Dubai airport, a favourite stopover for Qantas passengers. Source: Flickr
IT'S the new route that has quickly become the jewel in troubled Qantas's crown.
Flying from Sydney or Melbourne to Dubai has become a popular stopover on the way to Europe, but the Emirati is also increasingly becoming a sought-after destination in its own right.
While some Australian travellers were initially wary of flying through the Middle Eastern city due to differing laws and customs, it has now become passengers' favourite airline route.
This is one piece of good news that came out of a devastating announcement by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce this morning that 5000 jobs will be cut due to the company's massive $252 million loss.
"Our tie-up with Emirates has had an overwhelming positive customer response, and the Sydney and Melbourne to Dubai routes have the highest satisfaction levels of our international network," Mr Joyce said.
The route, which is less than a year old, gives passengers one-stop access to 33 European destinations including Paris and Barcelona, meaning there's no need to stop via London as well.
So why do people love flying to Dubai?
I was lucky enough to visit the Emirate a few months ago and was definitely wowed. If I had to describe it in just two words, they would be "opulence" and "intrigue". Dubai is home to a series of skyscrapers including the world's tallest, the Burj Khalifa, along with the spectacular man-made Palm Island and royal suites so lavish that they will make your eyes boggle.
Here are some of the highlights of flying to Dubai:
The planes are newer
Passengers flying from Sydney or Melbourne to Dubai will travel on Qantas A380s planes, which are quieter, newer and have more comfortable seats than some other aircraft in the airline's fleet.
A Qantas Airbus A 380. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
It's quicker to fly via Dubai to Europe
Qantas says the total travel time (in-flight and on-ground) to the top 10 destinations in Europe is an average of 2 hours 15 minutes less via Dubai from Sydney to Melbourne compared to the former Qantas network via Asia. Some other examples: Sydney to Manchester 2hrs 15mins hrs faster, Brisbane to Barcelona 5hrs 25 mins and Melbourne to Milan 3hrs 45 mins faster.
The airport is amazing
The second-busiest airport in the world, it's shiny and new. You can shop till you drop at the world's largest airport duty-free shop, buy gold bars, go for a swim, or have a rest in the "Snoozecubes" which can be rented from under $20 an hour. It also features some amazing (and massive) business and first lounges.
Inside Dubai Airport. Picture: Dubabinder Source: Flickr
It's home to the tallest tower in the world
If you want a view like no other, the 828-metre high Burj Khalifa won't disappoint. The whopping 160 storey tower is the epitome of sky-high extravagance.
The view from the Burj Khalifa. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: NewsComAu
There are UNDERWATER hotel rooms
You can sleep (and bathe) with the fish — and stingrays — at the iconic Atlantis hotel.
The underwater room at the Atlantis. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: NewsComAu
Atlantis the Palm hotel in Dubai. Picture: Supplied By Kernzner Hotels Source: Supplied
You can live like royalty
If you have $24,000 to spend for one night in a hotel room, this is the one you'd want. Welcome to the Royal Suite at the Burj al Arab. The lavish 780 square metre suite is one of the most expensive in the world.
Kate Schneider takes us inside the worlds most expensive hotel suite, the Burji Al Arab in Dubai.
The Royal Suite. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: NewsComAu
The Burj al Arab. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: NewsComAu
You can have dinner in the desert
Dinner In The Desert. Picture: Arabian adventure. Source: Supplied
You can relax and soak up the culture
Dubai, UAE. Source: Supplied
You can visit the world's largest shopping centre
The 1,124,000 square metre Dubai Mall opened in 2008 with about 635 retailers and is part of the Downtown Dubai complex, which has 1200 shops. Ladies, this includes the largest collection of shoes. You can also find the world's most expensive cupcake here, and an aquarium.
Dubai mall. Picture: PYB Source: Flickr
You can go skiing
It may be scorching outside, but you can still hit the slopes.
Adventure Dubai skiing at the Mall of the Emirates. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited
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