Emirates First Class Jo'burg to Dubai
Since the JNB departure monitors showed our flight "Boarding", we head down to gate A18, naturally the furthest from the EK lounge and all the way at the end of the concourse.
To the most chaotic and disorganized boarding process I've seen in ages. Naturally, boarding had not started and was another 20 minutes from starting. The GA welcomed F & J pax into the gate area, where we waiting for another 10 minutes.
Boarding was announced, but all that meant is that we wait on the walkway after the podium before the jet bridge, for 10 more minutes, F&J on the left, Y on the right.
Emirates EK 766
JNB-DXB
777-300ER (77W)
10:20P-8:20A (sked)
10:40P-8:10A (actual)
October 10, 2013
Seats 1A and 2A
This was my first time in the 77W First cabin and from a space standpoint, prefer it to the A380. Just 8 pax max and, with a higher ceiling and less severe curvature of the fuselage, is more spacious than the upper deck of the A380. Yeah, it may be a little blingy, but for the most part, I find it quite attractive.
Mrs. SFO settling into 1A
And my 2A. Good news tonight as Dom was the pre-departure champagne. OK, maybe JFK was a one-off.
Let's check out tonight's movies.
Once in the air, my usual G&T...
And very tasty amuse bouche.
Tonight's Menu...
And Wine List...
Dinner time.
My bread basket with the best garlic bread in the sky... soaked in garlic butter.
Asian prawn soup. Meh, not so good.
Crisp fresh garden salad topped with "my preferred dressing". Was not offered any dressing other than the oil and vinegar provided on my setup.
Traditional lamb biryani, lamb marinated in distinctive Arabic spices and cooked in rice garnished with fried onion and cashew nuts, served with mint raita. This was really good, so much so that I had a double helping of mint raita.
For dessert, a delicious rich dark chocolate tart, with mint and orange salad finished with a caramel sauce.
After dinner, our FA made my bed as I went to the lav. Closed my door and slept for close to four hours.
Our approach to and landing at DXB.
Another great EK First flight followed by the now familiar EK First Class arrival non meet-and-greet. LOL. Walking with the masses forever, a train and elevator to a massive arrivals hall.
Once outside, we head to the Emirates Chauffeur Drive check-in area.
Where we received our "boarding pass", exit Door 4 and were promptly assigned a driver and the first curbside "First Class" Mercedes. Pretty efficient service.
