Review: SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport

Ben Schlappig
Published: July 2, 2017
Updated: May 27, 2021
10

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As a Jet Airways business class passenger I had access to the Marhaba Lounge, which I reviewed in the last installment. However, the SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Terminal 1 is also part of Priority Pass, so I decided to check that out, to see how it compares, and because it is a bit more accessible for anyone via credit card. As a reminder, here’s a table with some of the major credit cards offering Priority Pass memberships, as well as their respective guesting rules:

2 guests, plus authorized users $0 per authorized user

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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2 guests, plus authorized users $75 per authorized user

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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2 guests, plus authorized users $195 per authorized user (Rates & Fees) (Enrollment required)

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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2 guests, plus authorized users $350 per authorized user (Rates & Fees) (Enrollment required)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Learn More

2 guests No authorized user access

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Learn More

Dubai Airport Terminal 1

The SkyTeam lounge was a very short walk from the Marhaba Lounge, near the center of the lounge area on the second floor of Terminal 1. The lounge has a modern exterior that’s similar to the other SkyTeam lounges I’ve visited around the world.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport exterior

At reception I presented my Priority Pass card and was asked to sign. Then I was admitted into the lounge.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport reception

Since I was there midday, the lounge was pretty empty. This lounge was much more my style than the Marhaba Lounge. Past the entrance and to the right was most of the seating, with a selection of seats set up in rows. There was tons of seating, though I was a bit annoyed at the lack of easy to access power ports.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating

Along the far wall was a counter with high-top seating.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating

To the side of this section was a TV room and a kids room.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport TV & kids room

The TV room consisted of an “L” shaped couch facing a TV. Personally I really like the concept of a TV room, since it drives me nuts when there’s a TV on at full volume in a lounge. Personally I have a hard time concentrating when that’s the case.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport TV room

Then there was a kids room, which wasn’t really a traditional kids room with toys, etc., but rather just another TV room.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport kids room

There was also a business center with some PCs and a printer.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport business center

Back near the entrance was a roped off area. My guess is that this is for Air France first class customers and other VIPs, given that SkyTeam lounges often have these private spaces for those purposes.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport private area

Near the buffet was a magazine and newspaper rack.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport magazine & newspaper selection

There was a bit more seating on this side of the lounge, including a dining area.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating

The dining area had tables with two seats each, as well as some tables with one seat along a bench.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport dining area

There was also some seating along a counter.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport dining area

The buffet was near the entrance to the lounge, and was visually appealing, as it was set along a wall with a bunch of plants.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport buffet

The selection was pretty good, with lots of fresh veggies, hummus, pasta, salad, etc.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection

There was a large selection of desserts, yogurt, whole fruit, etc.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection

There were also half a dozen hot dishes.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection

Below is just a sampling of the hot food in the lounge.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection

Then there was a station with soft drinks, water, and a coffee machine.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection

Next to the buffet area was a circular room with the alcohol selection, which was gorgeous as well. I really dig the SkyTeam lounge design.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection

For a lounge that can be accessed with Priority Pass, they have a pretty decent alcohol selection, in my opinion.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection

There were also some basic bar snacks, as well as beer, soft drinks, and water.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection

The lounge also had a few private shower rooms. While the showers themselves looked nice, the rooms were tiny, and there were no toilets in the shower rooms.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport shower room

I spent about an hour in the SkyTeam Lounge before eventually heading to my gate.

SkyTeam Lounge Dubai bottom line

The SkyTeam Lounge Dubai is gorgeous, and I far preferred it to the Marhaba Lounge. The lounge has a bright and modern design, a good food and drink selection, showers, and wasn’t crowded at all when I was there. If you have a Priority Pass membership and are departing from Terminal 1, this is the lounge to use, in my opinion.

The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).

Conversations (10)

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SP Guest
February 1, 2024, 2:20 pm

The lounge is dirty and very dated. Bit of a dump actually. The wine selection is pretty good and the food looks ok but the dirty carpets and vinyl chairs are not nice

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panache Guest
February 18, 2020, 10:35 pm

The design is almost identical to that of the HKG Skyteam Lounge.

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747always Guest
July 3, 2017, 5:14 am

What does an L shaped couch have to do with the tv volume?

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1. lucky OMAAT
  July 3, 2017, 9:54 am
  
  @ 747always -- Touche! :p Updated the post.
  
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FNT Delta Diamond Guest
July 2, 2017, 8:00 pm

Considering the competition in the Middle East, it's disappointing that Sky Team -- KLM and Air France both fly here (Delta did previously) -- that there isn't a Sky Team business-class lounge.

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schar Guest
July 2, 2017, 7:33 pm

GORGEOUS. If only all AA/UA lounges looked like this....simply beautiful.

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Ryan Member
July 2, 2017, 4:38 pm

Ahh it looks like they removed the PlayStation 4 from the kids room, I enjoyed playing some games back then when I was in the lounge a year ago :p

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Eric Guest
July 2, 2017, 12:37 pm

Very nice. I haven't flown through DBX in a couple years, mostly through AUH, when I'm headed to the UAE. This lounge makes a world of difference for SkyTeam elites. The old AF lounge was really awful.

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Ali Guest
July 2, 2017, 10:48 am

Lucky,
Terminal 1 is now connected to Concourse D rather than Concourse C.
Emirates took over Concourse C last year.
What are your impressions of the new terminal?

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Abidjan Diamond
July 2, 2017, 9:57 am

Very nice, must say.

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Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

SP Guest

February 1, 2024, 2:20 pm

The lounge is dirty and very dated. Bit of a dump actually. The wine selection is pretty good and the food looks ok but the dirty carpets and vinyl chairs are not nice

panache Guest

February 18, 2020, 10:35 pm

The design is almost identical to that of the HKG Skyteam Lounge.

lucky OMAAT

July 3, 2017, 9:54 am

@ 747always -- Touche! :p Updated the post.