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.
While Emirates is regarded as one of the world’s best airlines, the reality is that the carrier invests selectively (and smartly, I’d argue). The company is good at creating halo effects with certain features (like the A380 onboard shower and bar), and then offering a subpar product in other areas (like the airline is just now getting around to upgrading its seven-across angled business class on the 777).
Having just passed through Dubai again after my Emirates A350 business class flight, I can’t help but pose a question…
In this post:
Emirates’ Dubai lounge situation leaves a lot to be desired
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a massive hub, and to Emirates’ credit, the airline offers ample lounge capacity. The airline has both first class lounges and business class lounges in Concourse A, Concourse B, and Concourse C, and they’re all spacious (particularly the Concourse A one, which is the largest lounge in the world, for both first class and business class, as it spans almost the entire concourse).
Here’s the thing — Emirates has done a great job updating its onboard product, as interiors are going from the old “Las Vegas in the 1990s” theme, to actually looking elegant, and like something that doesn’t make you want to close your eyes.
However, Emirates lounges across the board continue to have a rather outdated design, in my opinion. For example, on my current trip, I spent the most time in the Concourse C lounge, which is admittedly the weakest of the bunch. Yes, it wasn’t that busy, and yes, the food selection is solid. However, the design just… isn’t it.
While I’d say the other lounges are a bit nicer, they still feel really outdated, in my opinion. The Emirates First Lounge Concourse A is probably the best among them, and to me it feels like a design you’d expect from 15+ years ago.
It’s quite a contrast to Emirates’ two biggest competitors in the region. The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge Doha is stunning, as is the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha.
Meanwhile the Etihad Business Lounge Abu Dhabi feels expansive and modern, and the Etihad First Lounge Abu Dhabi is a nice extension of that.
Is Emirates going to invest in its lounges at some point?
All of this raises the question of whether Emirates will actually invest in its lounges at some point, and make them more competitive. Unlike so many other airlines, Emirates doesn’t have an issue with not having sufficient lounge capacity, so that leaves the carrier well positioned.
I think redesigning Emirates’ lounges wouldn’t actually be that difficult, since the “bones” would remain the same, and just the furniture and some of the finishes would need to be updated. Admittedly given how many hundreds of thousands of square feet of lounge space Emirates has, that’s still a big project.
Emirates hasn’t announced any sort of plans to revamp these lounges, so I wonder if maybe the airline has just decided that the current setup is fine? Keep in mind a key detail here, which is that in 2032, Emirates will move from its current home at DXB, to DWC (Dubai World Central Airport, or Dubai Al Maktoum Airport, if you prefer).
So realistically, these lounges are only in service for another six years. I’m inclined to think Emirates probably isn’t planning any major changes, and by 2030, there’s no denying that these lounges would look even more outdated. But the reality is that Emirates can get away with it, and Emirates tends to keep doing things for as long as it can get away with it.
It’s similar to how Emirates introduced its “Game Changer” first class back in 2017, and nine years later, you’ll find the product on nine planes. The airline could retrofit that product on existing planes as it reconfigures the rest of the cabins, but has decided there’s no reason to spend the money, while also reducing capacity by two seats.
Bottom line
At this point, it simply can’t be ignored that Emirates’ lounges in Dubai aren’t to the same level as those of Gulf competitors. The airline certainly has sufficient lounge capacity and pretty good food and drinks, but it’s the design where the airline falls short a bit.
While Emirates often does wait longer than other airlines might to make investments, one has to assume that something will happen sooner or later. I think the wild card here is that Emirates is expected to move to a new airport in 2032, so I wonder if we could just see the airline maintain the current setup until then.
What do you make of Emirates’ lounge setup in Dubai, and do you think we’ll see any further investments?
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
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).
EK is not moving to DWC in 2032, lol
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
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.
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!
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.
Agree 100% !
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.
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.
Emirates first class lounges at DXB looks really run-down.
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?
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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!
Emirates isn’t what it used to be.
Emirates coasting on their past quality, who could have seen this coming.