8 travel experiences I’m excited about in 2021

I have not been onboard an aeroplane in over ten months. This is the longest I have spent on the ground in more than two decades.

However, I am pretty optimistic the coming year will be a lot better for travellers in the Middle East. These are the eight travel experiences I am most excited about in 2021.  

Enjoying Emirates new Premium Economy cabin

In early January, Emirates became the first airline in the Middle East to introduce a Premium Economy cabin. 

The cabin is finished in Emirates new design language. It looks undeniably elegant and perfect for a day flight between Europe and the Middle East. 

London Heathrow is the launch destination for Emirates Premium Economy. One daily flight will feature the new cabin. 

At the moment it is not possible to book seats in Premium Economy. Emirates plans to offer upgrades on a discretionary basis to some passengers, probably Skywards elites and Flex Plus passengers. 

Weekend breaks in Israel 

Israel is top of my travel bucket list in 2021. It has everything you need for a great trip: history, culture, beaches, nightlife and most importantly, delicious food. 

The Mediterranean climate is also a big plus. The weather in Tel Aviv is about 8 degrees cooler than the UAE during the summer months. That makes Israel one the best choices for anyone looking to escape the summer heat in the Gulf. 

The short flying time also makes it a viable option for a weekend trip. The flight time between the UAE and Israel will be roughly 3.5 hours.

There are lots of options for flying to Israel from the UAE.  

flydubai, El Al and a couple of Israeli low-cost carriers have already started flying between Dubai and Tel Aviv. Emirates is expected to launch its flights in mid-February.

Etihad will start flying from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 31 March 2021.

Getting my hands on an Etihad snood 

COVID-19 has made face-masks the new must-have in-flight amenity. I can not wait to get my hands on one of the snood’s Etihad is giving passengers flying in First and Business class. 

The reusable snood is made out of a soft, lightweight, breathable and stretchy jersey fabric. Reports from several flyers say the snood is very comfortable to wear even while sleeping. 

Exploring Saudi Arabia

Visiting Saudi Arabia was top of my travel bucket list last year after the Kingdom announced plans to open up to tourism for the first time. 

There is plenty to see with 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Red Sea coast and the Empty Quarter. Saudi has also introduced an online eVisa system making visits from the UAE very easy to organise. 

If you decide to visit in 2021, using Skywards miles to visit Saudi Arabia is excellent value.

Departing from Abu Dhabi’s Midfield Terminal 

The long-anticipated Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal should finally open at some point in 2021. It would have opened last year if not for COVID-19. 

With two new airlines serving Abu Dhabi in 2021, new connections to Israel coming and ambitions of boosting visitor numbers to over eight million per year the new terminal can not come soon enough. 

Low-cost flights from Abu Dhabi to new destinations  

Abu Dhabi is gaining non-stop flights to a bunch of new destinations in 2021. 

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s newest national airline, will finally start operations from Abu Dhabi on 15 January 2021. COVID-19 travel restrictions had delayed the launch multiple times.  

Athens is set to be the inaugural destination, with flights to Thessaloniki starting from 4 February 2021. Alexandria, Kutaisi, Larnaca, Odesa and Yerevan will be added later in the year.

The extra destinations will launch once added to the ‘green countries’ list, meaning tourists can enter Abu Dhabi without quarantine. 

flydubai’s new business class

The 737 MAX aircraft delivered to flyduabi were installed with the best fully flatbed business class seat you will find on a single-aisle plane. These aircraft have been grounded since early 2019 following two fatal crashes.

Late last year, the FAA certified the 737 MAX to return to the skies. UAE regulators should add their approval in the coming months.

Qatar Airways returning to Abu Dhabi and Dubai 

The Al Ula declaration on GCC unity means we will see Qatar Airways serving Abu Dhabi and Dubai again in the very near future. 

The return of Qatar will be good for travellers in the UAE. Qatar frequently offered great value business class fares between Europe and the UAE. I also can not wait to fly in the Qatar Qsuites.

Just being back in the air 

My four-year-old’s favourite game at the moment is to build an aeroplane in his playroom and fly to London. I think he knows I find it impossible to deny requests for in-flight entertainment (extra iPad time!) and dine-on-demand (snacks!). 

While I enjoy the game, I know we’d both prefer to be on a real plane flying off to see friends and family. 

What travel highlights are you looking forward to in 2021?

So, that’s a few of things I’m looking forward to this year.

What travel highlights are you looking forward to in 2021?