Emirates opens new Los Angeles business class, first class lounge
By Chris C., March 23 2015
Emirates is the latest airline to open an all-new lounge at Los Angeles’ Tom Bradley International Terminal for business class and first class passengers.
With seats for 157 guests in a space covering 840 square metres at LAX, there’s also enough room inside for up to 67 Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members stuck in economy – even if the pointy end, or in this case, the upper deck, is completely full.
But Qantas passengers heading home to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane won’t have access before their Qantas flight, nor will the airline’s Gold, Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers when heading to Dubai with Emirates.
Reciprocal lounge access arrangements cover Qantas and Emirates travellers in many regions including Asia, the Middle East and Europe, although the United States isn’t part of the tie-up and thus Qantas passengers are instead directed to the Red Roo’s own business class and first class lounges.
On the Emirates door list? You’ll find AC and USB power outlets scattered throughout the US$6.2 million (A$8m) facility amidst cocktail tables and earth-tone chairs…
… along with a dedicated dining area and Emirates’ signature open buffet, with dishes from both the United States and around the world: best-enjoyed with spirits, premium wine and (French) Champagne.
“A nod to the Golden Age of air travel, the new lounge design is inspired by the understated luxury of our lounges in Dubai’s Concourse A, and is reflective of the discerning tastes of our premium customers”, said Mohammed H. Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services.
Business travellers will also find showers, a fully-equipped business centre with computer and printing facilities, and can use free wireless Internet throughout the lounge on their own laptop, smartphone or tablet.
Similar to the Star Alliance business class lounge at LAX, there’s also an indoor terrace which extends out over the duty-free area – giving the lounge an ever-so-slight ‘Dubai feel’.
As with other Emirates lounges worldwide, you’ll also spot the trademark Italian marble floors, gold Rolex clocks and walnut wood finishes in Los Angeles.
Emirates’ business and first class haven at LAX is the latest lounge to open at the airport’s redeveloped Tom Bradley International Terminal, following new lounges for Star Alliance, Oneworld and Fiji Airways passengers.
Also read:
- Review: Star Alliance business class lounge: Los Angeles
- Photos: new Star Alliance First Class lounge at LAX
- Review: Qantas Los Angeles Business Lounge
- Qantas Los Angeles first class lounge brings luxe to LAX
- Fiji Airways opens new LAX business class lounge
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 4
Did Emirates just call their DXB lounges understated!? Understated how?!
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
Understated compared to the solid gold mansion in which Mohammed H. Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services, spends his spare time gargling from fountains of diamonds, perhaps?
I'm also curious about the Rolex clocks. Are they just Rolex-branded ordinary quartz clocks, or do they have a whole mess of gears inside and require regular winding and maintenance?
Frankly when I need to catch a flight and minutes matter, I'd rather rely on good ol'-fashioned quartz.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Jun 2014
Total posts 37
Ash,
that would be no faux walnut.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
As a Qantas Platinum I'm not fussed that there is no reciprocal access, not when the OneWorld First Lounge is available. Qantas Golds might be a bit more miffed.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Nov 2011
Total posts 186
I agree but I feel that Gold are also better of with the Qantas lounge...proper bar, food carts, plate of the day like in Hong Kong and Singapore. This sounds fine as an Emirates lounge, but it is still just their standard non-Dubai offering. Qantas however recognis LA as probably their most significant international destination and have really set the bar high with their LA lounges.
I feel we now need a comparison article and a clear assessment of who wins with the best LA lounges for J and F!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
A number of people have said that while the Star Alliance lounge wins on looks, the OneWorld lounge wins on F&B. I'll take better F&B over looks.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Nov 2010
Total posts 20
Question.....does the new EK lounge have a separate First area inside the lounge? Or are they bundled together with Business?
I am about to fly LAX-DXB F on EK, if F not separated, can I use the QF F lounge?
Thanks in advance
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
It's a single lounge for both business and first class passengers as Emirates does in ports other than Dubai.
Emirates passengers have no access to the Qantas First Lounge in LAX, so you'll have to stick with the Emirates lounge:
"Reciprocal lounge access arrangements cover Qantas and Emirates travellers in many regions including Asia, the Middle East and Europe, although the United States isn’t part of the tie-up..."
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Nov 2010
Total posts 20
OK, many thanks mate, I'll grin and bare it, LOL.
27 Mar 2015
Total posts 3
The article title does make that a bit confusing
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
It's one "lounge" as included in the headline for "business class" and "first class" passengers.
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