In April 2016, I flew First Class on an Emirates A380 Airbus A380 from Dubai (DXB) to Amsterdam (AMS). Pre-departure, I was given access to the Concourse A Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport.
All Emirates flights arrive and depart from Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, currently the world’s largest airport terminal, with over 1,713,000 m² (18,440,000 ft²) of space. This terminal comprises two concourses: Concourse A and Concourse B. Both concourses feature Business and First Class lounges. The flight departed from Concourse A, so this is a review of the Concourse A First Class lounge only.
The Emirates First Class lounge in Dubai is one of the world’s most spacious and unique lounges. The lounge is very luxurious and spans the length of the terminal. Crucially, it offers direct access to most gates with multi-level boarding. You enter the lounge via the hugely impressive reception area, with truly massive and hugely impressive Roman-style pillars.
Beyond the reception, you reach a gallery full of high-end, duty-free boutique shops (Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, and so on). From there, two walkways run along both sides of the lounge, offering views of the terminal’s ground floor, with seating corners along the way, most centered around the gates. The two walkways converge into the main seating area at the far side of the lounge, which features an impressive chandelier. The level of bling in this lounge is somewhat overwhelming, and there are plenty of seats for comparatively few First Class passengers.
To say this lounge is impressive is an understatement, and there is no way that First Class passengers won’t feel very privileged to experience this lounge.
Every seating area in the First Class lounge has its own food station, varying from light snacks, sandwiches, and sushi to desserts, coffee tables, and cheese spreads. The main restaurant is located halfway into the lounge and offers a la carte dining and an extensive buffet with an open kitchen that creates a sense of intimacy. During my visit at around lunchtime, the food tasted superb.
I choose the following items from the menu:
- Starter
- foie gras terrine, served with fig and walnut chutney
- Entree
- pan-fried Red Snapper fillet, served with quinoa, grilled courgette, and a trio of Mediterranean-flavoured purées
Emirates’ First Class passengers also enjoy complimentary treatments at the Timeless Spa, located adjacent to the First Class lounge. The lounge also features a business center, a cigar room, a wine cellar, and two sleeping rooms (each featuring a dozen day beds).
The lounge has direct gate access. When it was time to board, a staff member scanned my boarding pass, and I took the elevator down to the jet bridge, which offered some terrific views of my Emirates A380 Airbus for my flight to Amsterdam in First.
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