British Airways operates quite a big lounge network globally. In recent years, the airline has been renovating its lounges, and overall, I’ve been impressed by the changes that have been made. However, the airline has now revealed an all-new design concept, which will be using for all lounges going forward. I’ve gotta say, I think the airline did a stellar job…
In this post:
British Airways showcases new lounge design in Dubai & Miami
British Airways recently opened a new lounge at Dubai International Airport (DXB), and is now opening a new lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA). These are the first two lounges to get British Airways’ new lounge design concept, which will be used as the vision for future lounge developments.
British Airways describes the design as carefully blending the carrier’s British style with the locality of each destination. British Airways is partnering with global architecture and design firm Gensler on these designs.
The new design concept is intended to establish a cohesive architectural identity that connects the lounges worldwide, drawing inspiration from the company’s heritage and the character of each designation. The spaces are intended to feel welcoming, intuitive, and restorative.
In the case of these two lounges, the Dubai location is using the fretwork patterning and architecture found in the United Arab Emirates, and the Miami location is using the Art Deco features found in the area. Both lounges have full-service bars as focal points, menus with local ingredients with a British twist, and exclusive Concorde Dining Rooms.
There’s also a playful side to the lounge design. For example, at the entrance to the Miami lounge, there’s a floor mural that, when viewed through the mirrored ceiling, reveals the words “London Calling.”
Below are some pictures of the new British Airways Lounge Miami (though I’ll talk more about this in a separate post, since it’s also my home airport).
Below are some pictures of the new British Airways Lounge Dubai.
Here’s how Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, describes these lounge updates:
“We’re thrilled to be unveiling our new design concept with new lounges in both Miami and Dubai. These unique spaces have been created with our customers in mind and are the next step in our extensive lounge transformation plan. Whether they’re looking to relax, dine, work or enjoy a drink at the fully staffed bar, there’s something for everyone. “
“We’re proud to bring our brand to life in these spaces, having blended our British originality with each destination’s unique character. This approach has allowed us to make the most of brilliant talents from around the world. We’re grateful to all the teams, both within British Airways and our partners, who’ve helped make our vision a reality. We are incredibly excited to welcome our customers to these new lounges.”
British Airways nailed this redesign, in my opinion!
I’d like to think I’m pretty balanced when it comes to British Airways, which is to say that I have no issues calling the airline out when it falls short, and no issues giving the airline credit when it comes something well. So yeah, I’ve gotta be honest, I think British Airways has done an exceptional job with its lounge redesign.
These lounges look elegant and luxurious, and in particular, I love how they still have some local flair, so that they’re each unique, while still being connected in some way. I’ll take it a step further — at least based on the limited pictured shared, I think this might just be my favorite lounge design concept we’ve seen aside from Cathay Pacific.
Now, let me emphasize that I’m referring specifically to the design (hard product), and that says nothing of the soft product. But at least the airline got that detail right.
We know that British Airways is planning on completely overhauling its London Heathrow lounge locations as of 2026, so I imagine the lounges will get a similar glow-up. This should be a very nice improvement over the existing British Airways Concorde Room, British Airways Galleries First Lounge, etc.
I really don’t want to give Lufthansa a hard time (the airline has a hard enough time already), but I think it’s also worth mentioning that we recently saw the launch of Lufthansa’s new Allegris design concept, and… well, I think it pales in comparison to what British Airways is doing.
Bottom line
British Airways has unveiled its all-new lounge design concept, which has debuted in Dubai and Miami. The new design is supposed to blend the carrier’s British style with the locality of each destination, and I think British Airways nailed it.
Now, the soft product might not be that amazing, but I think the airline did a commendable job with the design, and I look forward to visiting these lounges in person.
What do you make of British Airways’ new lounge design, and do you like it as much as I do?
Lipstick on a Pig
The new lounges do genuinely look good and FAR better than any of those at their home base BUT...
BA's *ongoing* service cuts onboard and inability to provide functional customer services on the ground make them still best avoided if you want:
- a clean cabin
- reliable IFE
- the advertised menu to actually be available
- the service you paid for when booking
The...
Lipstick on a Pig
The new lounges do genuinely look good and FAR better than any of those at their home base BUT...
