Japan is one motorsports crazy nation! Their passion for motorsport can easily rival that of the Europeans. The Land of the Rising Sun boasts of some legendary tracks - Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit & Twin Ring Motegi which host races both on two wheels and four!

Suzuka Circuit has seen some memorable races over the years..be it the battles between Senna and Prost, the victories of Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen or the unbelievable win of Kimi Raikkonen in 2005 after starting 17th on the grid and setting the circuit lap record in that race! Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 won the Constructors' Champions for the 2019 Season also at Suzuka! 

Degners, Dunlop Curve, 130R are some of the iconic portions of the track and have seen some stunning overtakes over the years! Rains, a regular feature due to frequent occurrences of Typhoons make it one of the toughest circuits to race at!

I had the privilege of attending this race in 2019 and unfortunately, all sessions on Saturday had to be cancelled due to the onset of the Super Typhoon named "Hagibis". 

I would like to share my travel recommendations for those who plan to pay a visit in the future!

The Circuit Layout :

Official Website :

Location :

The circuit is situated in the Town of Suzuka, in the Mie Prefecture ( Province ). It is a small industrial town but well connected by road and rail to other parts of Japan. The town does seem to get overwhelmed by the congregation of Fans over the F1 Race Weekend since the circuit can accommodate more than 150000! Its another one of those "old school" tracks capable of running races in 5 different configurations ( catering to various other racing series )!

Closest Airports :

Chubu Centrair International Airport ( NGO ) is the closest airport to Suzuka, situated near the city of Nagoya. It has connections to multiple international destinations. Those planning to travel from India can fly on Cathay Pacific ( via Hong Kong ) or Singapore Airlines to Nagoya. Nagoya is also connected with other cities of Japan by domestic carriers ( although its best to use trains to commute inter-city )

Osaka Kansai International Airport ( KIX ) is one of the major International Hubs in Japan with a wide range of connections to the Americas, Australia, Europe and the Rest of Asia. 

Tokyo Narita International Airport ( NRT ) and Tokyo Haneda International Airport ( HND ) are the furthest but offer more connections than any other airport listed above. Tokyo Narita was the airport of choice for me. The national airline All Nippon Airways ( ANA ) offers direct flights from multiple cities to Tokyo with the option of onward connections to Nagoya.

I opted to fly ANA from Mumbai to Tokyo Narita. The experience is shared here :

https://tech-know-crat.posthaven.com/the-flying-diaries-bom-nrt-bom-ana-business

Where To Stay :

The Town of Suzuka has very limited options for accommodation ( which are sold out on race weekends every year ) so its best to find a room in cities like Nagoya or Osaka.  There is a camping facility at the circuit.  

There are a few F1 personnel, media reporters who prefer the town of Yokkaichi which is only 10 km from Suzuka but the story there is no different. Nagoya which is only 50 km away is the best bet for fans with options for all budgets! Osaka is a bigger city but it increases the commute time to the circuit ( more on that later ). Barring a couple of hotels ( adjoining the Central Stations of either city ), all others offer really good prices for stays over the weekend.

Nagoya was the city of choice for me and I stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza in the area of Kanayama in Nagoya. Kanayama is only a station away from Nagoya's main terminal. The City has a great transport network along with multiple options for wining, dining and shopping! It isn't rare to meet some famous face from the F1 Fraternity on the streets of Nagoya! 

Japanese Rail Network :

I would like to share some info on the Japanese Rail Network before I get to "Circuit Access" since this information will be of great assistance to many. When I drew up plans to be at the Japanese GP, I was pretty apprehensive about using Rail Networks in Japan. At first, it felt so confusing that I almost gave up on the idea of attending the race. However, my good friend & avid F1 Traveller Mr Raul Martinez who had been to Suzuka a few times allayed all my fears and apprehensions over a telephonic conversation; having experienced first-hand the efficiency, the quality and the ease of use of Japan Rail, I can say that they have one of the best rail networks of the world. 

I chose to fly into Tokyo Narita ( as mentioned earlier ) even though it was the furthest of all airports from Suzuka ( pricing and flight connections were the reasons ). The airports in Tokyo or Osaka are outside city limits. 

Both airports operate Airport Express Trains to bring travellers into the city centre ( the most economical, fastest way and used by almost everyone ). There are Taxis, Uber and private car hire but they are very expensive! 

Shinkansen or Bullet Trains are used to travel inter-city. There are 3 types of Shinkansen :

Nozomi: the fastest and stops at major cities only

Hikari: slower than Nozomi and has more stops

Kodama: stops at all stations, the slowest train services.

Tickets are of 2 types: Open Date & Fixed Date with 2 classes on offer ( Ordinary and Green ). Information for these tickets is given on their website ( mentioned below ).

Tickets for the Airport Express and Inter-City Shinkansen are available online on :

https://shinkansen-ticket.com/

Like many countries, Japan Rail offers a Pass called the JR Pass ( Ordinary & Green ) which allows nationwide travel for a limited time ( 7, 14 & 21 days ) to foreigners. Travellers can reserve seats from any JR Office after producing their pass at the booking office. JR Pass is eligible for use on Hikari and Kodama trains.

Nozomi Shinkansen is not included in the JR Pass and tickets for those trains have to be purchased separately.

All information on the JR Pass can be found on this website :

https://japan-jr-pass.com/

Rail Tickets and JR Passes can be delivered to other countries ( shipping fee applies ), to hotels or the nearest post offices in Japan. 

I purchased a Green Ticket on Narita Express up to Tokyo Central and a Green Ticket on a Nozomi train to Nagoya. 

Travel time on the Narita Express is approximately one hour. Tokyo Central is a pretty big station and can get confusing. Its advisable to travel up to Shinagawa Station ( on the Narita Express ) instead of where connecting to inter-city Shinkansen is easier. The Nozomi train to Nagoya takes about one hour forty minutes.

Tickets were purchased from the Shinkansen Website and I opted for delivery to the Post Office at Narita International Airport. It is important to ensure one has ample time at hand while selecting trains from Narita Airport and Tokyo Central / Shinagawa Stations so that there is no last-minute rush for ticket collection or connections.

The journey from Osaka Kansai to Nagoya is no different... Haruka Airport Express from Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka Station and then a Shinkansen Service to Nagoya.

