Emirates has announced it will be re-opening its world wide lounges beginning with Cairo International Airport, followed by lounges at New York JFK and Manchester airport.
The airline has redesigned its lounge offering and introduced additional health and safety measures. The buffet will be changed to an a la carte service with contactless menus activated by QR code. Throughout the day, lounge staff will sanitise each seat and table after customers leave. In addition, the lounge will be sanitised and fumigated regularly. The new protocols will be rolled out in each lounge.
They have stated that “all employees working in the lounge will be wearing masks and social distancing protocols are in place throughout the lounge.” Seating capacity will be halved as every other sofa seat is left unoccupied. To ensure food safety, catering staff will be wearing masks, gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE). Newspaper, magazines and other reading materials will not be available to minimise the risk of infection by touch.
Image Credit: Emirates
The Emirates lounge in concourse B in Dubai International airport is also open with a redesigned service and designated First Class area. In the recent months, Emirates has been introducing services aimed at providing customers with a safe and seamless airport experience. The integrated biometric path at Dubai International airport is the latest in a host of initiatives by Emirates, allowing customers to go from check-in to boarding purely by facial recognition.
Emirates also highlighted the reopening of first class showers on the carrier’s A380 aircraft, while the onboard dining experience has returned to its signature service while observing strict hygiene protocols.
Credit: Emirates
