The ICC Champions Trophy was held in the UK in June 2017. I was blessed with the opportunity of attending 3 games. This would be my first experience of watching a cricket match overseas.
The Match Seats were reserved, flights booked and I was off to London Heathrow with Emirates in First Class.

I chose EK029 this time instead of EK 01. This allowed me more time in the Lounge and I was the only passenger in First Class!


The Outbound Flight was on 6th June and the return on 20th June.


Mumbai - London ( 6th June 2017 ) :

The GVK First and Business Class Lounge :

A-La-Carte dining on offer in the First Class Section :

The Buffet Spread :

Kathi Roll and the Molten Chocolate Cake, an absolute delight!

A Warm Welcome to the A380 Suite :

My Seat for the 3 hour flight to Dubai :

The Breakfast Menu :

Taxiing to the Runway :

Taking off from Mumbai ( Video Link ) :

Emirates' In-Flight Entertainment System - ICE i.e. Information, Communication & Entertainment offers a wide array of options for flyers

A Cappuccino will suffice please!

A Beautiful Sunrise beckons on the Horizon!

Flying into Dubai :

Nearing Touchdown into Dubai :

Landing at Dubai International Airport :

Beautiful morning at Dubai International Airport :

A spacious and relatively empty First Class Lounge in Dubai :

An elegant First Class Suite enroute to London. I was the only flyer in First Class!

Goodies Basket, Arabian Coffee and Dates to start the journey with!

Taxiing to the Runway :

Takeoff!

Taking off from Dubai bound for Heathrow ( Video Link ) :

The Menu for the journey!

Lunch Service!

A Well Stocked Bar in the First Class Section :

The Emirates Insignia proudly displayed onboard

An Empty First Class :

A Quick tour of the First Class Suite ( Part 1 ) :

A Tour of the First Class Suite ( Part 2 ) :

After a hearty lunch, I decided to head down to the Business Class Lounge.

Some shots of the Lounge Seating Area, offering some stunning views of the sky.

Shots of the Lounge bar :

Business Class seats, 76 in all :

I returned to my seat and my Bed was set! It was time for a siesta before going in for a shower before landing into Heathrow :

Some Shots of the Shower Suite offered onboard, yes a shower at 40,000 feet!

A refreshing shower and we were nearing our destination :

Hovering over London :

Heathrow Airport!

Landing at Heathrow International Airport ( Video Link ) :

Heathrow the busiest airport in the world catering to numerous airlines!

Well hello Emirates!

A Mercedes Benz S500 to ferry me to my friend's home!

Enroute to Stanmore :

London - Mumbai ( 20th June 2017 ) :

The Return pickup too was in an elegant Mercedes S500 :

Driving to Heathrow :

A Brisk Check-in, Fast Track Security Check and Immigration and it was time to unwind in the Lounge :

The Spread :


Some views from the Lounge :


Heathrow is one of the few airports ( other than Dubai ) that offers boarding from the Lounge :

Shots of the First Class Suite :

Making our way to the runway :

Bye Bye London...until next time :


Takeoff from Heathrow International Airport ( Video Link ) :




The Dinner Menu to Dubai :

Mocktail, Nuts and Crisps kick off the Dinner Service!

Hors D'oeuvres, Light Bites and some catching up in the Business Class Lounge onboard A380 :

The Bed set for the Night.

As always, the Flight Steward woke me up an hour before the flight landed to enjoy the Shower Service on-board :


A Tour of the Shower Suite ( Video Link ) :




Descending into Dubai :


Dubai International Airport :


Landing at Dubai International Airport ( Video Link ) :




The First Class Lounge, oozing class as always :


The Boarding was offered from the Lounge and I soon settled into my First Class Suite :


Taxiing to the Runway :


The Final leg of the trip begins :


Takeoff from Dubai bound for Mumbai ( Video Link ) :




The Lunch Menu :


Lunch Service. Quite a good meal :


Nearing Touchdown in Mumbai :


Mumbai!


Landing in Mumbai ( Video Link ) :




Once Again, Thank you Emirates for memorable Flights!

The buck doesn't stop here! Trips to Brussels and Cape Town to follow shortly!

