Hi,
just a heads up. Optimum altitude for holding in the B777 is approx 20,000ft. However there is not a huge amount of difference in fuel burn whilst in a holding pattern between 1500 ft and 35,000ft, only a few hundred kilos.
A heavy B773 will be minimum clean at approx 230 kts. Once we start configuring we reduce speed by 20 kts for each flap setting, i.e flap 1 210kts, flap 5 190 kts. We can then reduce to flap 15/20 and fly approx minimum 170 kts. These speeds obviously vary with aircraft weight. If you request 160 kts then we would need to lower the gear and select flap 25/30.
In EK we have to have landing flap selected by 1500 ft AGL, so 170 kts to 5 nm would work.
For Dubai, give us a dedicated delivery frequency and an approx start up time when busy. That way we can give the pax some good info on delays.
I am sure these things have all been discussed before, but i thought i would mention them again.
Other than that keep up the good work.
Rgds.