Return trip to Thailand

After two weeks in France between Paris and Provence, it was time to fly back to Bangkok. During the end of the year holidays, I usually treat myself to business class to have a smoother flight! On this occasion, it was my first time to fly EMIRATES [EK] from Lyon [LYS] to Bangkok [BKK] via Dubai [DXB]. So here is a report of the journey back to the 'Land of Smiles'.

From Avignon to Lyon by TGV

Avignon-TGV station

It only takes an hour to commute from Avignon to Lyon-La Part Dieu station. The train left and arrived on time. 

TGV-Lyria entering the station

Bar inside the TGV

From Lyon-La Part Dieu to Saint-Exupéry Airport

When you travel business class with EMIRATES, you are entitled to pre-book a complimentary limousine to the airport. So I was whisked off to Satolas in about twenty minutes.  Since it was way ahead of time to check in, I had plenty of time to kill off at Terminal 2 of Saint-Exupéry Airport. Lyon airport has an ominous name because Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a native of Lyon.

Lyon St.Exupéry Airport

Inside Terminal 2

 EMIRATES flight from Lyon to Dubai

Lyon has quite a pleasant airport. After checking-in, I rested in the business lounge until departure. EMIRATES operates a daily flight to Dubai at night. The B777-300ER they fly has many original features. One of them are the windows. Instead of having the classic push blind, they provide an electric blind having two positions: one leaving the outside light in and another blocking it. Nobody was sitting beside my seat [8A]. As this is a rather short leg, they only serve dinner aboard. The business seat features are also quite unusual living up for their logo Hello tomorrow. For instance, there is a

tablet commanding all major entertainment programs. Their complimentary  toiletry pouch is quite amazing like on QATAR. But their wine list is rather limited compared to QATAR. However, they do

offer exceptional vintages. I kept on drinking a Veuve Clicquot Brut with my meal as I went for seafood. The 3-course dinner was very good but again does not match QATAR's. I chose smoked salmon with seasonal salad, a grilled trout fillet (which turned out to be salmon!) and then I took the cheese board with a fine red Bordeaux (Château Olivier 2007). With tea, they also provide a tiny box of Godiva chocolates. I thought the service was a bit too long, though. Anyway, I slept the rest of the way until we arrived at Dubai. This flight lasted 6h15.

Lyon [LYS]-Dubai [DXB] air path

EMIRATES B777

B777-300ER business class

Transit at Dubai International Airport

EMIRATES Business lounge at DXB

Terminal C

When the aircraft landed at DXB, it was still at night. Dubai has a huge airport with many different terminals. We parked way out and had to be taken away from the airplane by a business shuttle. This is not really convenient. It took a while to reach the older terminal that does not look that great compared with Hamad Intl. Airport in Doha. There was no information counter to provide any useful tips. Anyway, I found the EMIRATES Business Lounge. It was crowded and not really cosy to my taste. I refreshed with a coffee, juice, a croissant and some fresh fruits before taking a shower. The cubicle was really tiny and there were only two showers with a common wash-basin to shave! 

EMIRATES flight from Dubai to Bangkok

My seat aboard the A380-800

This flight was operated with an A380-800. My seat [23A] was great. It was in the smaller rear cabin near the bar section of the aircraft. The cabin layout is far superior to THAI. It had the same features as on the B777 from Lyon except it was a small cubicle having its own mini-bar. The blanket was also much better than the one provided on the LYS-DXB route. This time, they served Moët & Chandon brut, which is not to my taste. Again, the lunch they served took a long time. I chose smoked duck with seasonal salad, a Nonya chicken curry (excellent) with South Australia, Clare Valley, Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2013. I had fresh fruits for dessert and then left for the bar to get an expresso. 

I did lie down for a couple of hours until we started our descent to Suvarnabhumi Airport as it was the end of the day in Thailand. This flight was only 5h10 long.

EMIRATES A380 business class

In-flight bar scene

DXB-BKK air route

Transfer by EMIRATES limousine in Bangkok

EMIRATES A380 nose

There were many passengers waiting even at the fast track. EMIRATES transfer desk is at Gate B in front of Exit 5. Smooth transfer back home through the BKK evening traffic.

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