Emirates First Class to Dubai

Getaway day was another simply gorgeous morning in Cape Town with not a cloud in the sky.

Our Emirates driver was waiting for us at our pre-reserved 10:30AM pick up time. With no traffic this morning, we were at CPT about 20 minutes later.

After we passed the body temp scan, we proceeded to check-in counter.

No priority security at CPT, but the lines were light and we were thru within 10 minutes. The deserted walkway to the international gates.

Another 10 minutes at passport control and we were in the departures area and in front of the Bidvest "Premier Lounge", contract Business Class lounge for almost every airline, bank and lounge pass company under the sun.

I guess the good news is that there is a lounge. But one of the saddest excuses for a lounge since we left the US. But pretty nice compared to your average United Club.

The food spread.

OK, now that's scary looking.

View of the gate area from the lounge.

And the cleaning crew ready to board the inbound.

At around T-45 we headed down the gate area. And by now the usual Emirates non-First Class boarding as we are lumped together with Business Class and Platinum, Gold and even Silver EK elites.

Cape Town to Dubai
Emirates EK 773
777-300ER
1:30P-1:20A +1 (sked)
1:50P-1:10A +1 (actual)
March 23, 2015
Suites 1K and 2K

Once the queue made its way on board and the greeting FA saw our First Class boarding passes, the excellent personalized service began in earnest.

I declined the pre-departure Dom and the arabic coffee and dates. With a short taxi and little other traffic in front of us we were at the top of runway 19 awaiting clearance.

Great plane spotting as we made the turn.

And my vote for the most colourful livery in a long time...

My favorite terminal in any airport, except for FRA.

More "informal" housing.

Great views of the coast on the climb out.

Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.

As with most return flights, time to start the drying out process... with a Diet Coke or Coke Light depending on where you are in the world.

Today's menu.

And the wine list.

Showtime!

I started with the pleasant fresh salad, although "dressing of my choice" today was limited to oil and vinegar, or not.

For my main, I went with the delicious Mango Chicken, chicken filled with mango and chili chutney, served with baby carrots, spinach, pine nuts and mashed sweet potatoes.

Dessert was the banana cheesecake, served with passion fruit coulis and caramelized banana.

Watched a couple of movies before sleeping under the stars. But not before a United alert of yet another delay on a flight that we had originally intended to take. Thanks for the reminder to cancel.