Emirates just pulled the covers off its new Emirates Lounge concept, and it is rolling out across the airline’s key cities this year starting with Munich and Frankfurt. The design has already gone live in both German hubs, with signature lounges in Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul set to follow over the coming months. Emirates is framing this as a blueprint for its lounges worldwide, which means what opened in Munich is a preview of where the entire network is headed.
The numbers behind it are not small. Emirates says it is investing more than AED 50 million into each next-generation lounge, which works out to roughly US$13.6 million per location at the pegged exchange rate. Spread that across a network of 42 dedicated lounges and you get a sense of how seriously the airline is treating the ground experience as part of the premium proposition, not an afterthought to the cabin.
Where The New Emirates Lounges Are Opening
Munich and Frankfurt are already open and being used by customers right now. Manchester is planned for July, Mauritius follows in August, and Istanbul is targeted for October. If your home airport is not on that list yet, the existing lounge is what you will walk into for the time being, though the “blueprint” language suggests wider rollout is the long-term plan. The full rollout timeline is in the table below.
Design Details That Define The New Emirates Lounge
The look pulls directly from Emirates’ latest cabin interiors and its flagship Dubai lounges, and the airline counts more than 50 individual design enhancements. Expect herringbone floors throughout, accents of marble and gold, discreetly integrated lighting, and the signature backlit Emirates Ghaf Tree motif, a nod to the UAE’s national tree. Emirates’ signature Rolex clocks return on the walls with global time zones, and the whole space is scented with the airline’s house blend of bergamot, citrus, jasmine and soft wood. The design is organized into distinct zones for relaxation, work, socializing and dining rather than one open room.
Work And Productivity Zones
For anyone treating a layover as a working session, the new lounges add more private areas alongside communal spaces built to double as social hubs and work areas. Every seat gets universal power access and wireless charging, the seating is Italian eco-leather, and a dedicated artefact wall spotlights local artists and Emirati culture. It is a meaningful upgrade if you have ever hunted for an outlet in an older lounge.
Dining: Live Cooking, Local Menus And The Mixologist Bar
Dining is where the concept leans hardest into theater. The new lounges are built around live cooking stations serving à la minute dishes, with hot and cold buffets refreshed throughout the day and night. There is a dedicated “Made In” area spotlighting local cuisine, and a bread oven turning out handcrafted pizzas, flatbreads and manakeesh inspired by Dubai. On the drinks side, the curated wine, beer, champagne and spirits selection continues, but the headline is a new barista bar with a dedicated mixologist pouring locally inspired cocktails, mocktails, specialty coffees and artisan teas.
Relaxation, Showers And Quiet Zones
The wellness side is just as considered. Shower suites get spa-inspired finishes and sustainable VOYA amenities, and dedicated male and female prayer rooms include ablution facilities and Qibla direction built into the design. The Quiet Zone is the standout for long layovers, with plush seating, soft lighting and sleep amenities including blankets, eye masks and earplugs. There are also spaces for private meetings and breastfeeding, and every new lounge operates as a silent environment, so no boarding announcements blaring over your nap.
How To Get Into An Emirates Lounge
Access has not changed with the redesign. Emirates Lounges are complimentary for First Class and Business Class customers, and for Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members even when those members are flying Premium Economy or Economy. Paid access is also available if you do not hold status or a premium ticket. So the route in is a premium cabin, Skywards Gold or Platinum, or your wallet.
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