Aug 23, 2009 08:41 PM
3613 Views
I was an unfortunate traveler on Dubai-Delhi Emirates flight EK 514 on 22nd August 2009. By comparison even our Indian Rail fares better.
The flight was delayed for over 5 hours, the staff instead of being courteous and apologetic was actually rude and during this delay all we were handed out were cheap pepsis and cokes to keep us shut. A technical error was claimed to be the reason for the delay of the flight though we suspect it was the less than 50% occupancy of the flight and their intension of combining it with another flight in the same sector. The initial delay was an hour which is understandable.
Post that hour we were allowed to board the aircraft where we were served lemon juice and handed the hot towels. However, the flight did not take off even after sitting in the aircraft for over 45 minutes. We were then asked to disembark the aircraft with the assurance that we were being 'escorted' to a lounge where we would be served refreshments.
Guess the captain forgot that 80% of the passengers were Indians for as soon as we got off the flight; we were COMMANDED to go to some restaurant at the other end of the humungous Dubai airport. During this trek, we were required to cart our hand luggage around and go through the security check once more where we were asked to take off our belts and shoes and other accessories. If this wasn't enough, once we reached the restaurant we were informed that there was no such arrangement made for us and that we should return to the boarding gate and wait there.
Even after all this there was not one staff member that was nice and pleasant. We were once again given the same 1 Dhiram cold drinks to stay quiet. Dinner was promised but never came. They were not ready to give us any written letters for delayed flight and the hostess was actually screaming at anyone who even dared go near her. Finally the 5 hour mental torture ended and we took off an hour after we were supposed to have arrived at our destination. Either its us Indians that get the worst out of everyone or Emirates' near monopoly in the UAE sector has lead to such a deterioration in service levels. I wonder what would have happened if the entire episode that happened in India.
Emirates needs to wake up and realise that a city like Dubai survives on the tourists and after an experience like this I doubt anyones rushing back to Dubai in a hurry.
