mikewot

Alcohol consumption in the UAE is only permitted in certain designated areas, such as licensed restaurants and bars attached to hotels. Tourists and residents can drink in these locations without holding a licence to buy alcohol. However, it is highly recommended that you own an alcohol licence if you wish to drink in the UAE.

Someone who has consumed alcohol in a permitted area can be arrested outside of that area if for whatever reason this fact is brought to the attention of the police, or they are found to be drunk and disorderly in a public area. This usually occurs when bar-goers are involved in a car accident – irrespective of whether they were driving or not – or even when they seek the help of the authorities after having consumed alcohol. The law still applies even if the person arrested holds a valid ‘purchasing’ alcohol licence: it is best to remember that while an alcohol licence enables you to purchase alcohol, it does not allow you to drink it in public places or to be drunk in public areas.

The UAE Penal Code establishes the punishments for those who are found to be drunk in public, and the rule is zero tolerance. Alcohol drinkers can be sentenced to between one month and six months in jail and may face a fine ranging from Dhs1,000 to Dhs2,000.

When it comes to drink driving, even a sip of alcohol is not allowed. Anyone caught driving under the influence can face a lengthy spell in jail, a fine, deportation and confiscation of their car.
http://www.timeoutdubai.com/knowledg...-law-explained

Millhouse

Quite rightly so. I'm always shocked when I see drink drivers here.

Brains1983

You'd need to be drunk to book flights on BA! Ghastly airline.

Millhouse

what's so bad about it? It's half the price of Emirates - offers more food on the dubai-london route and has better economy seats.

I think people are always too harsh on BA and favorable on EK.

Who cares if the waitresses look like they've been cooked at 220 for 4 hours.

mikewot

Obviously YMMV but I experienced the exact opposite and now always fly EK, 380 if possible.

shiva

half the price, less than half the service and a bunch of ****ing miserable ***** working onboard. Last flew them internationally about 3 years ago, was so bloody awful that I complained and kicked up stink, later letter wrote and got bugger all meaningful response.
still have to fly them glasgow to london and thats about as long as i'll give them. even in that hour flight they often manage to **** something up.

Id rather spend my money elsewhere. BA survives on an extremely outdated reputation for when they were once a decent airline.

Millhouse

I really disagree with most of that. I recently flew to Boston via London. I stayed in London for 2 nights.

I managed to check the luggage all the way through to Boston and take a smaller bit for london. That all worked fine. I got hammered in London and left my passport in the hotel - BA helped me fined it, put me on a reserve flight and still the luggage made it on time to Boston. A similar thing happened a year or so ago and BA came through that time too.

They served a main meal and sandwiches later. Food is shit on any airline, but at least you're not hungry on BA - EK you leave the flight starving.

The TV is shit, but I use my ipad anyway.

The staff are ugly as sin, gay or not friendly. I ignore them, they ignore me. That works.

The seats are marginally more comfortable on BA over EK (in economy).

The 23Kg rule is awful. They should be ashamed of that but again, I'm normally below it.

All in. I think that EK are overpriced and over rated. BA are cheap, shite, but under-rated.

al dente

I'm with Millhouse, I revisited BA recently (back end) and was pleasantly surprised.

In the pointy end, Etihad is for me. Obviously airmiles only!

scrubbedexpat141

I prefer EK purely for the entertainment system.

shiva

EK are overpriced and yes generally over rated but on the whole I find EK to be a better experience in general. BA's usual standard is so much lower that even their once in a blue moon brilliance fails to make up the average experience.

then again lets face it, its flying and its just generally shit all round. ive been flying for 37 of my 40 years and frankly have yet to find anything enjoyable about the whole airport, fart infested metal tube thing.

Millhouse

Totally agree. Apart from Wagamamma's at T5. They go a great bacon sandwich for breakfast.

Debowing

If it was in Bangkok, it should not be bought between 1500 and 1700!

Work Widow

Regarding the liquor license.

Does holding a liquor license in Dubai identify you as a possible target for harassment because you are a confirmed consumer of alcohol?

In other words, can it backfire?

mikewot

Harassment from who? The police have no interest in foreigners unless you draw yourself to their attention and I have never ever been asked for my licence.

Bahtatboy

Spent 3 years in AD and 1 1/2 in Dubai, and never knew anyone, nor heard of anyone, getting harrassed because of drinking. Act like an arse, and you'll suffer for everything from booze to the colour of your socks. As it should be.