When I connected in Dubai‘s international DXB airport on may way to Japan, I ended up with an 8-hour connection. As I was estimating about 1 1/2hours to clear immigration, at least 30 minutes each way for transfers and another hour to reclear security and immigration, it also didn’t make much sense for me to book into an hotel near the airport.

That left me just with options inside the airport. Room rates in the airside transit hotel were well beyond 300 EUR, so I figured that a sleep capsule would have to make do.

I booked a ‘FlexiSuite Pod’ from Sleep ‘n Fly through booking.com where they have a puzzling variety of pods, cabins and small rooms. To make booking even more complex, they are priced according to the time of day and in time-slots of varying lengths.

It requires a bit of work to figure out what time-window is best for your layover. Keep in mind that DXB is a huge airport and it can easily take 30 to 45 minute to disembark and reach your nearest facility, as well as the same amount of time to reach the gate for your onward flight.

A 6-hour slot matched my layover best and came in at an eye-watering prize of 115 EUR. That didn’t even include a shower, which was an extra 19 EUR, or any meals but at least free soft drinks and coffee. I really was hesitant to fork out so much money, but I knew that a 900 km Shinkansen ride awaited me in Japan followed by a 26 hour ferry cruise from Kagoshima to Naha, so I bit the bullet.

Sleep ‘n fly has four locations at DXB. The Terminal 3/B-Gates station is located near gate B16.

A friendly agent quickly checked me in, took my shower reservation and showed me to my pod.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was cosy and well equipped. The lights and temperature can be individually adjusted to a comfortable setting. There also is an alarm clock.

The cabin can be locked from the inside but you can also lock it ouside and leave your stuff inside.

The reception is staffed 24 hours.

At the touch of a button the massive seat converts into a lie-flat bed – just like a first class seat on an airplane. A fitted sheet is provided as well as blanket and cushion. The bedding is light and comfortable.

There is a large shelf above the seat to store a carry-on and plenty of spaces to put away glasses books, etc as well as charging options.

The cabin’s wooden and cream-colored panels created a calm atmosphere and everything was spotless and fresh.

I’m always a nervous sleeper when traveling and had booked this pod more as a place to sit down safely and quietly for a while, but to my amazement I managed to sleep soundly for about four hours. The calm and quiet environment must have helped a lot.

Before starting the second leg, I treated myself to a shower in the shower rooms, which are well stocked with towels, shampoo and lotion.

All things considered
Dubai airport is a surreal place. Its massive terminals, endless corridors, and over the top features made me feel like walking through a space port in a sci-fi movie. Spending the night in a sleeping capsule definitively added to that feeling.
I’m glad I did it though, as I started the second leg of my journey refreshed and ready to enjoy what Emirates’ Premium Economy has to offer.