BA's *ongoing* service cuts onboard and inability to provide functional customer services on the ground make them still best avoided if you want:
- a clean cabin
- reliable IFE
- the advertised menu to actually be available
- the service you paid for when booking
The constant cuts and "trials" (removal of items considered std on most carriers) are simply an embarrassment to anyone who lives in the UK. The same its true of their utterly inadequate "customer service" post flight, with most complaints and claims simply ignored for months or receiving a false excuse for why they were unable to provide the contracted services. Just look at the UK CAA complaints data for independent stats that show BA are consistently in the bottom quartile of carriers operating to / from the UK and systemically lie to prevent any kind of outbound payment due to the customer failed.
Accidents happen, things go wrong but delivering a cream tea without the cream as it was too costly, shrinking the menus and the actual availability of any dish, systemically lying to customers eg claiming 787 engine issues are an "exceptional circumstance" both 2years after they were deemed not to be and on a 777 flight is Beyond Abysmal.
I'm a Brit and a global frequent flyer but my advice would be to avoid the rapacious greed and unreliable delivery of the UK brand of IAG international (registered in Madrid). Best Avoided if you like the Brit's try VS!
Criticising Lufthansa for its lounges (FCLs/FCT excepted as I don't visit with sufficient frequency to be able to have a real opinion) may not be technically unfair, but it does feel slightly pedantic/over the top. The LH lounges seem to be very reliable in terms of what they can do for pax- there's always drinkable coffee, shower queues are never ridiculous, the spirits (at least on the SRN side) are very respectable, and there's always...
Criticising Lufthansa for its lounges (FCLs/FCT excepted as I don't visit with sufficient frequency to be able to have a real opinion) may not be technically unfair, but it does feel slightly pedantic/over the top. The LH lounges seem to be very reliable in terms of what they can do for pax- there's always drinkable coffee, shower queues are never ridiculous, the spirits (at least on the SRN side) are very respectable, and there's always something edible (if not exciting) to munch on. People looking for a sense of occasion may be disappointed, and justifiably so, but the system works more than well enough for frequent flyers.
*SEN not SRN
Looks great. Let's hope the LHR lounges (which SO BADLY need a redesign...OMG, those gross, falling-apart white sterile bathrooms in the First lounge at LHR) look as good when complete.
Agreed, I refuse to fly BA because the T5 lounges are so abhorrent. Honestly, AA T3 lounges are pretty bad too. But T3 is uplifted by the excellent Cathay and Qantas lounges, and AA has the better arrivals lounge.
BA needs to have a proper OWE/First Class lounge at LHR T5, something that rivals the Soho lounge at JFK.
Indeed. But those ghastly bathrooms in the BA LHR T5 lounges looked like bathrooms on a cash-strapped NHS hospital ward from day one. It must have been the look and feel they were going for.
A refresh of the Concorde Room has been in the planning for a while.
Those bathrooms look richhhhhhh
Would Riyadh Air's new lounge be #3 for you from your article a few days ago?
Now that BA has culled its elites maybe now they can work on providing a true premium loyalty program for its gold members.
BA now releases little first class award inventory. Without it, I have no interest in maintaining Gold. (I'd rather not use the nuclear option and use twice points to open it up.)
Now then folks …. Let us not be drawn into the inept U.S. airlines so called loyalty systems. They convinced the flying public to become brand loyal and then they promptly reneged upon any reciprocal loyalty. Such sharp practice does not, in my book, deserve my loyalty.
Does anyone know if the DXB lounge occupies the same space as before? The problem with that lounge was less about the design and more about how small it was, especially if BA were using an A380 or their ultra premium 777-300ERs.
@ Paul -- Nope, it has moved to a new space.
Yes I have to admit it's well done and designed, however it does not seem like anything new, they seemed to have somewhat duplicated the design at the JFK lounges (Chelsea, Soho) to these lounges with some additional touches to incorporate some local design/culture.
Though yes, can't wait to visit these new lounges. I guess this gives an insight into how they would (if they do) refresh the lounges at LHR.
Great design, can we have BA redesign the admirals club at jfk?
BA should focus on redesigning their T5 lounges at LHR first.