Emirates Airline has opened its luxurious business and first class lounges at Dubai International Airport to all Skywards loyalty members, but for a hefty fee.
Any rewards member flying on Emirates or Qantas can use the business class lounge for $100 for four hours; the first class lounge goes for $200 for the same time. Elite Skywards members get the business class lounge free, and can pay $100 to upgrade.
Emirates says it’s making the move in “response to increasing demand from our valued customers,” but some aviation writers suggest it may have to do with Emirates’ recently falling revenues, including a 75% profit drop over 6 months of 2016. It’s also begun charging for seat selection and is looking at other fees as well.
In the meantime, here’s a taste of the high life in the first-class lounge:
- À la carte dining
- Premium wines and spirits, including Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Champagne
- Meeting rooms, iMacs and charging stations
- Day spa, with free 25-minutes treatments for selected passengers
- Beauty salon
- Quiet rooms
- Cigar bar & sommelier service
- Children’s play area
