Why I chose to, or choose not to, transit Dubai on the way to/from Europe

[NM]

Following a previous thread the became heated and way off-topic, I invite people to post whether they are happy or not to transit Dubai on the way to/from Europe, and feel free to give your reasons.

Anyone is free to post their own reason. but do NOT debate other people's reasons in this thread. Any posts questioning the validity of someone's reason will be removed. This thread is for people to post their reasons - whether you agree or not is not part of this thread.

 

[harvyk]

Would I transit DXB? Well considering I actually want to visit DXB at some stage, yes I would.

 

[Jack_OC]

I would (and I have previously visited UAE, although not Dubai specifically). It certainly has significant flaws, but also some positive/interesting attributes, just like pretty much all of the other transit/stopover options when travelling out of Australia. Ultimately, I would be comfortable going anywhere unless I had reason to be concerned for my own safety while I'm there, and I have no such concerns when it comes to DXB or the UAE in general.

 

[casanovawa]

I've transited Doha a couple of times because QR had a cheap sale and the airline ended up being one of the best Y experiences I've had... Not sure about stopping and visiting the place...

So yes at some point i'm sure i'll transit DBX, maybe i'll stop and stay for a few days, i'll see...

 

[fjc]

As I posted in the previous thread: As far as I could see, the women's toilets in the QF departure lounge are squat toilets, which are very difficult to use if you have wonky hips and knees. If mine become worse, then that would stop me from transiting there. A Melbourne friend (who has very serious issues with her hips and knees) has ruled out going to Europe on Qantas via DBX for this reason.

I do intend to stop over for a few days on my next trip, but will make sure that I don't have to use the departure lounge toilets. BTW, there may be Western style toilets elsewhere in the terminal, but as I was doing the quick change over on QF1, I didn't look for them.

FYI, this is NOT a racist rant. I've used the Asian squat toilets with no problems in the past, but that was many years ago.

 

[777]

I DON'T PARTICULARLY CARE EITHER WAY!

(I put that in all caps just to emphasise loudly how indifferent i am)

 

[Clarkes]

Malaysia has political corruption problems. Singapore executes criminals.
I have not heard people having issues with these stopovers...

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes I will transit through DXB. I have booked two J returns to LHR on QF. I will do a stopover there on the second return trip.
I have previously transited DXB on EK without any problems.

 

[Austman]

I don't mind either way. It's a return of QF1/2 to having a Middle East transit stop. It used to be Bahrain in the 80s. I did that back in 1985.

I've gone through DXB twice now - on QF9/10 for 1.5 hours or so each time. And my experience is that DXB is one of the better airports in the world. The terminal that QF uses is modern, efficient, pleasant, courteous and a fair bit wow. It's certainly one of the better experiences that I have had at an airport.

 

[Pollywaffle]

I am doing my first transit in DXB in a couple of months. My only hesitation right now is the shorter leg of the trip is second. I am not sure how well rested I will be. Having a longer second leg (BKK or SIN) to Europe allows for a nice long sleep.

As I posted in the previous thread: As far as I could see, the women's toilets in the QF departure lounge are squat toilets, which are very difficult to use if you have wonky hips and knees. If mine become worse, then that would stop me from transiting there. A Melbourne friend (who has very serious issues with her hips and knees) has ruled out going to Europe on Qantas via DBX for this reason.

I do intend to stop over for a few days on my next trip, but will make sure that I don't have to use the departure lounge toilets. BTW, there may be Western style toilets elsewhere in the terminal, but as I was doing the quick change over on QF1, I didn't look for them.

FYI, this is NOT a racist rant. I've used the Asian squat toilets with no problems in the past, but that was many years ago.

I am doing QF1/2 in August. I'll look out for "proper" toilets but I better start practising just in case.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

At the moment, for the days I'm looking for, it's up to $1,000 more expensive to fly to London via DXB on QF/EK than it is to fly via SIN, KUL, BKK, HCM, HKG, CAN or ICN on a range of carriers. It's cheaper to fly return on Virgin Atlantic with the return trip in Premium Economy. The lowest business class fares are cheaper than QF Premium Economy. Makes the choice of flying via Asia easy.

 

[dajop]

For me (given I live in Singapore), I choose not to transit Dubai on the way to/from Europe because I have plenty of non stop options to Europe, and I much prefer 10-13 hrs non-stop over a 7+4-7 hr journey with a stop in the middle of the night! From a QFF perspective, now that there is no QF, BA & AY are preferred, then MH second, and of course outside QFF there are plenty of other options.

 

[Grooba]

Something I've wanted to do for a while so when planning my first RTW I specifically went ...HKG-DXB-AMM-LHR... with a couple of days in DXB to check the place out.

New country, new region, new airline (RJ), can't wait.

 

[The Rok]

I will fly via Dubai. I have gone through AUH with my GF and we never had a problem holding hands, kissing or anything. Having read up a bit more on this forum however I will try to be a little more respectful of the UAE's laws and not push the boundaries. I would also like to holiday there for a few days.

 

[Alanslegal]

I have never been to Dubai but would have no hesitation in going there for a visit or even transiting through. With QF/EK's fling I can now use my hard earned QF points and get the chance to fly EK F 388 It will be probably be a cultural shock at first, that's definitely not a bad thing, as its part of the wider learning experience when one is travelling, and exploring and seeing people in other parts of the world live their lives.

 

[sergeyvzn]

as I have written previously on the other thread:

1) I will transit via Dubai

2) Unlikely to stop over if I'm with my partner. He won't be able to legally bring his medication (he's HIV positive) into the country and we don't want to hide it in a vitamin jar both being quite law-abiding. It's too risky for him if the meds are found and confiscated as this would be life threatening

3) Happy to stop over if I travel by myself. My only concern would then be the climate, I hate when it's that hot

 

[beaglex]

My wife and I are flying with Emirates to Europe (this Sunday) via Dubai, only transit on the way over, having a couple of days stopover on the way back home. Having never been to the UAE we both are looking forward to Dubai.

 

[OATEK]

Transiting in September, but looking hard at CX for SYD-HKG-CDG-HKG-SYD for next year so that we can stop over in HKG on the return leg. Can't see us stopping over in DXB, but unless our September trip turns us off it may transit via there in the future.

 

[blackcat20]

I'll be doing my first transit through there in September. It's only a short stop so I'm not too worried.

 

[splinter1949]

Well I will be transiting next year when I fly BKK-AMS in J class with a 8 hour stopover , will have hotel complimentary by airline.
Should be OK, have worked in the UAE (dubia)before