While not as fancy as other top-tier first class lounges, the Emirates Lounge at LAX offers a truly exceptional buffet and plenty of room to spread out prior to your trip to Dubai.
The lounge is only open between 12:45p and 4:45p.m. during the summer and is used only for Emirates passengers. If you’re flying Emirates in business or first class or have Skywards Gold or Platinum status, you will have access.
Once you pass through security, the lounge is located on Level 6, right past the “Los Angeles International Lounge” and one the same level as the Star Alliance First Class and Business Class lounge.
After verifying your ticket, walk down the hall, which has LA-inspired artwork as well as newspapers and magazines.
Emirates Lounge Los Angeles Seating
The lounge is essentially one large room with a dining area and sitting area. Power plugs are plentiful and seating is comfortable. The lounge never got very crowded, which is by design.
Emirates Lounge Los Angeles Dining + Drinking
There is no a la carte dining or special menu for first class passengers, but I still enjoyed a very tasty lunch. The buffet is large and contains high-quality items. Fining a nice steak cooked medium in an airport lounge buffet is quite a rare event. There’s a wide range of Middle Eastern, Western, and Asian food choices. A wide selection of liquor and soft drinks are also available.
I enjoyed steak, salmon, a cooked tomato, potatoes au gratin, and a bit of Tabbouleh.
For dessert I enjoyed fresh fruit and a cappuccino. Everything was delicious. One of the lounge staff insisted on making my cappuccino and fix me a plate of fruit: lounge staff working around the dining area are happy to bring you your beverage of choice.
Emirates Lounge Los Angeles Terrace
There’s also a terrace with nice views of the beautiful Tom Bradley International Terminal. Unfortunately, there are no power outlets. That’s a big problem actually. After enjoying my lunch on the terrace I returned inside. The Star Alliance lounge has a similar terrace and manages to provide plenty of power plugs and USB ports.
Emirates Lounge Los Angeles Showers + Restrooms
Restrooms and showers are available.
The private shower suites are spacious and toiletries are available beyond just soap and shampoo.
For Islamic guests, there is also an ablution area in the men’s restroom:
CONCLUSION
Let me put it this way: there are very few lounges that have a buffet as nice as this one. Considering this is an outstation and not a hub, I was very impressed. This is more like a superb business class lounge than a great first class lounge due to the lack of personalized service. Even so, I think this is a great place to start your Emirates experience at LAX.
I’m confused by the opening hours, since my understanding is that Virgin Australia’s Business Class pax use the Emirates Lounge @LAX? (as confirmed by a VA call center agent a few days ago). Any insight into this Matthew?