Emirates Business Class Departure Lounge

The answer is yes, and no.

Arrival at the new T3 check-in is a seamless, easy and unflustered experience and an enormous step forward from the previous check-in at Terminal 1 where you took your life in your hands when getting out of the car.

There has also been a significant increase in the number of check-in desks, and self-service counters, which greatly speeds the process at peak times.

The new business class lounge is incredibly impressive.

All fixtures and fittings are high quality and the huge lounge has at least four food areas. The food selection is considerably higher in both quality and variety than in the T1 lounges. There is also thankfully more than ample seating even at busy times.

Clearly a lot of thought has gone into the provision of more creature comforts. Flat screen televisions are at frequent intervals and there is a good mix of seating from the restaurant areas, through to comfortable sofas and even exclusive leather massage chairs.

For the young at heart exec there are also fantastic computer games enabling you to do a lap in a Ferrari before boarding your flight. The sheer range of amenities is a clear benefit for the traveller with a long transit layover. Bigger, more and brighter would seem to have been abiding principles during the design and build.

Emirates are clearly however now joining the global march against nicotine, with the smoking area being pretty small and as a result pretty unpleasant.

Teething problems

There were teething problems on AME Info's visit, however, which included no power and water for a thirty minute stint and there were a number of very frustrated Gold Skywards holders travelling economy who were denied access to the lounge. (This policy has now apparently been overturned).

Overall, the lounge is hugely impressive and the service is of a very high standard. However, its brightness and impressiveness is also its biggest weakness.

It probably takes two to three visits to work out where everything is and the environment doesn't actually feel that relaxing. Emirates' excellent lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick are arguably much more calming environments before a long flight.

The new service is a big step forward from T1. It is brilliant and impressive but nonetheless a bit disappointing.

See also:
Emirates A380 Business Class
Business Class Lounge, Royal Jordanian