- Introduction: Birthday Trip To The Maldives
- Booking Emirates Skywards One-Way Awards With Stopovers
- Review: Air France-KLM Lounge Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)
- Review: New Emirates Boeing 777 First Class (IAD-DXB)
- Review: Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre
- Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Airport (DXB)
- A Lovely Emirates First Class Flight To The Maldives
- Review: Cheval Blanc Maldives Randheli
- Review: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
- Review: Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru
- Oops: I Missed My Flight, Almost Got Denied Entry To Qatar
- Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 First Class (MLE-DOH)
- PSA: Don’t Wait At The Wrong Baggage Claim Belt
- Review: Park Hyatt Doha, Qatar
- Review: Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge Doha (DOH)
- Review: Sleep ‘N Fly Sleep Lounge Doha Airport (DOH)
- Review: Qatar Airways Qsuites Business Class 777 (DOH-DFW)
After a couple of nights in Dubai, it was time to fly Emirates first class from Dubai to Male. As is often the case in the Middle East, our flight was departing at an ungodly hour — 4:20AM.
Rather than paying for a hotel for an extra night, we instead checked out of our hotel at 6PM, had dinner with a friend, and then headed to the airport at around 9PM. Thanks to our jetlag, it actually wasn’t bad at all.
This also allowed us to spend an extended amount of time in Emirates’ first class lounge, which I hadn’t visited in years. I continue to have mixed feelings about this lounge. It’s the biggest first class lounge in the world, and impressive for its size. The staff, food, and wine in the lounge are also all great. But there’s not a whole lot that feels luxurious about the lounge otherwise, if you ask me.
Let’s get into the review…
In this post:
Emirates first class check-in Dubai
Our friend dropped us off at the airport at around 9PM at the dedicated first & business class check-in area. It was deserted at the time, given that most Emirates passengers are connecting, and beyond that there wasn’t a bank of departing flights for several more hours.
The below is the dedicated premium check-in area. Yep, it’s huge.
We headed to the first class counter, where we were checked in for our flight to Male within minutes.
There’s also a dedicated premium departures experience. All passengers can use the Smart Gates to go through the exit immigration process, and then after that is the security checkpoint, where there was also no line.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai location
Emirates has three first class lounges at Dubai Airport, though the most impressive one is in Concourse A. All Emirates gates are connected airside, so regardless of where your flight departs from, you can use any of the first class lounges.
Once through security we followed the signage toward Concourse A, which requires taking a train.
This isn’t just some train that takes you a few hundred yards, but instead it’s quite a long distance, and you almost feel like you’re in a subway in a city.
Once done with the ride, you can either take the escalators or elevators up to the main terminal level.
Once on the main terminal level, the entrance to the lounges is straight ahead, and there’s signage reflecting that.
The first class lounge is one level above the concourse, while the business class lounge is two levels above the concourse. We were admitted once our boarding passes were scanned, though were reminded that our flight would be departing from another concourse, so we should leave plenty of time.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai hours & entry requirements
The Emirates first class lounge is open 24/7, reflecting that Emirates has flights all hours of the day and night. In terms of entry requirements, the Emirates first class lounge is open to the following passengers:
- Emirates first class passengers
- Emirates Skywards Platinum members
- Access can be purchased — if you’re in Emirates business class, you can “upgrade” for $150 ($125 if you’re a Skywards member), or if you’re in Emirates economy class, you can buy access for $300 ($250 if you’re a Skywards member)
Emirates first class lounge Dubai seating & layout
Emirates’ first class lounge in Concourse A is absolutely massive, at over 100,000 square feet. It’s by far the biggest first class lounge in the world, and one of the biggest airport lounges in the world, period. The lounge spans the entire length of the concourse, as it’s just one floor above. The only difference is that there’s an “atrium” of sorts where you can walk in the terminal but can’t walk in the lounge.
The benefit of the size of this lounge is that you can board your flight directly from the lounge. Just as the terminal has 24 gates, so does the lounge.
