Dubai trip report - Trip Index and Part 1 - MAA-BOM-DXB
Last month, I travelled to Dubai (DXB) on work. I flew business class both ways, punctuated by a one-day stop at BOM on the return leg. Here's the trip report index:
Part 1: MAA-BOM-DXB on Jet Airways
Part 2: Hotel Crowne Plaza, Deira, Dubai (hotel review)
Part 3: DXB-BOM on Jet Airways
Part 4: Stay at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai, and BOM-MAA on Jet Airways
Now, I've been to DXB fairly often since 2008, though I must admit this was the first all-business class trip. Because of the flight schedules and my meeting timings, I could only travel via BOM on 9W, instead of flying MAA-DXB direct on EK.
It was a very light Tuesday afternoon that found me at MAA airport for this trip. Security was very very light, largely because of the afternoon timing of the flight.
The incoming flight was getting late, and I was wondering if an extended delay might affect my 1855 hrs connecting flight from BOM to DXB. Thankfully, it wasn't very late, and boarding started after a 20 minute delay. The flight was quite light, and I found my seat 4F in business class quite comfortable.
Because of the delay, a welcome drink was hastily offered, and cleared before I could take a decent picture of it. I was therefore left only with the menu, to make my choice for lunch (though it was a bit late for lunch - almost 3 pm when it was served). Nonetheless, "lunch" turned out to be quite interesting. Unlike my earlier flights (where all courses were served at once), the salad came first, followed by the main course (I opted for the Green Pea and Chicken Pinwheel Roulade).
I skipped the dessert, knowing fully well that I'd be more than compensating with the champagne later in the evening! I did, however, opt for a cup of coffee.
Unlike my earlier visit to the international terminal, this time the security line for business class was empty.
I also cleared immigration in no time, thanks to the separate counters for first and business class passengers.
That was good, since the wait for the coach at BOM took up a lot of time, leaving me with just enough time to make a quick visit to the lounge (and so, no pics), and head to my boarding gate.
Part 1: MAA-BOM-DXB on Jet Airways
Part 2: Hotel Crowne Plaza, Deira, Dubai (hotel review)
Part 3: DXB-BOM on Jet Airways
Part 4: Stay at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai, and BOM-MAA on Jet Airways
Now, I've been to DXB fairly often since 2008, though I must admit this was the first all-business class trip. Because of the flight schedules and my meeting timings, I could only travel via BOM on 9W, instead of flying MAA-DXB direct on EK.
MAA-BOM
9W 488 | 2 hrs 0 min | 644 miles | Business classIt was a very light Tuesday afternoon that found me at MAA airport for this trip. Security was very very light, largely because of the afternoon timing of the flight.
The incoming flight was getting late, and I was wondering if an extended delay might affect my 1855 hrs connecting flight from BOM to DXB. Thankfully, it wasn't very late, and boarding started after a 20 minute delay. The flight was quite light, and I found my seat 4F in business class quite comfortable.
Because of the delay, a welcome drink was hastily offered, and cleared before I could take a decent picture of it. I was therefore left only with the menu, to make my choice for lunch (though it was a bit late for lunch - almost 3 pm when it was served). Nonetheless, "lunch" turned out to be quite interesting. Unlike my earlier flights (where all courses were served at once), the salad came first, followed by the main course (I opted for the Green Pea and Chicken Pinwheel Roulade).
I skipped the dessert, knowing fully well that I'd be more than compensating with the champagne later in the evening! I did, however, opt for a cup of coffee.
Transit in BOM
We reached BOM without much incident, and I immediately went over to the transfer desk to the international terminal. The next coach was in 20 minutes, I was informed, so I made a couple of calls as I waited. The coach was ready in about 15 minutes, and after a further 10-minute wait for filling up the coach, we left for the international terminal.Unlike my earlier visit to the international terminal, this time the security line for business class was empty.
I also cleared immigration in no time, thanks to the separate counters for first and business class passengers.
That was good, since the wait for the coach at BOM took up a lot of time, leaving me with just enough time to make a quick visit to the lounge (and so, no pics), and head to my boarding gate.
BOM-DXB
9W 544 | 3 hrs 10 min | 1198 miles | Business classAfter the high-speed visit to the lounge, I headed straight to the aircraft. I got settled into my window seat which seemed like from another era. But then, that's the seating that has been assigned to virtually all aircraft on this shuttle.
In spite of the limited time left for departure, I was the only one in business class at the time, which was surprising since this route flies almost full in the forward segment.
Eventually, the crowds came in, and we were offered pre-departure (soft) drinks. I opted for coconut water, and along with that service, they handed out the menus.
It seemed like only a few minutes since lunch - I was that full. But having been on this sector a few times, I knew that dinner service would start a bit late, so I opted for the roast chicken. Champagne was also served just before dinner came out.
I love views of any city from the sky, and Mumbai makes a strong case for being on top of the list. And because it was evening, the views outside were super, so I took lots of pictures.
The rest of the flight was quite uneventful and we landed in DXB about 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
What really surprised me was the absence of a fast-track immigration line for Jet Airways passengers. Now, I admit that Jet doesn't always give these benefits, which are dependent upon arrangements with the local airport authorities, but the desk before the queues actually said Jet was one of the airlines that provided fast-track immigration. And at the time, those queues were rather empty!
Sigh...it was a long wait in the queue, before we were done.
So, off to the Crowne Plaza, Deira.
In spite of the limited time left for departure, I was the only one in business class at the time, which was surprising since this route flies almost full in the forward segment.
Eventually, the crowds came in, and we were offered pre-departure (soft) drinks. I opted for coconut water, and along with that service, they handed out the menus.
It seemed like only a few minutes since lunch - I was that full. But having been on this sector a few times, I knew that dinner service would start a bit late, so I opted for the roast chicken. Champagne was also served just before dinner came out.
I love views of any city from the sky, and Mumbai makes a strong case for being on top of the list. And because it was evening, the views outside were super, so I took lots of pictures.
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| North Mumbai after take off |
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| Juhu airfield |
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| North Mumbai and coast |
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| Past sunset somewhere in the Arabian gulf |
The rest of the flight was quite uneventful and we landed in DXB about 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
What really surprised me was the absence of a fast-track immigration line for Jet Airways passengers. Now, I admit that Jet doesn't always give these benefits, which are dependent upon arrangements with the local airport authorities, but the desk before the queues actually said Jet was one of the airlines that provided fast-track immigration. And at the time, those queues were rather empty!
So, off to the Crowne Plaza, Deira.
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