Emirates is known for its excellent inflight first class experience. The airline has now made a nice improvement to its ground experience, which premium passengers will no doubt appreciate.
In this post:
New Emirates first class check-in at DXB Terminal 3
Emirates has officially opened a new first class check-in facility at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is available to Emirates first class passengers and Emirates Skywards Platinum members. The check-in experience has been upgraded with a new design and more seating, to offer a better check-in process.
Here’s how Emirates describes the design of the new facility, in a press release:
With a neutral palette of warm earth tones subtly blended with accents of Emirates’ signature rich bronze and gold, Emirates First is both visually relaxing and luxurious to the eye, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport. While grand columns flank the space, wooden floors are mixed with elegant marble flooring, while soft carpeting lies underfoot in the seating areas, and plush leather and soft fabric armchairs and sofas await. In a nod to Emirates’ premium First Class Lounges, renowned Emirates’ Rolex clocks indicate the time in major world cities and adorn a feature wall behind a podium with an extravagant fresh flower arrangement. Echoing the iconic interior cabins of Emirates’ newest aircraft, a magnificent back lit Ghaf Tree honours the national tree of the UAE. Within the new area, all digital screens and advertising have been removed, soft integrated lighting has been curated to ensure a tranquil ambience, and natural greenery adds a soothing yet vibrant touch.
Here’s how Adel al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, describes this new facility:
“We invest heavily in upgrading our ground products, and Emirates First is one of the areas that will offer a unique and private environment to our First Class customers and Skywards Platinum members. We know our customers value privacy and convenience, and this will provide another level of hospitality to the check-in experience, as part of our efforts to continuously uplift the overall travel journey.”
“Now, our customers can enjoy a sleek transfer with our Chauffeur Drive Service, a swift check-in at the exclusive Emirates First, explore a world-class lounge before boarding, and relax into a multi award-winning inflight experience with Emirates.”
This looks like a nice improvement, but it’s still not great
Credit to Emirates, this new first class check-in facility looks like a big improvement over the old one. The old check-in facility wasn’t really differentiated in any way, and just felt sterile, and not what you’d expect for first class. Really, the first and business class check-in facilities were basically identical.
This new check-in area is certainly more elegant and feels more exclusive, given that it’s actually separated from the rest of the terminal. At the same time, the ground experience is still the weakest point of the Emirates first class experience (which is otherwise very strong):
- Emirates offers an escort for connections when traveling in first class, but not if originating or terminating in Dubai
- The actual process of getting from check-in to the first class lounge still isn’t that seamless, as it’s quite a trek
- The primary Emirates First Lounge is impressive for its scale, but otherwise isn’t among the best in the world
- Ultimately many first class passengers can bypass check-in altogether thanks to mobile boarding passes, and if you do stop at check-in, hopefully it’s just for a minute, so you can drop your bags
Part of the reason the first class ground experience isn’t that great simply comes down to the scale of Emirates’ first class operation. The airline has, by far, the world’s largest first class network. The airline offers first class on nearly 200 planes, and operates nearly 27,000 first class seats per week.
Of course it’s a little harder to provide a personalized first class experience when you have so many passengers to take care of. So it’s quite a contrast to the Air France La Premiere ground experience, for example. Then again, whatever shortcomings Emirates has on the ground, it makes up for with its onboard wine list. I find the Emirates first class inflight experience to be among the best in the world.
To Emirates’ credit, the airline does provide chauffeur service, which is a great perk, though it’s available to both first and business class. Personally, I wish the airline would instead invest a little more in the airport experience.
Bottom line
Emirates has opened a new first class check-in facility at Dubai Airport. The new check-in space is more private and luxurious than the old one, and it features seating, and a more elegant design. I still wouldn’t call the Emirates first class airport ground experience to be particularly great, though this is an improvement.
What do you make of Emirates’ new first class check-in facility?
You are just one cranky soul. You fly around on miles and invitations but have no clue. Emirates first class volume simply doesn’t allow for an AF ground experience - but obviously you have never operated a large business otherwise you would know. Where is your next LH/Spohr bashing post?? It’s been over a week.
@ chris S -- I'm sorry, that's directed at me? Did you actually read the post I wrote? You say:
"Emirates first class volume simply doesn’t allow for an AF ground experience."
In my post, I say:
"Part of the reason the first class ground experience isn’t that great simply comes down to the scale of Emirates’ first class operation. The airline has, by far, the world’s largest first class network. The airline...
@ chris S -- I'm sorry, that's directed at me? Did you actually read the post I wrote? You say:
"Emirates first class volume simply doesn’t allow for an AF ground experience."
In my post, I say:
"Part of the reason the first class ground experience isn’t that great simply comes down to the scale of Emirates’ first class operation. The airline has, by far, the world’s largest first class network. The airline offers first class on nearly 200 planes, and operates nearly 27,000 first class seats per week."
"Of course it’s a little harder to provide a personalized first class experience when you have so many passengers to take care of."
We're literally saying the same thing, but you're criticizing me for it? I've gotta say, that's a mighty strange take.
Does the new check-in lounge include a new private exit immigration and security channel? Or is it shared with Business still?
@ Sam -- It's still shared with business class.
It looks nice, but can I just check in online.
FINALLY we can see what they've been doing with all that construction in 2024 and earlier this year. It actually looks kind of nice, but how long does checking in take, really?
Atp Emirates needs to focus on arrivals services. Especially if they want to evolve from being a transit carrier to building up Dubai as the megacity they want it to be.
An arrivals lounge with shower + food/bev facilities would go a long way.
@ yoloswag420 -- Agreed, I'm surprised Emirates doesn't have an arrivals lounge, given its 24/7 operation, and even Jumeirah has an arrivals lounge at the airport.
The only thing I can come up with is that the operation is just too big, and Emirates doesn't have space for this in the current terminal. Maybe it's something we'll see when Emirates moves to DWC?
The likes of the Beckham’s and Kardashian’s will simply love the bling ….
@ AeroB13a -- Hah, I suspect it has been years since the Kardashians visited a commercial airport terminal, but otherwise, probably true.