Advice on Long Haul Flight

[salsamad]

We’ve got a special holiday booked later this year for our 30th Wedding Anniversary.
It’s involving two 7 hour flights (with stopover in Dubai of 2hrs in between) on Emirates A380.
We are in economy but unsure which seats to pre book and whether to go on the upper or lower deck. We can’t choose extra leg room seats as it will be an extra £600 but we can pick preferred seats (upfront) or possibly a twin on the upper deck.
Can anyone offer advice whether it’s quicker disembarking from the upper or from the lower deck - especially as we only have 2 hours to disembark at Dubai to then check in for connecting flight onwards. Also any advice re best area we should look at sitting in?

I've just done the Dubai leg on an A380. On the way out we had seats on the middle row downstairs, but ones with no seats behind, they were great for reclining without bothering anyone on and the staff area was right behind us so quick service.

On the way back we had twin seats upstairs, this had an extra compartment at the side for storage and we did get off before the lower deck.

Both flights were great, much much better than a 4 hour flight on a smaller plane. Enjoy!

Dubai airport is also the most efficient I've ever been in, but look at the meet and greet/fast track service if you are worried, they collect you from the gate in a golf buggy and whizz you away. Not sure what it's called but check with Emirates.

Definitely upstairs and row of two. You will be able to check in your luggage all the way through too. Dubai is very good at connecting flights

Upstairs is better.

As long as you’ve booked your flights as a single you will be fine, they’ll collect people at the gate if the connection is tight. I’ve walked straight off one flight and been on the next within 45 mins, it’s so efficient!

Upstairs. Less people so generally quieter and faster service. Not sure specifically emirates but I flew upstairs on Air New Zealand and they have a no under 18s allowed rule. It was so blissful 😊

Do you happen to know if the same applies for Abu Dhabi? I've got a 2 hour connection and a bit worried I've cut it too fine.

Sorry haven t been there but I suspect the hubs are all well organised (found the same via Doha for example). The airlines don’t like people missing flights so try not to worry!

I have been to all hubs - Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They are all huge and very well organised for tight connections. If they need to rush people through due to a late incoming flight they meet you at the aircraft door or have already sorted out another flight.

I have done it numerous times and never missed a connection although it has been tight.

upper deck on a A380 for sure, get the twin seats

Thanks it's our first long haul and thats a relief.

I've be doing long haul for years. Real long haul though- 24-32hrs! 😩
I always use this site to give me tips on whether the seat only had a partial recline, is likely to have toilet queues nearby etc.

www.seatguru.com/