EXCLUSIVE | One of the most coveted perks of invitation-only airline status is the ability to enter similarly private lounges. For most airlines, those spaces are constrained to the airport – and suitably so. But for Emirates’ VIP set, the carrier thinks outside the box, tempting its most valuable clients with a private lounge at the Australian Open instead.
Invitations to Emirates’ secluded AO lounge are hard to come by. Unlike many other hospitality experiences at this year’s Australian Open, Emirates doesn’t sell tickets to this space. It doesn’t matter how much you’d be willing to pay. If you’re not on the list, you can’t come inside.
I’m told that for the most part, invitations are generally reserved for dignitaries and major clients of Emirates. Some of the airline’s most elite frequent flyers may also make the cut, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. Those in with the best chance are members of Emirates’ secret frequent flyer tier, iO. That’s the carrier’s equivalent to programs like the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge and American Airlines ConciergeKey.
This year, Gold and Platinum members of Emirates Skywards have also had the opportunity to redeem miles for a limited number of passes. Here’s what 30,000+ Skywards miles can get you at the Australian Open.
Exploring Emirates’ Australian Open lounge
This year, Emirates’ Australian Open suite draws its inspiration from five ports on the airline’s European network. The cities chosen are London, Dublin, Rome, Athens and Paris. The theme becomes evident as you walk into the space and begin to explore.
Custom sketches adorn the suite’s walls in signature Emirates red. No prizes for guessing which colour Emirates has based its design around, either!
The layout of Emirates’ air conditioned suite allows for easy networking and chit chat. There are also multiple TVs for keeping up with play while you’re kicking back. These are tuned to the internal AO feed, so you get to see each match without commercial interruption. You can also keep track of when a major match is going to start, so that you can plan your walk from the Emirates lounge to Rod Laver Arena in time.
In general, I spend a lot of time at airports and in lounges. What I like about this space is the relaxed atmosphere and camaraderie. Nobody is trying to busily work on a laptop before running off to their flight. Everybody is here for the same thing, and that makes starting conversations a breeze.
Amenities
Emirates’ Australian Open lounge has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. For one thing, there’s a photo wall where you can pose for selfies – and with uniformed cabin crew, if you wish. This is actually located just outside of the Emirates suite, accessible along the public concourse of the River Terrace. In other words, anybody can stop by for a selfie.
There are staff on hand to take your photo. Much like onboard with Emirates, there’s a Polaroid camera floating around here too. In my experience, staff will happily take photos on both your phone and by Polaroid. This means you have crystal clear images for social media and a memento to take home.
Emirates’ lounge also sports an outdoor, water-facing terrace. It can be a little warm during the day, but it’s pleasant for the night session – for which access begins at 5 pm.
Food and beverage in Emirates’ Australian Open lounge
Here’s where Emirates really sets itself apart at the Australian Open. Service in the lounge includes an open bar with table service, for starters. You’ll want to order a ‘Lemon Ace’, the tournament’s signature Grey Goose-based cocktail.
On the food front, substantial canapés practically serve as a meal. Much like the lounge’s theme, these bites are also inspired by Emirates’ European destinations. Highlights includes the grilled scallop, the roving smoked salmon trolley, the beautiful prawns and the caviar-topped cheese toasties. This is certainly a notch above a typical airline lounge.
To finish, it’s hard to decide between the choux or the macarons… so I enjoy one of each. There’s certainly enough to go around!
How to access Emirates’ invitation-only lounge
For the remainder of this year’s Australian Open, Emirates’ tennis lounge is on a strict invitation-only basis. You can still pop by for a selfie out the front, but if you’re not on the list, you won’t be able to enter. After all, Emirates describes this space as ‘the go-to for celebrities and invited guests at the Australian Open.’
It’s likely though that Emirates could make a number of passes available in 2026 for those with Skywards miles to spend. This year, tickets to enter the Emirates suite prior to the quarterfinals started at 30,000 Skywards miles. Redemptions were restricted to Skywards Gold and Platinum members only.
If you’re interested, keep an eye on the Skywards Exclusives page of the Emirates website. Here, you’ll also be able to browse other unique experiences bookable with Skywards miles.
Busy travelling during the tennis? You’ll also be able to watch the Australian Open live onboard Emirates flights via the Sport24 channel. This will also be streamed to the large TV screen at Emirates’ Airbus A380 onboard bars, with Emirates-operated lounges on the ground also tuning TVs to the tennis.
In other news
Along with its efforts for VIPs attending the Australian Open, Emirates is also revamping the look of its ‘elite unit’ at Dubai International Airport. The airline’s special assistance teams are now kitted out in a new and distinctive uniform. It resembles the airline’s signature look, but with a few subtle twists.
Just like the cabin crew uniform, the VIP Passenger Services uniform is designed in the shade of warm sand, symbolising the desert dunes of the United Arab Emirates, with a subtle red collar and matching cuffs for ladies. The suit is accented by the iconic Emirates red hat with a gold pin showcasing the Emirates logo, and an elegantly draped cream-coloured chiffon scarf, representing the local culture. The look is completed with red leather shoes and matching handbags where Ambassadors can carry iPads and essential documents for their clientele.
In the VIP Passenger Services ladies uniform – fans will notice a red pleat in the A-line skirt, allowing the busy Ambassadors to walk comfortably around the vast airport, and a red leather belt at the waist adding a stylish touch. The menswear is tailored to perfection and made to measure for each Ambassador, featuring a jacket, pants and waistcoat, accented with a red pocket square and muted tie.
– Emirates spokesperson, January 2025
These staffers often assist the airline’s iO members jetting through the carrier’s hub. Emirates advises that VIP treatment is also often extended to ‘members of Royal families worldwide, Presidents and Former Presidents, international Ministers, Ambassadors, celebrities and public personalities, athletes and actors, and even globally recognised influencers and vloggers.’
Selected ‘premium’ customers transiting between First Class flights may also be escorted through the terminal by buggy or tarmac transfer. When you’re zipping your way through one of the world’s busiest international airports, that’s a nice perk to have.
Also read: Review of the Marriott Bonvoy Lounge at the 2025 Australian Open
Photography by Chris Chamberlin, who visited the lounge as an invited guest of Emirates.
Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.
Community