You just have to find your gate number, and then there’s a “podium” where your boarding pass will be scanned. You’ll then just take an elevator directly down to the jet bridge. Unfortunately our flight was departing from Concourse C, so we had to walk there (and it’s a really long walk).
The lounge is so big that there are several maps throughout the lounge, in the event that you’re lost or looking for a certain amenity.
Anyway, there are long walkways connecting all parts of the lounge, and it’s at least easy to stay generally oriented. The entrance to the lounge is at the halfway point, so in one direction you have gates A1-12, and in the other direction you have gates A13-24.
The issue with having a lounge of this size is that it’s just void of character. There’s nothing cozy or intimate about the lounge, and you just have endless seating. Like, truly endless seating — football fields worth of seating, to the point that you can’t help but wonder why there are so many seats.
It’s weird, because Emirates is known for its over-the-top blingy interiors. And while I’d never want my home decorated that way, there’s a certain charm to it when flying with the airline in moderation. Yet that’s also missing in this lounge. Instead you just kind of feel like you’re in a nice funeral home waiting room, or something. Ford described the decor of the lounge as a taupe nightmare, and I’d tend to agree.
I also want to point out that during my visit roughly half of the lounge was closed. So yeah, the above is just a small sampling of the seating in half of the lounge.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai restaurant
One of the strong points of the Emirates first class lounge is the dining selection. While there are several food & beverage stations, there’s one main restaurant area that has both a buffet and a la carte dining.
The dining area has plenty of seating, and the entire experience feels restaurant quality. The lounge serves breakfast from 4AM until 11AM, and lunch and dinner from 11AM until 4AM, and you can find the full menu here.
There’s a fairly decent buffet, with a selection of cold starters, hot mains, desserts, coffee, and tea.
I think the much more appealing option is the a la carte selection. The staff in the restaurant are lovely and incredibly attentive. Once seated, we were brought a bread basket.
To start, we split a hamachi poke bowl, which was tasty.
Then for our mains, I ordered the green burger, while Ford had the chicken biryani.
For dessert we split the Middle Eastern tres leches cake. I loved the presentation, as there was “smoke” coming from the dish as it was served to us.
The staff here were all invested in making sure guests have a nice experience, and the food is good quality. My one point of feedback would be that I wish the Emirates first class lounge had barista-made espresso drinks. The business class lounge has a partnership with Costa to provide barista services, so you’d think this lounge could also have decent coffee drinks.
I’d note that in addition to the lounge, there are several self-serve food & drink stations throughout the lounge, with cold appetizers and desserts, coffee, and a selection of wine.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai wine selection
If you have time to kill in the Emirates first class lounge and are into wine, I’d highly recommend taking part in the Emirates wine scavenger hunt. Why? Because you might find some ridiculously good wine, but it’ll take some searching. Let me explain
- The only wine that Emirates consistently has is the first class lounge is Moet champagne; this is of course decent, but not as good as the Dom Perignon you’ll be served onboard
- Emirates has invested over half a billion dollars in its wine program, so Emirates has some pretty spectacular wines onboard
- While some wines are specifically for the first class lounge, Emirates also places many leftover bottles of wine from onboard in the first class lounge
- So sometimes you’ll find a ridiculously good bottle there, it just takes some searching
- Last year I wrote about how you can expect to just randomly find some $500+ bottles of red wine in the lounge, but there might just be one or two bottles at a random self-serve food & beverage station
With time to spare, Ford and I went on a wine scavenger hunt, whereby we went to all the drink stations in the lounge and then looked up the wines. Unfortunately it wasn’t a good night for this game, it seems, as the selection wasn’t too exciting.
In terms of price, the most expensive we came across was a bottle of 2009 Chateau Beychevelle. We had a glass just for fun, but weren’t fans, to put it mildly.
Anyway, if you’re into wine, it’s always worth having some fun in the lounge…
Emirates first class lounge Dubai nap & rest area
The Emirates first class lounge Dubai has a quiet area that can be used as a nap room. There are some day beds as well as chairs with ottomans, and each seat has a blanket and some eyeshades.
