Prague, Vienna, and a wild A380 late go-around

[offshore171]

So this trip started with the 6am Emirates A380 out of Sydney on the way to Prague. If we were half asleep approaching Dubai after 14 hours, this would quickly change!

Included in this trip report:

• A very late and wild go-around in the A380 to kick off the trip
• Emirates new(ish) Premium Economy (it's good)
• Dubaiconnect - the free Emirates night in Dubai for layovers > 8 hours.
• Exploring Prague with some unscripted surprises and some memorable restaurants
• Vienna - a few days out and about
• An Ice Hockey match and Vienna State Opera on the one trip report (surely that's a first?)
• Weird and Wonderful Austrian foods
• Some skiing.
• Some apres-skiing

And more

 

[Dmac59]

On board with interest @offshore171

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Looking forward to the Prague bit!

 

[offshore171]

Travelling party is 2 adults and 2 teens, travel occurred January 2026.

We started with a 6am flight on New Year's day, which entailed getting to the airport at 4am. Definitely a bleary eyed way to get the ball rolling.

I'd found a good deal with Emirates - a mixed cabin fare, which was Premium Economy to Dubai and then Y to Prague. On the way back it was PE right through.

I guess Jan 1 wasn't popular since it was quite a bit cheaper than travelling a couple of days either side,.

First time in Emirates Premium economy and it's a notch above most other PE offerings. Large, ventilated leather seats, with plenty of separation between the rows. Excellent IFE, food and beverage. Would happily recommend.

Flight pushed back at 5:55am and off we went.

 

[offshore171]

14 hours later, after a mix of movies, and a bit of sleep, we are on final approach to Dubai around 1pm local time.

Gear comes down, and we are really low, about to touch down, then suddenly the pilot guns the throttle and pulls up remarkably steeply.. A go-around.

An A380 can really go when it's not carrying 14 hours worth of fuel!

Once things have settled down, they announce the go-around, saying it was due to a ground vehicle incursion on the runway. I imagine someone got in a bit of strife over this. Apparently go arounds for A380's are about 1 in 1000 landings.

They end up doing a bit of a loop around downtown Dubai before lining up again for an uneventful second attempt. Here's the flightpath from FR24

 

[offshore171]

With that out of the way, we arrive in Dubai to try out the complimentary Dubaiconnect service.

This is for Emirates layovers > 8 hours, and <26 hours and includes a free hotel room, transfers, and meals. In our case, the layover is 19 hours, which allows a decent break in the journey. For 2A+2K they provided two connecting rooms.

If your flight qualifies, you must select Dubaiconnect via the Manage My Booking page for your EK flight . Then you are given a voucher at check-in for the first flight (at Sydney in our case)

This worked pretty well. We rocked up at the Dubaiconnect desk in DXB arrivals and were promptly transferred to the Copthorne Hotel, a short distance from the airport.
Your checked luggage are checked through to the onwards destination, so ideally you want PJ's and a change of clothes in your carryon because that's all. you'll have with you for the layover.

It's decent enough, and is part of a larger complex of two hotels, plus a bunch of bars, restaurants and a poolside area.

They picked us up the next morning and it was back to DXB departures for the onward flight to Prague





Details of this service:

Emirates Dubai Connect | Dubai International | Before You Fly | Emirates

If you have a long connection time in Dubai between flights, find out if you’re eligible for Dubai Connect, and receive free accommodation, meals, and visas.

www.emirates.com