Bangkok and Jakarta

Bangkok and Jakarta

via Emirates First Class

September 2025

The airside connector from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 is a nice alternative to the landside train.

Major improvement in the Chicago T5 lounge scene as Emirates now uses the new LOT Business Lounge, a very pleasant lounge and so much better than the dumpy SAS Lounge.

Very nice lounge with lots of windows and great tarmac views.

Nothing fancy but a reasonable food spread.

Polish pierogi and pulpety meat balls. Yummy.

My Instagram video of my American flight from Denver-Chicago and the LOT Chicago Business Lounge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOpAS5lD-FP

Emirates Game Changer to Dubai

Emirates First Class Game Changer to Dubai

Emirates’ Chicago-Dubai 77W service features The Game Changer, Emirates fabulous New First Class suite. Beautiful 6 suite First Class cabin with the ultimate in comfort and privacy, ceiling to floor doors. In suite temperature and lighting control and a video call button to your flight attendant. Wonderful service, great food and fabulous wines on this fantastic 14 hour flight to Dubai.

Chicago ORD to Dubai DXB

Emirates EK 236

777-300ER (77W) The Game Changer

8:45pm-6:40pm +1

September 7, 2025

Departed 5/6

Cost: 178,750 Skywards miles (included DXB-BKK connector)

A long hike tonight to the end of the Terminal 5.

Business Class gate lice.

Heaven...

Pre-departure Dom.

Tonight's menu...

Shortly after take-off, the really good stuff - 2009 Dom Rosé

Amuse bouche...

Fresh seasonal salad starter with chicken schnitzel.

And now for two amazing wines. The 2006 Chateau Angelus Bordeaux. Vivino rated 4.6 and retailing for $600 a bottle.

And the spectacular 2016 Opus One. Vivino rated 4.7 and retailing for $750 a bottle.

Oh my!

Creamy mushroom soup.

Chicken biryani for my main.

Wonderful cheese plate.

Decadent high end cognac taste test.

Warm apple blackberry torte.

Bedtime.

Cool nose cam view of our landing...

Waiting for door 1L to open, cool views from the inside suite with HD cameras showing the real view the plane.

My Instagram video of my Emirates Game Changer flight ot Dubai.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOqhY9NDipe

Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai

Emirates A First Class Lounge Dubai

With a 7 hour Dubai connection, I had plenty of time to relax, nap, drink and dine in Emirates’ massive A First Class Lounge.

Beautiful First Class Lounge Fine Dining...

Time to check out the wine fridges...

Change of pace today with the excellent Lobster Roll.

And nap time in the cool and comfy Pods.

Since the Dubai-Bangkok flight departed from the B concourse, I headed over a little early to check our the wine offerings in the B First Class Lounge.

And wow, great bartender found a bottle of Opus One!!

Emirates A380 First Class to Bangkok

Dubai DXB to Bangkok BKK

Emirates EK 384

A380-800

2:50am-12:32pm

September 9, 2025

Departed 12/14

Tonight's menu...

I passed on a meal and just went for movie snacks starting with popcorn.

Cool Rod Stewart concert video.

And Wagyu sliders.

Welcome to Bangkok.

And my ride into the city and to the Park Hyatt.

My Instagram video of my visit to the Emirates First Class Lounges in Dubai and my Emirates A380 flight to Bangkok.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtY105DuPO

Off to Bangkok

Off to Bangkok...

Today I’m off for three days in Bangkok and Jakarta. Up first is a mid-morning American flight to Chicago, then a 7 hour layover before my Emirates First Class flight to Dubai and Bangkok. Major improvement in the Chicago T5 lounge scene as Emirates now uses the new LOT Business Lounge, a very pleasant lounge and so much better than the dumpy SAS Lounge.

First stop is the Amex Centurion Lounge in the C concourse at DIA. I was there early enough that there was queue to enter.