Emirates voted world's best Airline Lounge 2003

Emirates First / Business class lounges at Dubai International have been voted the World's Best Airline lounge for 2003 - in a close result, just ahead of Cathay Pacific Airways "The Wing" facilities at Hong Kong International Airport - and Qantas moving into 3rd place with their new lounge facility at Sydney Airport.

The top 10 Airport Lounge rankings for 2003:

1. Emirates
2. Cathay Pacific Airways
3. Qantas Airways
4. Virgin Atlantic Airways
5. Malaysia Airlines
6. British Airways
7. SAS Scandinavian Airlines
8. Japan Airlines
9. Asiana Airlines
10. South African Airways


Commenting on the results, Skytrax chief executive, Edward Plaisted said "Emirates lounges in Dubai are praised for the wide range of facilities in both First and Business class lounges, with the enlargement of the Business class facility being well received by customers. The lounge bedrooms are a very popular item that really add value in terms of enhancing a passenger's journey comfort - privacy and personal space. Both lounges offer peace and tranquility, alongside an extensive array of modern-day business facilities. Particularly noted for this year's survey was a very marked improvement in the Emirates lounge catering - not the bag of pretzels so readily available in most North American lounges, but a wide selection of high quality snacks and hot meals if you so require. Lounge aesthetics are a key attribute here - water features combine with a clever layout of plant areas, making it possible to forget you are actually in the middle of one of the world's busier airports".

"Cathay Pacific's lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (our winner in 2002) was a very close second in this year's Survey, and maintains a real lead throughout Asia in terms of the extensive product features - with a clear priority directed to the needs of the business traveller 'on the move'. That said, many thousands of travellers will have no doubt enjoyed some fine cuisine during their transits through this lounge".

"The new Qantas lounge in Sydney has been a while coming, but the high Survey ranking for this facility bears testament to the final quality level now being provided to customers. Whilst not the most luxurious of these top lounges, the Qantas Club does combine a high quality product with some very good staff service".

"Different passengers have different expectations from an airline lounge
- for some it is the ability to rest and relax, for others it is an extension of the office, and for many it is the familiarity that comes from frequent visits. How nice it is when lounge staff greet you by name, and appear genuinely pleased to welcome you back. This survey is not just a vote about the product facilities offered, but combines customers very clear perceptions about the service standards. Outstanding staff service was a marked feature of the Qatar Airways lounges in Doha, and the Asiana Airlines lounges in Seoul - in both cases creating the style of service that passengers will remember for a long time to come".

"At the end of the day, I find it hard to nominate my own personal winner. Amongst these top quality airline lounges, each one has it's own individual character and strengths - and that extra little 'touch' that makes the lounge experience more enjoyable. A favourite corner to sit, a special dish on the menu, the friendly lounge agent who greets you as a friend. With the airport experience now more stressful around the world, it is these special touches that more frequent travellers quickly recognise and appreciate".