Inside Emirates' new First Class Lounge, Dubai Terminal 3
By David Flynn, January 29 2013
We've already shared a peek inside Dubai Airport's bespoke A380 concourse at Terminal 3, home to the superjumbos of Emirates and soon-to-be-partner Qantas.
Now it's time to step inside the terminal's new Emirates First Class Lounge, courtesy of frequent flyer Julian Ried, who graciously shared his photos and first impressions with Australian Business Traveller.
Emirates First Class Lounge, Concourse A
Emirates' First and Business Class lounges are located on the two floors above the main departures area of Concourse A.
Each occupies an entire floor, and they make the already huge but crowded Concourse B lounges feel tiny.
There are plenty of desks to greet passengers, with the actual lounge entrance through small passages between the desks.
Beyond the entrance there's a duty free shop that's predictably stocked with premium goods.
There are plenty of small seating areas along the main central passage running through the lounge.
The copious amount of seating indicates the lounge has clearly been built to handle the high capacity required by several simultaneous A380 flights.
One welcome addition is the quiet 'rest' room with long almost bed-like seating.
The lounge's design and decor plays up the impression of vast, open space.
And once again, there's seemingly no shortage of places to sit!
Strategically located in the very middle of the lounge is a business centre.
But we expect many travellers will clock up more time in the dining area.
If you're lucky, you can snare a table with a view over the concourse.
There's plenty more news to come on the combined Qantas-Emirates front as the alliance nears its official start date of April 1 – stay tuned to Australian Business Traveller for the latest updates.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 May 2012
Total posts 268
Wow! Looks awesome! I wonder how many people fly First Class with Emirates and its partners. However, I feel Qantas' Sydney First Class Lounge looks more modern and has a bit more Australian flavour. Good work Emirates and Qantas, you two definitely have the best First Class Lounges!
12 Jul 2011
Total posts 75
Good. Now QF and EK can work on building a decent lounge in LHR!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
Looks nice, pretty similar to the old F lounge. One negative of the old F lounge and judging from the pics also this lounge is the lack of natural light. I am curious to know how service is when the lounge fills up. The old F lounge is fantastic, always has a very quiet feel and always plenty of space on offer.
Am I correct that the F lounge is only accesible for F class passengers or would you be able to enter as QF Plat when you are flying QF from the terminal? I belive the other F lounge is restricted for passengers flying F.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
KG, the current situation is that Emirates First Class is restricted to passengers flying first class – we're still waiting to hear from Qantas on what Dubai lounges Platinums will have access to.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Dec 2012
Total posts 20
I presume that only pax flying in F or J with Plat/EK's 4th tier will be able to access the F lounge in DXB. I say this for 2 reasons:
1) The business lounge is way too crowded already (cannot even begin to imagine what it'll be like post-partnership)
2) EK is all about exclusivity and superior service, accomodating QFF Plat/EK's 4th tier in Y will cause major overcrowding in the F lounge, especially with the amount of elite Skywards members not travelling in F.
22 Apr 2012
Total posts 1
Have seen that qf platinum FF will have access, which is great news as I wasn't looking forward to the crowds at emirates business lounge. One question for anyone who has been to this lounge is what the shower facilities are like, in terms of queues, cleanliness, etc?
22 Mar 2013
Total posts 1
How about taking the family in? Qantas (to match Virgin) now allow my wife and kids in the 1st lounge with me - even when flying economy (as a Platinum member). Will this apply in Emirates lounges?
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