By Roger Balch
Qantas Emirates Codeshare
SPONSORED
There's only one thing better than flying on one of the world's best airlines and that's flying on two of the world's best airlines.
Thanks to Qantas and Emirates extending their joint business partnership until at least 2023 you now have even more choice when travelling between Australia and the UK, Europe and beyond. Whether through Dubai, Singapore or Perth, you can take off to your ultimate destination, and pamper yourself in a wider variety of lounges on the way.
With their combined reach, Qantas and Emirates offer you one of the world's most comprehensive international networks with more than 2000 possible flight itineraries.
This means that if you're going to Europe, in addition to flying to major cities such as London, Paris and Rome, you can also arrive in smaller ones such as Lisbon, Nice and Bologna. And squeeze much more into your overseas trip, maybe go somewhere you've dreamt about like Venice or experience somewhere completely different such as Zagreb.
If you're on a bucket-list trip to Africa, destination options include Cairo to see the pyramids and the land of the pharaohs, or Nairobi in Kenya if you're an intrepid explorer heading off on safari.
These options are available if you choose to fly via Dubai, just one of three route options this partnership gives you. The others are via Singapore and from Perth to London non-stop.
Singapore has long been a favourite stopover on long-distance flights. And today Dubai is also seen as a global hub for travellers.
From Dubai, Emirates is able to serve about one-third of the world's population within a four-hour flying radius, two-thirds of the world's population within an eight-hour flying radius, and almost 90 per cent of the world's population with non-stop flights using the latest ultra-long range aircraft.
The most exciting way to travel to the UK is on the recently launched, history-making non-stop flight from Perth to London. Flying on the Boeing Dreamliner, which is much quieter than other planes, you'll arrive energised thanks to its fresher air, lower cabin pressure and softer lighting. And be part of history by being onboard the first non-stop passenger service from Australia to the UK.
Lounge access is high on many travel wish lists because arriving in a luxurious lounge well ahead of your flight allows you to start your journey refreshed and ready to fly thanks to delicious dining options, shower facilities and private work areas. Even better, you don't have to be flying first or business class, you can also enjoy the facilities if you're a Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards Platinum or Gold member.
The lounges you can access include Qantas' award-winning First Class and Business Class lounge in Singapore; Qantas' First Class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne; and Emirates' First Class and Business Class lounges in Dubai.
Arriving to a luxurious lounge well ahead of your flight ensures you start your journey refreshed and ready to fly, thanks to delicious dining options, shower facilities and private work areas.
Even if you're not spending a few days in Singapore, the décor of the Qantas lounge there with its touches of greenery, timber finishes and bamboo floor will give you a taste of the tropical island's charms. It offers a barista station, open-grill cooking station and plates of the day as well as a refreshing daily cocktail.
Emirates' First and Business lounges are in Dubai airport's Terminal 3 in Concourse A, known as "the A380 concourse" – very appropriate, given that the Qantas-Emirates link-up is the world's largest shared A380 network.
You'll be amazed at the massive size of this combined First and Business lounge facility, which spans the entire length of the concourse and gives you a huge number of options whether you want to relax, dine, sleep or work.
The crème de la crème are the Qantas first-class lounges at Melbourne and Sydney airports – which aren't actually restricted to those flying at the pointy end of the plane. Providing you have Qantas Platinum frequent-flyer status you can pop in even if you're flying economy on Qantas, Jetstar, Emirates or any oneworld partner airline. If all else fails, find a friendly Platinum member who can sign you in as their guest.
Both lounges offer you a choice of champagnes, dishes inspired by Neil Perry's restaurants and the signature pavlova in a glass for dessert. Free pampering in a luxurious spa will put you in the perfect state of enhanced bliss for your flight.
In addition to these lounges, the partnership allows you to access both airlines' lounges across Australia, Europe, Asia, north Africa and the Middle East.
You certainly won't go hungry on the partnerships' long-haul flights. When you fly with Qantas and Emirates you'll enjoy two of the finest inflight dining experiences found anywhere in the world. Whatever cabin you're flying in, you'll enjoy regionally inspired menus designed by award-winning chefs, fresh seasonal flavours and award-winning wines.
Before and after your meal, you can unwind with two of the most extensive inflight entertainment offerings, including latest-release movies, TV series, comedies, documentaries, games and children's entertainment.
Next time you're planning an overseas trip, sit back and daydream about all the opportunities offered by the Qantas and Emirates partnership, imagining which route you'll take, which of the many destinations you'll visit and how you'll make the most of the indulgent lounges.
This article has been produced in association with Emirates & Qantas
Find out more about how the Emirates and Qantas partnership can connect you with the world
Visit emirates.com or qantas.com and start planning your next trip
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