Important Tip : 

There are 2 Prepaid cards ( Suica and Pasmo ) which can be used for Rail, Bus, taxi services and even for shopping within Tokyo and Nagoya ( similar to an Oyster Card in London ). I used a Suica Card purchased from one of the vending machines at Tokyo Central. A card costs 2000 yen, which includes a refundable deposit of 500 yen and 1500 yen is immediately available for train rides. These are available at any JR East Station ( only within Tokyo, so get one before leaving for Nagoya ). 

Do note that the cards issued at the Airports are against non-refundable deposits.

Leg 2 of the journey ( Nagoya to Suzuka ) will be shared in the Circuit Access Section.

Circuit Access :

The fastest way to get to the circuit is by train. We did try a car hire ( a friend had already booked one ) on Friday but the journey was long and the bottleneck near the circuit meant that we missed a good part of Free Practice 1. We ditched it for the tried and tested Rail Option. There are taxis available to and fro from the circuit but they are the most expensive option.

The journey from Nagoya to Suzuka Circuit ( Leg 2 ):

Kintetsu Railways ( regional railway ) offer train services from both Nagoya to Shiroko Station, which is the nearest station to the circuit on this line. Both Express and Limited Express Trains ply on this route at frequent intervals. The trip takes about 40 to 50 minutes ( depending on the train ). It is best to purchase a Rail Pass for the entire weekend. There are shuttle buses every 15 minutes to take the fans to the main circuit gate. Taxis are also available at the station (which can drop VIP guests at the Paddock Club parking for their shuttle), be prepared to queue up for both options. ( Sunday evening is the worst hit )

More Details of the Rail Pass here :

https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/

The journey from Osaka to Suzuka Circuit :

Fans can also travel from Osaka-Namba Station via Kintetsu Railways to Shiroko. There is a direct service as well as one with a transfer via Tsu Station. One needs to reserve seats a day in advance even with a rail pass. The fastest journey takes about 100 minutes. 

It is best to stay at Nagoya and use a service from there.

Japan Railways Trains to Suzuka :

There is another station called Suzuka Circuit Inou which is also connected by rail to Nagoya. This line is operated by another company called Japan Railways. There are express trains tagged as "Suzuka Grand Prix" that run non-stop from Nagoya to Suzuka Inou. Reservations need to be made a day before travel. JR Pass ( mentioned earlier ) can be used for a partial portion of the journey on this route. However, it is a 30-minute walk to the circuit from the station and not such a popular option. 

F1 Village, Fan Zones :

The circuit has multiple merchandising outlets and the largest concentration of stores is near the circuit's main entrance ( closest to the final corner and pit grandstands ). These stores offer Circuit Merchandise, Support Races Merchandise, F1 Teams Merchandise and even Model Cars! The stores are well stocked and run late into Sunday night. Prices of some products are cheaper than those sold at races in Europe.  

Remember to carry sufficient cash since ATMs are limited around a track. Comfortable walking shoes and wet weather gear are equally important. 

Past the Ticket Scanning Gates, we have a huge F1 Village...known as the GP Square, behind the main grandstand area. It can easily rival F1 Villages at newer circuits. Each Team has its merchandising stalls and most of them are crowded! Kimi Raikkonen is the most popular driver and the Alfa Romeo merchandising stores were empty by Friday Afternoon! The F1 Store also puts up its kiosk and there are many unique products on sale, so do visit them. 

Fan Zones are pretty crowded. There are F1 Driver Appearances throughout the weekend and concerts are held every evening. Simulators, Pit Stop Challenges, Batak Machines are a regular feature. Food Outlets are reasonably priced ( both in GP Square and behind other stands ) with both local and western delicacies. Queues can be pretty long during peak hours of dining. 

Fan Experiences :

3-day Ticket Holders are eligible for a pit-lane walk on Thursdays. There is also a Drivers' Autograph session which is open only to ballot winners. There are multiple walks across various sections of the track at different times over the weekend. Refer the Circuit Website for more details. The circuit also offers "Free Friday" where fans can sit in any grandstand on a Friday (except for the Upper Grandstand ). This is a great opportunity to take in different views of the circuit. There is a trackside commentary both in English and the local language over the radio. 

F1 Experiences offer Pit Lane Walks, Paddock Guided Tours, Parade Truck Track Tours, Photo-op with Trophies and even Hot Laps ( in supercars driven by a racer ) of the track!

A Ride on the Iconic Ferris Wheel cannot be missed. The Wheel offers great views of the track and gets busier on the weekend. Best to visit on Thursday or Friday. 

I also plan on visiting their Amusement park and try the newly launched EV Attraction which one can drive on the F1 Track! ( details on Circuit Website )

Japanese People :

Suzuka is an iconic track but what makes it even more special are the fans who gather to witness their favourite sport! The Japanese are extremely polite, helpful and law-abiding citizens. They find innovative ways of expressing their love for the sport - from cardboard F1 Car hats, DRS Rear Wing hats, quirky helmets, cardboard cutouts of favourite drivers to having families dressed in replica racing overalls! They are extremely knowledgeable, respectful and will go that extra mile to help visitors. I was truly humbled meeting such an amazing race. They truly deserve a special mention!

Suzuka was a memorable experience. Once is not enough! I do hope to pay this country and circuit another visit in 2020 and explore more so that I can share more...God willing! 

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the home of The Belgian Grand Prix every year. Many drivers rate it as the best circuit on the calendar.  Kimi Raikkonen, my racing hero, earned the title of "King of Spa" for his brilliant performances here.

I have had the privilege of attending 4 races here - 2015, 2017, 2018 & 2019 and each experience was unique. Nestled in the Ardennes mountains, the track offers views that can only be rivalled by The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria and even then the latter might not appeal to all. Iconic turns like Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Les Combes, La Source, Blanchimont, the Bus Stop dot this legendary circuit, a great many battles have been fought here. The weather is very unpredictable with instances of heavy rain in one sector and bright sunshine in another. The 1998 & 2008 Belgian GPs were testaments to the weather playing havoc. The track also offered quite a lot of challenges with regards to marshalling and extrication of stricken cars due to its old-school layout but its a circuit like no other!

This circuit will kickstart my "F1 Travel Guide" series!!

