Dubai DXB Concourse D, the 'new' terminal 1, and other DXB changes.

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Just thought you might be interested in the new D gates at DXB. This is where all the flights that used to be from terminal one - almost anyone but EK/FZ - have been transferred. That means most flights that aren't EK, QF (who have the now even vaster terminal 3 all to themselves), or FZ and some other LCCs, who use the LCC terminal 2. There is very limited space in DXB, with two closely spaced runways in the middle, and terminals and other facilities around the edge. The D gates will be the last major upgrade at DXB, there simply isn't enough space to fit anything else in. Over time, expect to see more flights pushed over to the inconveniently located DWC

Not sure if it's EK and FZ giving other carriers the squeeze, or something else, but services on other carriers aren't anything like they used to be, as EK relentlesssly rolls out new routes and new A380s. Other options are thin on the ground. Three years ago, for my standard trip DXB-BNE, I could choose two SQ flights out of Dubai (now reduced to one), two MH fights (now codeshare on EK metal), and two CX flights (still hanging in there). OTOH, there are now two direct EK flights, whereas one stopped in Singapore before, or the QF flights via MEL or SYD. I don't use the latter much as a J return is around AED 21,000 unless there's a sale on, whereas CX and SQ price their everyday discount J fares at around AED 14,000. Quite a saving.

The new arrangements in DXB. Terminal 1 and 3 checkin are still adjacent on the Creek side of the airport and the facilities are largely unchanged. Terminal 3, used only by EK and QF, is much larger and newer, with a separate set down area and check in hall for J&F travellers and those with OWE/OWS status. The benefits also apply to those arriving by air, with immigration e-gates (Aussies can use them after registering) available at terminal 3. There are also fast track lanes on arrival at terminals 2 or 3 if you have a fast track card. Terminal 2 is still at the Sharjah side of the airport.

Terminal 1 had an immigration hall from hell, if you arrived at the old version in peak times you are likely to have an immigration queue from hell. there were never any express lanes that I could find. Just a vast immigration hall, with long lines stretching back from the open counters. When a new immigration counter opened there would be a rush from adjacent queues to fill the new queue, and if you were lucky you moved forward a lot of places.

Concourse C, which used to have the terminal 1 gates, is now part of terminal 3, and only used by EK flights. You may have heard of the wonderful lounges at the B Gates (the original terminal 3 gates) and the A gates (the satellite terminal, accessed by an airport train). They are indeed wonderful. The EK F and J lounges at the A gates aren't anything like as nice. the Marhaba lounge and 'business class' lounge are both still open, AFAIK, and both do paid entries if you have no status. Not sure what's happened to the other lounges like LH and BA. Presumably closed.

The convenience downside for EK pax is some pretty lengthy walk possibilities. DXB's website claims

When connecting between A, B or C Gates, all the gates are within walking distance

The A, B and C gates are all in a row, like a line of processionary caterpillars. The first time I arrived after EK took over Concourse C I arrived off QF9 at the A gates, and departed from gate C1 at the far end of the C gates. Catch the train from the A gates to the B gates, through security, upstairs to B gates departures, then a walk of over 1.5 km. There may be a shuttle bus connection, which would save 1 km walk, but I've never looked for it. The walk does help fill in the time between flights and there are a couple of lounges if you need a rest stop .

Anyway this post is all about the new D gates. My first visit, flying the afternoon CX flight to HKG. the terminal has dropoff dy the roadside, congested with taxis everywhere. I arrived just after 14.00 and it was typical summer weather, about 44. The checkin area in terminal 1 has a lot of counters, but seems small and cramped. The landside end of terminal 1 is probably the least inspiring part of Dubai, since terminal 2 got its makeover a couple of years ago. Not many passengers, or they were all arriving late, but no queues for CX746.


After that breezy check in it's a lengthy walk past the other checkin rows to emigration counters. The Emigration area is cramped, crowded and there are no priority lanes, one of the many disadvantages for travellers not flying EK from DXB. 2 pm is pretty quiet and I would not have liked to be there in a busy time. No pics permitted, but before I got there here's a view looking from the departure checkin area towards Concourse C, the former terminal 1 gates. Before Concourse D opened, there was a walk from the emigration area through a tunnel to the Concourse.


After doing the immigration stuff which you get an escalator upstairs to catch the train. Here it is pulling out of the checkin/arrivals hall, with the processionary caterpillars across the tarmac. From left, the C gates, the control tower, the B gates and in the distance the A gates (the latter obscured in the second photo). You can see not many aircraft parked at the less convenient end of the C gates. The haze is mostly dust, a feature of summer. the Burk Khalifa tower is only a few miles from the airport, but often can't be seen from here. A couple of times a year a strong northwesterly, called shamal, blows duststorms down the Gulf.



