EK Lounge FAQs and updates
Sep 12, 2017, 6:37 am
#766
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I was in B lounge yesterday for the first time in a while, and I *think* there are more toilets there than there used to be? There were maybe 10 cubicles? These were right at the end of lounge on the left hand side as you walk in. On the opposite side from the champagne bar.
These are on top of the old toilets that I remember. Maybe they've always been there, and I'd just never noticed them before.
These are on top of the old toilets that I remember. Maybe they've always been there, and I'd just never noticed them before.
Sep 12, 2017, 8:06 am
#767
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,272
Has anyone noticed that of late during the peak hours, the business lounge in DXB is woefully under capacity in terms of toilet capacity?
I have complained about this to the staff at the reception on more than one occasion on my way out, the latest being last week. The staff at the desk said if I had a similar issue the next time they could accompany me to the First lounge just to use the restrooms. Not sure what to make of this offer.
And I've been noticing a lot of folks of late who are walking around inside the bathrooms (not the shower area, which would still be acceptable), in just towels, and putting their feet all the way into the sink. Is it just me or is this normal? Maybe this is totally normal in some part of the world?
I have complained about this to the staff at the reception on more than one occasion on my way out, the latest being last week. The staff at the desk said if I had a similar issue the next time they could accompany me to the First lounge just to use the restrooms. Not sure what to make of this offer.
And I've been noticing a lot of folks of late who are walking around inside the bathrooms (not the shower area, which would still be acceptable), in just towels, and putting their feet all the way into the sink. Is it just me or is this normal? Maybe this is totally normal in some part of the world?
Sep 13, 2017, 5:24 am
#768
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: BLR
Programs: EK-Gold, SPG, Amex
Posts: 58
Yes especially the B Lounge has this issue. Also the showers connect directly to the hand washing area and the shower rooms don't have a dedicated basin unlike A. Feet in basin still disgusting though. In A just go to the far end, those bathrooms are generally quieter.
And yes, I omitted to mention that I was talking about the B lounge. Looks like this lounge sees way more traffic than A or C.
That's a shame. I used to walk the extra 10 minutes from the B gates to the C gates just because it was a lot more quieter and calm, when the A gates were undergoing renovation/construction.
Sep 14, 2017, 1:50 am
#769
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,272
.But the toilets were a shambles.
For me an airline lounge is a place to comfortably and quietly wait for the next flight. Its not an 'experience', but I know many (and especially FT'ers) feel different (and that's of course totally OK). The C lounge usually fits the bill for me.
Sep 14, 2017, 3:16 am
#770
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: EK Gold, EY Gold, Bonvoy LT Titanium, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 330
Its the first time i have used Concourse B lounge in a long time due to the lack of toilets. But last week I only had 90 minutes so decided to check out the B lounge after the renovations
There was about 6 people in front of me waiting to use a cubile, Once i finally managed to get a cubile it was same issue as before... so hot with limited ac. Not to forget the vacant / occupied signage - the number of people trying the doors to check if available given how difficult it is to see if in use.
Concourse A in future which i usually do. Very plesent lounge, no where near as busy and plenty of toilets with good ac!!
Agreed if you are going to use the lounge in B, a lot quieter in the champagn lounge for sure
Not even the peak time when i got to the lounge at 8.30AM.. dread to think what it was like the early hours
Sep 14, 2017, 5:02 am
#771
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: BLR
Programs: EK-Gold, SPG, Amex
Posts: 58
The lounge itself was fine, busy but not overcrowded. Food offering fine and at 7am I don't need the Moët bar .
But the toilets were a shambles.
For me an airline lounge is a place to comfortably and quietly wait for the next flight. Its not an 'experience', but I know many (and especially FT'ers) feel different (and that's of course totally OK). The C lounge usually fits the bill for me.
.But the toilets were a shambles.
For me an airline lounge is a place to comfortably and quietly wait for the next flight. Its not an 'experience', but I know many (and especially FT'ers) feel different (and that's of course totally OK). The C lounge usually fits the bill for me.
still 8 cubicles in the new toilet block. There used to be 8 in the 3 smaller gents toilets.
Its the first time i have used Concourse B lounge in a long time due to the lack of toilets. But last week I only had 90 minutes so decided to check out the B lounge after the renovations
There was about 6 people in front of me waiting to use a cubile, Once i finally managed to get a cubile it was same issue as before... so hot with limited ac. Not to forget the vacant / occupied signage - the number of people trying the doors to check if available given how difficult it is to see if in use.
Concourse A in future which i usually do. Very plesent lounge, no where near as busy and plenty of toilets with good ac!!
Agreed if you are going to use the lounge in B, a lot quieter in the champagn lounge for sure
Not even the peak time when i got to the lounge at 8.30AM.. dread to think what it was like the early hours
Its the first time i have used Concourse B lounge in a long time due to the lack of toilets. But last week I only had 90 minutes so decided to check out the B lounge after the renovations
There was about 6 people in front of me waiting to use a cubile, Once i finally managed to get a cubile it was same issue as before... so hot with limited ac. Not to forget the vacant / occupied signage - the number of people trying the doors to check if available given how difficult it is to see if in use.
