RT @travelmedia: @JetBlue unveils @RedSox-themed plane http://t.co/ovX00k6E (but surely they'd rather rename them the BlueSox too ;)
All direct flights to Dubai from the UK & Ireland
Flight Summary
One of the fastest growing major airports in the world, an ever increasing range of direct flights to Dubai is available from across the UK.
Destination Summary
Sunny Dubai is the business and tourist hub of the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the Middle East. If you are looking to take a city break to Dubai and you are short of time, then it might be worth checking out the Lastminute.com website. Booking late on can often lead to big savings, especially if you are open to where you want to take a short weekend break.
Quick Facts
- Airport Code: DXB
- Miles From London: 5472
James Says
There is intense competition for flights from London to Dubai, with several Asian airlines offering direct services, together with British Airways. The emergence of Dubai based Emirates as one of the world's leading airlines means there is no shortage of flight routes into Dubai from other UK regional cities. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic entered the market with daily flights from London Heathrow to Dubai in the spring of 2006. As around three quarters of passengers using Emirates' flights to Dubai are continuing onwards to other destinations, there are not as many bargain basement "cheap" flights to Dubai as there are to other major inter-continental transfer hubs such as New York. Despite the range of direct flights to Dubai, the cheapest flights to Dubai may often require a change of plane, typically in Amsterdam or Paris. This is often the case if you're searching for flights to Dubai from other cities outside London, although from London and Manchester additional flights to Dubai are available via other Middle East cities, such as Doha in Qatar. Dubai might position itself as a year-round sunshine destination, but this does not stop the prices of flights varying according to demand, especially as so many onward connections to Asia, Australia and New Zealand are available through Dubai. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle, and therefore events such as Ramadan will occur every 10 months.
Mark Says
It is not difficult to see why planeloads of Brits are re-locating to Dubai, why ageing footballers are heading to the most prosperous and liberal of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) quicker than they can say 'get me my agent'. I'm not talking about the tax free wages either; Dubai has virtually guaranteed sunshine, beautiful beaches, phenomenal shops, and is relatively close to home. Not to mention the daring architecture, top sports facilities, and world-class hotels. US rappers might have coined the word bling, but Dubai is surely its spiritual home. Gold is king here, and the legendary Deira Gold Souq is second to none. It is often assumed Dubai's wealth stems from oil, but the city has been an important port for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Oil merely helped kick-off Dubai's resurgence after the fallow years of the Depression. It is not just the British who flood to Dubai, three-quarters of the population are ex-pats from around the world involved in all manner of industries. The best time of the year to visit Dubai is during the winter months, when the weather is relatively cool. The rest of the year can be stiflingly hot with temperatures well into the 40s (celsius) not uncommon. Also bear in mind that the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan, is strictly adhered to in Dubai. It is therefore illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public from sunrise to sunset during this period. Accommodation in Dubai tends to be at the upper end of the scale, but there are plenty of deals available, even at the most glamorous hotels. Rates often drop by as much as 50% during Ramadan.
Your Comments (5)
Mates 123
James Avery
My guess is that Emirates won't start Dubai flights from Belfast. I think it also goes down to geography - flying to London to double back over Ireland on your way to New York makes no sense, so it is a route United - Continental can serve direct, and they do so with a narrowbody Boeing 757. Emirates only have wide body aircraft - and they serve destinations to the east, so going via London makes geographical sense. What looks good on a map tends to look good on the wallet too these days as more and more of the cost of the flight is made up by the fuel burnt.
Jordan Brown
I'd much rather take direct flights with Emirates, but they are more than £150 extra. Why is that? I know airlines from London charge a premium for some direct routes, but I thought the whole marketing point of Emirates was to offer flights from local airports to Asia and beyond, but that you had to connect through their hub in Dubai.
Surely, the flight that feeds into Dubai should be the cheapest?
James Avery
I did a blog about this here - http://www.flightblogging.com/2011/11/20/when-flights-to-hub-airports-are-still-cheaper-if-you-go-indirect/
Steve Crammond
Only minor downside is that after an ok flight out there, Emirates staff at Dubai airport were just totally unhelpful, then the flight was delayed and they seemed to want even less to do with us - even answering a simple question like 'has the aircraft for our onward flight come in yet' was too much.
Although I'd rather go from Newcastle, I'm seriously considering going with Etihad from Manchester for my next trip - and there's plenty I still want to see in Abu Dhabi too.
Just wish BA or Virgin would add Dubai flights from Manchester, that would be better still - these Middle Eastern airlines are well hyped, and brilliantly equipped, but indifferent staff can let the whole side down!