Emirates First Class Lounge

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

Welcome to the Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 Concourse A, the largest First Class lounge in the world.

In Dubai, beating world records is a way of life, so when you don’t have any new records to beat, then you might as well beat your own: with the opening of Terminal 3 Concourse A, Emirates has dethroned the former largest First Class lounge in the world, which was none other than Emirates’ own First Class Lounge in Concourse B.

Emirates First Class Lounge DXB design

Your premium ground experience starts at the Emirates Business and First Class terminal entrance, where you will find an entire wing dedicated to premium passengers. The facility is massive, but falls short of feeling luxurious, perhaps because of the sheer amount of walking involved in going from curb to security, or because everything is too large to feel exclusive. Post security, take the train to Concourse A—Dubai’s largest terminal, capable of supporting 18 A380s at the time—-then, take another two elevators to the First Class lounge. A grand reception lobby awaits. With six reception desks for a handful of passengers even at peak times, you’re unlikely to ever wait in line prior to getting admitted.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

And then you walk past the reception desk, and find yourself in the midst of the concourse complete with duty free stores, and invariably ask yourself: “but where is the lounge?” That’s both the miracle and the oddity of Concourse A: the entire floor is the lounge. Let’s clarify. At the ground level is the regular concourse for economy passengers. Right above, two floors of the exact same dimensions are exclusively dedicated to respectively First Class and Business Class passengers. Emirates has done away with the traditional airport lounge approach in favor of a private concourse complete with signage, shops, and gate areas—all spruced up for First Class passengers.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

Boarding is done directly from the lounge, and every gate is outfitted with comfortable seating and a luxurious buffet. Other amenities, such as the showers, smoking rooms, and sit-down restaurant are sprinkled throughout the concourse. The space is so large that it may be difficult grasp its layout at a first glance. That’s where the large map at the entrance comes in handy: note that the concourse is divided into two wings that are mirrors of each other. There’s no need to tour the whole floor; just make a note of the location of the amenities you’d like to use, and stay in the vicinity of your gate or venture further to explore—either way, you’re likely to walk a fair amount. It might just be an excuse to indulge.

There is an enormous amount of seating, and while the mostly open plan may not feel private at a first glance, the lounge is significantly over-dimensioned for the number of eligible customers. Consider walking to either end of the concourse for a more traditional lounge environment with views on the tarmac. Power outlets are available at most seats, though there are no USB ports—the lounge was built before they became ubiquitous.

Emirates First Class Lounge DXB amenities

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

A major highlight of the Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport Concourse A is the food and beverage offering. It’s an embarrassment of riches. Sit virtually anywhere and a server will quietly show up, ready to assist. If you prefer to browse the selection at your leisure, there are different buffet areas with an astonishing variety of cuisines and options. Emirates hits a home run on all counts: presentation, variety, taste, and quality. Healthy eaters will appreciate the fresh salads and juices, while travelers seeking to indulge will appreciate the hot dogs and ice cream. In between is a wide range of tasty international appetizers and dishes. The food is plentiful and constantly replenished, even in the middle of the night.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

You may also choose to sit in one of the two formal dining rooms for a complete cooked-to-order, restaurant-style meal. The attention to detail is impeccable: expect wine pairings, chilled glasses, French butter, a bread basket, and a menu that should satisfy both the most discerning palate (foie gras is a staple of the First Class lounge) and the most voracious appetite (there’s a wide range of comfort foods and international fare.) Service is prompt, courteous, the experience almost disturbingly private outside peak hours.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

Should indulging involve tasting a cigar, you’re in luck. Emirates has taken the concept of a smoking room to a completely new level. Picture a luxurious, posh area with a private club feel: large and comfy couches, stained glass windows, and ornate ceilings. The target audience is definitely male, but the vibe still informal and relaxed. Just take a seat, and you’ll be presented with a selection of complimentary cigars. You may as well order a glass of whiskey too, because you can.

For the young and young at heart, Emirates offers game rooms with video game consoles, as well as colorful family rooms stocked with toys and video games.

Business travelers aren’t left aside: the lounge features two enormous, well-appointed business centers, with self-service computers, printers, and meeting areas.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

A specificity of Dubai airport is that it never shuts down, with flights departing all night and in the wee hours of the morning. The lounges are therefore open 24 hours a day. With this in mind, Emirates offers dimly lit slumber rooms with lounge chairs and day beds in an open layout with semi-private alcoves. Accommodations come with a pillow, blanket, and a side table with a bottle of water and eye shades.

In business class, the setup might be outstanding. For First Class, on the other hand, the facilities are somewhat lacking. Privacy is limited, and there is neither a place to change into night attire or adjacent bathrooms. Given the staggering amount of available real estate, Emirates could have easily built true individual rooms or at least, private or enclosed sleeping pods. The open design feels like a compromise: the accommodations are adequate for a nap but are no substitute for a hotel room. Other world class First Class lounges, such as the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, British Airways Concorde Room in London or SWISS First Class Lounge in Zurich provide substantially better sleeping options, without the reality of Emirate’s 24 hour flight schedule.

Along the same lines, the bathrooms feel like a missed opportunity. The facilities are spotless, decorated with fresh flowers, and stocked with constantly replenished amenities. But in lieu of private stalls with a toilet and a sink, Emirates has resorted to a more traditional layout with sinks in a communal area, which offers little privacy to freshen up.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

The showers perhaps represent one of the more significant improvements over the Emirates First Class Lounge at Concourse B. The spacious rooms are outfitted with a toilet, sink, and dressing area. The design is sober and classy, and numerous amenities including slippers are provided. Should you require additional pampering, consider visiting the Timeless Spa for a complimentary 15-minute treatment. Do note that it’s located outside the lounge, though, and shared with Business Class passengers, so it is wise to make a reservation as early as possible.

There’s more. Much more in fact. If you take the time to stroll, you’ll come across various seating areas; some with a more expansive buffet selection, some more intimate than others.

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

Other amenities include newspapers and magazines, prayer rooms, complimentary shoe shines, and of course, fast Wi-Fi throughout.

Just don’t wander too far away from your gate, as it may be a hike to get back. And when it’s time to board, you’ll scan your boarding pass directly from the lounge and use an elevator that will take you to straight to the upper deck of your Airbus A380. In theory, that’s a model of efficiency. In reality, though, expect the process to take longer than expected, as the same elevator serves the Business Class lounge. And should you get selected for an additional security check, then you’ll be herded all the way down to the Economy concourse — the horror! But nothing that a glass of Dom Perignon or two may not fix once on board.

Emirates First Class Lounge DXB bottom line

Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 Concourse A

The Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, Concourse A is, literally, extraordinary. It’s a sight to behold—-an over-the-top facility that seemingly caters to every need. And yet, at the end of the day, we can’t help but think that something is amiss. Maybe it’s the lack of actual private sleeping rooms. Maybe it’s the sheer distance to walk to get to the lounge and then to the gate. Or perhaps it’s the fact that while the service is extremely attentive, it also falls short of personal. For example, don’t expect an escort to your gate when it’s time to board (in fact, tacky but pragmatic signs remind you to show up on time.) The staff is extremely polite, always available, and never pushy. You could spend hours enjoying the various amenities and still miss a few. But at the end of the day, it might just be a case of “a little too much.” Privacy and intimacy aren’t the same: the lounge provides plenty of the former, but not much of the latter; it may just be a little too large and too elaborate to foster a sense of genuine luxury.

The Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 Concourse A is an experience not to be missed, but the more humane dimensions and personal service, of say, the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, are likely to leave a longer lasting impression.