melbourne while the plane is cleaned and there is a crew change so make sure you hang onto your boarding card.

y)

as an afterthought:

I upgraded two of my EK flights last year. These were a non-stop from Dubai to Brisbane and a Dubai to Melbourne via Singapore. These followed e-mails from EK offering the fixed price upgrades (from Y to J) on those specific legs, not the LHR to DXB ones. Last year's figures they might be but I paid just over £500 in each case.

Having done the trip on EK406 and 407 between MEL / AKL / AKL you will disembark and follow the transit signs and clear security again staying airside the whole time.

On arrival in AKL the A380 gates are a good walk from the arrivals hall and on the twice I have done it recently the MEL aircraft seems to be parked the furthest away. Depending on delays etc EK have 3 x 380s arriving relatively close together. That said most Aus/NZ citizens use the kiosks at immigration and so this part is relatively quick. However, the queues for customs can be tedious, even with express cards, depending on how many flights are in, bio checks just like Australia slow everything down.

Sorry can't provide any advice on upgrading.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've made the marathon journey now and was very pleased with the EK economy offering!

Passport control wasn't too bad as I could use the self service line where queues were minimal, although the bio security wanted a look in my bag.

In Dubai we remained airside and I bought a few drinks in the terminal, to then go through the gate and have my bag searched (I've never seen this before) and the drinks confiscated which was annoying.

stevop21 wrote:Thanks for the advice everyone. I've made the marathon journey now and was very pleased with the EK economy offering!

I think that the EK economy offering is excellent, good food and booze.

stevop21 wrote:In Dubai we remained airside and I bought a few drinks in the terminal, to then go through the gate and have my bag searched (I've never seen this before) and the drinks confiscated which was annoying.

Those are Australian rules. They wont let you take duty free onto the plane in your hand luggage (think liquid limits). The only way you can take duty free from Dubai to OZ is to have it delivered from the seller directly to the plane.