If you have a longer layover, keep in mind that Emirates has a stopover program, whereby you can get a free hotel if you have a layover of at least six hours (there are some terms associated with this, though those are the basics). With a long layover, that would be much more comfortable.
With a lounge of over 100,000 square feet, I don’t get why Emirates couldn’t have put some real private bedrooms in this lounge as well, though? For example, the Turkish Airlines lounge Istanbul has bedrooms for business class passengers, so you wouldn’t think that would be a big ask for a lounge this size designed for first class passengers.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai cigar bar
Smokers will certainly appreciate the cigar bar in Emirates’ first class lounge. I know my dad loved this place when we visited for his last “round” birthday. For that matter, when I texted him from the lounge, this was the first thing he brought up.
While some lounges have small smoking rooms, this is a proper, “dignified” cigar bar.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai business center
The Emirates first class lounge Dubai has a business center with cubicles, PCs, and even meeting rooms. Given how spread out the lounge is, it tends to stay quiet, so I’ve never used this area. But some might find it to be a good place to get some work done.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai showers & bathrooms
There are bathrooms throughout the Emirates first class lounge, which are constantly cleaned by lounge staff.
There are also some shower suites, which are typically pretty readily available.
Each shower suite has a walk-in shower, toilet, and sink. While there are more luxurious shower suites out there, these have all the basics.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai duty free shopping
Since the Emirates first class lounge is the size of a concourse, it also has amenities similar to what you’d expect to find in a concourse, including extensive duty free shopping. From jewelry, to alcohol, to sweets, there’s not an airport lounge in the world that features more shopping.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai Timeless Spa
Emirates has a partnership with Timeless Spa, offering complimentary spa treatments for first class passengers. The spa isn’t inside the lounge, but rather is right next to the entrance to the lounge (as it’s also open to non-premium passengers). There are actually two Timeless Spas — one outside the first class lounge and one outside the business class lounge (currently only the latter is open).
Emirates first class passengers can choose from four complimentary treatments, including:
- A de-stress back massage
- Leg & foot reflex therapy
- Indian head massage
- Thai body stretch
- Soothing hand massage
In addition to that, there are a variety of paid treatments that anyone can book.
I certainly don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the current execution of this almost makes me wonder why they bother:
- There was one person working in the spa, so Ford and I couldn’t even get a 15 minute treatment at the same time
- I asked for the hand massage, which ended up being more of a back massage in one of those chairs that you lean into, with maybe a minute spent on each hand
- There’s nothing spa-like about the experience — there was no music, no tea or refreshing towel, and the spa is really sterile
Like I said, it’s nice that this is offered at all, but it seems like there are some low cost changes that could be made to have this be an actually nice experience that’s memorable, rather than something you do and then forget five minutes later.
Emirates first class lounge Dubai shoe shine
One really nice feature of the Emirates first class lounge is the shoe shine service.
The cool thing is that this isn’t just a traditional shoe shine for someone traveling in business attire, but there are several options, including a sneaker refresh. I had my sneakers cleaned, and they looked like new after the awesome shoe shine guy was done with them. So this is something to keep in mind if you’re passing through the lounge.
Bottom line
There’s a lot to love about the Emirates first class lounge Dubai — it’s the largest in the world, it has friendly staff, the restaurant is solid, it has a cigar lounge and endless other amenities, and you can board your flight directly from the lounge.
Beyond that, though, this has to be one of the most sterile and least cozy and chic first class lounges in the world. It kind of feels like you’re in a waiting room the size of a terminal, and I feel like the space could have been utilized better to add amenities like bedrooms, a gym, a better spa, a coffee shop, etc.
While this lounge continues to rank on my list of the world’s first class airline lounges, it’s not at the top…
If you’ve visited the Emirates first class lounge Dubai, what was your impression?
Whilst the business lounge isn’t the topic of the review a scavenger hunt in the “lower lounge” may yeild better result.
