Dubai-based airline Emirates has become to the first airline to introduce a lounge at Heathrow essentially designed with the Airbus A380 in mind. And it's early too.
Emirates president Tim Clark declared the T3 Pier 6 luxury complex open for business last Friday. Emirates has five daily services to Dubai. The lounge is a welcome haven for first and business class passengers plus frequent flyers - over 50% of whom will be connecting to the 85 destinations served by the airline from Dubai.
The new lounge has been designed for use by A380 passengers, when it finally arrives. It covers 9,500 square feet and offers floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views overlooking the airport”s southern runway. Passengers can enjoy an extensive menu of complimentary hot and cold gourmet fare, fine Middle Eastern dishes, accompanied by a full bar service, including champagne.
The lounge, which is similar in design to the already functioning Gatwick and JFK areas - and others on its global network - has 190 seats, a business centre with ten computer workstations, four laptop workstations each with complimentary broadband and wireless LAN access, along with a hotline to both the Skywards and Emirates Call Centres. Full shower facilities are provided, which are particularly useful for passengers connecting in from other long haul services.
"The new Emirates lounge has one of the best views of the airport and is a fantastic addition to the overall passenger experience," said BAA Heathrow CEO Tony Douglas.