By Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir
DATE Emirates has unveiled their newly renovated business class lounge in Dubai International Airport’s concourse 2 after two years of work. At a cost of USD 11m the newly renovated space includes three new dining and drinking experience areas.
The new offering is in addition to the seven other locations within the vast lounge with gourmet cuisine prepared by on-site chefs and a complimentary full bar service, which includes premium wine, spirits and champagne.
The new spaces are all prime examples of brand experiences that are opening in lounges around the world, such as Etihad and Six Senses, Qantas and Rockpool or Air France and Clarins. Emirates has recently partnered with Costa Coffee, Voss water and the long-lasting relationship with Moët Hennessy is now also reinforced in the lounge experiences as well as onboard.
‘Barista Experience’
In the new lounge Costa has brought a ‘Barista experience’ to the lounge around the clock, with flat whites, Italian coffee blends and signature pastries on offer to passengers needing a strong wake up mid-journey.
‘Health Hub’
For those abstaining from caffeine – (and perhaps the best recommendation for beating jet lag) there is also a Health Hub, which is designed to rehydrate and recharge passengers before their flights with a selection of fruit and water infusions in partnership with Voss water. It also features a healthy menu of gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Healthier beverages such as a selection of juices and smoothies are also available.
‘Champagne Bar’
But most likely the most visited space will be Moët Hennessy’s gold leaf covered champagne bar. Featuring over 2,400 gold leaves applied by hand, the self-service bar features four of the champagne house’s most prestigious bottles: Moët Impérial, Moët Rosé Impérial, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage and Moët Nectar Impérial.
To complement each champagne, chefs from Emirates flight catering and the in-house lounge teams collaborated with Moët & Chandon, to create a unique selection of canapés – from sweet to savoury flavours. The canapé menus are changed monthly and include selections such as smoked salmon wrapped in nori with wasabi mayonnaise to complement the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2006 and passion fruit and jasmine tea macaroons to be paired with Moët Nectar Impérial.
Emirates is actually a force to be reckoned with when it comes to their food and beverage offerings, including champagne. It is the biggest purchaser globally of Dom Perignon in the world.