An inside look at the Emirates Business Class Lounge experience
CTM had the opportunity to take a grand tour of the newly refreshed Emirates Business Class Lounge at the Brisbane International Terminal providing a first-hand experience of what the Emirates business class and first-class passengers can expect and believe us when we say it does not disappoint.
The newly refreshed Brisbane Emirates Business Class Lounge can cater for up to 183 travellers (first, business class and eligible Emirates Skywards members) at a time, with exclusive access to newly enhanced first-class facilities and amenities. Of course, this is not the only lounge, with Emirates offering four lounges across Australian airports and operating 30 lounges across its global network.
Business class and first-class travellers will enjoy refreshed dining areas, shower facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, and the convenience of boarding directly from the lounge for a seamless journey. But wait there is more!
Read on to discover more about the Brisbane Emirates Business Class Lounge offering.
What were our first Impressions?
There is something to be said about entering a business-class lounge. The Brisbane lounge oozes a modern design and furnishings with Middle Eastern influences providing a sense of calm and relaxation as you enter and are greeted by professional and attentive staff ensuring that your experience is to the Emirates’ high standard of service.
The lounge is in a prime location in the Brisbane International Terminal adjacent to gate 75 on level 4 providing travellers with almost 360-degree views of the runway and a great vantage point for aviation enthusiasts to spectate as flights arrive and depart.
Emirates, Regional Sales Manager, Leonie Brennan explained the decision to refresh Brisbane Lounge was part of the Emirates’ continuous global investment in all aspects of customer experience. “Emirates’ Business Class is designed to provide a seamless and luxurious travel experience”, says Brennan. “Our focus is on the details, from regionally inspired cuisine and personalised service to unique offerings like our A380 On Board Lounge that allows Business Class passengers to network and relax at 40,000 feet, making their journey as enjoyable as the destination.”
Services and amenities
Emirates offers a complimentary chauffeur service for business-class passengers within a select radius. The CTM team were greeted on time at the office by a driver sporting a Mercedes Valente operated by Hughes and was driven to the Brisbane International departure drop-off zone. This service is also available across their global network.
The Emirates lounge is open to First and Business Class travellers and eligible Emirates Skywards members from 17:00 – 01:30 daily. Paid access to the lounge is subject to availability and would recommend speaking with your CTM Account Manager, or Travel Consultant for more information.
We were excited to learn that Emirates will be upgrading its second daily service EK430/431 between Dubai and Brisbane from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 starting from 1 October 2024. Emirates currently operates two daily services from Brisbane offering almost 12,000 seats to and from the city every week, with passengers in the lounge able to board directly onto their flight. Brisbane is one of three lounges in the Emirates network that can provide this unique service. The other two lounges are Emirates’ First Class Lounge and Business Class Lounge, both at Dubai Terminal 3, Concourse A.
All of the seating except for the dining area are leather ‘lounge’ chairs with cushions and mood lighting with carpeted floors that provide a restful and peaceful space while you wait for your flight. While the lounge can cater for up to 183 passengers comfortably, it is good to know that most of the time there would be fewer passengers than this based on the flight departure times.
For anyone needing to freshen up before their flight, the extensive bathroom facilities and amenities are all equipped with Voya hand wash and hand/body lotion, shower packs inclusive of face washer, comb, loofah, shower cap, dental and shaving kit. And for those wondering, no booking system is required. First in, best dressed!
Dining fit for a king and queen
If you enjoy treating yourself to a beverage and a light meal before take-off, you have an abundance of choices to satisfy your tastebuds and quench your thirst. Clink your glasses with Verve or Moet or a wide selection of spirits, beer and wine. Sweet or savoury, Emirates has you covered tempting you with a buffet of local, Middle Eastern, Oriental and European dishes such as Salmon Blinis, Vegetable Jalfrezi and Chicken Stroganoff, alongside classic desserts including Vanilla Bean Pannacotta and Lemon Meringue Tart.
For those who love a seasonal menu, Brennan explains “We have six dishes that are changed out every month, with seasonal produce sourced across the menu. Passenger favourites at the moment include the Hot Smoked Salmon, Fresh Tuna Crudo with Avocado, Chilli and Lime, Turmeric Cauliflower & Tahini Salad, Dried Cranberries & Puffed Rice, and the Middle Eastern Lamb Stew. For those with a sweet tooth, the Triple Choc Dome dessert is always a winner. The complimentary selection of premium beverages are also popular choices.”
How do they cater for special dietary requirements in the lounge?
Emirates takes its commitment to providing a diverse and enjoyable travel experience for all its passengers very seriously. Brennan explains, “This includes our offerings on the ground before flights as well as in-flight dining. With a diverse customer base, our highest priority is to deliver cuisines that cater to a range of customer tastes and preferences, including providing options to meet special dietary requirements that passengers may have. Our lounge team strives to ensure there is something for everyone by offering a diverse spread of appetisers, main course items and desserts.”
Connectivity and productivity
While there are no business facilities in the Business Lounge, there is complimentary Wi-Fi with several seating areas with some located in quieter areas of the lounge to cater to those seeking space for work. When asked why they have chosen not to include such facilities, Brennan explained they continuously monitor customer usage patterns in their lounges to effectively make use of space.
“In most cases, customers have their own devices and only require a quiet area to have virtual meetings or catch up on emails. For business travellers, the Brisbane Lounge offers USB and international power outlets, and multi-device charging capabilities, such as wireless charging available on request,” says Brennan.
How to make the most of your experience
No matter how you choose to spend your time in the lounge—whether refreshing and relaxing or savouring the cuisine and beverages—you’re sure to board your flight satisfied. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your journey from the start by taking advantage of the complimentary chauffeur service.
Brennan suggests indulging in the complimentary food and beverages while securing a seat by the windows to enjoy the stunning runway views. Another highlight is the direct boarding access from the lounge to your aircraft—a convenience that our customers love and a feature rarely found outside of Dubai.
To book Emirates business class or access the lounge through loyalty programs or partnerships, contact CTM today.