Emirates has upgraded the airport experience for unaccompanied minors with the opening of a dedicated lounge at Dubai International. Jenny Southan reports
If you had to put your children on a plane to travel alone, which airline would you choose? In the same way that savvy hotels are tapping into “Alpha Influence”, Emirates has demonstrated that it is taking the needs of Generation Alpha seriously by creating a dedicated airport lounge for them.
Young travellers flying with Emirates as unaccompanied minors can now relax and wait for their flight in a newly upgraded lounge at Dubai International airport, next to the Emirates First Class Lounge in Concourse B. The Emirates’ lounge for unaccompanied minors is open 24/7, and features video games, drinks and snacks, comfortable seating areas, free wifi and washrooms designed for kids. Parents or guardians who have pre-booked Emirates’ “unaccompanied minor” service can drop off children at Terminal 3, where Emirates’ staff will check them in for their flights in a lounge located between the economy and first/business class check-in halls.
After, one of Emirates’ airport services team members will escort them through immigration and security to the new departure lounge in the airside concourse, and later, from the lounge to the boarding gate.
Children all get priority boarding and Emirates cabin crew who will be waiting to welcome them at the aircraft door, at which point they will help them find their seats and settle in for their flight.
Onboard, Alpha flyers are given child-friendly meals and snacks, toys and activity packs, and kid-sized headsets to enjoy the selection of over 50 Disney movies and 130+ TV channels for young travellers.
Emirates is currently offering children “cool take-home” toys and bags inspired by Expo 2020 Dubai and featuring little Emirates characters. (All toys and bags use recycled material and bags are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.)
Young solo flyers with a connecting flight in Dubai are also well cared for while in transit. Emirates’ ground services team will meet and escort them from their flight to one of the dedicated lounges for unaccompanied minors, while they wait for their next flight.
Emirates’ services for unaccompanied minors must be booked in advance of travel and are available for children from 5 to 11 years of age, who are travelling without an adult. The service can also be booked for young travellers between 12 and 15 years old.