The Circuit Layout :

Official Website :

https://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en

Location :

The Circuit is located in the town of Stavelot, close to a town called Spa ( the town famous for the Mineral Water company called Spa ) in the region of Wallonia. Nestled in the Ardennes Region, it is also close to the Nurburgring and its older brother Nordschleife ( better known as the Green Hell ) circuits situated on the German side of the hilly region ( also worth a visit ). 

Closest Airports :

International Airports :

Brussels Airport ( BRU ) is a major hub for all international airlines, serving most European Routes, The Americas, Middle-East and Asia. 

I fly Emirates to Brussels via Dubai, multiple connections every day! The Experience is shared here :

https://tech-know-crat.posthaven.com/the-flying-diaries-bom-bru-bom-emirates-first

Dusseldorf Airport ( DUS ) is another major hub ( on the German side ) catering to all the above routes as well.

Cologne Bonn Airport ( CGN ), is closer than Dusseldorf but offers limited connections to the region via the Middle-East.

Intra-Continental Airports :

Liege Airport ( LGG ) & Maastricht Aachen Airport ( MUS ), The closest Airports to the circuit offering limited connections via Spain.

Luxembourg Airport ( LUX ) caters to multiple destinations within Europe through various national and low-cost carriers.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport ( CRL ) is another hub for low-cost carriers in the city of Brussels.

There are a few other major airports like Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Dortmund but I wouldn't recommend them since they go beyond the 200 km radius of Spa-Francorchamps.

Where to stay :

The Towns of Spa, Stavelot, Verviers, Malmedy, Theux are the closest to the circuit and offer a lot of options from Hotels to Inns, Chalets and B&Bs. The rates are inflated over the race weekend and it is highly recommended to book at least 6 months in advance to get a good deal ( most of these are non-refundable rates ). The town of Spa is full of F1 Drivers & Personnel and many oblige those waiting with an autograph or a selfie! Camping is very popular in Europe and the circuit has some fantastic camping sites for those who prefer to bring in their RVs or set up a camping spot over the weekend. 

There is also a Hotel "de La Source" near Turn 1 of the circuit but its sold out ( almost always ) on the race dates. There are other inns and B&Bs near the circuit but be wary of the exorbitant rates over an F1 weekend. 

I prefer giving all the above a miss...

The circuit is also close to big cities like Liege ( Belgium ), Aachen ( Germany ), Maastricht ( Netherlands ) and Hasselt ( Belgium ). Hasselt is the furthest of the lot with the commuting time from the other three being only about 35 to 40 minutes. I haven't stayed at Liege ( yet ) ( haven't heard great reports about safety either ) but Liege is yet another town that fills up pretty quickly for the race weekend. Maastricht and Aachen see a great number of F1 fans and can cater to all budgets. Aachen is the livelier of the two with a mini Oktoberfest happening on the same weekend as F1. Maastricht boasts of equally good restaurants and bars and one can easily become a part of conversations over a drink or a meal! All these cities are well connected to the circuit by rail and the circuit organisers also offer a shuttle service to the track. 

More details on the circuit shuttle here: https://www.spagrandprix.com/en/tickets-city-shuttle 

The above shuttle can cater to fans coming in from Brussels or Amsterdam as well but one must be wary of the travel time which is 4 hours each way. This only gets longer on a Sunday!

Hasselt is my city of choice for the weekend. I have stayed in the city twice ( 2017 and 2019 ). It is only about an hour away from the circuit and offers great hotels at very economical rates. A Park Inn by Radisson costs about 50 Euros a night and there are some options even around the 20 25 Euro mark! The city is also the birthplace of the Rising Dutchman Max Verstappen.

The city has quite an interesting layout, designed in a circular shape...one can go around the bustling parts of town and come back to the starting point easily. The city has some fantastic places to wine and dine, not to forget the bakeries offering Speculoos, the spiced shortcrust biscuit! My friends and I drove down through the weekend and navigation in and out was easy with a parking pass. However, do note that the city isn't covered under the shuttle bus service ( so maybe one can pay the town a visit post or pre-race weekend ).

The cities of Cologne and Luxembourg are 2 other options that are well connected both by rail and shuttle. I did stay in the former during the weekend of the 2013 German GP held at Nurburgring but if one doesn't hire a car, I wouldn't recommend staying there.

Circuit Access :

The circuit isn't the easiest the get to, the expansive layout of the circuit and the forests surrounding it pose a considerable challenge with regards to navigating your way around the track. It can house around 70000 spectators with the stands majorly being around the start-finish straight, the Bus Stop, La Source and Eau Rouge and Raidillon sections. The other areas are general admission viewing areas and a good level of fitness is required to hike up and down the various pathways in and around the circuit. Some spots offer unparalleled views of the circuit so it is worth the effort! The weather is unpredictable ( as mentioned earlier ), so be prepared for the heat, the cold or the rain!

Over the F1 weekend, there are a lot of access restrictions and parking spots can be quite a long walk from certain stands. There is a circuit shuttle which helps reduce commute but is infrequent. Its highly recommended that one studies the circuit map well and opts for appropriate parking passes. There are taxi stands as well but they tend to be overcrowded on evenings (especially post-race ), so its best to wait until a couple of hours after the sessions ( or race ) to easily hail one. If you do hail a taxi to the circuit then be prepared to walk for 30 minutes to reach the grandstands or the paddock club parking area. The Paddock Club runs a shuttle for the VIP guests from thereon. 

F1 Village, Fan Zones :

One of the most frequented zones/areas of an F1 track are the Merchandising shops. There are stores spread across the track and some on the approach road to the Main gate of La Source. There is a heavy concentration of stores at that roundabout, even watches ( Casio Edifice ) are sold there. Those were the only stores selling Alfa - Romeo F1 Merchandise.

The largest concentration of stores ( catering to almost all needs ) is at the F1 Village which is on the outside of the circuit between La Source and Eau Rouge. A lot of Fan events such as performances, drivers' meet and greet, F1 Personnel Interviews and games like Simulator Skills test, Pit Stop or Batak Challenges are held. Those who ace the F1 Simulators get couple passes of the Paddock Club for Sunday! There are a lot of food stalls and Beer Stations along with lounging areas for fans to enjoy the action on track thanks to the giant screens put up there. I have never missed visiting this village, one of the largest on the calendar.