Here's a different view of Concourse D, taken from the air after takeoff, with a couple of the airport trains.
The advertising sign to the right used to have a picture of jolly looking EK cabin crew and said 'Smile, 120 languages'.
Now, no cabin crew and it says 'mile, 0 languages'. A warning about the lonely walk to the far end of Concourse C perhaps?


More pics below...

 

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Kids! There's a Burj Khalifa hidden in this photo. Can you see it?
Hint: It's on the other side of the 'creek'
View attachment 74657

An overhead view, showing from right Concourses A, B, C and new concourse D.
Terminal 2 (Concourse F), used mainly by FZ and some LCCs, is off the edge towards the right.

 

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Transfers
There is an escalator that comes down from the Concourse train station to this departure level. It's off to the left of the photo below of connections and airline desks in Concourse D.
Also off to the left, a further escalator downstairs takes you to shuttle buses to terminals 2 and 3 (Concourse B)
The airline desks are transfer checkin counters for airlines departing from Concourse D.
If you're transferring to an EK flight, get the shuttle bus to Terminal 3, where there is an EK check in desk.

'Connections' refers to Marhaba services, who have a desk and offer a (paid) guided transfer service, which also plucks luggage checked to DXB and on-tags to your next destination. This is a big bonus if transferring to or from terminal 2, as otherwise when transferring from T1 to T2, or vice versa, you need to get your bags, clear customs, get a landside bus connection which takes about 45 minutes, then check in and all the other rigmarole. The advance booking 'personalised' Marhaba transfer service will meet you at the gate and escort you and costs about $120. It costs a fair bit less if you make your own way to the connections desk and organise a Marhaba transfer there, but still fairly pricey. The do bypass any queues, which I think is pretty nifty.

If your luggage is checked through but you need boarding passes, you don't need to pay for a Marhaba, or clear customs. Go to the airline counters in the pic below if departing from Terminal 1. If your next flight departs from Terminal 2, go straight to the shuttle bus, there's separate buses to each of those terminals. This also works when transferring from Terminal 2 to terminals 1 or 3.

If your luggage isn't checked through and your next flight is with EK, just get the shuttle bus to terminal 3 and go to the EK check in counter. Show them your bag tag and they will pluck your bag and ontag it to your next destination. You don't need a marhaba transfer to do this.

Pic below is the 'connections' desk and airlines desks in Concourse D


Here's another pic of the shuttle bus transferring me from Terminal 1 (Concourse D) to Terminal 3 (Concourse B).
Taken early morning, about a week later when I arrived back in DXB.

 

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Concourse D departures

Departures level is the third level. Arrivals is the level below. You will find more shops and eateries upstairs on the 4th level, together with all the lounges. Down escalators at the ground floor are 'gates' D22-D32. These are the coughy prizes. From these gates you get a bus to your aircraft at a remote stand.

After you go down the escalator from the train which brings you to concourse D, the gates are signposted to the right where 'connections' and the airlines desks are to the left. After you wade through the duty free counters (of course ) you get to the large central atrium where the main shopping and eating area is. It's all very central, better than the long and skinny Concourses in terminal 3 (particularly the crowded concourse B)

The bus stops (gates for remote stands) are under here. The lounges are up the escalators.


the departures board, showing a full 24 hours of flights, but you have to squint.
Luckily very few of these flights were departing from remote gates.


The gates are in two opposite directions from the central atrium and shops. It's all pretty well signposted.


Here's the 'bus stops', the gates at ground level (I think) for the remote stands.


...and gate D15, from which CX746 was departing.

 

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Concourse D lounges

There's a good selection of lounges, and unlike the old concourse C lounges, they're not spaced all along the caterpillar.
That doesn't mean you won't have a decent walk to the gate though. The 'business class' lounge does paid entry, as does Al Majlis, if you want to spend ridiculous money on the latter. Nice to see that QR now has its own lounge.


CX used to use the BA lounge, but seems now they are using the LH Lounges.
It's about as inspiring as the old BA lounge. I would have visited the latter, but it was closed.
There is a J lounge and a senator lounge. I noted the senator lounge lets people in with thongs on.
Presumably you get in wearing a toga too.


The Senator lounge is alleged to have better food and drink options than the J lounge.
The champagne option must be pretty tragic in the J lounge.
Pleased to say the Pinot Grigio was pretty drinkable though

 

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Sleeping in Concourse D

There are three Dubai International hotels in Terminal 3, although they are pricey, about the same as 5 star downtown without the cheap off season rates.

There is (or was) a snoozecube in Concourse C as well. That gets you a box with a bed, but no shower or toilet. It's much cheaper. Invented by Kiwis.
I found a snoozecube in Concourse D, but didn't have a look at the boxes.

I found nothing indicating there was a Dubai International Hotel.
When I came back the Marhaba transfer guy assured me they had a Hotel there.
I'm not convinced. If it exists I suspect it's associated with the 'business class lounge' which is run by Dubai International Hotel

Here's the snoozecube entrance