I kept my fingers crossed all week hoping that I could sneak into the Emirates Lounge at Melbourne International today. My QF37 flight to Singapore departs at 4pm and was lucky enough that this lounge opens at 3:15pm giving me a 15-minute window to take a few photos before rushing off to my boarding gate.
This new lounge is located on the upper level, nearer to gate 9, which I never knew existed. Etihad’s lounge is also there. As the escalator approaches the upper level, you are greeted by the shiny floors and dark timber tones that seem to be the preferred design of Middle-Eastern carriers.
This new lounge, unlike those dingy lounges downstairs with no windows (Malaysia, Qantas Business, United, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific), has huge floor to ceiling panoramic windows allowing much natural light to drench the lounge, and not to mention, those awesome tarmac views!
Ample seating areas with comfy chairs…..
 
Emirates self-serve bar. Impressive variety. Unfortunately, Emirates buffet area wasn’t ready for me when I was the first to arrive at the lounge (way before the check-in desks open for their 6pm passengers). Hence, I was not able to try the food.
The shower rooms could have been better furnished. They lack private wash basins in them.
