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After rolling out new amenity kits, Emirates has now announced a next-generation lounge concept. Amid all the nice-sounding words about making the lounge sound beautiful, I’m actually incredibly excited to see the new concept come to life, as it appears to be a huge upgrade to the Emirates lounge experience at outstations.
What to Expect with Next-Generation Lounges
Emirates announced an investment of more than 50 million AED per lounge with these updates, underscoring its commitment to delivering world-class facilities across its global network. Design updates match Emirates’ new onboard interiors, meant to evoke greater sophistication than the bling of the past.
New Emirates Lounge reception
Emirates has already introduced the new lounge design in Munich and Frankfurt and will roll it out to its lounges in Manchester (July), Mauritius (August), and Istanbul (October).
Beyond the updated architecture, furniture, and a backlit Emirates Ghaf Tree motif, I’m happy to see multiple, solid enhancements coming.
The lounge features dedicated zones for work and play, creating separate spaces for socializing and productivity. Each seat will feature wireless charging and universal power access.
New Emirates Lounge seating area
Emirates is significantly elevating the dining experience with live cooking, menus featuring regional specialties, and freshly prepared pizzas, flatbreads, and manakeesh.
New Emirates Lounge live cooking station
New Emirates Lounge dining area
There will be premium wines, beers, champagne, and spirits. Most importantly (to me), there is a barista bar concept with a dedicated mixologist for cocktails, mocktails, specialty coffees, and artisan teas.
New Emirates Lounge barista bar concept
The shower suites will be updated with VOYA amenities and “spa-inspired finishes”. While light on details, I imagine it to be a significant upgrade as the current showers have no toilets or sinks.
The Quiet Zone will have new seating, softer lighting, and sleeping amenities such as eye masks and blankets, which should go a long way toward sleep and relaxation during layovers. I interpret this as multiple recliners in a single zone with some privacy, rather than individual sleeping areas.
New Emirates Lounge relaxation zone
Takeaway
It’s interesting that Emirates opens so many lounges at outstations but does not monetize them by offering them to Priority Pass or other airlines. That said, I’ve never heard anyone raving about the quality of Emirates lounges outside of Dubai. Given the cost of running their own lounges in the first place, it’s nice to see Emirates double down on their efforts and make these lounges properly nice.
As such, the real story is the investment in the overall lounge experience. Live cooking, a dedicated barista and cocktail bar, improved shower suites, and better spaces for both work and relaxation should make Emirates’ outstation lounges feel much closer to the premium standard travellers expect from the airline.
I’m especially looking forward to seeing these upgrades roll out beyond Germany, since Emirates already operates one of the world’s largest lounge networks outside its Dubai hub.
Related reading:
Emirates Refreshes First and Business Class Bulgari Amenity Kits
Emirates First Class A380 Review
Emirates First Class B777 Review