Fan Experiences :

A Pit Lane walk is offered on Thursday to the 3 Day ticket holders. Its a once in a lifetime experience for many. You even get to walk the track and some have been fortunate enough to meet their favourite drivers on their track walks! There are also Drivers' Autograph sessions, details for which are shared by the organisers closer to the dates. It is imperative to reach early to bag that special sign and possibly a selfie with the best in the world of motorsport! F1 Experiences, the official hospitality partner to F1's worldwide races offers various packages and upgrades to existing tickets...these include guided paddock tours, a photo-op with the Race Winning Trophy on Pit Straight, a tour of the Track on the Parade Truck.. a great way to add to the memories made over the weekend.

Finally, the fans are allowed to enter the track after the end of the race and when deemed safe by the marshalls ( better known as "track invasion" ). This is a must-do! I had the privilege of walking up the entire length of Eau Rouge and Raidillon in 2015 and the elevation change is unbelievable!

Apologies in advance for missing any other detail. I shall update this article/guide when I make another visit to the track...the chances of this in 2020 seem bleak..but we hope for the best! Stay home, Stay Safe everyone!

The world has been in a state of lockdown due to the Covid-19 virus with respite still a couple of months away in certain countries.

The Formula One Season is slated to start in Austria in the first week of July with the first six races being closed doors events. The chances of being at a race in 2020 seem really bleak.

However I have decided to begin a new series on my blog, sharing travel related information to fans planning to be at certain races on the calendar.

I have had the privilege of visiting quite a few circuits ( 24 races in all ) out of which Belgium, Spain, Canada, Japan, Singapore, US, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Abu Dhabi, UK are still on the calendar. I shall also cover Hockenheim, Germany, which isn't on the calendar currently but is quite likely to make a comeback.

These Travel Guides would be based on personal experiences, so please do forgive me if I miss out on a detail. 

The Series will be updated as and when new circuits are visited! 

Hope the guide would be helpful to one and all!

Post one will be up soon...watch this space!

The Flying Diaries series on the Blog have always featured flying experiences onboard Emirates. I was eager to attend the Abu Dhabi GP but unfortunately, guest passes couldn't be arranged. Thankfully the Japanese GP came through and I had to draw up plans for travel and stays fairly quickly. ANA, also known as All Nippon Airways was the airline of choice. I chose to fly into Tokyo even though it was a bit farther from Nagoya ( the city closest to the town of Suzuka ). Tokyo has 2 airports - Narita International Airport & Haneda International Airport; both airports are connected with the Centre of Tokyo by Road and Rail. The best way to travel from either is by Rail - Narita Express / Haneda Express.

ANA operates a solitary service to and fro from Mumbai. The Outbound journey was on 9th October and the Return on the 18th.

So how was the experience in Business Class on ANA? Let us have a quick look!

Mumbai - Tokyo ( ANA Business ) ( 9th October 2019 ) :

Bags are packed and ready!

Shots of the GVK Business Class Lounge, East Wing Section. The East Wing is as good as its Western Counterpart and less populated.

The Spread, as good as ever!

The ANA Business Class seat on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, roomier and more comfortable than it looks!

The Amenities on offer, they even Loan Pyjamas in the Business Class :

Pushback and taxiing to the Runway :

Lets Fly!!

Video Link for Takeoff :

The Elaborate Menu on offer, dominated by Japanese Cuisine. Would have been nice to have a more international menu. I opted to go for an Indian Non-Veg Meal ( better known as Hindu Non-Veg Meal ).

Opted for the Aromatic Kabosu, a signature drink ( Citrus ) on ANA with some little eats followed by a Chicken Tart, Chicken Tikka Starter, Jeera Rice, Lentils and Chicken Makhanwala. The Royal Chocolate Cake with some Green tea was the perfect ending to a good meal.

The Bed is ready, time for a nap before landing into Tokyo :

Enroute to Tokyo, the Interactive Map offering great info on the Flightpath :

Nearing Touchdown at Narita International Airport, early in the morning the next day :

Landing at Tokyo Narita International Airport ( Video Link ) :

Here we are in Japan!

Tokyo Narita Express, the most economical, fastest & comfortable way to get from Narita International Airport to the heart of Tokyo. I opted for Business Class Seats on these too, they offer to recline and better cushioning.

I was in the heart of Tokyo 90 minutes later and then continued my journey to Nagoya with the JR Shinkansen ( Bullet Train ), the Nozomi Express.

Tokyo - Mumbai ( ANA Business ) ( 18th October 2019 ) :

The journey began early in the morning from Shinjuku in Tokyo to Tokyo Central to catch the Narita Express to Narita International Airport. I just made it in time for my ride to the airport.

I decided to walk around the terminal for a bit post-security check.

Some shots of the Narita International Airport :

ANA has 2 separate lounges for Business and First Class. It is nowhere near as good as the ones in Dubai and the spread majorly features regional dishes.

The ANA Business Class Lounge :

I decided to head to the gate after a bite.

The wait begins :

The Chariot for the return journey awaits!

Business Class for the return journey, the same aircraft that flew us in but this time a different seat :

Commencing Pushback and Taxi to the Runway :

A busy morning at Narita International Airport :

Takeoff from Tokyo Narita International Airport ( Video Link ) :

Aerial views of Tokyo :

Views from 38000 feet, so beautiful!

The Menu for the evening :

Commencing meal service with the Kabosu ( I developed a liking for it ) followed by some savouries, a Vegetable salad, Chicken Masala, Steamed Rice and some Dry lentils. Frankly, the meal service on the return journey was an utter disappointment. I did enjoy the Light eats ( Chips and Ice cream ) though but ANA needs to have a serious relook at their menu options.

Another meal, another letdown :

Some more views of the dusk approaching :

Our Flying Route on the Interactive Map, a major part of flying over China :

Home beckons :

Landing at Mumbai International Airport ( Video Link ) :

The Staff are excellent on ANA in Business Class, warm, welcoming and hospitable. The 787 Dreamliner by Boeing offered very comfortable seats. The biggest disappointment was the meal service, I do hope they improve over time. The Airline is rated 5 stars and it is a good product by itself but I feel Emirates has an edge with their award-winning Entertainment System ( I found the Entertainment options onboard to be very limited with mediocre headphones ), an elaborate menu onboard, Chauffeur services, wider seats and a more comfortable and elegant looking lounge. However, in terms of connectivity and timings, this still is the best airline to fly with to the land of the Far East.

