A peek inside the newly upgraded Emirates lounge for youngsters at Dubai International Airport
PlayStations, televisions, a snack bar and free Wi-Fi ... is it the perfect living room? An arcade? A childhood fantasy?
Nope. It's what's on offer at the recently jazzed-up Emirates lounge for unaccompanied minors at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Related: Best ways to redeem Emirates Skywards miles for maximum value
Inside, the slick lounge has been kitted out with bright yellow, orange and gray sofas, televisions, two arcade-style PlayStation 4 consoles, plus a stylish-looking snack bar. Even the toilets are designed to be kid-friendly.
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The lounge is located in Terminal 3, where children can be dropped off to meet the Emirates team, who will check them in at the lounge before taking them through security and handing them safely over to cabin crew on the aircraft.
On board, little ones flying with Emirates will be kept thoroughly entertained with a headset, more than 50 Disney films and 130 television channels to choose from, plus a range of toys and activity packs.
Currently, the lounge is only for use by Young Passengers (YPs) — children ages 5 to 15 — as part of Emirates' unaccompanied minors service.
Typically, the service is available for YPs who are 11 and older when traveling from Dubai, and the lounge needs to be prebooked in advance of travel.
Related: 14 things that caught me off guard in Emirates’ new premium economy
As children between the ages of 12 and 15 can technically travel alone, without a parent, guardian or another adult present, they don't necessarily need the unaccompanied minor service. It can, however, be specifically requested for YPs in this age group.
Use of the lounge is also available for children who are passing through Dubai on a connecting flight, again when booked in advance.
Though it must be prebooked, children who are 5 to 11 who are flying unaccompanied will receive the service for free, but their flight will be charged as an adult fare, which can be paid for using cash, card or Emirates Skywards rewards miles.
Related: How Emirates filmed their incredible Burj Khalifa flypast stunt
Because young travelers who are 12 to 15 years old travel on adult fares anyway, use of the unaccompanied minor service will cost $50 per leg of the journey. TPG reached out to Emirates to find out if this fee can be paid using Emirates Skywards, and we'll update this story when we hear back.
To book, you'll need to reach out to the Emirates team at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
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