Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Airport (DXB)

If I have a business class award ticket and do a day-of points upgrade to F (as you explained in another post) will I be admissible to the F lounge or just J? The J lounge looks ... mostly as good so I'm not overly concerned but would like to go in with proper expectations. Thanks!

It looks like a Cheesecake Factory with more lights on.

Surprised you didn’t like the 2009 Chateau Beychevelle - was it oxidized or corked? I’d say it’s the best Beychevelle since the 2003, and possibly even the 1982

I was underwhelmed in February during my first visit. Ford is right, it was quiet to the point that it felt like a funeral home.

I thought the whole point of a lounge is to... well you know: lounge. Seems like everyone at Emirates forgot that in favor of BIGGEST LOUNGE IN DA WOHLD!!! Maybe cut the size by 2/3 and reinvest the savings in making an actually good place you want to lounge in before a flight?

"Impressive only for how big it is" is rather on brand for Dubai, though.

I was there earlier on April, and agree with this sentiment. The food was excellent, some of the best I had on my trip really, but aside from that, the size, and the boarding gates, was unremarkable.

I suppose the sheer size is one way to handle the lounge overcrowding issues (like those plaguing US lounges)?

Visiting made me really miss The Pier First in HKG. Such a lovely lounge, and I'm afraid it may never be the same now that Beijing has their hooks in Hong Kong, and the impact of the pandemic.

Rather a lounge have too many seats than being overcrowded.

It's always a good experience in this lounge. Food and service are always top notch (much better than either Etihad or Qatar lounges). I have always enjoyed my experiences in the Timeless Spa - in fact have typically requested a paid hour long massage - and they will tack the complimentary 15 minutes onto that. In fact, I would rate the EK F lounge higher than most lounges due to consistency (in comparison to AF La Premiere lounge or the drastically reduced service in the LH FCT). I do understand we are splitting hairs when comparing the world's top lounges, but the EK lounge in Terminal A never fails to impress. If you want small, tired and uninspired, just visit the lounge in the C terminal.

First class should be more intimate, like the Air France experience. I’m sure the catering and facilities in Dubai are great, however it’s simply too big. In parts it also looks extremely tacky, which is also what people I know who’ve used it have said. Then again, Dubai is about bling and tacky like Las Vegas, which also has great restaurants and shops, however I would never go there again.

Either it had been open too long, or Ben's taste in wine is not to be trusted. The Oreno is a nice super Tuscan as well.

Ben's said before he doesn't like red wine. I think he's even swapped welcome bottles in his room from red to white.

Love this lounge, especially boarding from it.

Huge, yes, but the people working the lounge more than make up for it.

I agree with you… I did find it very sterile and cold. Soave not used well at all…A gym wouid have been great. To me it’s got no personality. I prefer the business class Emirates Lounge directly opposite.

Honestly it looks like a lot of fun to me. A good meal and a wine scavenger hunt seem like a great way to pass a few hours. The Champagne though... Is it just normal Moet that retails for like $35 they're serving? That doesn't seem very First Class.

So like I said... 😉

Interesting to see how tastes are different: Chateau Beychevelle is one of the very best wines and I have difficulty to understand someone does not like this fabulous wine… again to each his own.
But am thankful for this extensive review, thank you.

It's the most sterile and clinically lounge with no personality. Yes the food and staff are good but the shower rooms are the worst. No air, can't get the place cool, they're like saunas. Sweat profusely after the shower. Awful and emirates has done nothing to fix things.

Sir Digby - Nothing can beat the ‘82.

Ps... to the person flying emirates first, if you want to shower, my advice is shower on the plane if it's an A380, don't bother with the lounge ones.

I guess the mantra was "it will get better if we keep adding things onto it?"

IMO if there is one lounge where the beige and brown furniture/fixtures look outdated even before the lounge was open (at least based on pictures, I haven't been in the lounge myself) it is the main China Eastern lounge at PVG. Yes, the chairs here look generic and not that modern, but the MU chairs look straight out of the mid-1980s if not before.

I disagree with Ford about the decor. Some of those wooden finishes on the walls , tables, floors , etc are interesting. The prices of cherry wood , cedar , oaks have skyrocketed and that place is huge.

Well there’s a cigar bar in the lounge as well as at the Waldorf Astoria DIFC. Getting excited.

Decor looking dated and other than the a la carte dining and lack of crowding, it seems like a good business class lounge as opposed to a good first class one. That said, I wouldn't underestimate the value of having the benefit of the exclusivity. More and more business class lounges have turned into zoos at peak times with difficulties finding seats.