Concourse A in future which i usually do. Very plesent lounge, no where near as busy and plenty of toilets with good ac!!
Agreed if you are going to use the lounge in B, a lot quieter in the champagn lounge for sure
Not even the peak time when i got to the lounge at 8.30AM.. dread to think what it was like the early hours
Sep 14, 2017, 1:09 pm
#772
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: EK Gold, EY Gold, Bonvoy LT Titanium, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 330
why renovate a lounge, create loads more seating spaces for the increased demand. and replace an obvious 8 toilet cubilcles in 3 blocks with 8?
creaate 20+ or more so no que ever would have been the wise thing but eh a nice champagne bar and extra seats is great ;-)
me personally being able to use a toliet without queing for 10 minutes and not sweating away would heva been a much better renovation than a nice champagne bar
i would have been quite happy waiting a few minutes for a drink instead of 5 minutes plus to relieve myself after a long flight
who designed the refurb? did they actually take note of the dire situation in the que to use the toilets.
as i said just stick with concourse A.. a 15 minute treck to B is well worth it in my opinion
creaate 20+ or more so no que ever would have been the wise thing but eh a nice champagne bar and extra seats is great ;-)
me personally being able to use a toliet without queing for 10 minutes and not sweating away would heva been a much better renovation than a nice champagne bar
i would have been quite happy waiting a few minutes for a drink instead of 5 minutes plus to relieve myself after a long flight
who designed the refurb? did they actually take note of the dire situation in the que to use the toilets.
as i said just stick with concourse A.. a 15 minute treck to B is well worth it in my opinion
Sep 14, 2017, 5:42 pm
#773
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Wellington, NZ
Programs: Air NZ Elite*G; Skywards Gold; Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 44
I agree - A lounge easily streets ahead of B at the moment, particularly after 8-8.30am when the morning rush clears out (I wouldn't even consider visiting the C lounge currently). I was there yesterday morning en route to AKL and for pretty much the first time this year I didn't have to queue for a cubicle - bathrooms were spotlessly clean too and the attendant on duty appeared to be very onto it!
Sep 14, 2017, 8:03 pm
#774
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,147
Well I found out the answer to my question about whether EK would offer iO's some sort of lounge access since the JFK lounge is closed!
Answer- they get a voucher just like the rest of us! I know an iO who's sitting at a restaurant in T4 right now.
Would it be that hard for EK to pay Virgin or something to offer the clubhouse to iO's? Its at most 4-5 people a day, and even that's being generous.
Answer- they get a voucher just like the rest of us! I know an iO who's sitting at a restaurant in T4 right now.
Would it be that hard for EK to pay Virgin or something to offer the clubhouse to iO's? Its at most 4-5 people a day, and even that's being generous.
Sep 15, 2017, 6:47 am
#775
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Well I found out the answer to my question about whether EK would offer iO's some sort of lounge access since the JFK lounge is closed!
Answer- they get a voucher just like the rest of us! I know an iO who's sitting at a restaurant in T4 right now.
Would it be that hard for EK to pay Virgin or something to offer the clubhouse to iO's? Its at most 4-5 people a day, and even that's being generous.
Answer- they get a voucher just like the rest of us! I know an iO who's sitting at a restaurant in T4 right now.
Would it be that hard for EK to pay Virgin or something to offer the clubhouse to iO's? Its at most 4-5 people a day, and even that's being generous.
It is not just a matter of buying lounge access, it is whether the other airlines will sell it to EK
Although it's only 4-5 iOs, don't forget some iOs do have a habit of bringing entourage and assistants, who of course are expected to be allowed access as well.
But mainly, it's because of the other airlines.
Sep 15, 2017, 7:08 am
#776
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,147
Virgin, 49% owned by arch-enemy Delta, and 31% by Air France-KLM?
It is not just a matter of buying lounge access, it is whether the other airlines will sell it to EK
Although it's only 4-5 iOs, don't forget some iOs do have a habit of bringing entourage and assistants, who of course are expected to be allowed access as well.
But mainly, it's because of the other airlines.
It is not just a matter of buying lounge access, it is whether the other airlines will sell it to EK
Although it's only 4-5 iOs, don't forget some iOs do have a habit of bringing entourage and assistants, who of course are expected to be allowed access as well.
But mainly, it's because of the other airlines.
Sep 15, 2017, 10:23 am
#777
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
One would think EK would comp a meal for 4 at an airside restaurant though for an iO, though.
Sep 17, 2017, 9:27 am
#779
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MT, USA
Programs: Ex-5C club, Skymiles Gold
Posts: 454
I just received the same email stating the re-opening of JFK lounge in early 2018. If anybody has a better idea of projected completion date it would be very useful as I have a couple of trips January/February. Wingtips doesn't sound like a fabulous option but I guess using PP to get in is better than nothing.
Sep 17, 2017, 12:00 pm
#780
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,227
I just received the same email stating the re-opening of JFK lounge in early 2018. If anybody has a better idea of projected completion date it would be very useful as I have a couple of trips January/February. Wingtips doesn't sound like a fabulous option but I guess using PP to get in is better than nothing.