Emirates, a global connector of people and places, celebrated the opening of its 37th dedicated lounge for First Class and Business Class customers as well as Platinum and Gold members of Emirates Skywards, the airline’s frequent flyer program, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAIA).

The Emirates lounge at LAIA represents a $6.2 million investment on the part of the airline, to provide an experience of seamless luxury and comfort to its premium customers.

As the second largest airport in the United States in the second largest metropolitan area in America, the Emirates lounge at LAIA offers Emirates’ premium services even before customers step on board. The decor in the Emirates lounge provides a seamless transition to the elegant environment of the onboard First Class and Business Class offering with a color palette reflecting the neutral, earthy tones that customers have come to associate with the Emirates brand.

The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Mohammed Mattar, Emirates’ divisional SVP airport services, and Barry Rondinella, director of operations from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

“Our third dedicated airport lounge in the United States underpins our commitment to providing our premium customers with a great travel experience, and delivering on the high standards they have come to expect from Emirates,” said Mattar.

The airline started flying to Los Angeles in 2008 with a Boeing 777-200LR. In December 2013, Emirates introduced the 490 seat Airbus A380, powered by US made GE GP7200 engines, a direct response to demand — with over one million Emirates’ customers travelling between Los Angeles and Dubai to date.

"Working together, we both have partnered to provide and then create a space where travelers can experience a world-class dedicated First Class and Business Class Lounge," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director, LAWA.