F1 Weekend in Baku Azerbaijan

via Emirates First Class

September 2024

Off to Azerbaijan

After last year's fun Singapore F1 Grand Prix experience, the travel group decided to go again, but this time to Azerbaijan... because why not. Unfortunately my two travel buddies had to cancel so I'm doing a solo trip. This was my first time in Azerbaijan and I was blown away. What a beautiful and spotlessly clean city with a stunning location on the Caspian Sea, magnificent old and new architecture, great food and friendly people.

This trip is a mostly Emirates First Class trip, but first up is a United positioning flight to and overnight in Dallas. Unfortunately, DIA is one of the most poorly run airport in the country. Tonight it was nothing but FULL signs for both East and West garages sign on the drive in. Older and wiser, I knew that this was total BS at 7pm on a Wednesday. And naturally, there were literally thousands of open spaces in the West Garage, and I parked right by the door to the elevator to CLEAR+ and PreCheck.

Yay, trains are working tonight and not many passengers at 7pm.

With plenty of time, I headed to the Centurion Lounge in the C concourse.

Denver DEN to Dallas DFW

United UA 514

A319

9:00p-11:59pm (sked)

September 11, 2024

So far so good.

Nice new interior on a 26 year old A319.

Not a good sign. Three techs can't figure our our "minor toilet issue"...

... and the delay begins. Estimated 9:35pm departure. LOL.

And we wait...

And wait...

My AA backup, just in case...

A new plane and a new gate...

What's another 15 minutes?

Denver DEN to Dallas DFW

United UA 514

A319

11:32p-2:21am +1 (actual)

September 11, 2024

Our new plane, a 27 year old A320.

And we're finally off, only 3 hours late.

On final approach to DFW for our 2:50am arrival. Thanks United.

Off to the Skylink for the short ride to Terminal D

And the Grand Hyatt.

Nice Globalist upgrade... for my 4 hour stay.

My Instagram video of my Baku trip summary

Emirates First Class DFW to Dubai

Emirates First Class Dallas to Dubai

First up on my weekend trip to Baku is nearly 15 hours in Emirates First Class on my way to Baku, Azerbaijan for Formula 1 Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Not exactly First Class, but Emirates uses the pleasant but crowded Capital One Lounge.

Great plane spotting at Terminal D.

Dallas DFW to Dubai DXB

Emirates EK222

77W

12:15pm-12:00-pm +1

September 11, 2024

Departed 2/8

As always with Emirates First, wonderful inflight service, excellent food and some marvelous wines. And with only one other very quiet passenger in First Class, a near private experience.

Today's fabulous wine list...

And menu...

Once in the air, the good stuff!

Showtime, Emirates First style.

Spectacular Grand Cru Corton

Emirates unlimited caviar.

Potato and leek soup.

Arabic mezze.

Wow, amazing 2011 Dominus.

Braised beef short ribs...

... with delicious maple chipotle barbeque sauce.

Just a little cheese.

Bed time, across the aisle.

Some 7 hours later, movie snacks...

Yummy Caribbean chicken fritters with Cajun dipping sauce.

Almost there.

Instagram video of my Emirates First Class flight to Dubai.

Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai

Emirates First Class Lounge in the Dubai A Concourse

I love 6 hour connections in Dubai as I can relax and enjoy great food and amazing wines in the largest and one of the best First Class Lounges in the world.

Always cool to check out the wine selection.

Time for lunch.

Wonderful service as always today.

Italian Burrata salad.

Amazing butter chicken.

And wonderful tiramisu to finish.

And a little more outstanding wine.

Instagram video of my visit to the Emirates First Class Lounge

flydubai Business Class to Baku

flydubai Business Class to Baku

Unfortunately my connecting flydubai flight to Baku operated from Terminal 2, worlds apart from modern Terminal 3. It is also at the other side of DXB and nearly 60 minutes lounge to lounge.

T2 is positively third world, overcrowded and all bus gates.

Whoa, looks like this is the most popular lounge in T2. LOL.

Tempting...

But I opted for the less exciting Business Class Lounge.

Basic but comfy for a short stay.

Better than any United Club.

Heading off to the boarding area. Yikes.

At least flydubai tries to make it more palatable for Business Class passengers with separate boarding gate and dedicated Business Class shuttle buses.

Complimentary snacks for Business Class passengers.

Nice Business Class bus to our plane.

Comfy seats.

Dubai DXB to Baku GYD

flydubai FZ 733

737 MAX8

6:15pm-9:10pm

September 12, 2024

Very cool up close and personal boarding.

Once on board, very nice flydubai regional 737Max Business Class cabin with lie flat seats. And excellent service and tasty food on our nearly 3 hours flight north to Baku.

Almost there.