The Moët + Chandon champagne bar in business lounge has 2013 vintage ~$150 a bottle, a also nectar imperial and rose as well as brut.
Found the Ch Providence Pomerol 2010 on my scavenger hunt $150-200 per bottle. Again biz lounge. Emirates needs to undertake a lounge refresh so there are significant...
Whilst the business lounge isn’t the topic of the review a scavenger hunt in the “lower lounge” may yeild better result.
The Moët + Chandon champagne bar in business lounge has 2013 vintage ~$150 a bottle, a also nectar imperial and rose as well as brut.
Found the Ch Providence Pomerol 2010 on my scavenger hunt $150-200 per bottle. Again biz lounge. Emirates needs to undertake a lounge refresh so there are significant differences.
A flat bed to have a proper 2-3hr rest was missing between first and biz.
The open smoking area with buffet food is a hard no.
Brilliant review as always.
The ‘find the menu here’ hyperlink seems to be broken (access denied).
Thanks for a great read!
Its a bit like been in some dated old house/hotel. Yes the food and drinks are good, service excellent, but its os drab, Jump on a QATAR flight say A350-1000 and then a Emirates 777 in Biz and you can see the difference there, Emirates with all the wood and gold, so old school. But, they are top dog on service and food, drinks as well, but I do wonder why on ever with 10,000...
Its a bit like been in some dated old house/hotel. Yes the food and drinks are good, service excellent, but its os drab, Jump on a QATAR flight say A350-1000 and then a Emirates 777 in Biz and you can see the difference there, Emirates with all the wood and gold, so old school. But, they are top dog on service and food, drinks as well, but I do wonder why on ever with 10,000 wines to pick from in 1st class I cant even get a Pinot Gris. They just need to do a revamp and it would be even better. As for wanting to send any longer that a few hours there why would you, arrive via 1st then 1st lounge, then 1st departure, It all gets a bit same same. you can only eat drink so much.
I will be having a layover in DXB for around 3.5 hours and will have the access to the First lounge. I was considering changing my departure flight to an earlier one (at no additional cost), which will grant me over 10 hours of layover instead. This will be my first time in EK's First lounge so I'm planning to maximize my time here, or shouldn't I be bothered doing so?
I love the lounge and FYI Qantas Platinum and Chairman lounge members also get access when flying Emirates.
Thanks for the post and excellent photos...both brought back many pleasant memories. I'm not as well traveled as you, but it was a fun experience for me and I enjoyed every minute.
I Will been Therese in 17 dans for a 3 hour stopover.
Always enjoy it.
I have been to few first class lounges. The Air France lounge at CDG, the Swiss lounge at Zurich and the Al Safwa lounge at Doha will blow Emirates away, any day. No comparison!
There are some things here I disagree with and some things I agree with. Overall, this EK F lounge is one of my favourites. I agree the decor is a bit drab and it’s just too big. However, it gets all the other basics of a first class lounge right - very good cooked to order food, super service and comfortable seating. This lounge is everything Al Safwa is not, for example - Al Safwa...
There are some things here I disagree with and some things I agree with. Overall, this EK F lounge is one of my favourites. I agree the decor is a bit drab and it’s just too big. However, it gets all the other basics of a first class lounge right - very good cooked to order food, super service and comfortable seating. This lounge is everything Al Safwa is not, for example - Al Safwa has stunning design but a wide selection of uncomfortable seating, reheated food and service which just feels odd to me (almost no one ever smiles and it’s attentive until it’s not when you get ignored for 30 minutes). If you are on an 8 hour layover back to the US I can see how the lack of private sleeping rooms, fancy showers, flashy champagne etc is an issue with EK, but if you turn up 2 hours before your flight to LHR this lounge is close to perfect.
Reheated food at Al Safwa? And issues with seating? Not sure if we had been to the same lounge.
