Emirates airport lounge access: Airline to open up access to lower-tier frequent flyers

Jan 17 2017

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Emirates is opening up its lounges at its Dubai hub to lower-tier frequent flyer members in what is the latest move by the world's largest long-haul airline to look for new ways to boost revenues.

Emirates, which reported a 75 per cent drop in half-year profit in November, had previously restricted access to these lounges to higher-tier frequent flyer members and business or first class travellers.

In an email sent out to Skywards frequent flyer members, passengers with Blue-tier status, the lowest of four membership categories, can pay $US100 ($A133) to access the airline's Dubai business lounge and $US200 for the first class lounge.

See: Airline review: Emirates business class

An Emirates spokeswoman confirmed that the email was sent out to Skywards members.

Other changes to the lounge access policy include Skywards members being allowed to pay for access for non-member travel companions and upgrading from business to first class lounges, according to the email dated January 13.

Will Horton, senior analyst at CAPA - Centre for Aviation, said there could be higher profit on lounge entrance fees than tickets given that it is rare for guests to consume food and beverages worth more than the fee.

"With a proliferation in the number and quality of pay-as-you-go lounges, it makes sense for Emirates to make a play in this space," he said.

Emirates, trying to counter the impact of overcapacity in the market and tighter corporate travel budgets, is looking at other additional revenue sources, including fees on bags.

The airline introduced fees for advanced seat selection for economy passengers in October.

Emirates has said it planned to introduce premium economy, a class between economy and business, by 2018.

In a bid to cut costs, Emirates has offered redundancies to staff working in accounting, finance, IT and other head-office departments, sources said. The airline has not responded to the report.

Reuters