The Flying Diaries series comes to an end..hopefully, there will be more in 2020.

The Belgian GP is my favourite race on the F1 Calendar and I have attended 4 of the last 5 Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps; also one of my closest friends shifted base to Brussels in 2017 and what better time to meet him than after the Belgian GP weekend. 

Emirates introduced their new Boeing 777-300ER Game Changer Suites ( in First Class ) on the Dubai-Brussels route ( Geneva being the other ) and I was fortunate enough to try it for the first time in 2018. The new fleet of 777-300ER sport not just a fully private First Class suite but also a revamped Business Class and Economy Class! ( more on the First Class Cabin later ).

I opted for EK 501, the solo Airbus A380 service from Mumbai to Dubai ( 430 am departure ) and EK 183 from Dubai to Brussels. The return was on EK 182 ( a red-eye flight ) to Dubai and then EK 506 to Mumbai. The outbound journey was on 29th August 2019 and the inbound on 9th September.

Mumbai - Brussels ( Emirates First ) ( 29th August 2019 ) :

All set to head for Europe!

Emirates Chauffeur drop at the airport, efficient and courteous as ever :

The First Class Lounge at Mumbai Terminal 2, one of the finest lounges in the world :

Food, food and more food! Business Class passengers enjoy an amazing spread in the Buffet and are offered a 15 minute complimentary Foot or Back Massage. First Class travellers are offered an A-la-carte menu besides a complimentary 30 minute massage!

The First Class Suite onboard Airbus A380, the newer fleet of the A380s have also gone through a revamp ( not plying on this route though )

Arabian Coffee & Dates!

Taxiing to the Runway :

Video Link for Takeoff from Mumbai :

Breakfast service to Dubai :

Fruits, Yogurt, Paneer and Pea Toasties for Breakfast :

The descent into Dubai International Airport :

Touchdown on a beautiful morning :

Landing Video :

It was quite a journey from one terminal to another besides getting to a lounge closest to the departure gate for my flight. 

Unwinding in the lounge, was here for a very brief period though :

It was soon time to board the flight for Brussels and I was excited to enjoy the Refreshed First Class Experience all over again!

My abode for 7 hours..opulence!

Commencing departure procedures :

Arabian Coffee & Dates anyone?

Taxiing to the Runway :

Enroute to Brussels and some stunning views of the Dubai Skyline :

Video Link for Takeoff :

Breakfast and Lunch on the Dubai - Brussels leg :

Ginger Ale with some crisps, Chicken & Lemongrass Consomme, Prawn Brisque and Milk Chocolate Cake..an amazing Lunch onboard!

Post lunch I decided on doing a feature on the Game Changer Suite. 

Emirates have done a stellar job on making premium travel even more comfortable. First Class now is a totally enclosed cabin with full height closing doors, a zero gravity seat designed by Mercedes Benz, Bowers & Wilkins E1 Headsets & a huge Screen to enjoy the entertainment onboard, a pair of Binoculars to enjoy the views from your window, Video Calling facility which enables guests to interact with the flight stewards for their culinary needs, even aisle seats now have Virtual Windows where HD Cameras relay live images onto these window screens so everyone can enjoy a view, mood lighting, mini bar and some essentials like a vanity kit, diary and pen etc. ( Apologies on missing out any other major feature, the list runs long!! )

A Quick walkthrough of the Game Changer Suite ( Video Link ) :

Flying over Europe, Love the Interactive Flight Map, a newer edition as well :

Brussels and its suburbs from above :

Hello Belgium!

Landing at Brussels International Airport ( Video Link ) :

I opted to stay in Hasselt over the weekend since it was only 60 minutes away from the race track. The commute to Hasselt from the airport takes about 75 minutes.

Enroute to Hasselt :

Brussels - Mumbai ( Emirates First ) ( 9th September 2019 ) :

A BMW to ferry me to the airport, this time from the Central part of Brussels :

Driving through the streets of Brussels..so much history around us!

Brussels airport, looks more like a mall :

The Brussels Airlines Lounge which doubles up as an Emirates Lounge. This lounge is in need of a serious makeover.. a mediocre spread, non-existent service, dull atmosphere..quite a disappointment.

Back in the Boeing 777-300ER Game Changer Suite! One of the best seats to fly in!

Dates and Coffee, you just cant get enough of this..the Arabian way of welcoming their guests!

Time to say goodbye to Belgium!

Takeoff Video :

Dinner and Breakfast was offered onboard :

Virgin Cucumber Gimlet with Chips, Spring Pea Soup, Porcini Mushroom Risotto & Chocolate Silk Cake for Dinner..stuffed! 

Enjoying Avengers Endgame in HD on a humongous screen coupled with amazing sound quality from the Bowers and Wilkins E1!

The Voyager App, the interactive Flight Map onboard ICE, Emirates' inflight entertainment system - features 3d Maps, flight paths and 3D views from a virtual cockpit!

With 3 hours to land, I decided to get some sleep!

A foggy morning while descending into Dubai :

Dubai International Airport :

Landing at Dubai International Airport ( Video Link ) :

Shots of the Lounge in Dubai :

Making our way to the Aircraft from the terminal, a 25 minute bus ride :

Seats onboard the Boeing 777-300ER, I decided to not upgrade myself from Business to First for this leg ( preserving miles for a long haul flight next year ).

Pushback and takeoff!

Beautiful views of the Dubai Skyline :

Video Link of the Takeoff, bound for Mumbai :

Breakfast service on the final leg :

Aloo Methi with Sabudana Wada, a proper Indian fare for Breakfast :

Nearing touchdown at Mumbai :

Touchdown Mumbai :

Video Link :

The ride home :

I am a big fan of the Emirates Game Changer Suite! I really hope more routes are added featuring the new fleet. The Food onboard was amazing, the service impeccable, the lounge in Brussels was the only disappointment. 

The Flying Diaries will feature a new airline in the next post..an unexpected journey to the Far East! We take a brief pause in the series to first Review the 2019 F1 Season. 

Watch this space!

The next post of "The Flying Diaries" series features our Business & First Class experience to London Heathrow and back.

It was my first Business Class experience on an Emirates Airbus A380 and I must admit it was quite an enjoyable one. My mum accompanied me on this trip as well, a quick turnaround of 12 days after our return from the US really testing her globe-trotting skills :)

I was excited about attending the 2019 Cricket World Cup besides taking mum in and around London ( her first visit to the UK ). 