The only comfortable seating in Al Safwa is in the dining area, there are no proper armchairs throughout the rest of the lounge and it gets a bit tedious if you don't want to sit in the dining area's harsh lighting and surrounded by people on a mission to drink as much champagne as possible.
There is a general rule in Doha Airport that no naked flames are permitted, hence why the steaks are horrible...
The only comfortable seating in Al Safwa is in the dining area, there are no proper armchairs throughout the rest of the lounge and it gets a bit tedious if you don't want to sit in the dining area's harsh lighting and surrounded by people on a mission to drink as much champagne as possible.
There is a general rule in Doha Airport that no naked flames are permitted, hence why the steaks are horrible and most of the rest of the food tastes like fancy microwave meals in Al Safwa. Wouldn't expect all the posters here blinded by the fact you can get unlimited premium champagne to notice any of that, however.
There are tons of arms chairs, tables etc. along the long corridor before and after the fountain when you walk to the dining area. I have been there more than 10 times... unless due to COVID they took those off.
Speaking of food, that's partially incorrect. They always make fresh, flame-cooked food, but inside the kitchen. Check some their videos.
Why would I eat a steak, when there are hundreds of other cuisines...
There are tons of arms chairs, tables etc. along the long corridor before and after the fountain when you walk to the dining area. I have been there more than 10 times... unless due to COVID they took those off.
Speaking of food, that's partially incorrect. They always make fresh, flame-cooked food, but inside the kitchen. Check some their videos.
Why would I eat a steak, when there are hundreds of other cuisines and amazing food to try from? Do you think they make awesome steaks at DXB lounge? Hell no!
The seats are reasonably comfortable. What I couldn’t tolerate was the lighting which was just too intense, and I found it impossible to relax comfortably.
Al Safwa is probably still my fave, though only due to design, the spa which is SO good (but $$) and the free sleeping rooms next to the spa. The dining and comfy seating at Al Safwa are lagging - in need of improvement. Food is reheated - tho they will bake you salmon to order with steamed veggies if you ask, or at least they have in the past, try with their re-heated curry....
Al Safwa is probably still my fave, though only due to design, the spa which is SO good (but $$) and the free sleeping rooms next to the spa. The dining and comfy seating at Al Safwa are lagging - in need of improvement. Food is reheated - tho they will bake you salmon to order with steamed veggies if you ask, or at least they have in the past, try with their re-heated curry. The seating is not comfy for long lay over. Emirates just does not look luxe - it's way too big, lacking any sort of design or character. Would help if they broke it into little section type living rooms. NOT a huge step up from the biz lounge. Emirates needs to step UP their game with wines in the F lounge - where are these mystery $$$ wines. I have never found them, rather average $30 bottles of OK wine and champagne. Seating is much better in EK first, as is the a la cart, and the direct boarding is brilliant.
Having used both, in many ways there is little difference between First and Business, and however much seating there is someone always decides to sit next to me if when virtually empty!!!
How on earth were you allowed to take so many photos?
The Lounge offering varies hugely and the fare on offer is very small.
Wine List is mediocre at best.
Staff are a very mixed bag but definitely NOT selected for their charm or personality.
Coffee is substandard with no Barista. Generally it is cold too!
It used to be superb for its excellent range of reading material. But not any more!
The gate access is poorly managed. Managed is not...
The Lounge offering varies hugely and the fare on offer is very small.
Wine List is mediocre at best.
Staff are a very mixed bag but definitely NOT selected for their charm or personality.
Coffee is substandard with no Barista. Generally it is cold too!
It used to be superb for its excellent range of reading material. But not any more!
The gate access is poorly managed. Managed is not the right word as their is no nanagement of it. No where to sit whilst waiting for the Gate to open.
A Manager will tell you that when the gate opens, he'll come and inform you! Don't believe him it you want to catch your flight. He doesnt return!
That assumes the gate is within walking distance which it frequently is not.
It could be a superb Inviting Lounge but really needs professio al management and improved staff selection.
Of course, as least it is there!
So yes better than nothing, maybe!
