Airlines

More than 30 Emirates Lounges now open worldwide

As more than 30 Emirates Lounges around the world have resumed full service, premium travellers can look forward to an exceptionally comfortable travel experience during the upcoming peak travel season with the re-opening of the Emirates Lounge in Concourse C, Dubai International Airport. This lounge is the 7th Dubai lounge to reopen after the pandemic.

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Located in Concourse C, adjacent to Gates C09, the newly re-opened Emirates Lounge is a 1308 square metre and 265- seat dedicated space for rest, relaxation, and refreshment before travel. First and Business Class customers can access the lounge on a complimentary basis, as well as Silver, Gold and Platinum Skywards members. Premium Economy and Economy passengers can enjoy paid access at $150 exclusive of taxes, or just $125 for Emirates Skywards members. Currently open 24/7 to service the high demand of festive season, passengers can relax in the lounges for up to 4 hours before a flight.

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With elegant design and décor including Italian marble floors, leather sofas, water features and eye-catching Rolex clocks – Emirates Lounges are purpose built for comfort with multiple chaise longue,’ pillows and blankets, complimentary premium wines, spirits, champagne, and dedicated dining areas with gourmet cuisine designed by award-winning chefs.

To renew and refresh, there are dedicated shower spas with bathrooms and baby changing facilities, TVs dotted around the lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, PCs and printers, and an area to charge devices. A fully equipped business centre is also available, including meeting rooms with projectors and individual touch screen workstations.

Emirates has a vast network of 39 dedicated airport lounges, including 7 in Dubai and 32 located within major airports around the globe, all designed with the same attention to detail and exceptional service. At Dubai International Airport, 7 Emirates Lounges are located in the flagship Terminal 3, – 3 for First Class and 3 for Business Class customers, as well as the Emirates’ Lounge catering to all premium customers. Emirates also operates lounges in key cities across the network – Auckland, Bangkok, Birmingham, Boston, Cairo, Cape Town, Colombo, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Hamburg, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Perth, Rome, San Francisco, Singapore, and Sydney.

Emirates Lounges in Dubai include distinctive features like the Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge in the Business Class Lounge in Concourse B, where iconic cuvée’s are matched with mouth-watering canapés, created by Michelin-starred chefs. In the First-Class Lounge in Concourse A, there is a Le Clos fine wine and luxury spirits boutique, where sommeliers are on hand to recommend a fine vintage to suit all tastes, and passengers may purchase favourite onboard wines in the Le Clos stores – outside the lounges on Concourses A and B.

There is also a Cigar Bar – a separate smoking area within the Concourse A lounges, with comfortable leather armchairs and a cigar menu. Passengers can also enjoy new concepts such as the Barista Experience by Costa Coffee and get energised at the Health Hub – providing a wide array of nutritious snacks and fresh juices for passengers looking to enhance their wellness, in the lounges in Concourse B. For some pre-travel pampering, the serene Timeless Spas are situated in lounges in Concourse A and B, inviting passengers to choose from a signature menu of treatments and beauty therapies.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.