Emirates to close Singapore lounge to April 2017 for make-over

By David Flynn, November 23 2016
Emirates to close Singapore lounge to April 2017 for make-over

Emirates will shutter its Singapore airport lounge from 1 December 2016 to April 2017 in order to upgrade the space to the airline's latest look.

The overhaul will see new furnishings and fittings similar to the recently-revamped Melbourne Airport lounge (below).

So where will the airline's passengers cool their heels during the lounge's make-over?

It all depends on what time your Emirates flight departs Singapore.

According to Emirates, flights leaving Singapore before 2.30pm – which includes three of the airline's four daily Singapore-Dubai services – will see all travellers directed to the T1 Dnata Lounge, which is owned by the Emirates Group.

For afternoon and evening flights, Emirates first class and business class travellers – along with members of the airline's elite Skywards iO tier – will be directed to the Qantas Singapore Lounge, which opens at 2.30pm.

However, Emirates says that Skywards Platinum and Gold frequent flyers on flights departing after 2.30pm will still be restricted to the Dnata Lounge.

Emirates' premium passengers will certainly welcome the dining at the Qantas lounge, which includes a choice of two freshly-cooked dishes rotated on a monthly basis.

There's also a tendered bar to mix up your favourite cocktail (we heartily recommend the espresso martini)...

... although our understanding is that only Emirates' first class and iO members will be served the Qantas lounge's Taittinger champagne, in line with that drop's restriction to Qantas Chairman's Lounge and Platinum One members – everybody else gets an 'Australian sparkling'.

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

JBH
JBH

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

01 May 2012

Total posts 120

I am reliably informed the QF SG lounge will indeed open early (6:30am) to also accommodate Emirate pax - this change will be treated as a 'trial' during the Dec-April period and the new opening time will not be published.

Excellent news to QC members on morning Jetstar flights and OW elite flying on MH (3 KUL/1 KCH service) in the morning. Is a train ride from T2 to T1 for free decent coffee worth it? You betcha!

Do you know if the QF SG lounge will offer a breakfast menu?

24 Oct 2010

Total posts 2563

Our information has come directly from Emirates, but we'll look into this...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

27 Nov 2016

Total posts 8

I spoke to them on the way out of SIN a few days ago... they will open as normal at 2:30pm but will close only after EK 405 has left for DXB instead of their usual closure timing of after QF 6.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

06 Oct 2015

Total posts 21

Thought EK Gold/Plat were allowed to use the QF SIN lounge even on EK marketed/operated flights anyhow? The websites still certainly indicates so: https://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/lounge-locations/singapore/terminal-1/international-lounge-the-qantas-singapore-lounge/global/en

Mal
Mal

14 Jun 2013

Total posts 352

Emirates Gold & Platinum have 'reciprocal rights' to Qantas lounges just like Qantas Gold & Platinum have to Emirates lounges, but I would not be surprised if this is being suspended while the Emirates lounge is closed to avoid overcrowding the Qantas lounge or maybe just to avoid EK having to pay per-head for its passengers to use the Qantas lounge.

Qantas - QFF Platinum

20 Mar 2012

Total posts 211

The first (and only) time I visited the SG QF lounge was last month and it was not anything to write home about. The PR pics in the article look great so I must have just been unfortunate with my Saturday night experience. I find the HK and LAX versions of this lounge are far superior.

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1242

I'd tend to agree. Will miss the dining offerings at the EK lounge during this down time.

12 Feb 2015

Total posts 89

I agree - my recent QF SIN lounge experience, also on a Saturday night, was underwhelming. Subsequent visit to HKG lounge was much better.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Jul 2014

Total posts 100

Its hard to beat QF Lounge at Changi, I haven't been to Dnata lounge in Terminal  1 , only the one in Terminal 3
I thought the Sats lounge in Terminal 3 was preferable to the nearby Dnata Lounge.
I'm great fan of Emirates Lounges, the one in Colombo was great

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

25 Nov 2016

Total posts 64

I think the Qantas Lounge in Changi is very ordinary. A big cafeteria as one fellow traveller said to me.  The food is ok, yes plenty of chairs etc, showers but not the a standard that you would want in a major airport.  The Qantas staff are very good. The servers very friendly. Some self serve beer and wines but not A class lounge.

AJW
AJW

16 Nov 2011

Total posts 580

I am of a different opinion. To me the lounge has a much more relaxed feel to it, compared to say the nearby BA lounge. And after a days work and waiting for a flight home being able to relax and wind down before the flight home is something I quite like, as opposed to over the top (fake) pandering you might get elsewhere.


And light years ahead of the SQ SilverKris lounge... Which is sad considering Changi is SQ's home base.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 May 2013

Total posts 33

A QF fanboy. But the Changi lounge can feel very cavernous and uninviting when it's empty. Great food and bar and staff.  Just a bit clinical sometimes.  Unlike my home lounge at Sydney which resembles town hall station at rush hour ie standing room only. First world problems 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

30 Nov 2016

Total posts 5

QC members, checked into Emirates Business class on Thursday,12pm (QF8432).

Was advised to go to Dnata Lounge as QC was closed!
I couldn't believe it as there was a Qantas flight being checked in behind the Emirates counter. Sure enough, a 2 minute walk confirmed it was indeed closed and would not open until 2:30pm.
Crazy!
So, very discouraged, i trudged along to the Dnata Lounge. 
Disappointment lasted about 5 seconds - it is incredible!
The lounge itself is big and spread out, beautiful decor and immediately you feel relaxed.
Big chairs, all with power and USB. 
Food - oh my gosh! No little fancy nibble plates here, you get full size plates to eat sweet and sour fish (fat chunks and perfectly cooked) , butter chicken, two types of rice, satays with all the trimmings, pasta, noodles, soup and about 10 types of cheese! Beer, all the softdrinks and ice tea options available. 
Barista coffee, full bar and some self serve options (like Emirates lounge in Brisbane)

 

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

02 Apr 2017

Total posts 1

Any progress or re-opening date on the EK Changi Lounge? Will there be an F and J lounge or will it be combined?

28 Apr 2017

Total posts 1

Currently at the newly opened EK lounge in Singapore. Absolutely magnificent lounge with a view of the runway. Lounge opened today, this would be my lounge of choice in Singapore. Much much better than the QF/BA lounges

I was refused entry at the new lounge last night, as a lowly QFF Gold on a QF ticket. I was told only P & CL could gain access.

This seems to contradict advice on Changi's and Emirates' own websites...
Anyone know for sure? I was reluctant to make a big fuss with the dragons.

346
346

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2017

Total posts 84

Was at this lounge last month. Its a huge improvement. 
Very nice lounge. The staff were the friendliest I'd ever met at a lounge before. 


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