There are NO LOUNGES in Australia, but the Airticket prices have increased.
The $40 vouchers offered at Sydney International Airport are not much help when there is no cafe or coffee shop is open.
I suspect that I like the F Lounge in Concourse A as it generally signals that I am on vacation. As noted by many, the staff are exceptionally attentive, the Emirati meals in particular are gorgeous, the bathrooms are scrupulously clean and the boarding process is generally flawless (unless you are at a remote stand and then things are less than perfect .... read 'horrendous'). But I fail to understand how Moët is the champagne...
I suspect that I like the F Lounge in Concourse A as it generally signals that I am on vacation. As noted by many, the staff are exceptionally attentive, the Emirati meals in particular are gorgeous, the bathrooms are scrupulously clean and the boarding process is generally flawless (unless you are at a remote stand and then things are less than perfect .... read 'horrendous'). But I fail to understand how Moët is the champagne offered in a premium Lounge. Not only is it my least favourite of the French bubbles (so that is me just being selfish) but it does not set the tone for what is to come, nor complements the exclusivity of the Lounge, nor competes with what is offered in other First Lounges (indeed, in many of the Business) Lounges provided by other premium carriers.
As also noted previously, the F Lounge found in Concourse B is cosier whilst offering the same amenity; and the Lounge in Concourse C is better than sitting at the gate if there is a delay.
Maybe I have spent way too much time in this Lounge, but I find it understated, calming and comforting without being over the top. Opulent it is not but excellent service, food and convenience have their own elegance.
Working out in a lounge would be a great option, though I have yet to see a gym in a lounge. Where can one find this awesomeness?
There is a gym opposite the Emirates first lounge in DXB concourse B. Sure, it’s not in the lounge and you have to pay for it, but it’s the closest gym to a lounge that I’m aware of.
I loved the restaurant when we were there, but of course you know that there is another meal waiting for you on the plane, so it is all too much in too short a period of time. Decor is generic and uninspired. Otherwise, you just sit back and play Wordle for five hours or so. I hated that you can smell people smoking. Qatar flagship lounge is much better I think.
gym is such an important (and nice branding) amenity that's often neglected in lounges or hotels, etc...
I love the Costa coffee bar in the business class lounge and always go there no matter which terminal I am leaving from.
Had a very impersonal service at the sit-down restaurant in the lounge last time. It felt too big.
I much preferred the F lounge in concourse B (dxb>bru departure) as it felt a lot more intimate and high end with view of the runway.
Decor looking dated and other than the a la carte dining and lack of crowding, it seems like a good business class lounge as opposed to a good first class one. That said, I wouldn't underestimate the value of having the benefit of the exclusivity. More and more business class lounges have turned into zoos at peak times with difficulties finding seats.
I disagree with Ford about the decor. Some of those wooden finishes on the walls , tables, floors , etc are interesting. The prices of cherry wood , cedar , oaks have skyrocketed and that place is huge.
Well there’s a cigar bar in the lounge as well as at the Waldorf Astoria DIFC. Getting excited.
I guess the mantra was "it will get better if we keep adding things onto it?"
IMO if there is one lounge where the beige and brown furniture/fixtures look outdated even before the lounge was open (at least based on pictures, I haven't been in the lounge myself) it is the main China Eastern lounge at PVG. Yes, the chairs here look generic and not that modern, but the MU chairs look straight out of the mid-1980s if not before.
It's the most sterile and clinically lounge with no personality. Yes the food and staff are good but the shower rooms are the worst. No air, can't get the place cool, they're like saunas. Sweat profusely after the shower. Awful and emirates has done nothing to fix things.
Ps... to the person flying emirates first, if you want to shower, my advice is shower on the plane if it's an A380, don't bother with the lounge ones.
I've found the same issue in IST, DOH and the QR Lounge in LHR.
I always look like I showered in my clothes when I leave the room.
If you think Dubai is bad, go to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. It is by far the worst airport for lack of proper cooling and ventilation. Dubai airport is like Antarctica by comparison.
