EK Dubai Lounge Alternative?

[robolb]

I'll confess that I'm not 'that' frequent a flyer these days, but on trips to Europe from Australia have tended to fly Emirates.

(I gave up using Qantas as I can't use QF points to upgrade a QF flight as it's on an EK aircraft anyway.......)

On my last trip to Europe I got sick both ways. Throat/nasal infections etc.
I'm sure it was down to the EK lounge in Dubai.
Both times it was crammed full with people coughing and sneezing and a real 'bun flight' at the buffets.

I'd rather avoid the lounge altogether next time.

What's the public area like?
Any places to hang out that you would recommend?
Or maybe one of those 'generic' lounges (with fewer people) that I could use with a Qantas Gold membership?
Or happy to pay for access.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[SeatBackForward]

What's the public area like?

Busy.

Any places to hang out that you would recommend?

The DXB lounge, it is very large so a quiet area at that.

Or maybe one of those 'generic' lounges (with fewer people) that I could use with a Qantas Gold membership?

Qantas Gold = oneworld Sapphire and would only be applicable if you're flying out of DXB with a oneworld airline. EK isn't a member of oneworld so you wouldn't be able to use any of the oneworld lounges with your QF Gold membership.

Or happy to pay for access.

Wouldn't recommend this option if you already have some form of lounge access, especially at DXB where the EK lounge will be the best of them all.

 

[robolb]

Busy.

The DXB lounge, it is very large so a quiet area at that.

Qantas Gold = oneworld Sapphire and would only be applicable if you're flying out of DXB with a oneworld airline. EK isn't a member of oneworld so you wouldn't be able to use any of the oneworld lounges with your QF Gold membership.

Wouldn't recommend this option if you already have some form of lounge access, especially at DXB where the EK lounge will be the best of them all.

Thanks for the feedback.
I only asked as the DXB lounge whilst large, was so full when I was there, it was hard to even find a seat, let alone a quiet area.
Maybe it is not normally that busy.............

 

[aaa99]

I guess there are 3 different business class Emirates lounges at DXB, one in each concourse. You could perhaps experiment and pick one that is quieter?

 

[gaz0303]

DXB has 7 EK lounges, if one is too busy just walk down a few gates and try to get into that one. Although gate agents can be forceful in restricting access to the lounge closest to gate of your departure. Priority Pass will also give you access to many lounges.

The rest of the terminal is a more like a bus station.

 

[AIRwin]

I only asked as the DXB lounge whilst large, was so full when I was there, it was hard to even find a seat, let alone a quiet area.

Which concourse?

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

If you can access A concourse lounge then this is never really busy, given it is so huge.

It sounds like you were at one of the smaller lounges (perhaps C) which are smaller (like the size of Qantas Perth Transit lounge) and can get busy...

 

[robolb]

Which concourse?

I wouldn't have a record of that sorry.
But I take the point.
There are many lounges!

Post automatically merged: Sep 4, 2024

If you can access A concourse lounge then this is never really busy, given it is so huge.

It sounds like you were at one of the smaller lounges (perhaps C) which are smaller (like the size of Qantas Perth Transit lounge) and can get busy...

I'll try to check. Though it was huge........
Think Q Club Sydney x 3 at least

 

[SYD]

I wouldn't have a record of that sorry.
But I take the point.
There are many lounges!

Post automatically merged: Sep 4, 2024

I'll try to check. Though it was huge........
Think Q Club Sydney x 3 at least

Did have direct boarding gate access from the lounge? That’s the A Gate lounge. Massive and the one to aim for if possible - even if not departing from the A Gates. Just allow plenty of time to get to your actual gate.

 

[cgichard]

DXB . . ..

The rest of the terminal is a more like a bus station.

On my only transit there some years ago, I sought quiet in the Prayer Room, only to find it occupied by a bunch of women chattering as they changed their babies' nappies.

 

[robolb]

Did have direct boarding gate access from the lounge? That’s the A Gate lounge. Massive and the one to aim for if possible - even if not departing from the A Gates. Just allow plenty of time to get to your actual gate.

It was probably that one.
Had direct access down a lift to the boarding gate.
Very big Business Lounge.
2 large buffet areas, other speciality food areas, 5-6 separate seating areas, some with dining tables.
Capacity of many hundreds of people I would guess.
And it was packed!

 

[sky21]

good question