The Outbound journey was on 27th June 2019 and the Inbound on 10th July 2019.

Dubai - London Heathrow is one of the busiest sectors for Emirates Airlines. I have lost count of the number of services offered daily by Emirates and their codeshare with Qantas to Heathrow. 

Miles upgrade from Business to First has almost always worked for me ( most recent being the Mumbai-New York & return ). The Upgrade for the Dubai - London Leg was unavailable right until the time of check-in; at check-in a couple of seats became available but the staff at Mumbai couldn't upgrade us and the same would have to be done at Dubai. Unfortunately the seats were gone by the time we landed in Dubai and we eventually flew Business Class for the entire outbound journey. 

This is something that Emirates needs to look at..the flexibility of upgrading a portion of the journey from the Origin of the journey...

Mumbai - London Heathrow ( Emirates Business ) ( 27th June 2019 ) :

Packed & ready..London beckons!

Our ride to the Airport, a Mercedes E250!

All departure formalities complete and it was time to unwind in the lounge :

Business Class onboard Airbus A380, a great product, the best Business in the Emirates Fleet :

Taxiing to the Runway :

Video Link for the Takeoff from Mumbai to Dubai :

The menu for the first leg of our trip :

Sooji ka Halwa for Breakfast!

Sunrise over the Horizon :

Starting our descent into Dubai :

Dubai International Airport :

Landing at Dubai ( Video Link ) :

The Plane was parked a fair distance from the Terminal Building, so we were ferried in buses to the disembarking area :

Business Class Lounge in Dubai :

Our Seats for the 2nd leg of our Outbound Journey. EK 29 to London Heathrow :

Pushback commences!

Taxiing to the Runway ( Video Link ) :

Takeoff from Dubai ( Video Link ) :

The Onboard Lounge in Business Class. Such a great setting to unwind and socialize. The newer A380s even have tables :

Goodies Galore and light bites in the Lounge :

Whats for Breakfast and Lunch?

Virgin Cucumber Gimlet to drink, followed by a Mushroom Soup for the Appetizer, Chicken & Cheese Sandwich for the Main Course, followed by a Chocolate Truffle Cake for Dessert. The Sandwich was one of the best main courses I have ever had inflight! 

Flying over Europe :

Nearing Touchdown at London Heathrow :

London Heathrow! The busiest airport in the world :

Video Link for the Landing :

Our ride to the hotel in Central London, a Mercedes Viano :

Enroute to Central London :

London Heathrow - Mumbai ( Emirates First ) ( 10th July 2019 ) :

We were due to fly out on 9th July by the 10:30 pm flight ( EK 06 ) but I postponed our departure by a day so that I could attend the 1st semi-final between India and New Zealand. Unfortunately the day got rained out and the rest of the game was played out on the Reserve Day.

Our rescheduled flight was EK 32 at 7 pm from Heathrow. EK 04 and 06 were completely booked!

A Mercedes S-Class Estate to ferry us to the airport. This was a longer drive since we were staying in the New Wembley area, right next to the National Stadium! 

Enroute to the Airport :

Nice to see a life-size model of the Emirates A380 aircraft to welcome us at Heathrow :

Making our way to the lounge post check-in..refreshed after our holiday!

The Emirates Lounge in London Heathrow, one of the best lounges outside Dubai :

An amazing spread on offer!

Views from the Lounge..beautiful!

Emirates Airbus A380 First Class, classy as ever!

The crew was kind enough to capture some stills of ours!

Making our way to the Runway!

Up and away, bound for Dubai :

Video Link :

A quick visit to the Onboard Lounge :

Dinner and Breakfast service onboard :

Cream of Mushroom Soup followed by Malwani Chicken and Chocolate & Walnut Torte :

I opted for a short nap post dinner and was woken one hour before our arrival for a shower appointment. Time to enjoy the Shower Suite at 40,000 feet and get refreshed before touchdown in Dubai.

The Emirates Crew remembered my Mum's birthday, a pleasant surprise and she was touched by such a sweet gesture!

The final approach into Dubai :

Video Link for Landing into Dubai :

The First Class Lounge in Dubai..peaceful..

While we were relaxing in the lounge, we met a celebrity from the Hindi Film Industry, Mr. John Abraham. 

A Moment with the Star! Such a down to earth individual, friendly, respectful, chirpy and loves his racing ( specially on 2 wheels )

The last stint of our journey, onboard the Boeing 777-300ER First Class ( EK 506 ) :

Getting ready for departure :

Homebound :

Video Link for Takeoff :

Breakfast service to Mumbai :

Cappuccino, Fruits and Paneer Bhurji for Breakfast :

Enjoying some Moto GP coverage on Live TV :

The Final Descent into Mumbai :

Touchdown Mumbai :

Landing into Mumbai ( Video Link ) :

On our way home :

The Business Class is a great product and Emirates is only making it better with the launch of their revamped Airbus A380 Cabins. The Menu for the Mumbai - Dubai stint needs to be freshened up a bit as some dishes are starting to become repetitive. Nonetheless a memorable journey once again..the crew were fantastic as always! 

The Game Changer First Class on Boeing 777-300ER features next..so don't miss this space! 

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Flying Diaries make a return on the blog after a 1 year sabbatical with my Emirates First Class Trip Stateside.

I chose a multicity flight this time, flying into New York and flying back via New Jersey. Dubai Airport was undergoing Runway maintenance in the month of May and Emirates had suspended the non-stop service from Dubai to New Jersey, hence the outbound flight to New York.

My mum also accompanied me on this 23 day trip. We flew out on 22nd May and landed back in Mumbai on 15th June 2019.

Mumbai - New York ( Emirates First ) ( 22nd May 2019 ) :

Bags packed and ready! Time to head to the airport :

The BMW 520d Luxury Edition to ferry us to the airport!

Shots from the GVK First Class Lounge, one of the best in my opinion :

Such an amazing view from the lounge :

The Buffet!

A-la-carte on offer in the First Class Section of the lounge!

Welcome to Emirates Boeing 777-300ER First Class!

