When Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 2 shut earlier this year, Emirates had to move lock, stock and barrel to Terminal 3. Rather than rebuilding its old lounge from memory, the airline took the chance to roll out an entirely new design concept — and based on a first look at the space, it's the best lounge in the carrier's network.
The new Emirates Lounge sits two floors above the main duty-free area and the SkyTeam Lounge, past security and passport control. Its hours follow the airline's three daily departures: EK44 (07:30–10:15), EK46 (11:15–14:30) and EK48 (18:20–21:30). Access comes free with First Class, Business Class (minus Business Special fares) or Emirates Gold and Platinum status — Gold brings one guest, Platinum one adult plus two children. Everyone else, including Silver and Blue members, pays at the door.
Space is the headline act. The old Terminal 2 room could feel cramped at peak times; this one could apparently swallow every eligible passenger off an A380 and still have room left. There's a proper dining section instead of a squeezed-in corner, relaxation zones, and meeting rooms. Seating ranges from window bar tables to high-backed "privacy chairs" facing the glass — and that glass is the showstopper. Floor-to-ceiling windows look straight over the ramp, giving what the reviewer calls some of the best airside views of any lounge anywhere. The old facility stared at a building.
Power users are well served too: plug sockets, USB ports and wireless charging pads at nearly every seat, a rarity in lounges generally. WiFi ran at a brisk 245 Mbps down and 303 Mbps up on the standard airport network.
Food is served from a large catering area with a live cooking station, an island of self-serve salads and desserts, and cuisines from around the world — plus an Oktoberfest special during the visit. Drinks cover self-serve coffee machines, a barista at the central bar, juices, sodas, beer and spirits. One grumble: decaf drinkers get instant. Amenities beyond the essentials are middling — toilets, showers and free magazines, but no nap area or dedicated workspace. The toilets, however, are Japanese-style models with self-raising lids, and the staff, several carried over from Terminal 2, keep the whole place spotless.
The verdict: if you're flying Emirates in a premium cabin out of Frankfurt, this is an easy yes, and possibly the nicest lounge in the airline's portfolio. If you'd have to pay your way in, it's harder to justify — but few lounges combine this much space, food and views. Because access is limited to Emirates passengers, it rarely risks feeling busy even with a full A380 departure on the board.