Interesting to see how tastes are different: Chateau Beychevelle is one of the very best wines and I have difficulty to understand someone does not like this fabulous wine… again to each his own.
But am thankful for this extensive review, thank you.
Honestly it looks like a lot of fun to me. A good meal and a wine scavenger hunt seem like a great way to pass a few hours. The Champagne though... Is it just normal Moet that retails for like $35 they're serving? That doesn't seem very First Class.
I agree with you… I did find it very sterile and cold. Soave not used well at all…A gym wouid have been great. To me it’s got no personality. I prefer the business class Emirates Lounge directly opposite.
Love this lounge, especially boarding from it.
Huge, yes, but the people working the lounge more than make up for it.
First class should be more intimate, like the Air France experience. I’m sure the catering and facilities in Dubai are great, however it’s simply too big. In parts it also looks extremely tacky, which is also what people I know who’ve used it have said. Then again, Dubai is about bling and tacky like Las Vegas, which also has great restaurants and shops, however I would never go there again.
It's always a good experience in this lounge. Food and service are always top notch (much better than either Etihad or Qatar lounges). I have always enjoyed my experiences in the Timeless Spa - in fact have typically requested a paid hour long massage - and they will tack the complimentary 15 minutes onto that. In fact, I would rate the EK F lounge higher than most lounges due to consistency (in comparison to AF...
It's always a good experience in this lounge. Food and service are always top notch (much better than either Etihad or Qatar lounges). I have always enjoyed my experiences in the Timeless Spa - in fact have typically requested a paid hour long massage - and they will tack the complimentary 15 minutes onto that. In fact, I would rate the EK F lounge higher than most lounges due to consistency (in comparison to AF La Premiere lounge or the drastically reduced service in the LH FCT). I do understand we are splitting hairs when comparing the world's top lounges, but the EK lounge in Terminal A never fails to impress. If you want small, tired and uninspired, just visit the lounge in the C terminal.
Rather a lounge have too many seats than being overcrowded.
I was there earlier on April, and agree with this sentiment. The food was excellent, some of the best I had on my trip really, but aside from that, the size, and the boarding gates, was unremarkable.
I suppose the sheer size is one way to handle the lounge overcrowding issues (like those plaguing US lounges)?
Visiting made me really miss The Pier First in HKG. Such a lovely lounge, and I'm afraid it may...
I was there earlier on April, and agree with this sentiment. The food was excellent, some of the best I had on my trip really, but aside from that, the size, and the boarding gates, was unremarkable.
I suppose the sheer size is one way to handle the lounge overcrowding issues (like those plaguing US lounges)?
Visiting made me really miss The Pier First in HKG. Such a lovely lounge, and I'm afraid it may never be the same now that Beijing has their hooks in Hong Kong, and the impact of the pandemic.
"Impressive only for how big it is" is rather on brand for Dubai, though.
I thought the whole point of a lounge is to... well you know: lounge. Seems like everyone at Emirates forgot that in favor of BIGGEST LOUNGE IN DA WOHLD!!! Maybe cut the size by 2/3 and reinvest the savings in making an actually good place you want to lounge in before a flight?
I was underwhelmed in February during my first visit. Ford is right, it was quiet to the point that it felt like a funeral home.
Surprised you didn’t like the 2009 Chateau Beychevelle - was it oxidized or corked? I’d say it’s the best Beychevelle since the 2003, and possibly even the 1982
Either it had been open too long, or Ben's taste in wine is not to be trusted. The Oreno is a nice super Tuscan as well.
Ben's said before he doesn't like red wine. I think he's even swapped welcome bottles in his room from red to white.
So like I said... ;)
Sir Digby - Nothing can beat the ‘82.
It looks like a Cheesecake Factory with more lights on.
If I have a business class award ticket and do a day-of points upgrade to F (as you explained in another post) will I be admissible to the F lounge or just J? The J lounge looks ... mostly as good so I'm not overly concerned but would like to go in with proper expectations. Thanks!