Originally Posted by
Yoshi212
For the EWR-ATH flight EK worked out an arrangement with SAS to use their lounge at Terminal B but as that, and the LH lounge, doesn't open until 14:00 I wonder if they'll be able to make any other arrangements for lounge access for the new morning nonstop flight starting in June. The Art & Lounge.. lounge opens at 09:00 but isn't exactly a premium product. If I was flying EK J or F and had to sit in Terminal B I'd be a little miffed.
I do prefer EWR immigration over JFK though so for coming into the US it's more attractive.
Does anyone know which 777 version EK plans to use on the new nonstop?
They'll probably continue to use the ULR 77W's (read older) as they currently do now but in the future might have some flights with the new J as they do with BOS now but hard to know. For a while BOS never saw the new J but DFW/IAH get it almost everyday but now MCO/BOS/ORD all see planes with the new J but I don't think a single EWR flight has got it yet.
I would not be at all surprised if they use the Art & Lounge as there is no other option to my knowledge at that time and they do use Airline Club lounges at other airports where they do not have their own lounges. While not great, it is better than nothing especially at EWR, which is truly terrible when it comes to post security facilities in terminals A/B. I've never used this specific lounge but I think I would prefer it over a voucher for the terminal as they have done at AMS and currently at JFK, especially if the lounge is not crowded early in the day as I don't think it would be given the other flights operating out of Terminal B at that time.