Any long haul tips for first time solo flyer please?

[Nugg]

I’m flying direct premium economy to Australia and then business indirect via Dubai back.

never have I ever flown anything above budget airlines. BA was classed as “fancy” and it was not remotely 🤣

is there anything I should know/do/not do?! Feeling anxious as the weeks hurtle along’

Assume its Emirates you’’re flying back in Business with? Make sure you make the most of their lounges in Dubai between your flight legs. In addition to the usually excellent food and drink there, you can also take a shower (and they’ll provide the products etc). They also have a very good (paying) spa that you can book into (book as soon as you arrive at the lounge). I’ve had excellent treatments there in the past. It’s a nice way of breaking your journey and stretching your legs between flights.

jumping on this - I’ve been looking at them - are they really good?

@HundredMilesAnHouryes Emirates - I have 2.5 hours in Dubai is this enough time to make the most of the lounges! If so I sure will that’s a great tip thank you as it’s 515-745 local time

@Nugg that’s a perfect amount of time for the lounges. Actually that early morning slot is one of the peak times for transit in Dubai so if you want a shower in the lounge, head there first so you minimise any waiting time for showers. Then afterwards enjoy a lovely breakfast and relax. If you’re getting an A380 flight out of Dubai, they’ll send you to the A lounge which is HUGE and you can board your flight directly from the lounge (only for A380s though, unless that’s changed - I haven’t flown with Emirates for a couple of years but used to fly with them regularly when I lived in Asia). Emirates also has a great IFE system (tons more choice than most other airlines).

I like Qantas a lot too actually (their staff are great) so you’’re going to have an amazing trip! Enjoy!!

It is indeed an A380 - am so glad I asked the question as I have had such great tips!

Thank you so much - it is a once in a lifetime trip as I have so many other places to go, but have wanted to visit my family there for decades 😊

Have a fabulous time! I love Australia. It’s my absolute favourite place (if only it wasn’t so far away!). Make sure you get out of the cities for part of your trip as it’s the nature and wildlife that will really blow your mind. Although the wine, coffee and food does a pretty good job of that too. 😍

Emirates and Qantas are both great airlines. Emirates business class will probably ruin you for any future flights as budget airlines will be quite a shock after that. 😂 I’ve done a lot of domestic Qantas flights and even for short hops I was very happy with them.

Btw it’s the Emirates A380 that has a shower in First Class. I flew it once and their bathroom with the shower was bigger than my bathroom in my Hong Kong apartment. 😂

The business lounge for the A380s in Dubai is HUGE. I’ve been in airports that are smaller than that lounge. So don’t be afraid to explore it. There are some lovely loungers tucked away in quiet spots, as well as multiple bars and food areas etc. I’ve spent a LOT of time in Emirates lounges. 😂 And rather randomly, Emirates are very generous with the toothpaste they give you (unlike those tiny ones BA give) so make the most of it as toothpaste is shockingly expensive in Australia. Strange but true.

Oh I have heard about the toothpaste and randomly dishwasher tablets haha! My cousin would love me to fill an extra suitcase with those!!

It sounds amazing - and I am planning LOTS more long haul trips in future so I better start saving for the flights if nothing else 😂

Thank you again!

Comfy trousers ideally with an elastic waist, compression socks and a comfy cosy jumper to snuggle up in!

My disappointment when I recently did PE and business class for the first time in decades was that I was clearly too short at 5’4” for the design of the seats (especially when I had it in lie flat mode).

@Lostearrings- I’m the same height as you - what problem did you find?

Same, my whole family of four were upgraded from PE to business and we all wear a mismatch of Primark and Hollister joggers and sweatshirts.