My family and I have just experienced our first long haul flight for over a year, our last trip being Barbados before the pandemic. I have to congratulate Emirates for their service as the experience was as near to normal as it could get. Check in at Manchester was smooth, the lounge had just reopened that day (16th December) and all social distancing measures explained at the lounge reception. There is no longer a buffet, a host takes you to you seating area, the menu is accessible via a QR code (easier than I thought) and a good selection of food and drink available. Boarding was seamless (although busy) and onboard there were subtle changes. Cabin crew wore PPE. There were no magazines. A travel hygiene kit containing spare masks, sanitiser gel and antiseptic wipes were handed out. Menus still offered and very little difference to the usual meal service other than bread whilst fresh came in individual wrappers. All passengers adhered to wearing masks onboard. All in all felt very safe and as near to normal as one could expect during the current climate.
