We visited the Ahlan Business Class Lounge while flying Air India back to India from Dubai International Airport Terminal 1.
These days, lounges are frequently crowded, and I once visited the Plaza Premium Lounge Hyderabad and suffered food poisoning. In addition, before heading to the airport, we had a light dinner at the hotel. Further, we would receive food on the flight. Hence, I wasn’t even looking forward to going into the lounge.
We could have spent the two hours exploring the duty-free shops, but since it was late at night we wanted to relax before the flight.
Location
We may use the escalator to ascend to the level above to reach the lounge, which is in Concourse D of Terminal 1. Then, after a short walk, we arrive there. I could see the nearby other lounges, including the SkyTeam lounge and Ahlan First Class Lounge. I couldn’t compare to the other lounges because I wasn’t in a position to do lounge hopping.
Access
We had a Priority Pass and a Diner Club card with which we had access. Children under two years old had free access. They refused to permit free access because our child was only four years old. We were not there for alcohol or food because, as was previously mentioned, we already had food. Although I have another Priority Pass card, I didn’t have it then. The staff was firm about not letting kids in without paying a guest fee, so my wife sat at the entrance while our child wanted to pick up some snacks.
Lounge
We went to the lounge at night which was one of the peak times as per Google. Despite this, there was no crowding in the lounge, and we had no trouble getting a table. There were a number of different seating options, so I believe we can find a quiet spot to unwind until it’s time to board, which is how lounges are supposed to function.
As we enter to the left, there is a coffee machine with some canapés with a couple of seating arrangements. The kids lounge is another option. Although there are no toys or books in this area, it is still a good place for kids to play without disturbing other visitors.
This lounge’s beverage selection is its strong point, and I had multiple packs of Laban (spiced buttermilk) and Lassi (sweetened buttermilk). They have an ice cream machine, mocktails, still and sparking water, and various can soft drinks. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are available.
There were also options for hot food, but since we had a light dinner earlier, I skipped those. If my memory is correct, there were no Indian options.
The lounge provided good customer service, and I noticed that the tables were constantly being cleared. One of the staff members approached us after recognising our language and expressing that he is also from our region. We talked for a while, and when I asked for packaged snacks (like chips, nuts, etc.), he replied they didn’t have any but bought us a bag of assorted roasted nuts instead.
Bottom line
Should you need to visit a lounge, the Ahlan Business Class Lounge at DXB Terminal 1 is a good choice.
The lounge surprised me positively and is a solid option for Priority Pass users. I was able to unwind and spend some time alone in the lounge, which is pretty much how I wanted to feel before getting to the departure gate.