Our family holidayed down under in Dec/jan. on way over we didn't stop over but on way home had a few days in Dubia. My kids are 11, 8 and 3. We flew emirates and they fantastic. Kids were great on flight despite me worrying about how they would manage. I would definately recommend a stop over - it took us a few days to get over jet lag. Wouldn't recommend Dubia though and wish we had stopped in Singapore.