777 and A380

[Tron1]

So, am going on both aircraft next week long haul to Australia with Emirates. As someone who is not a good flyer at all can anyone offer any tips (reassurance) that may help me get through the experience! Thanks in advance.

[TobyLaRohne]

Emirates is going to be one of the safest airlines in terms of highjacking risk, its widely accepted that the UAE is host to a whole host of naughty peoples finances and facilitates them in other ways. It effectively protects their carriers against such an attack given the government could cut off their money and assets at a single stroke.

Ever wonder why dubai, even though full of infidel targets in mass groups who sin all the time has never been bombed or attacked even though they're right next to Yemen, a terrorism hotbed?

[Kempus]

Your getting the UAE mixed up with Saudi or Qatar.

UAE is considered a safe haven for those in the region due to the way the union is run. UK harbours as many terrorists as the UAE if not more.

Back to the original question. Coming from Europe sit on the right hand side of the aircraft to get views of Dubai as you approach. Regardless of the aircraft type, sit as far forward as you can in your respective cabin as turbulence can cause "fish tailing" at the back. Added to that it's noisy behind the engines especially on the triple.

Both aircraft have a good safety record and although the 777 is approaching 20yr old design it has a proven reliability record and does so with it's keep it simple design.

Anywho enjoy Oz. Rather you than me being stick on an aircraft for 20hrs+!

[Bingoej]

Both will be fine. Emirates are one of the better airlines in my experience. If you are flying economy, I would suggest that you don't sit too far back on the A380 as the service is not so good there.

[Bingoej]

Both will be fine. Emirates are one of the better airlines in my experience. If you are flying economy, I would suggest that you don't sit too far back on the A380 as the service is not so good there.

[anonymous-user]

You'll be fine, the first time I flew to Australia I thought it was going to be an awful, a lot worse than it actually is. Drink lots of water before hand and when you are on the plane otherwise you will get dehydrated, 20 hours on an air-conditioned aircraft does take it's toll. I've not flown on Emirates but get yourself one of these in case http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airplane-Headphone-Adaptor... and take the best headphones you have. The ones they give you will be crap and anything that can drown out the general noise of the aircraft helps.

Check out the IFE for your flight here http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/flying/service_...

Depending on how long your stopover is, either book a transit hotel, or pop into one of the paid lounges and grab a shower, it will make you feel a lot better for the 2nd flight.

Enjoy Oz, which bits are you visiting?

[fatboy69]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

If you die, it'll probably be quick, and maybe painless.

HTH

One the most helpful (not) responses ever on PH!!!!

[TobyLaRohne]

Kempus said:

Your getting the UAE mixed up with Saudi or Qatar.

UAE is considered a safe haven for those in the region due to the way the union is run. UK harbours as many terrorists as the UAE if not more.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/jan/24/dubai-crime-money-laundering-terrorism
http://www.securitymanagement.com/article/dubai-te...
etc etc etc.

I'm not thinking of Saudi or Qatar. I'm thinking of Dubai. However we digress. OP you're going to be fine, I would second the recommendation to take some good headphones and sit as far front as possible for the best comfort.

[Tron1]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

If you die, itll probably be quick, and maybe painless.

HTH

Thanks for the above, I would have been worried that PH was broken had there not been a reply like this. Thanks to everyone else for the advice so far, starting to panic already!

[Kempus]

TobyLaRohne said:

Emirates is going to be one of the safest airlines in terms of highjacking risk, its widely accepted that the UAE is host to a whole host of naughty peoples finances and facilitates them in other ways. It effectively protects their carriers against such an attack given the government could cut off their money and assets at a single stroke.

Ever wonder why dubai, even though full of infidel targets in mass groups who sin all the time has never been bombed or attacked even though they're right next to Yemen, a terrorism hotbed?

From the 4yr old article:


Other experts say terrorists will not target Dubai because they might hurt their own money laundering operations, which benefit from the emirate�s position as a hub for finance, commerce, and international tourism.

Money laundering is facilitated by the UAE's status as a major financial center,


You've took a few things out context whilst writing your post and making the assumption that the UAE is actively involved in money laundering and in turn "buying" protection for its carriers of which, Ethihad is the only one government owned.

Not at one point during the article does it even hint at this

the UAE is host to a whole host of naughty peoples finances and facilitates them in other ways. It effectively protects their carriers against such an attack given the government could cut off their money and assets at a single stroke.

But instead says that money laundering activities could be hurt by companies and tourism leaving the area.

Sorry for the poorly placed quotes but the iPad is pants for that.

[creampuff]

Tron1 said:

kapiteinlangzaam said:

If you die, itll probably be quick, and maybe painless.

HTH

Thanks for the above, I would have been worried that PH was broken had there not been a reply like this. Thanks to everyone else for the advice so far, starting to panic already!

Panic more when you see important looking bits of the wing fall off

[Munter]

Tron1 said:

Thanks for the above, I would have been worried that PH was broken had there not been a reply like this. Thanks to everyone else for the advice so far, starting to panic already!

You only need to panic when the crew do. If they are strolling about serving food / offering hand jobs to the VIPs in 1st class, then you don't need to worry. They do this every day, and without dying.

And if you don't like it. Spend your time trying to outdo this guys complaint letter about Virgins food. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/43448...

[NormalWisdom]

I do believe the majority of commerical air accidents occur within 90 seconds of take-off or on landing. So for 19 hours and 58 minutes enjoy the experience and for the remaining 2 minutes think of the statistics - still an incredibly low probablity.

HTH

[maffski]

NormalWisdom said:

I do believe the majority of commerical air accidents occur within 90 seconds of take-off or on landing. So for 19 hours and 58 minutes enjoy the experience and for the remaining 2 minutes think of the statistics - still an incredibly low probablity.

HTH

Or just avoid the danger periods;
Alternative take off - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErEsNhDmo8
Alternative landing - http://youtu.be/JVUo5y5KRvI?t=2m47s

[Mashedpotatoes]

Go to Doc
Tell Doc about fear of flying
Doc prescribes Valium
Happy happy passenger

[creampuff]

NormalWisdom said:

I do believe the majority of commerical air accidents occur within 90 seconds of take-off or on landing. So for 19 hours and 58 minutes enjoy the experience and for the remaining 2 minutes think of the statistics - still an incredibly low probablity.

HTH

Yes, but you have a good chance of surviving a take off or landing incident. OTOH it's the cruise flight mishaps which tend to kill everybody....

[bigkeeko]

Tron1 said:

. Thanks to everyone else for the advice so far, starting to panic already!

You`ve twice as much chance of winning the jackpot in the lottery than dying in an air crash. It`s been estimated at 27,000,000 to 1. If you`re still uneasy take a 5mg tablet of diazempam and the flight will genuinely be enjoyable.

[cpufreak]

This will make you feel better: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromort

To be extra safe*:
- eat peanut butter banana splits for a month before travelling
- also eat char-broiled steaks daily
- travel to the airport by motorbike
- smoke 1.4 cigarettes before getting to airport
- drink 0.5 litre of wine on board

[Tron1]

Thanks for all the above advice. It's all helpful! I keep waivering between not wanting to go and then trying to be positive. I think I need to take some "man up" pills!

[tuffer]

Wasn't MH307 a 777? Just saying....