Had a very impersonal service at the sit-down restaurant in the lounge last time. It felt too big.

I much preferred the F lounge in concourse B (dxb>bru departure) as it felt a lot more intimate and high end with view of the runway.

I love the Costa coffee bar in the business class lounge and always go there no matter which terminal I am leaving from.

I've found the same issue in IST, DOH and the QR Lounge in LHR.

I always look like I showered in my clothes when I leave the room.

gym is such an important (and nice branding) amenity that's often neglected in lounges or hotels, etc...

I loved the restaurant when we were there, but of course you know that there is another meal waiting for you on the plane, so it is all too much in too short a period of time. Decor is generic and uninspired. Otherwise, you just sit back and play Wordle for five hours or so. I hated that you can smell people smoking. Qatar flagship lounge is much better I think.

Working out in a lounge would be a great option, though I have yet to see a gym in a lounge. Where can one find this awesomeness?

There is a gym opposite the Emirates first lounge in DXB concourse B. Sure, it’s not in the lounge and you have to pay for it, but it’s the closest gym to a lounge that I’m aware of.

I suspect that I like the F Lounge in Concourse A as it generally signals that I am on vacation. As noted by many, the staff are exceptionally attentive, the Emirati meals in particular are gorgeous, the bathrooms are scrupulously clean and the boarding process is generally flawless (unless you are at a remote stand and then things are less than perfect .... read 'horrendous'). But I fail to understand how Moët is the champagne offered in a premium Lounge. Not only is it my least favourite of the French bubbles (so that is me just being selfish) but it does not set the tone for what is to come, nor complements the exclusivity of the Lounge, nor competes with what is offered in other First Lounges (indeed, in many of the Business) Lounges provided by other premium carriers.
As also noted previously, the F Lounge found in Concourse B is cosier whilst offering the same amenity; and the Lounge in Concourse C is better than sitting at the gate if there is a delay.
Maybe I have spent way too much time in this Lounge, but I find it understated, calming and comforting without being over the top. Opulent it is not but excellent service, food and convenience have their own elegance.

The Lounge offering varies hugely and the fare on offer is very small.
Wine List is mediocre at best.
Staff are a very mixed bag but definitely NOT selected for their charm or personality.
Coffee is substandard with no Barista. Generally it is cold too!
It used to be superb for its excellent range of reading material. But not any more!
The gate access is poorly managed. Managed is not the right word as their is no nanagement of it. No where to sit whilst waiting for the Gate to open.
A Manager will tell you that when the gate opens, he'll come and inform you! Don't believe him it you want to catch your flight. He doesnt return!
That assumes the gate is within walking distance which it frequently is not.
It could be a superb Inviting Lounge but really needs professio al management and improved staff selection.
Of course, as least it is there!
So yes better than nothing, maybe!
There are NO LOUNGES in Australia, but the Airticket prices have increased.
The $40 vouchers offered at Sydney International Airport are not much help when there is no cafe or coffee shop is open.

Having used both, in many ways there is little difference between First and Business, and however much seating there is someone always decides to sit next to me if when virtually empty!!!
How on earth were you allowed to take so many photos?

There are some things here I disagree with and some things I agree with. Overall, this EK F lounge is one of my favourites. I agree the decor is a bit drab and it’s just too big. However, it gets all the other basics of a first class lounge right - very good cooked to order food, super service and comfortable seating. This lounge is everything Al Safwa is not, for example - Al Safwa has stunning design but a wide selection of uncomfortable seating, reheated food and service which just feels odd to me (almost no one ever smiles and it’s attentive until it’s not when you get ignored for 30 minutes). If you are on an 8 hour layover back to the US I can see how the lack of private sleeping rooms, fancy showers, flashy champagne etc is an issue with EK, but if you turn up 2 hours before your flight to LHR this lounge is close to perfect.

I have been to few first class lounges. The Air France lounge at CDG, the Swiss lounge at Zurich and the Al Safwa lounge at Doha will blow Emirates away, any day. No comparison!

Reheated food at Al Safwa? And issues with seating? Not sure if we had been to the same lounge.

The only comfortable seating in Al Safwa is in the dining area, there are no proper armchairs throughout the rest of the lounge and it gets a bit tedious if you don't want to sit in the dining area's harsh lighting and surrounded by people on a mission to drink as much champagne as possible.