An elaborate food menu onboard :

The sun setting in Mumbai :

The flight path which we would be taking, a longer route due to the shutdown of Pakistani Airspace :

Takeoff from Mumbai ( Video Link ) :

Dinner Service! Orange Fizz with Nuts to drink, Lentil Soup, Stir Fried Prawns with Cucumber for the main course and Imarti for dessert!

Live TV is one of the best features on the In-Flight Entertainment System : 

Nearing touchdown at Dubai International Airport :

Touchdown at Dubai ( Video Link ) :

The First Class Lounge in Dubai, a great place to relax and unwind :

A great spread on offer :

Some soup & Pistachio Sorbet for dinner before our long-haul flight :

Settling into our abode for the flight to New York!

Arabic coffee and Dates to kickstart our journey :

ICE - Information, Communication & Entertainment, Emirates' award winning inflight entertainment system :

Getting ready for Takeoff :

Off we go!

Video Link for Takeoff :

I decided to get some rest as soon the flight reached cruising altitude. I slept like a baby for 12 hours!!

Slumber done and it was time for some food!

The Menu :

A cup of Cappuccino to begin with :

Roasted Tomato Soup, Vegetable Mankhanwala and Chocolate & Cranberry Cake! I also opted for a Selection of Pastries before landing :

Beautiful skies..marvel at His Creation!

I decided to pay a visit to the Onboard Lounge at the back of the Business Class :

Made my way back to First Class and it was time for my onboard shower..yes a shower at 38000 feet!   

A quick walkthrough of the Shower Suite ( Video Link ) :

Shower done and we had started our descent into New York :

Not the best of weather to land in :

Hello New York!

Landing into New York ( Video Link ) :

The Chevrolet Suburban waiting for us to take us to New Jersey, a 2.5 hour drive through peak - hour traffic : 

New Jersey - Mumbai ( Emirates First ) ( 14th June 2019 ) :

A Cadillac Escalade to Newark Liberty International Airport, a shorter trip lasting 45 minutes :

The First and Business Class Lounge, pretty low key, New Jersey isn't as big an airport as expected :

Oh yes..its a good day to fly!

My seat for the journey to Dubai, this time on a Boeing 777-300ER :

Arabic Coffee and Dates anyone?

Taxiing to the Runaway :

Ready for Takeoff :

Bye Bye New York & New Jersey...you were amazing!

Video Link for Takeoff :

Leaving the American Continent behind :

Whats for Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner?

Some Blueberry Yogurt, Orange Juice and Waffles for Breakfast :

Yellow pepper and lemongrass soup, Bangalore Chicken, Sayadieh and Chocolate Fondant for Lunch! 

Lemon and Ricotta Ravioli, Cappuccino and a Selection of Pastries for Light Snacks!

Up above in the skies :

The Interactive Flight Map, love this feature!

The logo glistening through the flight :

Entering mainland Europe :

The Approach into Dubai International :

Touchdown Dubai :

Landing at Dubai ( Video Link ) :

Enjoying the First Class Lounge before the final flight of our trip :

The final leg was on the new Boeing 777-200LR, which features a 2 class seating layout.

Business Class on the 2 class Boeing 777-200LR, very ergonomically designed and extremely comfortable :

Commencing Pushback :

Taxiing to the Runway :

Takeoff from Dubai bound for Mumbai :

Video Link :

The Menu for the last leg of the flight :

Some nuts with Virgin Cucumber Gimlet followed by Paneer Mutter Masala, Pineapple Halwa and Chocolate & Fig Mousse Cake!

Hovering above Mumbai, air traffic is pretty bad here :

Touchdown Mumbai :

Video Link of Touchdown :

On our way home :

It was a great experience onboard Emirates Airlines. The crew left no stone unturned in making us feel comfortable! The long - haul flights were very restful and we were able to really relax and nothing seemed rushed ( unlike the European flights which are only 7 hours each way ). The trip to London features next..so watch this space!

2018 Abu Dhabi GP was the last race of the season and I had the opportunity of attending the same. 2013 was the last time I flew to the UAE for F1. It also was my last journey of the Old Terminal of Mumbai International Airport.

The Outbound Journey was on 22nd November 2018 and the Return Journey on 27th November 2018.

Mumbai - Dubai ( Emirates Business ) ( 22nd November 2018 ) :

Packed and ready!

Emirates have revamped their Chauffeur services with the introduction of the BMW 520d Luxury Edition for ferrying its guests to the airport :

Shots of the Lounge :

The View of the Airport..mesmerizing :

The Business Class onboard Boeing 777-300ER, not the upgraded version this time :

The Menu onboard :

Preparing for Takeoff :

Takeoff Video Link :

Lunch, Paneer Makhani and Chocolate Mousse Cake :

The Descent into Dubai :

Touchdown Dubai International Airport :

Landing at Dubai ( Video Link ) :

Another BMW 520d Luxury Edition for pickup at Dubai Airport :

Dubai - Mumbai ( Emirates Business ) ( 27th November 2018 ) :

The Chauffeur Service to the airport :

The Business Class Lounge, Classy as ever :

A lipsmacking spread in the Lounge :

The New Business Class onboard the Boeing 777-200LR. This is a 2 class Boeing which has Business and Economy Class only.

Time for Pushback :

Taxiing to the Runway :

The Onboard Cameras :

Prepare for Takeoff :

Takeoff from Dubai ( Video Link ) :

Bye Bye Dubai, see you next time :

The Dinner Menu :

A spread of small bites in the Boeing 777-200LR

Dinner Service, Paneer Butter Masala, Chocolate and fig Mousse Cake :  

Landing at Mumbai in the evening :

Touchdown in Mumbai ( Video Link ) :

Another BMW to ferry me home :

It was a great experience flying with Emirates in 2018. A Big Thank you for their Hospitality! Looking forward to many more memories and Journeys in 2019!

My annual trip to the Belgian GP was a little different from the earlier trips. My college friends decided to accompany me to Europe for a 3 nation tour, their first to the Schengen States of Belgium, Switzerland and France. One of my friends accompanied me while a couple left for Europe a few days earlier than us.

This trip also gave me the opportunity to try the New Boeing 777-300ER with a revamped First and Business Class.

We flew out on 18th August 2018 and left Brussels on 29th August 2018.

Mumbai - Brussels ( First Class ) ( 18th August 2018 ) :

The Bags ready for the journey :

The Check-in formalities done and it was time to enjoy the lounge. Since I am a Gold Member of Emirates, my friend was allowed to accompany me.

