Travelling to Dubai in Feb - airline preference?

DB_SamX · 11 Dec 2011 at 18:14

My brother and me are planning to go to Dubai end of next Feb to visit my cousin living there and for general sightseeing.

THe cheapest economy flights are with Royal Brunei approx £330 return. Emirates are approx £450 return. There are a few others in between. Flying from Heathrow as it's only 20ish mins away from us.

My cousin, who is an Emirates air hostess, thinks it I should fly with them (obviously), and it also means I travel to and from DXB terminal 3 (instead of 1) which I'm told is more convenient, practical and a much nicer place to be, as it is exclusive for the use of Emirates.

Royal Brunei also only have 1 flight a day I think, whereas Emirates have several, which would only be handy if there were delays/cancellations, etc.

Just wondering if paying an extra £120pp is worth it for flying with Emirates over Royal Brunei and having some more comfort and convenience?

zegna · 11 Dec 2011 at 18:26

I would just go for the cheapest.. Both do the same job, who cares if Emirates is marginally better, its not worth the premium!

Mikoyan · 11 Dec 2011 at 18:49

The Brunai airways seems like an economy airline but does the job, just been to trip advisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g293937-r92998229-Brunei_Darussalam.html

Been on Emirates and not on Brunai airways, and Emirates was fine.

Reaper 392 · 11 Dec 2011 at 19:25

from my limited flying experience i can tell you virgin were great, my dad (who has flown quite a bit) always says that BMI are the best, and one of the guys working at virgin said that Singapore airlines were amazing, especially the food. however, i think he might have been talking about first class on singapore, because i doubt the masses would get michelin star quality food

Beast06 · 11 Dec 2011 at 19:27

Emirates.

POB · 11 Dec 2011 at 19:28

Reaper 392 said:
from my limited flying experience i can tell you virgin were great,

Were being the important word.

They lost a star http://www.airlinequality.com/news/airlineratingJuly.htm

They trade on their old name.

Not saying there is anything terrible about them, but they are on average not amazing.

Tinders · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:30

Ive flown with both, Brunei airline has pretentions of being a decent airline, but it aint.I'd say they were budget for sure. Emirates on the other hand were excellent, in economy i came out fresh as a daisy after 6 odd hours and the food and 'decor' was good, and entertainment was very acceptable.

Ive flown with many airlines over the years mainly shorthaul, mainly lufthansa, compared to them, Emirates was a class above. I believe from Heathrow its the new a380 that they use?

Skidder · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:34

I prefer emirates or ba for that route. Went with Emirates last week but business. If someone else is paying happy to choose nicest. If I was paying I'd rather choose cheap!

TripleT · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:38

I did Emirates to Dubai (was travelling to Bangkok) and I've got to say the flight was excellent. The service was amazing too, my original flight got cancelled due to the ash cloud and it was simply a case of ringing up and picking another flight, any flight.

asim18 · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:41

I've stopped over at Dubai a couple of times. Emirates would be my choice as their economy food is a bit "nicer". They also have sexy hostesses. I wouldn't trust the hostesses on Royal Brunei, for all you know you could be looking at old ladies for 8 hours.

Bes · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:42

Just take the cheapest :|

Economy is economy is economy at the end of the day. People make much too much of a big deal of of flying.

Tinders · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:53

Bes said:
Just take the cheapest :|

Economy is economy is economy at the end of the day. People make much too much of a big deal of of flying.

Not done much long haul flying then?

Trust me, everylittle helps!!

opstrat · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:57

when u go that distance u want the best. go with emerites. flown with them nearly 11 times now

Bes · 11 Dec 2011 at 20:57

Tinders said:
Not done much long haul flying then?

Trust me, everylittle helps!!

No, not really, this year I only did:

Brazil
Malaysia (x3)
Abu Dhabi (x4)
South Africa (X2)
Maldives (X2)
Saudi Arabia
Qatar

Plus about 30 hops around Europe, Asia & South America this year.

Trust me: on a flight of that length (Hardly long haul), RB vs Emirates isn't worth £150.

Ahleckz · 11 Dec 2011 at 21:09

Bes said:
Just take the cheapest :|

Economy is economy is economy at the end of the day. People make much too much of a big deal of of flying.

Agree with this massively.

[TW]Fox · 11 Dec 2011 at 21:20

Bes said:
Just take the cheapest :|

Economy is economy is economy at the end of the day. People make much too much of a big deal of of flying.

This is absolutely untrue.

It makes a huge difference to the quality of your journey.

infernox · 11 Dec 2011 at 21:22

Can you not try Oman Air ?

I went with them in 2008, was fantastic.

Bes · 11 Dec 2011 at 21:25

[TW]Fox;20773814 said:
This is absolutely untrue.

It makes a huge difference to the quality of your journey.

It's only 7 hrs FFS. Better off saving his money and just lumping it for 7 hrs.

Yes there are differences, but on a flight of that length, it's hardly worth worrying about- you still get a seat, toilet, and food at the end of the day. Just take a decent book or a laptop with a couple of films on, and the time will pass. You're still shoehorned into a tiny seat surrounded by strangers on either airline.

mehuk · 11 Dec 2011 at 21:26

Agreed, Dubai is barely long haul.. especially going as its just over 6 hours... return adds an hour or so.

If you dont care about the flight as such, ie you will just plug in some 'phones and kick back (as much as you can) then why waste the extra 150 quid... are you really going to think of that as money well spent?

Alternatively if money is no option as such, then go for the best you can.

zegna · 11 Dec 2011 at 21:30

Bes said:
It's only 7 hrs FFS. Better off saving his money and just lumping it for 7 hrs.

Yes there are differences, but on a flight of that length, it's hardly worth worrying about- you still get a seat, toilet, and food at the end of the day. Just take a decent book or a laptop with a couple of films on, and the time will pass. You're still shoehorned into a tiny seat surrounded by strangers on either airline.

Exactly.. Its not like its a comparison between ryan air and emirates.
When youre talking about a 7hr flight around the £300 mark.. paying £140 more for a fraction more legroom or whatever is just dumb. But its not my money to waste, so ultimately it depends on how much the OP values his money.