Hi guys, sorry about the earlier mistake. I later noticed that there is an additional section behind the door extending toward the gate side. When this area is included, the total size comes to about 585 m˛.

Based on information online, the Sala Dalí lounge is around 2,000 m˛, with the bar area being about 100 m˛. I tried measuring these using my “step method” as well, and got roughly 1,521 m˛ (n=1) for the lounge and 90 m˛ (n=1) for the bar. This suggests an uncertainty of about 10% for smaller areas and up to 24% for larger areas. Based on that, the new Emerald lounge could end up being closer to 700 m˛.

In my previous post, I didn’t mention the kitchen. Unlike the Cathay lounges in HKG and LHR, where the First Class and Business lounges share a kitchen, the situation in Madrid is different. There is a McDonald’s in between, and the Sala Dalí kitchen is on the opposite side of the new lounge. This means the new Emerald lounge will likely need its own kitchen (similar to the AA First Class lounge at LHR), which is less space-efficient than the Cathay setup.

FT meetup?

I have my day trip to MAD on 24th May... just saying haha

It all comes down to the service model at the Emerald Lounge Madrid. An ŕ la carte format, in partnership with a famous Madrid restaurant, like those in Cathay or American’s first-class lounges, is what would make this concept work.

@Waffles1 if it wasn’t the late Bank Holiday weekend and the start of school half-term I’d be tempted to pop over and say hello to you clutching my new Platinum Hawk card!

Perhaps Platino Prime could offer the ability to bring two guests, similar to the benefit Cathay Pacific provides for its top-tier Diamond members.

04/11 afternoon flight
04/28 late morning flight
05/19 evening flight
05/29 evening flight

Dress code is of course the IB PJs from the Tokyo flight haha

It won't happen, together with the "better if there were more Spanish food" as IB (proudly) uses an Austrian "fancy" catering company called Do&Co instead of partnering with actual Chefs (despite using David Munoz for PR). I'm not a fan but everyone else on FT loves Do&Co

@tootsci - I booked the trip to London for the long weekend as my OH has a study group (distance learning) that he wants to attend. The Sunday I was stuck on my own, so the MAD day trip got booked for Ł90. Here's hoping I can get off the flight, into the city, grab the thing I want and back to the airport for my flight home 5 hours later. I'm thinking I may have a fail.

Ooh yeah that is cutting it pretty fine (and no time to pop your head into the new lounge in T4 on the way back to T4S!)

The fusion of "local excellence" and "international standards" represents the ultimate form of the lounge experience.
Do&Co: Represents "globally unified excellence in standards"—food safety, logistics management, service procedures, and consistent baseline quality. This is the "foundation" of lounge operations.
Local Partner: Represents "the soul and unique charm of the destination." It's not just food; it's a cultural experience that significantly boosts the lounge's local reputation and brand depth. This is exactly how Cathay Pacific conveys the essence of Hong Kong's culinary culture through "Mott 32."

From April 3rd to 6th, I'll be at the airport every day. I'm just not sure if the new lounge is open yet.

There is every chance you either come in or around Grand Opening or miss out by mere days.

The Pope visits Madrid June 6th...but he'll be flying AZ/Private haha.

F1 is September....

I think the grand opening will probably be on a weekday rather than during a holiday. Hope everyone who gets to attend enjoys the new lounge!