High Class

Terminal 3                                                                                            Corbis

A few months ago, Skytrax gave out its World Airport Awards for 2014 (http://somanyinterestingthings.blogspot.com/2014/03/airport-report.html). Although Dubai International didn't make the top 10, it seems to be closing in fast. "They say that Dubai is Shanghai on steroids," says Tim Clark, the British president and CEO of Emirates Airlines. And the three Gulf airlines, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar, are definitely making their mark with passengers. The how and why behind this rapid ascendancy is fascinating and highlights the shift in world focus and relevance we already see taking place (story, video): http://www.vanityfair.com/business/2014/07/dubai-international-airport-emirates-airbus-a380
   The author of Jet Set talks about a time when flying was a dressy affair and the food was actually good (video): http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27629532