Lounge around
Dominic Ellis checks out how travellers can make the most of Dubai International’s sparkling new Concourse D
Dubai International opened Concourse D in February. Linked to Terminal 1 by an overground train, the Dhs 3.35 billion (£62 million) facility is designed around a central atrium over three floors. It is home to 60 international airlines and can handle 18 million passengers annually, raising the airport’s total capacity to 90 million. Of the 32 aircraft gates, four can accommodate A380s or B747s, and 11 are remote stands.
Concourse C, previously for international airlines, is being refurbished and will become exclusive to flag carrier Emirates. Passengers heading for Concourse D check in, as before, at T1 desks. After immigration, they will see signs directing them to the rail link (to gates D1-32).
BEFORE YOU BOARD There are nine lounges spread over almost 7,000 sqm on the first floor – five run by airlines, an Al Majlis lounge, first and business class Dubai International Hotel venues and a Marhaba VIP lounge.
Lufthansa’s Senator and Business Class lounge, which seats 170 guests, is an improvement on the previous offering in Concourse C. Covering 514 sqm in total, it has more space in the Senator section, which has separate lounge areas (power points and USB sockets by your feet), a central dining section and a drinks counter with stools and a forest-canopy backdrop.
The business class section has food and drink counters, and can be accessed by Senator and Star Alliance gold cardholders and Star Alliance business class passengers, as well as Lufthansa’s premium economy customers (at a cost of € 25). The highlight of British
Airways’ lounge is the Concorde Bar for first class passengers (only the second globally, after Singapore), who are given an entry card at reception, which they swipe on an electronic reader to gain access.
Seating 91 guests, the lounge features illuminated glass screens, black Nero marble surfaces and European oak flooring, and has plenty of power and USB points. Open to First and Club World passengers, as well as silver and gold Executive Club members, it offers hot and cold food as well as premium drinks at the Deli Bar.
Around the corner, the spacious Dubai International Hotel Business Class lounge can be used by all airlines without a dedicated facility. Near reception is an intimate semicircular section that could be used for meetings; then as you walk through, you find reclined seats on the left and plenty more seating beyond, leading into a dining area with a buffet station. Selected made-to-order dishes are available, along with kids’ meals, while you can request eggs
any style or waffles for breakfast. The far end has an attractive marble bar, while the washrooms wouldn’t look out of place in one of the city’s five-star hotels, complete with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. The Dubai International Hotel First Class lounge, at the top of the escalator, is open to Air Algerie, Azerbaijan Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Royal Jordanian, China Southern, Qatar Airways (which also has its own lounge nearby), Singapore Airlines, Egyptair, Tarom and Syrian Air passengers, as well as Diners Club, Emirates Islamic Bank, Citibank and Dragonpass members. Qatar Airways’ Premium lounge, which is open to first and business class passengers as well as Privilege Club platinum, gold and silver members, features artistic Arabic calligraphy, Mediterranean-style tiles and calming water fountains, while facilities include private family areas, showers, and an international buffet.
Located opposite the Dubai International Hotel Business facility, the 960 sqm Skyteam
lounge is open around the clock to Elite Plus, first and business class passengers from the ten alliance member airlines serving the airport. The facility has free wifi throughout, a digital art gallery, a business centre and VIP room for corporate travellers, along with separate TV and children’s rooms. If you’re on a long layover, you can also rent your own micro-hotel room from Dhs 75 (£14) an hour, and make use of the touchscreen TV. FOOD AND DRINK The Concourse’s layout means that shoppers and diners enjoy separate areas. Outlets on the first floor include the Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, serving small plates, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and entrées, all in the Dhs 45-90 range (£8-£16), as well as a sharply designed Noodle House.
Other venues include the first Pret a Manger in a Middle Eastern airport, Caviar House and Prunier, a CNN Traveller Café with live news ticker-tape and recharging points, Taqado Mexican Kitchen, and Masale – the Taste of India. The Draft House sports bar and canteen is the place to go if you want to catch the big match.