Airline passenger news and views

Flying to Australia often involves stopping at Dubai.  It is only about 6 hours from London and leaves about 13 hours for the remaining flight.  Most people are impressed by their first sight of the airport, but relatively few have stopped over in the city.

Dubai is certainly a city of expensive, lavish and outlandish superlatives.  It boasts a seven-star hotel, the world’s tallest building, and a series of 200 man-made islands in the shape of the countries of the world.

But, amidst all this modernity, there are still age-old souks for those who like to haggle. Also, if you drive a few kilometres from this man-made edifice, you are back in the desert with its free-roaming, and very smelly camels.

Dubai is vibrant and cosmopolitan but perhaps a bit artificial. Elsewhere in the UAE, from the barren beauty of the mountains, to the beaches of the East coast, life is more traditional and moves at a slower pace. 

Emirates are offering stop-over deals and so now may be an ideal time to experience this city.