Qantas flights: How does Dubai compare with Singapore as a transit point to London?

[QFi] How does DXB compare with SIN as a transit point to LHR? Is it better, worse, tolerable, intolerable...? I'm interested to hear everyone's perspectives.

On the way up, it's nice to get the long sector out of the way first. Then it's just an easy 7 hours to London

Really? I've always thought that having a daylight leg first is better; you stay up all the way from SYD to SIN, then properly flake out on the long run from SIN to LHR, then wake up for the early-morning arrival.

Much better, EK lounges are great and on the way over it makes a real difference getting the long leg out of the way first. I did it for the first time last week. Make for a good stopover. 

SIN lounge by QF is great though. EK DXB lounge also have dining.

Nick, 

Did you find your sleep pattern affected? 

Yes somewhat on the way back. Flew Rome to Dubai and then connected with QF10. FCO to DXB only 5 hours so not enough time to sleep. But on the DXB to MEL flight i managed to get some rest.

Not sure it was any worse than LHR-SIN-MEL

SQ and BA take less than a day (although only by 25 and 20 minutes respectively). That means SIN may be more effective. Qantas is a bit over a day (from SYD).

SQ might not fit your criteria but BA is from oneworld. And SIN is nicer.

Personally I find SIN a better stop for the body clock.

Arriving into DXB is late at night, then off again for the 6 or so hours to get into heathrow early morning local time. Planning for sleep before arrival thus gets disrupted, unlike the long leg from SIN-LHR. 

I prefer SIN (or HKG) on the way out and DXB on the way back.   The first leg is always best used to stay awake to try to adjust the body clock then eat, long sleep and eat again to prepare for a day ahead.  

Of course, try getting a decent fare for such a combination!

Thanks for the input, everyone! It's good to see a diverse set of views, because I myself tend to favour the old Singapore stopover, especially in the QF 31/32 era (up till early/mid-2012) when the LHR-SIN-SYD flight had a morning layover in SIN and a daylight flight to SYD. I've always favoured Singapore as the forward hub as it's a destination in itself for me.

SIN is a better place to break the journey.  DXB-Europe is almost short haul and you don't really get a proper chance to sleep.  Being able to board straight from the lounge in DXB is a real plus, though - rather than having to join the massive queue for security at the gate as in SIN.

If you are QF Platinum the bonus of the EK First lounge in DXB makes it worthwhile. I flew PER-DXB-LHR-Helsinki last year and the EK first lounge was brilliant. Had a really nice steak and a hot shower before DXB-LHR leg and flaked out for the whole flight 

Agree DXB lounges are fantastic and make a real difference. Food great, Showers great and being able to board direct from the lounges is one of the best innovations I have seen. take priority boarding to a whole new level

Timing: I prefer to sleep on the second leg and wake up at my destination; so LHR-DXB-SYD is fine, but not great on the way there.

City: personally I don't think DXB is even close to the attactions, food and ambience in SIN.

Lounges: DXB EK lounges are fantastic - big, direct boarding, food is plentiful and very good. Bit of a queue for the showers. They also have a very clumsy system for security screening within the lounge as you board.

Much prefer to have the longer 2nd leg on way out of Australia.

Singapore in my view a better destination point than Dubai. Also, hate the fact you arrive in DXB at 12.30am etc from AUS  and then have such long layovers for cities other than LHR, takes longer and more tiresome to get there now.

EK lounge s very good but lacks any feel. Dislike QF lounge in SIN