Beautiful new Terminal 1

And the cool old terminal, now T2

Instagram video of my afternoon with flydubai.

Welcome to Baku

Welcome to Beautiful Baku!

Since I arrived at night, it was hard to get a real sense of the city. But getting up early Saturday morning and doing a recommended walking tour was a great experience. What a beautiful city with a mix of old and new architecture and a lovely location on the southwestern shore of the Caspian Sea.

The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum.

Some of the seaside park areas.

Looking back up the hill to the iconic Flame Towers.

Great uphill exercise.

Martyrs Lane is a moving war memorial as well as cemetery dedicated to those killed by the Soviet army on Black January 1990 in Azerbaijan's struggle for independence from the Soviet Union.

Sehidler Mescidi Mosque next to the Flame Towers

Back down the hill from my walk and to my Airbnb for the weekend. Since most hotels were booked a year in advance, the group had previously rented a gorgeous modern 3 bedroom apartment. But since it was now just me traveling solo, I decided to downgrade to smaller accomodations. And far less expensive, like $90 a night. LOL. A tad rustic, but a great location in the Old City and a block from the Four Seasons.

Yikes on the colors here.

After a much needed shower, I took a taxi to the opposite end of the circuit and then walked to my gate.

Azerbaijan F1 Qualifying Day

Saturday F1 Qualifying Day in Baku

Cool red carpet entrance to the F1 and the Paddock Club.

Since the doors hadn't opened I chilled and watched some of the drivers enter the venue. Mercedes' George Russell.

World Champion Max Verstappen and Team Williams' Alex Albon.

Trackside for track tour and pit walk.

Up to the Paddock Club for the afternoon.

One of 8 Paddock Club suites in this massive temorary complex.

Wonderful catering from DO & CO.

Taking in the action live below us and on closed circuit F1 TV.

Since it was a gorgeous 75F/24C later afternoon, I decided to walk the few miles back to my Airbnb along the seaside park.

My Instagram video of Qualifying Day in the Paddock Club

Saturday night in Baku

Saturday Night in Baku

After a shower and nap, I headed out for dinner around 9pm, exploring the quaint Old City and finally deciding on Galateya, a lovely restaurant with an outdoor courtyard, nice ambiance and live entertainment.

Tasty but the smallest lamb chops I have ever seen.

After dinner, I headed for the nearby Four Seasons Baku, clearly the party hotel this weekend. Great atmosphere, good music and outstanding people watching. Made new friends from the UK and pretty much closed the place down at nearly 2am.

I have no idea. LOL

My Instagram video of my Saturday might in Baku.

Sunday Morning Old City Baku

Sunday morning exploring Baku's Old City

Sunday morning race day! I shook off my hangover and headed out to explore the Old City on a gloriously sunny morning. Old City Baku is a delight with centuries old buildings in meandering cobblestone streets and lanes.

Getting from F to A on the city/circuit map.

After a bite to eat on a terrasse, I decided to try the Metro which seemed a good way to avoid surface street closures. Once I figured out how to buy and load my BakiKart, the Metro was a great way to get close to the F1 area.

Help!! Success eventually with the help of a kind local.

And finally on the circuit grounds.

My Instagram video of my morning in the Old City.

Sunday race day Azerbaijan F1

Qatar Airways F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Sunday race day is always exciting especially on a picture perfect sunny 80F/27C day.

And a treat to be back at the Paddock Club and trackside for all the action. Food again was marvelous with a completely different Sunday Do&Co menu. While the Club was crowded, I visited different areas of vantage and was fortunate to be able to be right over the winners area in pit lane.

So cool that many of the drivers stopped by our F1 Experiences Paddock Club lounge. Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

And Ferrari's Charles Leclefrc.

Fabulous food again today from DO & CO.

Unfortunate crash at the beginning of the prelliminary F2 race.

Team Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Stirring Azerbaijani National Anthem before the main event.

Apparently not everyone was into the race. LOL.

What an exciting F1 race with Carlos Sainz unfortunately crashing into the wall at the beginning of the last lap.

Ouch.

Team Ferrari in disbelief.

Aussie Oscar Piastri wins for Team McLaren.

Cool spot right over the winners area in the pit.

What a great experience. And a nice 1/2 hour walk back to my Airbnb.

After another shower and nap, one final meal in Baku at Karban Said in the Old City.

My Instgram video on race day at the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

flydubai Business Class back to Dubai

flydubai Business Class from Baku to Dubai

Time to begin the long trek home to Denver, starting with my return flydubai flight back to DXB. First up is the impressive and stunning new Baku Terminal. Nice shared Business Class Lounge and another excellent flydubai regional 737Max Business Class cabin with lie flat seats. Great service and tasty food on the nearly 3 hours flight south to Dubai.