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Emirates has unveiled a new signature lounge design that’s being rolled out across several of its airport lounges in 2026 and we’re told that the new look is already live in Munich and Frankfurt. The lounges in Manchester (UK), Mauritius, and Istanbul will follow later in the year.
The details
Emirates says that it is investing more than AED 50 million, around $13.6 million, into each next-generation lounge and that the redesigns include more than 50 individual enhancements and introduce distinct zones for relaxation, work, socialising, and dining.
We’re told, in true PR-speak, that the aesthetic draws on Emirates’ newer cabin interiors and its flagship Dubai lounges (think herringbone floors, marble and gold accents, and the airline’s backlit Ghaf Tree motif throughout).
Areas across the lounge get Italian eco-leather seating with wireless charging and universal power access at every seat and no Emirates lounge would be complete without a bit of unnecessary bling in the form of Rolex clocks displaying time zones around the world.
Emirates says that dining in the new lounges is built around live cooking stations which will offer “à la minute dishes” alongside a “Made In” section which will spotlight local cuisine and hot & cold buffet areas which will be refreshed throughout the day.
On top of all of that, guests can expect to find dedicated bread ovens churning out handcrafted pizzas, flatbreads and manakeesh, inspired by the city of Dubai.
A new barista bar concept adds a dedicated mixologist serving cocktails, mocktails, and specialty coffee and tea, alongside Emirates’ existing “premium” wine, beer, champagne, and spirits selection.
On the relaxation side, the lounges include upgraded shower suites with VOYA amenities, dedicated male and female prayer rooms with Qibla direction built into the design, and a Quiet Zone offering sleep amenities like blankets, eye masks, and earplugs.
There are also private meeting spaces and breastfeeding rooms and every Emirates Lounge, new design or not, now operates as a silent environment.
As things stand, Emirates operates 42 lounges in total – 8 in Dubai and 34 spread across other major airports including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester (UK), Singapore, Hong Kong, New York JFK, and Sydney, among others.
The lounges in Manchester (July), Mauritius (August), and Istanbul (October) are next in line to open with refreshed interiors.
Lounge access
Access remains free for First and Business Class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members regardless of which cabin they’re flying in. Paid access is also available for anyone else with prices starting at $125 for lower tier Skywards members and $155 for non-members (given that membership is free, there shouldn’t be anyone paying the non-member fee).
Link to lounge access information
Quick thoughts
Some of the language in the PR release is more than a little flowery, but the substance underneath is genuinely solid.
Universal power and wireless charging at every seat, a proper barista and mixologist setup, and a good focus on the food offerings are all practical additions rather than just decoration.
One detail of Emirates lounges in particular deserves a specific mention – every Emirates Lounge operates as a silent environment.
Given how many people seem to have completely forgotten, or never learned, that personal devices like phones, tablets, and laptops should be used with headphones in any shared public space, a strictly enforced silent policy in a premium lounge (or any lounge) is definitely something worth applauding.
It’s a small thing, but anyone who’s spent any time in a lounge sat near someone watching videos at full volume or making calls on speakerphone, will know exactly why it matters.
Aside from all of that, the pace of this lounge refresh rollout is worth noting too. Five cities (Munich, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mauritius, Istanbul) in the space of about a year, at over $13 million each, is impressive, and it’ll be worth seeing which lounges get the new treatment next once these five are done.
Bottom line
Emirates has introduced a new signature lounge design which is now live in Munich and Frankfurt, with Manchester, Mauritius, and Istanbul following over the next few months. The redesign brings genuine practical upgrades, dedicated work zones, a proper barista and mixologist setup, improved prayer and quiet rooms, alongside the usual aesthetic refresh.
Most of all, however, the focus on giving guests a peaceful experience is the key thing these lounges offer (if only other airline lounges would do the same).
All images courtesy of Emirates
