Originally Posted by Flame3601 (Post 28425666)

My son is 17 and often travels via DXB , he looks 18+ and hardly anyone would think he is still under 18. However in DXB they are on the ball and while he never has problems getting into any lounge he has ever visited including EK outstation lounges , he always gets denied in DXB. I reckon they have something on the computer now that alerts to age as they always request to see the passport. He was not happy when he got told to beat it when he had a 19 hour stop over ! haha :D

I believe the OP is departing LHR , you will not have a problem getting into the lounge in LHR if you are under 18. Secondly be very careful what you do and say in the UAE regarding trying to enter a location that serves alcohol it could easily open a huge can of worms for you and EK if something did happen.I think it was last year my son said they made a good point on why they can not let him in , the duty supervisor said if he fell over in the dining area or even in the shower and he broke something then a full internal investigation would happen and EK would be in huge trouble as it was a unaccompanied child involved , EK would lose their alcohol license and not to mention the possible legal actions and staff involved ramifications. My son did manage to get into the F lounge in concourse A once under a full escort after all staff had been informed no alcohol , a type of eat something and get out in under a hour type of deal. Interestingly to note the crew on his next flight were alerted to him being unaccompanied and he was told immediately without even asking or trying to take anything alcohol based that he will not be served anything with alcohol.


I would give it shot , who knows , i would be doubtful thou. Just act mature , calm and be polite and wear something adult would wear :D , so leave the onesie at home ! Plenty of fast food joints in the concourse anyway if worse comes to worse.

Originally Posted by karim787 (Post 28426762)

Thanks to everyone who replied. Ive booked the 4 hour connection and will ask the staff there or just go to the marhaba lounge. Anyone know the best seats on the a380 and 777 for business and then for economy on the way back?:p

Originally Posted by Flame3601 (Post 28426775)

Sorry buddy , that is not how it works. I am nearly certain Marahaba will equally deny you access , the only lounge EK will allow you in is the unaccompanied minor lounge which is basically a play put with plastic chairs and packaged cookies. Lots of threads within the EK forum for best seats on your respected aircraft , check the dashboard :) .

Originally Posted by skywardhunter (Post 28426836)

Nope, they won't allow him in as he is not UM in the airline sense. UM means a minor who is unaccompanied and for whom the airline takes special responsibility and actively manages the travel experience. Minors are able to travel unaccompanied but not as a "UM". I spent many years travelling as both UM and "unaccompanied" without an escort. Lucky for me there was a UM area INSIDE the lounge :D and I was able to walk out and get snacks from the lounge. This wasn't on EK, though.

Originally Posted by Flame3601 (Post 28427502)

i get what you mean , but I know EK staff proactively offer the UM lounge as alternative for denying unaccompanied minors to the big boy lounge , aka first or business class lounge in concur at A,B,C.

Originally Posted by Ahmed777 (Post 28428308)

My area of expertise...

To be brutally honest, you aren't getting into the lounge. You used to be able to sweet talk the dragons but as of ~2 years ago, policy change made it impossible to enter unaccompanied if you are under 18. Your chances, even with all the tactics mentioned above, are zero. EK is extremely stringent on this.

Regarding the UM lounge, some dragons offer this as an alternative and try to sell it up as a good option. Don't take it. You'll be happier at Shake Shack!

It's just one of those things that's better when you're 18 :). Don't get your hopes up and you won't be disappointed. Enjoy J!

Originally Posted by karim787 (Post 28428652)

Could i ask how it is your area of expertise?:p

Originally Posted by karim787 (Post 28428652)

Could i ask how it is your area of expertise?:p

Originally Posted by m3red (Post 28428662)

Because since the age of about 4 he's moaned about this issue. :D

Originally Posted by karim787 (Post 28429678)

So apart from marhaba is there no other places to go?

Originally Posted by karim787 (Post 28429678)

So apart from marhaba is there no other places to go?

Originally Posted by karim787 (Post 28429678)

So apart from marhaba is there no other places to go?

Originally Posted by Flame3601 (Post 28430060)

I am nearly certain that marhaba also have a strict 18+ rule , but would also recommend spending time at BK instead.