The flight from Australia to Europe, with its 35-40 hours of total travelling time, is not what I’d call an awesome time, even in business class. But it passes. So, when I was faced with what turned out to be almost 70 hours of transit time via Japan, I was not, what you might say, overjoyed. I was, however glad not to be going anywhere near the Middle East, especially in those early days when everything was very chaotic.
One of the reasons why the Emirates flight has been a long favourite of mine, is that the times are perfect for departure and arrival. The stopover is long enough, but not too long. And I can get to and from the airport via train without adding an overnight.
Sadly, this would not be the case this time. So… let’s compare the two.
Part 1. Getting to the airport – Japan Airlines
Drive to a friend’s place in the late afternoon where I attempt to sleep until 3am when I am picked up by an Uber and driven to the airport to arrive at the delightful time of 4:30am. I enjoy a tired breakfast in the lounge before boarding my morning flight.
Part 1. Getting to the airport – Emirates
Drive to a friend’s place in the late afternoon where I am picked up by a chauffeur as part of my business class ticket and driven to the airport for a bite to eat in the Emirates lounge before boarding my evening flight.
Part 2. Flight leg #1: Melbourne to Japan – 10 hours
It may be morning, but I’m exhausted from lack of sleep the night before and feel pretty crummy from the beginning. Still, the Japanese meal options in business class are amazing and do perk me right up. I’ve been spoilt though – it definitely wasn’t as luxurious as Emirates on the A380, but a lie down seat makes A LOT of difference for a long flight.
Part 2. Flight leg #1: Melbourne to Dubai – 14 hours
A nice meal, a couple of drinks and then bedding down. It’s long, but it is what it is.
Part 3. Layover: Japan – 19.5 hours
Depart the airport, having had my photo taken at least six times. There’s a huge sign on the way out saying ALL BAGS MUST BE COLLECTED, so even though I’ve been told my bags are being sent through to Frankfurt, I double check. All good, so I leave the airport and head for my hotel, on foot, since I have no bags to carry. Oops, wrong way, so I turn around and walk another 30 minutes in the other direction, tripping over the curb at one point and grazing my knee like a child, before arriving at the hotel, headachy and exhausted.
Still, I am in Japan, so I must see Japan! My goal at this point is simply to find somewhere to eat that isn’t the airport. I check in and head back to catch the subway. It takes me over an hour to achieve my goal – I line up again and again, my credit card doesn’t work, and finally, when I get a ticket in my hot little hand, I miss the train by seconds and have to wait another half an hour. By this point I am thinking of chucking it all in and going to bed, but instead, I pop some Ibuprofen and persevere.
I take the subway exactly one stop away (about 10 mins) and come out to some lovely little streets. I take a stroll, finally find a place to eat that has a spot for me and enjoy some Japanese grill. Maybe it’s not the most adventurous of meals, but it’s a fun atmosphere and I can even relax a little.
Then it’s back to the hotel for some well-earned rest.
Part 3. Layover: Dubai – 3 hours
Head up to the luxurious Emirates lounge, grab a shower, a bite to eat, and prepare for the next flight.
Part 4. Flight leg #2: Japan to Frankfurt – 14 hours
Board flight, eat, drink and be merry, knowing I’ll be in Frankfurt at some point, hopefully. The exciting thing about this flight is the fact that we are apparently flying over Greenland, something I never in my life thought I would do. And as the sun sets (or maybe rises) it gives a gorgeous view over the ice-covered continent. Unfortunately, I don’t have a window seat, so I’m forced to crouch outside the toilet to enjoy it. Another exciting thing about the flight is eating Japanese food again, and even better, I discover that I can order food and drinks a-la-cart throughout the duration of the flight, direct to my seat, at any time.
Part 4. Flight leg #2: Dubai to Munich – 6.5 hours
Board flight, eat, drink and be merry, knowing I’ll be home soon.
Part 5. Flight leg #3: Frankfurt to Munich – 2.5 hours
Happy to be on time, I stand in the immigration line, which doesn’t appear very long. After 20 minutes I’m starting to sweat, after 40 minutes I’m full on panicking. I’d temporarily forgotten that I was in the hell airport that is Frankfurt. Time to assert myself and convince the (thankfully) lovely airport staff member to let me skip the line, since otherwise I’m going to miss my flight. At the luggage terminal I’m sweating again waiting for my bags, until more lovely airport staff notice my panic and we establish that my bags have gone all the way through to Munich after all. I do a dash to terminal one and board the flight.
Part 5. Train Munich to Wolfsberg – 6.5 hours
Exit airport. Catch train. Read book. Arrive home.
Part 6. Overnight in Munich
Since I’ve arrived too late to make it all the way home, I’m staying overnight near the main station in Munich and training out in the morning. I find the hotel, and manage to fall into bed by 11pm, enjoying a fitful sleep punctuated by Saturday night revellers making their way to and from the station outside.
Part 7. Train Munich to Wolfsberg – 5.5 hours
It’s finally morning and I can’t believe I’m still not home. Since I’m up early, I decide to catch the 6am train, only to have it cancelled last minute. I end up on the 7am train, which I was absolutely trying to avoid because of its multiple tight interchanges. So, I sweat through this journey too, and luckily make the final connection by about 30 seconds.
Part 8. I am home
I could cry with relief when the train finally pulls into the station and my boys are there to pick me up. Or perhaps I could cry, but I’ve done so much stress crying over the past days that I’m completely dry. You can bet that I’m happy to stay home for a bit now.
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