Emirates Business Class Lounge, Dubai, UAE

Emirates operates a large number of lounges at Dubai Airport, but if you you’re travelling from Australia and through Terminal 3, you will likely find yourself heading for this one.

• The Airline: Emirates.
• The Lounge: Emirates Business Class Lounge, Dubai.
• Location: Terminal 3, Concourse A, on top of the First Class Lounge.
• Other Airlines: The lounge is also open to first and business class passengers flying with Qantas, and a certain number of Qantas and Oneworld frequent flyers, until those flights detour via Perth and Singapore instead. When that happens, this lounge will be exclusively for use by passengers flying with Emirates.

Overview

Business travellers demand more out of a lounge these days, and in recent years the ante has decidedly been upped among the premium airlines. This particular Emirates lounge has plenty to offer, from quiet spots in which to watch TV or do business, to more busy sociable areas if you are looking for company. It’s also huge - the lounge spans the length of the terminal concourse, and must be one of the world's biggest business class lounges. I ended up with only about 45 minutes before my flight to Sydney was called. The time went by quickly, and my only complaint was how bright the lighting was in the whole lounge - it wasn't especially easy on the eyes, although admittedly it was late at night (my flight departed at just after 2am) and the lounge wasn't especially busy. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer tarmac views by day, and plenty of natural light, and there were plenty of spaces to relax and unwind.

Food & Drink

As I was on such a late flight, and having had dinner earlier, I didn't feel in the need to eat anything, but the range of hot and cold foods available looked impressive all the same. There were a number of different zones cater to travellers' needs, including buffet dining. The bar looked well stocked and there was a juice bar as well an machine made espresso if you were trying to stay awake to board your flight. If you choose to eat you can opt for a table out of the way, or join travellers at long communal tables. 

Facilities

Unusually there is a duty free in the lounge if you haven’t had a chance to buy anything before you fly on, also a decent business area with work stations and equipment including PCs and printers. There is free Wi-Fi but I found it to be slow, even though the lounge wasn’t busy. There are also plenty of places to charge your electronics if you need to; they accept Australian plugs without the need for an adaptor. There are televisions dotted around the lounge, and plenty of nooks and crannies depending on whether you want to be in the midst of the action, or tucked away for quiet time. There were also day beds and sleeping nooks, most of which were occupied during the brief time I was in the lounge. 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The friendly and attentive staff.
• The myriad of nooks and crannies providing a pre-flight oasis.
• The day beds and sleeping nooks ideal for transit passengers. 

Insider Tips

• Unusually boarding calls aren’t made for any flights; you have to be on your toes checking the TV screens regularly.
• You can board directly from lounge to your flight.