Some shots of the Lounge at Mumbai International Airport :

Enjoying the Services of our lounge. Mumbai International Airport offers complimentary massage service for the guests :

Food, food and more food!

It was 3 am and time for boarding for our flight to Dubai.

The First Class Suite onboard the A380, top notch and prepped as always :

Preparing for takeoff, the onboard cameras doing a fine job :

Takeoff Video Link :



The Breakfast menu :

Green Pea Poha and Cappuccino for Breakfast :

Touching down at Dubai International Airport :

Landing Video Link :



Inter Terminal Transfers and Security Checks done, we made our way to the nearest First Class Lounge at Dubai to relax and grab a bite.

A time of Relaxation and refreshing ourselves in the lounge.

It was then time to board our flight to Brussels!

The latest edition of the First Class Suite onboard the New Boeing 777-300ER is a class apart and a winner! Emirates currently flies the new configuration to Brussels and Geneva and will slowly expand to other routes as well. The updated First Class boasts of a lot of new features - Fully enclosed First Class suite with full height privacy screens, seats designed by Mercedes Benz, Virtual Windows, Bigger LCD Screens, Bowers and Wilkins headsets, Binoculars and Dine on Demand service with Video Calling facility. Video calling is quite a cool feature, you can make a call to the Flight Steward and interact, taking the definition of "Room Service" to a whole new level. In-flight showers aren't available though.

The view of the Suites from the front of the aircraft. Quite artistic I must say :

Preparing for takeoff :

Bound for Brussels :

Video Link :



The Breakfast and Lunch menu onboard :

The Flight Map :

You simply can't stop taking pics of this beautiful suite :

Chicken and Lemongrass Consomme, Prawns with Garlic and Coriander and Chocolate Ricotta Pudding for Dessert!

The First Class also has Virtual Windows for aisle seats, the cameras relay live feed onto the Screens to give the aisles a window seat feel.

The bed is made. Time to rest!

Afternoon siesta done and it was time to land into Brussels International Airport :

Video Link :



Mercedes S500 to pick us up at the airport!

Brussels - Mumbai ( Business Class ) ( 29th August 2018 ) :

A Mercedes E250 to ferry us back to the airport :

The Atomium, one of the highlights of Brussels made in Chocolate by Neuhaus :

Not much on offer in the lounge. Passable. Its a common lounge catering to a number of airlines. Hope to Emirates have one of their own soon.

The Seats in Business Class, designed by Mercedes Benz, a bit narrower but equally comfortable :

Takeoff Video :



Whats for dinner?

The Flight Map with Satellite Views :

Live TV, a feature on Emirates Flights :

Crisps and Ginger Ale, Broccoli Soup, Roast Chicken with Pistachio Stuffing and Chocolate Delice for Dessert :

Nearing touchdown at Dubai :

Landing Video Link :



Dubai International Airport :

The Plane is parked a fair distance from the Terminal building so we are picked up by a bus :

Enjoying services of the lounge while we wait for boarding :

Business Class, a slightly older aircraft this :

The lunch menu :

Some shots while taxiing to the Runway :

Up in the air, homebound :

Takeoff Video Link :



Nuts and Ginger Ale followed by Dhingri Paneer Methi Masala and Badami Halwa!

Hovering above Mumbai :

Landing at Mumbai :



Back in the Bay!

I must say that Emirates have a winner with the new Boeing 777-300ER Offering. It simply is a class apart when you compare it to rival airlines on similar sectors. I hope to see the new plane on my other journeys too. Once again, the hospitality onboard Emirates was flawless and being a Gold Member makes the experience even more special.

It isn't just "Fly Better" with Emirates...Its "FLY THE BEST"!

My Business Class Experience to Dubai in November follows shortly...so watch this space!

I believe I belong to the club of "Self-appointed" Emirates Airlines Ambassadors! July 2012 was the first time I had the opportunity of flying with the airline and as they say..the rest is history. The quality of service has been impeccable, the staff always welcoming and one always yearn for more at the end of each journey. 

Frankfurt was the first destination I flew to with the airline in 2018. I stayed in Mannheim ( since I was attending the F1 German Grand Prix ) for the first leg of the trip and then in Frankfurt.

The First Leg of the Journey was in the Airbus A380 with switching of planes at Dubai. The return leg was an Airbus A380 until Dubai and then the Boeing 777-300ER to Mumbai.

The Outbound journey was on 18th July and return journey on 27th July.

Let us go back in time and refresh our memories!

Mumbai - Frankfurt ( First Class ) ( 18th July 2018 ) :

The Bags ready for the Journey :

My ride to the airport ( Emirates Chauffeur Service ), the Mercedes C Class in its final few months of service with Emirates :

All Airport formalities completed briskly and it was time to enjoy the services on offer in the lounge!

An elaborate menu :

The Lounge!

Time to binge. First Class fliers have the privilege of ordering from an A-La-Carte Menu as well :

Both legs were in the Airbus A380 and this was my First Class Private Suite, so comfortable!

Emirates have revamped the goodies, amenities and accessories on offer. Bowers and Wilkins headphones offer amazing audio quality!

Breakfast menu onboard :

Heading towards the runway for takeoff :

Takeoff Video :

Coffee, Poha and some Idli ( Rice Cakes ) for Breakfast :

The Emblem of Emirates glowing in the First Class Cabin :

Landing into Dubai :

Landing Video :

Dubai International Airport in the early hours of the morning, busy onground and in the terminals :

Security check complete, inter-terminal transfer done and it was time to catch up on some sleep in the lounge :

The First Class Suite on the Airbus A380. So Beautiful!

The Aerobridge withdraws as we get ready for pushback :

The busyness of the Airport in the morning. Emirates flights flying to multiple destinations across the world :

ICE, Emirates in-flight entertainment system offers onboard camera feed on all flights :

Takeoff from Dubai :

Video Link :

The Breakfast and Lunch menu. Dine on demand service offered in First Class :

I was in the mood for an early lunch, placed my order and then decided to head to the Onboard Lounge at the back of Business Class.

Snacks on offer in the Onboard lounge :

Small bites on offer in the Onboard Lounge :

Lunch, Carrot and Ginger Soup, followed by Chicken Cacciatore and Pear and Chocolate Crumble :

Bon Apetit!