Review: The Emirates Lounge, Melbourne

Review: The Emirates Lounge, Melbourne
The Emirates Lounge at Melbourne Airport. Photo: Matt Graham.

The Emirates Lounge in Melbourne has been open since the end of 2015, and offers a very pleasant space to wait for your international Emirates or Qantas flight.

Lounge Details

Airline Emirates
Airport Melbourne (MEL), Australia
Terminal Terminal 2 (International)
Location Up the escalator near gates 9 & 10, across from The House Lounge
Opening hours 03:00-07:10 and 14:30-21:25
Star rating 4.5 stars out of 5

Seating

There is plenty of seating available across several different sections of the lounge.

Seating area near the lounge entrance
Seating area near the lounge entrance. Photo: Matt Graham.

Near the entrance, there are plenty of seats catering to groups. Here you’ll also find a television and drinks station.

If you’d like to sit down and enjoy a meal, there is a restaurant section with proper dining tables.

Seating in the Melbourne Emirates Lounge
Seating in the Melbourne Emirates Lounge. Photo: Matt Graham.

But my personal favourite spot is by the large windows, where you can enjoy great tarmac and runway views.

Window seats at the Melbourne Emirates Lounge
Window seats at the Melbourne Emirates Lounge. Photo: Matt Graham.

(This is something sorely lacking from the dark, windowless Qantas international Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport!)

Qantas International Business Lounge, Melbourne
Qantas International Business Lounge, Melbourne. Photo: Matt Graham.

Lounge Food, Drinks & Service

You won’t go hungry (or thirsty) in this lounge! There is a large buffet selection, with both hot and cold meal options. In addition, there are a range of plated salads, cheeses and desserts available. The quality of the food in the Emirates Lounge in Melbourne is impressive.

Emirates Melbourne Lounge
Emirates Lounge buffet selection. Photo: Matt Graham.

Soup is available on request and the friendly lounge attendant is happy to grab me a bowl. The attendants also come around to my seat every now and again to ask if I’d like anything.

There is a wide selection of wine and spirits available, including cold Moët & Chandon champagne. There are also coffee machines and well-stocked fridges with bottles of beer, soft drinks, still water and sparkling water.

Lounge Facilities

The bathrooms are clean and somewhat luxurious, and shower facilities are available. The one thing that’s perhaps missing is a spa, like you’ll find in the nearby Qantas First Lounge. The complimentary wifi works well.

Lounge Access

Access to the Melbourne Emirates Lounge is available to Emirates Business & First Class passengers, and Gold and Platinum members of the Emirates Skywards program when travelling on Emirates in any class of travel. You can also use this lounge as a Qantas Gold, Platinum or Platinum One member if you’re travelling on Emirates or any Qantas international flight to New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East or Europe. (However, you can’t use this lounge if you’re flying with Qantas to the United States.)

If you’re flying on Emirates in Economy, you can purchase one-time lounge access for USD143 (or USD111 if you’re an Emirates Skywards member). As great as the lounge is, it’s probably not worth paying that much for entry.

The Emirates Lounge, Melbourne
  • Seating
  • Food, Drinks & Service
  • Lounge Facilities
4.5

Final thoughts

The Emirates Lounge in Melbourne is a great space for Emirates passengers and an excellent alternative to the Qantas international Business Lounge at this airport. If you’re a Qantas Gold frequent flyer or a Qantas Business class passenger and are eligible to use the Emirates Lounge, I would definitely recommend it. But beware that this lounge is closed during the mid-late morning and early afternoon, when there are no Emirates flights departing.

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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