What Is the Global Lounge Concept?
The Global Lounge Concept is a complete reimagining of how British Airways embodies luxury on the ground. It's about continuity, comfort, and creating spaces that feel as intentional as the journey ahead. The two new openings in Dubai and Miami are the first real expression of that concept and convey a design overhaul that redefines what it means to relax before takeoff.
This new approach replaces the 2008-era Galleries design language (and the late-2010s refresh seen in Johannesburg and San Francisco) with a more modern, tactile, and distinctive aesthetic. Working with design firm Gensler, British Airways has developed a look that balances British originality with local inspiration. The aim is consistency without uniformity: each lounge feels part of a global family, yet deeply rooted in its location.
"We're thrilled to be unveiling our new design concept with new lounges in both Miami and Dubai," said Calum Laming, British Airways' Chief Customer Officer. "These unique spaces have been created with our customers in mind and are the next step in our extensive lounge transformation plan. Some passengers settle in quietly, others want a proper sit-down meal, and plenty head straight for the staffed bar."
Dubai
Below is a look inside British Airways’ newly redesigned Dubai lounge, a new space serving passengers on British Airways flights to Dubai, which remain some of the airline’s most popular routes for both leisure and business travellers.
Overview
After a six-month delay, British Airways has finally opened its brand-new lounge at Dubai International Airport (DXB), and it was well worth the wait. First announced in March 2024, this stunning new space in Terminal 1, Concourse D, replaces the former Qatar Airways lounge. The result is a smart, sophisticated haven of marble, mirrors, and mood lighting.
Measuring 5,800 square feet, the new British Airways lounge is significantly larger than its predecessor, with more seating and an improved layout. Local contractor Al Tayer Stocks oversaw construction, creating a design that merges modern British craftsmanship with traditional Middle Eastern detail through sweeping arches, geometric fretwork, and antique mirrored ceilings. Warm lighting reflects off fluted marble and polished brass, creating a soft glow that feels luxurious but never ostentatious.
Although there's no natural light, which is an unavoidable aspect of Concourse D, the space still manages to feel bright and open. The signature "look-up moment" comes in the main dining area, where a chandelier framed by a mirrored ceiling shimmers above the tables, complete with the iconic British Airways Speedmarque.
Plush seating, upholstered fabrics inspired by classic British heritage patterns, adds a touch of personality. At the same time, wireless charging, plentiful sockets, and upgraded washrooms and showers ensure the practicalities are just as polished as the aesthetics.
Design and Ambience
In keeping with the Global Lounge Concept, the Dubai space uses deep navy and burgundy tones, a nod to BA's new short-haul cabin palette. Subtle details tie the space to the airline’s wider brand identity. Herringbone tiles in the bathrooms match patterns found throughout BA's design language, while soft furnishings subtly reference the Transport for London moquettes, a playful, distinctly British touch.
The lounge's self-serve dining area provides a thoughtful balance between local flavour and British tradition. Guests can start the day with an Arabic breakfast or a mezze selection, before sampling sweet pastries, cheese boards, and freshly baked cakes.
The bar, now a defining feature of the new BA lounge identity, serves Champagne, English sparkling wines, and creative cocktails such as the Dubai Chocolate Martini and the Bucks Free Fizz, a non-alcoholic take on the classic mimosa made with Lyre's Classico Grande. Tea and coffee are handled with equal care. The menu includes Coffee Planet, a UAE-born brand known for its premium Arabica beans, and Birchall, BA's new global British tea partner.
The Exclusive Concorde Dining Room
For First Class travellers and Gold Guest List members, the highlight is the Concorde Dining Room, one of only a handful of Concorde-branded spaces outside London. This elegant enclave feels like a neo–Art Deco brasserie, complete with gold metalwork, blue marble, and six intimate booths. The atmosphere is designed for calm conversation and unhurried dining.
The à la carte menu celebrates both British and Middle Eastern flavours. This level of service elevates the British Airways Concorde lounge experience in Dubai to something approaching fine dining. Guests can start with Arabic mezze, smoked salmon, or burrata, followed by chicken tikka masala, pan-fried John Dory, or a Wagyu (or vegan) burger. The dessert menu includes Umm Ali, a warm, traditional Emirati bread pudding, served alongside a glass of Taittinger Brut NV, Taittinger Brut Rosé, Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, or Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine.
Access and Eligibility
Access to the new lounge is open to passengers flying British Airways in First or Club World, as well as BA Club Silver and Gold members, and oneworld Sapphire or Emerald elites. Those travelling with other oneworld carriers can also enter, depending on their status. The British Airways Concorde lounge remains exclusive to First Class passengers and Gold Guest List members.
Miami
Below is a look inside British Airways’ new Miami lounge.