There is a general rule in Doha Airport that no naked flames are permitted, hence why the steaks are horrible and most of the rest of the food tastes like fancy microwave meals in Al Safwa. Wouldn't expect all the posters here blinded by the fact you can get unlimited premium champagne to notice any of that, however.

There are tons of arms chairs, tables etc. along the long corridor before and after the fountain when you walk to the dining area. I have been there more than 10 times... unless due to COVID they took those off.

Speaking of food, that's partially incorrect. They always make fresh, flame-cooked food, but inside the kitchen. Check some their videos.

Why would I eat a steak, when there are hundreds of other cuisines and amazing food to try from? Do you think they make awesome steaks at DXB lounge? Hell no!

I Will been Therese in 17 dans for a 3 hour stopover.
Always enjoy it.

The seats are reasonably comfortable. What I couldn’t tolerate was the lighting which was just too intense, and I found it impossible to relax comfortably.

If you think Dubai is bad, go to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. It is by far the worst airport for lack of proper cooling and ventilation. Dubai airport is like Antarctica by comparison.

Thanks for the post and excellent photos...both brought back many pleasant memories. I'm not as well traveled as you, but it was a fun experience for me and I enjoyed every minute.

I love the lounge and FYI Qantas Platinum and Chairman lounge members also get access when flying Emirates.

I will be having a layover in DXB for around 3.5 hours and will have the access to the First lounge. I was considering changing my departure flight to an earlier one (at no additional cost), which will grant me over 10 hours of layover instead. This will be my first time in EK's First lounge so I'm planning to maximize my time here, or shouldn't I be bothered doing so?

Its a bit like been in some dated old house/hotel. Yes the food and drinks are good, service excellent, but its os drab, Jump on a QATAR flight say A350-1000 and then a Emirates 777 in Biz and you can see the difference there, Emirates with all the wood and gold, so old school. But, they are top dog on service and food, drinks as well, but I do wonder why on ever with 10,000 wines to pick from in 1st class I cant even get a Pinot Gris. They just need to do a revamp and it would be even better. As for wanting to send any longer that a few hours there why would you, arrive via 1st then 1st lounge, then 1st departure, It all gets a bit same same. you can only eat drink so much.

Al Safwa is probably still my fave, though only due to design, the spa which is SO good (but $$) and the free sleeping rooms next to the spa. The dining and comfy seating at Al Safwa are lagging - in need of improvement. Food is reheated - tho they will bake you salmon to order with steamed veggies if you ask, or at least they have in the past, try with their re-heated curry. The seating is not comfy for long lay over. Emirates just does not look luxe - it's way too big, lacking any sort of design or character. Would help if they broke it into little section type living rooms. NOT a huge step up from the biz lounge. Emirates needs to step UP their game with wines in the F lounge - where are these mystery $$$ wines. I have never found them, rather average $30 bottles of OK wine and champagne. Seating is much better in EK first, as is the a la cart, and the direct boarding is brilliant.

Brilliant review as always.

The ‘find the menu here’ hyperlink seems to be broken (access denied).

Thanks for a great read!

Whilst the business lounge isn’t the topic of the review a scavenger hunt in the “lower lounge” may yeild better result.

The Moët + Chandon champagne bar in business lounge has 2013 vintage ~$150 a bottle, a also nectar imperial and rose as well as brut.

Found the Ch Providence Pomerol 2010 on my scavenger hunt $150-200 per bottle. Again biz lounge. Emirates needs to undertake a lounge refresh so there are significant differences.

A flat bed to have a proper 2-3hr rest was missing between first and biz.

The open smoking area with buffet food is a hard no.

Honestly, I find the Business class lounge better than the First class lounge for many reasons:
1- Food Selection is way better in Business class with many themed buffets (international, Arabic, Asian and another Healthy stand). I used to arrive to Dubai FC lounge (in a transit) at 6am, and the selection of food is very limited. Almost, breakfast and Burgers are served. IN BC lounge, buffets are always available.
2- Business Class lounges has exactly the same selection of wine as First class lounge, it even has a Champagne Lounge
3- Unlike the first class lounge, there is a Costa Coffee stand in the Business Class lounge
4- Rest area and Cigar lounge are similar to FC lounge
This is to say that when traveling business class, I do not recommend to pay an extra $150/125 just to get to the FC lounge as I feel that it is not worth the penny.
🙂

Unfortunately, the link to the menu no longer works.

The menu link doesn't work; here's the updated link: https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents/lounge/first-class-lounge-menu-concourse-a-dxb.pdf