Emirates Airlines this month unveiled its new Emirates Lounge at Brisbane International Airport, the lounge features a 360 degree view and is the first airline lounge in Australia capable of boarding passengers directly onto their aircraft, including the upper deck of an Airbus A380.

Dale W Griffith said: ‘In May 2003, Emirates made a US$13 million commitment to develop superior quality lounges around the world in an effort to provide passengers with luxurious sanctuaries whilst travelling. In 2004, Brisbane became the first Emirates destination outside of our hub in Dubai to have a dedicated airport lounge and it set the benchmark for all Emirates Lounges across our network.
 
“Five years on, we now have 18 Emirates Lounges across our network and are delighted by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers that make these lounges worth our continuous investments. The new Emirates Lounge, the second in Brisbane, continues to embody the airline’s dedication to innovation and superior service.”
 
More than double the size of the previous one in Brisbane, the new Emirates Lounge can seat 172 guests - 106 in the lounge area, 56 in the dining, and 10 in the business centre - and is located adjacent to Gate 75 on the new northern concourse of Brisbane International Airport’s redevelopment.
 
Desley Boyle said: “The lounge is another important investment by Emirates in Brisbane and Queensland and is a cornerstone of the airport re-development. It will provide the international level of comfort and service expected by business travellers from across the world.”
 
Koen Rooijmans, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation said: “Emirates has been one of the fastest growing international airlines to serve Brisbane and has quickly established itself as a part of the fabric of south-east Queensland. They have helped raise the standard of international air travel, and helped create new and exciting tourism markets for Queensland that have enabled us to improve the services offered to passengers at our airport.”
 
Upon first stepping into the new Emirates Lounge, passengers will appreciate the airline’s distinct attention to detail, from the Italian marble finishes to the rich timber joinery.
 
The amenities in the lounge include recently-introduced massage chairs, comfortable leather armchairs sourced from Scotland, flat screen televisions, designer bathrooms with shower facilities, and a well-equipped business centre.
 
Customers will be able to enjoy an extensive menu of complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes in a choice of formal or informal seating. A complimentary full bar service, including champagne, is offered to guests who can relax while enjoying the unparalleled views of the airport and the surrounding area. Emirates' trademark attentive service from dedicated lounge staff completes the facility.
 
The Brisbane lounge facilities are available to both First and Business Class passengers as well as Gold members of Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer program.
 
Besides Brisbane, the airline offers the Emirates Lounge in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Bangkok, Dubai (three lounges), Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Munich, New York JFK, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Singapore, with more due to open in 2008.