It’s an exciting time for Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH), as all operations have officially transitioned to Terminal A, representing a new chapter for the airport. I’ve written about the new Etihad First Class Lounge and Etihad Business Class Lounge in Terminal A, and in this post I wanted to cover the one largest lounge in the airport.
In this post:
Basics of the Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport is the primary non-Etihad lounge in Terminal A (there’s also the Diamond Lounge, but I believe it’s more exclusive, and I’m not sure what entry requirements are).
The Pearl Lounge is quite large, at 42,000 square feet (3,889 square meters), and it has the capacity to accommodate 500 guests. While the lounge has independent branding, it’s operated in partnership with Plaza Premium.
The 24/7 lounge is located in Terminal A, on level five, near gate D43. As far as features go, the lounge has an all-day hot & cold buffet with local and international options, a complimentary selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 10 shower suites, a kids play area, a family room, meeting rooms, a prayer room, luggage lockers, a smoking area, and a resting area.
The only pictures I’ve seen so far of the lounge are some not very high quality renderings, but you can find those below.
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport access
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport is the most common lounge option for anyone who doesn’t have access to the Etihad First & Business Lounge:
- Presumably most airlines that don’t partner with Etihad will send their premium passengers to this lounge
- This lounge has finally joined Priority Pass, and a maximum of a three hour stay is permitted
- You can purchase access to the lounge through Plaza Premium; at the moment, it looks like a three hour visit costs 263 AED (~$72), which is quite steep
When the terminal first opened, the lounge wasn’t yet operational, and even when it did open, it didn’t initially accept Priority Pass. So it’s great to see that this lounge is now up and running with correct access requirements, as it means that the new terminal has a considerable amount of lounge capacity.
Bottom line
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport is the primary contract lounge in the new Terminal A, complementing the Etihad First & Business Lounge. The lounge is now fully open, and is accessible by premium passengers with an invitation, as well as Priority Pass members.
It’s nice to see that all of the terminal’s lounges have opened just shortly after the terminal commenced operations. That’s how it should be, but at many airports, that’s not how things play out. It’s just a shame that the new Terminal A doesn’t seem to have any transit hotel, since that’s a mighty useful feature.
What do you make of the Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi?
How long I can use pearl lounge
Terrible lounge, it promised a sleep area in the Booking and when we arrived we found out no such thing and no refund
Hi Ben, is there a transit hotel inside Terminal A? I couldn't find any information on the website, even though in the "Auh Guest" app, under the Airport Hotels, listed 2 hotels : Courtyard and Emirates palace. Appreciate any information since my family and I will transit around 7 hours at Terminal A.
I checked with Etihad agents at the new Etihad Lounge on 14 November and was advised paid access is currently not available. However, Dragon Pass holders were admitted. They apparently redirected to the left, which I am not sure if the lounge is the EY business lounge. Priority pass was not accepted.
Traveling tomorrow morning through Terminal A happy to get some pictures.
It’s not the only non-Etihad lounge
The diamond lounge is available as well
@ Guest -- Good catch, thanks. Do we know if that lounge is open yet/have we seen any reports about what makes it different? Sounds like it's a bit more exclusive?
Hey Ben, the diamond lounge is the name of the lounge attached to the VIP terminal.
Back in the day they had a partnership with MasterCard and Priority Pass as well, and one could even check-in at the VIP terminal if one had access to the lounge provided the outward flight was on Etihad:
https://www.adcb.com/en/islamic/personal/cards/card-features/diamond-lounge-access
They say they located in terminal A and are a pay to access lounge but also certain Mastercard and priority pass holders may access
Looks similar to other lounges in the region
Definitely worth the visit by the look of it
Lounge hours were not provided