Emirates is a fascinating airline. By many metrics, I’d argue it’s the word’s most successful airline, not just in the way that it turns a direct profit, but also in the way that it has put Dubai on the map, and has made it a global destination.
Continue reading: Is Emirates Going To Revamp Its Lounges, Or Just Wait Until 2032?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
A cost effective solution would be to simply update the furnishings and fixtures. You can probably include the flooring.
Then again, this is Emirates and Dubai we're talking about, so they have deep pockets!
A regular frequent flyer of Emirates usually discovers quickly that lounges in Concourse C are the worst and smallest. If you are departing from C, you use the lounges in B and walk an additional 15-20 minutes to your gate.
Who cares what it looks like? If the food and bev are good and it isn't crowded (unlike Qatar business lounge) then I am good with it even if the furniture is ugly and boring.
To be fair the showers are terrible, even in the F lounges, but their F&B in the F lounges are so good it doesn't matter.
Emirates First A and B lounges are overall great. They could absolutely look a bit more modern, the showers feel cheap and A lacks barista coffee, but these are all relatively minor inconveniences and they are otherwise basically what I want from a lounge as a regular cash F flyer. In particular they are spacious / uncrowded, all the seating is very comfortable, service is excellent and they have high quality freshly cooked food that can be tailored to preferences rather than a buffet or mostly reheated a la carte 'dining'. I grant you C is small without being cosy and I'd rather go to the B lounge and walk to C gates. It's funny you contrast that with QR where Al Safwa is 100% style over substance - I frankly would rather go to the gym/pool in DOH on a layover than spend time there these days.
To be blunt, I think what actual cash F buyers care about and influencers / those on a mileage ticket as a one-off are very different.
Any sense of whether that 2032 move date is remotely on schedule? Or will this be like the Berlin aiport opening a decade or more behind plan?
Given that, as John has pointed out, Emirates will move to DWC in about 6 years, any major updates to the DXB lounges is unlikely. Should the DWC shift be substantially delayed, then we might see a different result.
I had showers in both the A and B first class lounges last week and they were GRIM. It definitely didn’t feel “first class” anymore. The C lounge is a joke too. Only the B lounge has barista coffee, just seems like there’s a lot that could be done for fairly little effort.
I don’t care as long as they serve nice food and drink, have good service, and replace/refurbish worn surfaces. I don’t want everywhere I travel to have the same bland flavor of the moment design.
The ones in Dubai are fine (both F and J), though not too special anymore. Honestly, QR has done better with lounges in DOH, so, maybe that regional competition will inspire EK to step it up sooner. EK’s lounge at JFK T4 is decent and used to have its own jet-bridge for a380 boarding, but they rarely use it, which is kinda lame. Like, habibi, ya built it, use it!
Agree totally. Having visited both Emirates and Qatar lounges on multiple occasions, Emirates food and drinks are significantly better and service friendlier and warmer. As for the new Etihad Business Lounge, it may look stylish, but it gets crowded and it's food offering is very disappointing. As for champagne, Emirates offers 4 different choices from Moet, whereas Etihad a brand you've never heard of! I'll take Emirates lounges any day and vouch that most frequent flyers would too.
I was very disappointed by the long lines at Qatar Business (Garden) Lounge last week. very long lines to get a seat. Doha airport was packed. I have been going to Qatar for the past few years and have seen more and more people visiting Qatar after the World Cup. I don't think Doha airport was expecting an Influx of visitors in such a short period. Most of the hotels were packed also. Let's hope they exand the Lounges soon.
Except they are smooth brain. A quick google search check will show you DXB will be demolished for DWC in a decade. Smooth brain logic
Having just visited the Al Safwa lounge yesterday, I have to say the aesthetic of the lounge was amazing, but the food and drink selection was okay. I’ll be visiting one of the Emirates First lounges on Sunday morning, and while it does look outdated based on photos, I’m hoping they will have a superior menu to compensate (and it sounds like from other commenters, that is the case).
Emirates is well past its prime! It's business class is crap! However some of that was because it believed Boeing would deliver a plane, that would not be 7 years late.
The lounge why waste money if and that's a big IF the new airport will open in 6 years