Emirates is 40 years old this year. Since beginning in 1985 with two planes borrowed from Pakistan International Airlines, the Dubai-based carrier has expanded to transform the world – connecting more than 150 cities from its hub in the Gulf.
Many British travellers choose Emirates due to its excellent range of UK departure points – Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as three London airports – and its easy onward connections to Asia, Africa and Australasia.
I have always flown economy on Emirates and found it superb. But due to an unusual set of circumstances I booked a business-class ticket from Singapore to Melbourne. This is one of the “fifth freedom” routes the airline operates, flying between two foreign countries as extensions of services from Dubai. Other examples include Barcelona to Mexico City and Miami to Bogota.
The “hard product” was unimpressive, but there was much to enjoy along the way.
This is the timeline (all in Singapore time) for my adventure in the front of the plane.
Friday 3.35am: British Airways cancels flight BA11 from London Heathrow to Singapore just 80 minutes before departure due to mechanical problems.
Friday 6pm: After a swift switch to Singapore Airlines organised by BA, I arrive in the Southeast Asian city-state over two hours behind schedule, but still in good time for my 9pm onward departure to Melbourne on the Qantas budget subsidiary, Jetstar.
Friday 7.40pm: Jetstar cancels flight JQ8 just 80 minutes before departure due to one pilot going sick. Staff decline to rebook passengers on the last Australia-bound flight of the night on Qantas. The only options: a replacement Jetstar flight the following evening, or a refund. As I have plans for Saturday night in Melbourne, I choose the latter. But aircraft heading for the Australian city are extremely full.
All times from now onwards are on Saturday.
1am: Finally I find a seat on Emirates flight EK404 that is due to leave Singapore at 10.10am and arrive in Melbourne at 5.35pm. Fares are extremely high – far more than the £300 I paid for my Jetstar flight. So I transfer some American Express Reward Points to my Emirates Skywards account. The only seat available for points is in business class: 87,000 miles plus £52 in cash.
8.10am: I visit the Emirates lounge, hoping to forage for…
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