Travel Briefs: BA Dubai Lounge, PLAY Folds, Priority Pass Deals

British Airways has officially opened its new lounge at Dubai International Airport, six months behind schedule but in time for the peak tourist season. Located in a former third-party lounge space near the old one, the facility boasts a completely redesigned interior, though official images are scarce. A dedicated Concorde Room is available for First Class passengers and Gold Guest List members. Crucially, the new lounge is designed to accommodate a full A380 complement of First Class, Club World, and status passengers, addressing previous capacity issues.

In less positive news, Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY has ceased all operations and fallen into receivership, leading to immediate flight cancellations and stranded passengers. The airline had previously scaled back its transatlantic routes, dropping flights to US cities like New York Stewart, Boston Logan, and Baltimore, as well as Washington and Hamilton (Toronto). PLAY's strategy involved connecting price-sensitive European travelers to North America via Reykjavik. Little information beyond an abrupt website announcement has been shared, leaving many passengers understandably frustrated.

Finally, a special discount is available for Priority Pass memberships, offering reduced rates on airport lounge access. Often bundled with premium financial products like American Express Platinum and HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard, Priority Pass provides various tiers: Standard (£48, £24 per visit), Standard Plus (£183, 10 free visits), and Prestige (£377, unlimited free visits). A notable disparity exists as paid plans typically charge for guests, unlike the American Express Platinum version which includes free guest access and a second card, effectively covering a family of four.

(Source: https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/09/30/new-british-airways-lounge-dubai-airport/)