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The Flying Diaries : BOM - LHR - BOM ( Emirates Business & First )

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, 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!