Review: Dubai International First Class Lounge, Dubai Terminal 1 (DXB)

Flying Etihad A380 First Apartment to Dubai and Qatar Airways A380 First Class to Paris

Finnair Business Class, Stockholm-Helsinki
Hilton Helsinki
Finnair Business Class, Helsinki-London
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge (LHR)
Etihad First & Business Class Lounge, Heathrow (LHR)
Etihad A380 First Apartment, London-Abu Dhabi
Etihad Arrivals Lounge, Abu Dhabi T3, (AUH)
2 Days in Dubai
Dubai International First Class Lounge (DXB)
Qatar Airways First Class, Dubai-Doha
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge (DOH)
Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Doha-Paris
Hilton Paris La Defense
American Airlines Admirals Club, Paris (CDG)
Cathay Pacific First & Business Class Lounge, Paris (CDG)
Finnair Business Class, Paris-Helsinki
Finnair Premium Lounge, Helsinki (HEL)
Finnair Business Class, Helsinki-Stockholm



Dubai International First Class Lounge entrance

Date of visit: December 5, 2015

Location: Terminal 1 after security, between gates C12 and C14
Access: First and business class passengers flying on various airlines like Qatar Airways; Lounge Club members (maximum 5 hours); Priority Pass members and Diners Club members
Opening hours:  Daily, open 24 hours

Reception


Dubai International First Class Lounge reception


Christmas tree by the reception area

Second Floor (Smoking Room)


Smoking Room signage


Dubai International First Class Lounge TV room with lounge chairs


Dubai International First Class Lounge seating


2 massage chairs


Dubai International First Class Lounge bar


Buffet Area


Dining area

Third Floor


Located on the third floor is one shower room

Main Floor (Non Smoking)


Dubai International First Class Lounge luggage storeroom


Newspapers and magazines


Workstations with 3 PCs and free wifi throughout the lounge


Massage chair

Gentlemen's Toilet


Dubai International First Class Lounge toilet

Dining


Dining area with 6 tables


Dining Area


Hot Buffet featuring Fish Savadia and Steamed Rice


Vegetable Torlili and Baked Paprika Potato


Italian Sausage and Green Bean Stew, Lemon Chicken and Masala Fried Fish

The soups offered during lunch service were lentil soup and lamb broth.


Self-serve Bar


White wine selection


Assorted Sushi and cold cuts


Assorted Cheese


Sliced fruits


Dessert, sandwiches and wraps

Arabic salad including hummus and moutabel among others


During breakfast, they had cereals, fruits and yogurt.

View


View of Pakistan Airlines aircraft

CONCLUSION

Although this lounge is much smaller than the adjacent Dubai International Business Class Lounge, I had never seen it get crowded during my entire stay probably due to the fact that there is not many passengers flying in first class. The food selection from the buffet was probably one of the best I have seen and the bar was just as impressive. Needless to say, the furnitures and overall design of the lounge is really old fashioned. Thankfully, they are transferring to a new lounge which will be located in Concourse D and which is set to open by January. Overall, this is a very nice lounge with excellent food and great staff, but with a not so modern design.

Shout out to Jewel and Thara for making this review possible!

For a detailed review of the Dubai International First Class Lounge by loungereview.com, please click here.