The Middle Eastern three
 

I'm deliberately not saying 'Middle Eastern Airlines' because that's the national airline of Lebanon. I haven't flown with them since I was a child.

What I mean is Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad. I've only flown with EK, what are the other two like? I've heard they are excellent. What has been your experience?

they're all pretty good - based their service model on SQ of course - not quite as good but so far ahead of anything across the Atlantic it's embarrassing

Justapax
I am a regular on EK but have on occasions flown with the others. Qatar is IMHO a little ahead of EK with ETIHAD just behind EK but all are behind SQ. However they are all significantly ahead of the main European carrier and as for US carriers they are so far behind ME3 it’s almost absurd.

Our use of EK as a company is based on two things, which is route network and the widespread use of A380 which we all prefer to fly in comparison with anything else, though A350 is also popular. The 787 and 777 come quite away behind on a recent straw poll which we do when reviewing both carriers and A/C. As a lot of our flying is long haul we encourage feed back from staff who are doing the travelling not the accountants department who are pretty stationary 😉

Cheers
Mr Mac

Drifting off topic a bit, I've not been flown in the A380 but I really want to, all the reports are that it is really quiet and comfy. I much prefer the A350 over the 777, and I will actively avoid flying in the 787 now I am retired and can pick and choose. Dreamliner? More like nightmareliner. They all seem to have been assembled on Friday nights.

It is superb - loads of space, none of the noise of a 777

I prefer the 787 to the 777 but the A350 is better than either - but if there is a choice an A 380 any time

Thanks for that. EK fly the 777 from MAN, the nearest aeroport to me that they fly from, but the A380 from LHR. I think I'll take the train down to London, stay overnight at my club, and take the morning flight. As the club is in Central London, it's within the 70 km radius that you can get a chauffeured car from. The flights both end up at the same place, DXB, but I really want to try the A380 that so many people have good reports of.

I flew EK A380 to and from MAN back in February; At that time IIRC they flew twice daily MAN-DXB, with one flight a 777 and the other a 380. Have they now discontinued A380 service to MAN? If so, I will fly via LHR and take the train up north - to me that's a better option. Flying into MAN puts me within free limo transfer distance of my final destination.

I fly from BNE to MAN every few years, and much prefer EK, because the A380 is head and shoulders above any other aircraft for passenger comfort. SQ service is superb, but they now fly A350-900s BNE-SIN, and they are just too small and cramped (the contrast between SQ 777 LHR-SIN and SQ A359 SIN-BNE is stark, even in business class).

As the only carrier who operate the A380 to BNE, EK are my first choice - for as long as they continue to do so.

Sadly for those of us who fly ultra-long haul, there seems little prospect of a large enough aircraft to be comfortable being available in the long term. The 747 and A380 were the only planes big enough IMO, and neither is still in production.

I understand the global business model of smaller planes travelling point-to-point, which is a boon for European and North American commuters, but it's very bad news for Australians who have to fly half way around the planet to visit family. It's a gruelling enough journey even in a nice large aircraft.

I'm relatively sure we taxied by their A380 the last couple of times in Manchester. Last time was just a couple of days ago.

I'm sure you're looking forward (not) to Qantas non-stop flights from the East Coast to Europe in an A350. Last time I went to the UK from Sydney we did 1 hop from Darwin to LHR, in a 787. Not fun.

Yeah, I fail to see much benefit in a non-stop flight. A couple of hours knocked off the journey sounds good at first, but when you realise that means 20+ hours without a break to stretch the legs, the appeal starts to wane.

Add to that that you will get the legendary QF level of service, and I think I will stick with EK.

EK services to Man are all on the A380, currently 3 per day. As far I can remember this has been the case for some years.

Cheadle boy / Justapax
The service has been A380 3 flights per day for a long time. Originally only lunchtime post A380 introduction with 777 on red eye and evening. It then moved to A380 with 2 class on evening and red eye and 3 class on lunchtime. You now have PE cabin as well.

I believe there was some talk of an additional service later this year which maybe 777.

Cheers
Mr Mac

I based my statement on glancing briefly at the Emirates website some time ago. I haven't looked at it recently. I must have mis-remembered the details about flights from MAN. Thanks for the correction. I still think I'd prefer to fly from LHR, the flight is cheaper (again, IIRC) and the aeroport easier to get to down the East Coast Main Line that travelling cross-country - and from local information I've been told that the service to MAN is not that reliable, trains are often cancelled at no notice.

I'll take a look at Qatar and Etihad to see how fares compare flying on to Australia - the largest country I've never visited. I have 150,000-odd Skywards points with Emirates, whereas I don't have any loyalty points with the other two. Even with points, it's going to be a lot of money in C or F - if I'm going to be flying for that long, I'm going to want a lie-flat bed.

What is odd flying from the UK to Australia, is that you often have more choice of long haul flights with the Mid East 3 + SQ than say Qantas. We go to Adelaide a lot and it's served by Emirates, Qatar, SQ (and Malaysian) but not BA or Qantas long haul. Similar in Brisbane. Also gives you a lot more flexibility to go in at one airport (eg MEL) and out elsewhere (say ADL).

We've also found that sometimes you get MUCH lower fares, especially in Business. if you fly via AMS or CDG - which isn't a hardship if you're not in London already

I'll try fares via AMS and CDG, thanks. I'm flying into PER and out of SYD. I'd be grateful for advice about the best time of year to go - I'll be spending most of my time in an air-conditioned train, looking out of the window, so the weather isn't too much of a concern as long as it's not hissing down all day.

Edit: EK out of LHR is cheapest, because of points. I just want advice about the time of year to fly, and I'm away! SQ surprisingly were only second because I don't have points with them.

Well its always bloody dry on the Nullabor of course. Climate wise there is a big difference between the north (Broome, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane) and the south (Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney). The middle is HOT.

In the north you want to avoid The Wet - late October- April/early May.

In the south it gets pretty warm in January/early Feb. Christmas & New year aren't such a show stopper as in the UK but school hols in January can make it more expensive. The Australian winter can be cool and damp- even in Adelaide - often cloudy and showers, maybe 12C-15C. Colder and wetter (these are relative terms) in Melbourne and Hobart but very pleasant in summer.

TBH they're set up for the heat and it's also dry its not as uncomfortable as you'd think (tho Darwin, Cairns and even Brisbane can be steamy). October- November (spring) is probably best for me in SYD, ADL, MEL.

If you think S Spain or S Italy that's the sort of climate you get - but drier

Thanks for that. The Indian Pacific (which I have chosen over the Ghan) is all in the South. It sounds like any time of year is going to be fine, unless anyone tells me otherwise. Apart from the spiders, snakes, and of course drop bears that expatriate Australians terrify potential visitors with :)!

Ahhhh the dropbears - a UK TV presenter was conned brilliantly a few years back................

https://www.reddit.com/r/funnyvideos...ng_protective/

As for the weather I'd avoid the middle of the Oz winter - it's too much like home. If you're getting off in Adelaide it's a nice place- much quieter than the other big cities but easy to get around, with a very compact centre and some interesting things to do

and of course acres and acres of vineyards right into the suburbs..............

I'm thinking of April. Is this drop bear season? The Indian Pacific stops in Adelaide, and I could stop there and take the next train a few days later. What do you recommend?

At that time of year EK are doing C class for just over £ 4000, with points. I think I can just about run to that.

Justapax
You are towards the end of Drop Bear season then I am informed ,but they are cunning buggers 😉

Icarus