Overview
The new British Airways lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA) is every bit as stylish as the city it calls home. Located in Concourse E, just one level above the departure gates, the new space marks the first time in decades that British Airways has operated its own dedicated lounge at MIA.
The opening marks something of a homecoming for the airline. It last operated its own lounge in Miami between 1999 and 2007, before moving its operations and relying on American Airlines' Flagship Lounge for premium passengers. After several cancelled plans and a long absence, the new Miami lounge finally restores BA's independent presence.
At 13,000 square feet, it's also the airline's largest lounge outside London, entirely BA-operated, with a sprawling, sunlit space designed to celebrate "the airline's British originality, charm and wit," while drawing heavily from Miami's Art Deco heritage. Large windows frame sweeping views of both the airfield and the skyline, and the lounge itself feels unmistakably Miami: bright, relaxed, and confident. The design was brought to life by local contractors and architects, using U.S.-sourced materials that reflect the city's architectural flair.
British Airways operates two daily year-round flights to Miami, with many of them on the double-decker Airbus A380, each capable of carrying over 100 Business and First Class passengers. Miami has long been one of the airline's most important winter sun routes, so this new space will see plenty of use from frequent flyers, leisure travellers, and Avios collectors alike. For anyone looking to book flights with Avios or redeem BA reward flights for a bit of Floridian warmth, this is where the holiday starts before takeoff.
Style and Space
Guests enter the lounge after clearing security and taking the train to gates E20–E33, where the entrance sits just above the concourse. The design centres around five distinct zones that spill smoothly into one another, creating an easy flow between dining, relaxation, and work.
A striking full-service bar forms the heart of the space, positioned in front of panoramic windows that flood the area with natural light. The aesthetic draws inspiration from Miami's golden age of Art Deco, with elegant floor mosaics, reeded glass partitions, and brass accents that match the style of Ocean Drive's iconic hotels. Nearby, travellers will find two shower suites and brightly striped washrooms, inspired by vintage Miami beach chairs.
Dining
The self-serve restaurant area features dishes that combine local, seasonal ingredients with British touches; from papaya and kale salad with toasted coconut and citrus honey vinaigrette, to seared South Florida flounder with lemon, olives, and fried capers. Everything is freshly prepared in a state-of-the-art kitchen, with a touch of culinary polish rarely seen in airport lounges.
The Concorde Dining Room
The Concorde Dining Room is an intimate à la carte restaurant within the lounge exclusively for First Class guests and Gold Guest List members. The décor channels the glamour of Miami's boutique hotels, with soft lighting, plush seating, and service that's discreet yet personal. The menu features dishes such as Wagyu beef strip loin with roasted trumpet mushrooms and truffle reduction, roasted diver scallops, and Arabic-inspired starters for those seeking something lighter. The drinks list is equally impressive, with Pommery Cuvée Louise 2005 Champagne and a selection of English sparkling wines.
Access
Access to the Miami lounge follows standard oneworld access rules: passengers flying British Airways in First or Club World are automatically eligible, as are BA Club Silver and Gold members, and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites. The British Airways Concorde lounge remains reserved for First Class and Gold Guest List members to preserve its sense of privacy and prestige.
The lounge currently operates daily from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM; however, hours may be adjusted to align with flight schedules. Given BA's double-daily service, both lounges are expected to stay busy, particularly through the winter months when flights to Miami are at their most popular.
More Changes Yet to Come
The changes to the Dubai and Miami lounges mark the beginning of a movement. The Global Lounge Concept is a comprehensive refurbishment programme that will eventually extend across the airline's network, including the flagship British Airways lounges at Heathrow. British Airways has confirmed that every lounge will be rethought with construction carried out lounge-by-lounge to minimise disruption.
The first to receive the makeover next will be the Arrivals Lounge at Terminal 5, which is set to debut proper barista coffee (a first for BA, and something we've only seen so far at the oneworld lounge in Amsterdam). The 98 showers currently in place will be reduced in number but expanded in size and upgraded for quality. The beloved First Class cabanas, complete with baths, will also stay, but with a total redesign. Construction started in Q3 2025, with reopening targeted for early 2026.
Behind the scenes, planners are also considering a revamp of the South Lounge complex in Terminal 5, home to the Concorde Room, First Class Lounge, and Galleries Club South. The goal is to create a more direct route for First Class passengers to reach the Concorde Room, without passing through other areas.
While BA hasn't yet confirmed the order of future refurbishments, it’s likely that the lounges in Terminal 5B and the Galleries First Lounge (for Gold Card holders) will come later, given that both have already undergone recent soft upgrades.
As British Airways continues its £7 billion transformation, travellers can expect a smoother experience on the ground and in the air. Tools like the BA upgrade calculator make it easier than ever to plan cabin upgrades or see how close you are to the next tier with your British Airways Tier points before your next visit to one of these revamped lounges.
Kayleigh
