As far as business class flight timings go, there can hardly be any better than Emirates’ direct service from Boston to Dubai.
Taking off at 10.20pm, this allows you to have one last early dinner in the city, a good few hours’ sleep on the flight around the time you’d normally be going to bed, and, because of the time difference, a civilised arrival in Dubai at 7.30pm the following night.
My trip starts at 7.30pm when I’m picked up by the airline’s chauffeur service. A friendly driver with a smart Cadillac takes me from the suburb of Newton to Boston’s Logan International Airport in less than half an hour. An excellent east-west road network connecting directly to the airport through a tunnel under the city centre makes getting to this airport more relaxing than most.
Although I’ve checked in online, you can’t print boarding passes for this flight for security reasons, so this is done at check-in, which is no bother as there’s no queue at the business class counter. My business class ticket also gets me fast-tracked through the combined immigration and security queue. The airport itself seems pleasantly quiet at this time of night, and the lounge, which is shared with other airlines, is not elaborate but at least peaceful.
On board, only 21 of the 42 seats are occupied. I’m in 7A, which is a window seat on the left of the front section of a split-cabin business section. An announcement by the genial American captain, who says he is from Texas and “I know you’re going to have a safe flight” is very welcome.
I have a light dinner of cured salmon with herbs and cod with ginger and soy sauce before having the mattress fitted, reclining the bed and sleeping for a few hours.
On arrival in Dubai it’s a long walk to immigration, but there aren’t too many people queuing and my fast-track pass means I only have to wait a few minutes before being welcomed back to the UAE.
I’m travelling with hand luggage, meaning that in about another five minutes flat I’m settling into the back of a Volvo as part of Emirates’ chauffeur-drive service back to Abu Dhabi and am home, again, in time for bed.
q&a beantown hits home run
Rosemary Behan expands on Emirates airline’s direct service between Boston and Dubai.
When did this route launch and what aircraft is used?
The route launched as a daily service in March 2014 and became double daily in October 2015. The aircraft used is a Boeing 777-300ER, which means 42 seats in business class in a 2-3-2 configuration, along with 12 seats in first class and 304 in economy. I like this layout as the front, smaller section of business class, which only has 14 seats, is completely separated from economy and feels like a small private room.
How long does the flight take?
From Boston to Dubai, the flight time is 12 hours. The other departure from Boston leaves at 11.55am and arrives in Dubai at 8.15am the following day. Going the other way, from Dubai to Boston, flights depart at 8.40am or 2.40am, and these take 13 hours 35 minutes and 14 hours respectively.
How much do tickets cost?
Return tickets cost from Dh4,460 return in economy and from Dh18,830 in business class.
What is there to do in Boston?
The city is Massachusetts’ capital and its largest city, as well as being one of the oldest cities in the US. It is popular with sports fans watching baseball or American football, history enthusiasts and students, as well as being a business powerhouse.
rbehan@thenational.ae
* The writer was a guest of the airline.
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