Checking in for the flight home from DXB this morning, we were informed that as of today (25 Feb 16) Virgin Atlantic will be using the newly opened D gates at Dubai International Airport. In practical terms, what this means is that immediately after clearing passport control and security, you have to go up and escalator and catch a train over to the new gate complex.
The train itself is a little slow, as after it arrives on the inbound, there is a ’routine security check’ before outbound side doors are opened and passengers can board. I don’t know if this is every trip, to just selected ones. Once you are in the brand new D Gate complex it is very impressive - the building itself is huge. It is very brightly lit with lots of seating areas, loads of shops & restaurants and a huge duty free shipping area. I have photos, which I will try to post in the next day or so.
There are a also a number of brand new lounges - VS passengers are directed to a huge Marhaba Lounge. It is a very large and very well equipped Priority Pass lounge with lots of seating, free wi-fi, a nice buffet with hot and cold meals / snacks and a fully stocked bar. It also has a kid’s room, a family room, a cinema room, showers and prayer rooms for males and females.
Upper Class passengers can use the First Class area which is a separate area at the far end of the lounge from the entrance. I was very impressed with the food, the drinks and the level of service in the PP area of the lounge and it will certainly make DXB an excellent destination or stopover airport for us in the future.
Nick
The train itself is a little slow, as after it arrives on the inbound, there is a ’routine security check’ before outbound side doors are opened and passengers can board. I don’t know if this is every trip, to just selected ones. Once you are in the brand new D Gate complex it is very impressive - the building itself is huge. It is very brightly lit with lots of seating areas, loads of shops & restaurants and a huge duty free shipping area. I have photos, which I will try to post in the next day or so.
There are a also a number of brand new lounges - VS passengers are directed to a huge Marhaba Lounge. It is a very large and very well equipped Priority Pass lounge with lots of seating, free wi-fi, a nice buffet with hot and cold meals / snacks and a fully stocked bar. It also has a kid’s room, a family room, a cinema room, showers and prayer rooms for males and females.
Upper Class passengers can use the First Class area which is a separate area at the far end of the lounge from the entrance. I was very impressed with the food, the drinks and the level of service in the PP area of the lounge and it will certainly make DXB an excellent destination or stopover airport for us in the future.
Nick