The "Flying Diaries" return with the trip to Barcelona being the first documented from 2017. The Spanish Grand Prix was held in May and I had the opportunity to fly down and experience the Hospitality of Emirates in the air all over again.

The outbound flight was on 10th May and the Return on 18th May.
 

Mumbai - Barcelona ( 10th May 2017 ) :

The Stunningly Beautiful Terminal 2, Mumbai :

The First and Business Class Lounge of GVK at Terminal 2. One of the best lounges in the world! A lavish buffet, Complimentary massage services and offering breath taking views of the Planes at Mumbai

I also got the opportunity to meet the Music Maestro A.R. Rahman! Fan Moment!

The First Class Suite to Dubai. Stunning and comfortable as ever!

Arabian Dates and Arabian Coffee for the First Class guests :

Taxiing to the runway :

Takeoff from Mumbai International bound for Dubai ( Video Link ) :




I am not much of a breakfast guy but never shy away from Chocolate Croissants and some Cappuccino!

A Beautiful morning beckons as we fly into Dubai :

Touchdown at Dubai International Airport :


Landing at Dubai International Airport ( Video Link  ) :




The First Class Lounge in Dubai offers boarding from the Lounge itself. There is a separate terminal to cater to Airbus A380s.

A Quick stop in the Lounge and it was time to board the flight for Barcelona!


Goodies galore in the suite. The basket is replenished also.

The Plethora of Emirates Airlines planes at Dubai :

FlyDubai, the low cost option flying out of Dubai and merged with Emirates now :

Taxiing to the Runway :

Up, up and away!! The Burj Khalifa visible in the distance :

Takeoff from Dubai International Airport bound for Barcelona ( Video Link ) :




Breakfast and Lunch menu onboard. Emirates offers "Food on Demand" for First Class passengers.


Lip Smacking Lunch :


A Well Stocked bar in front of First Class :

The Bar and Lounge behind Business Class :

Business Class seats in A380 :

I returned to my seat to find my bed made. Time for a nap along with the Do Not Disturb option!


I was woken up an hour before the flight was due to land for a shower appointment. Yes a shower at 40,000 feet!


I returned from the shower and we had already started our descent into Barcelona :

Touchdown at El Prat International Airport :

Landing at El Prat International Airport in Barcelona ( Video Link ) :




A Mercedes S500 sent to pick me for the drop off at Hilton Diagonal Mar in Barcelona :


Barcelona - Mumbai ( 18th May 2017 )

Emirates sent another S500 for the return pickup! This one came with a Panaromic Sunroof!

Driving to El Prat Airport :
A Quick check in and a brisk completion of all other formalities, it was time to enjoy the facilities the lounge had to offer! The Lounge is multi-airline and I wish they had a better spread on offer.

The First Class seat for the Flight to Dubai :

A Night Flight means an Emirates Night Suit, Amenity Kit, Slippers and Eye Shades are offered as Standard Issue.

Taxiing to the runway :

Takeoff from Barcelona bound for Dubai ( Video Link ) :




Dinner Menu :

Time for a movie while the food is prepared!

Dinner is served!

Well Stocked Bar and Lounge behind Business Class :

A Quick tour of the Shower Suite :

Video Link :




Starting our Descent into Dubai :

Nearing Touchdown :


Welcome to Dubai International Airport :


Landing at Dubai International Airport ( Video Link ) :




The Transit time was short in Dubai and I made a run for my connecting flight to Mumbai

The Final Leg of my Journey was on a Boeing 777-200LR, a flight nearing the end of its stint with Emirates.

First Class Seats, an old configuration this :


The Lunch menu for Dubai Mumbai leg :

Taxiing to the runway. Dubai Airport teeming with flights all around!

Bye Bye Dubai, until we meet again!


Takeoff from Dubai bound for Mumbai International Airport ( Video Link ) :




Lunch on the Final Leg of the Trip :

Nearing touchdown in Mumbai. The Vashi Bridge clearly visible :

Mumbai International Airport :


Landing at Mumbai Airport ( Video Link  ) :

 


The Return Pickup, the Mercedes C220 again.


Emirates have never faltered in maintaining the standards they have set. Every trip is a memorable one. There is more to come in the "Flying Diaries" - London next!

Apologies for the delayed posts, but then better late than never!