FederalFlyer

To clarify, I'm curious if anyone with knowledge of AUH can advise if the ~3 hour layover between BOM-AUH and AUH-JFK flights is enough time to visit the new first class lounge.

I don't know which gate the BOM flight arrives at relative to which gate the JFK-bound flight departs from, whether there is a terminal change from either of those to the lounge and/or whether there is a need to go through security once or more times to/from the lounge.

VH-RMD

3 hours will be plenty of time for a lounge visit even if you land at the furthest gate AND have to clear security again...

skywardhunter

Not flown to US from AUH but you will clear US customs and immigration there and I don't know how much before the flight you need to do this. You will clear security on arrival, then could probably arrive at the lounge +/- 25 minutes after landing, so you have from then until the time you need to go through the security at the US gates.

kevinflyaway

Did a slurpe weekend (will write my first TR later) with a first time F flight with AF to Dubai and back with Etihad to London today.

Second day the lounge was open and it was busy, but not to much. Great restaurant and indeed menu from Emirates Palace, but it was early morning and didn't have time for 5-course dinner. Did take a facial as my freebie. Nicely done, only in a very small room. Person giving the treatment was constantly going back and forth from the sink (at my feet) to my face. Maybe they change the lay-out later. A friend of mine had the shave, all done very neatly. Lot's and lot's of staff walking around (maybe because there just opening)

When you walk passed the 'restaurant' and to the right there as a TV room and relax area. Directly after is a small buffet. During the morning lot's of breakfast items, very nice.

Staff was excellent and very attentive. Indeed to/from the F lounge is not that special. The big difference on the ground, compared to F. The walk from the F lounge to the gate is not that far, but it was very grounded and we were a bit late. It would make a difference if they would only escort pax (if a car is not an option).

All in all it was great to experience the lounge on this trip

Made some pics, will post them in my TR this weekend.

Culture Guru

Looks like a great lounge. Pity, it opened at the end of May, was traveling through AUH in F mid-may

flying_fozzy

http://imgur.com/a/pVcG4

Some initial photos.

I am not completely blown away by it. Some points were disappointing.

iluvdoco

Can you elaborate?

flying_fozzy

- a small number of comfy chairs where you can properly put your feet up.

- a disproportionately large number of dining tables

- bar stools fixed to the floor!!

- all sockets are of UK type, not international!

- barber service is only for a clipper cut (US Marine buzz cut style)

- limited reading material

- couldn't see many areas to work privately if you're there for a few hours.

- food is very good!

- drinks selection is much improved

dwugson

What a shame they haven't upgraded the electric sockets for a variety of plugs. When (in the roped off area) last week requested a converter plug they were unable to provide one. Given the length of time we've waited for this lounge am surprised they've failed to update this! Definitely not first class.....

skywardhunter

I had to specially buy a new adapter in the shop opposite the T3 Premium lounge before because they didn't have an adapter, ridiculous really.

iluvdoco

That is ridiculous. Even the TK J lounge in IST has adapters.

So how does the new EY F lounge stack up against the QR F Al-Safwa and EK F Dubai lounges?

Top of climb

This may be a fire regulation and outside EY's control - CX had the same trouble in HKG when the HK authorities refused to allow it to install anything other than the standard HK/UK 3-pin plug.

HB7

Shane Hare, Senior Vice President of Marketing for EY said, and I quote: "The result is the finest airline lounge and spa experience in the world". How can you make a statement like that, which isn't even close to being correct?

Now, let me preface my comment by saying I haven't yet visited the lounge, that will happen in the next couple of months, however how does this lounge compete with other top tier lounges?

Once again, I may be wrong, but for anyone here who has visited the FCT in FRA, or CDG, Al-Safwa, the Qantas first lounge in Sydney, the Pier in HKG - just to name a few; does this new AUH F lounge compare?

skywardhunter

EK has multi plugs, are fire regulations different by emirate?

irishguy28

How can you say the statement is not correct?

I have absolutely no doubt that Mr O'Hare's opinion is indeed that it is the finest lounge and spa experience in the world.