Review: Dublin Airport DAA Executive Lounge Terminal 1

After a nice few days in Dublin, it was time to go home. We were booked to fly back to Mumbai on British Airways, and we booked our tickets as Dublin-London Heathrow-(overnight)-Mumbai so that we could originate our redemption trip outside the UK and avoid the heavy UK APD of 150 Pounds per passenger.

Like we mentioned in the review of the Holiday Inn Express, we used the shuttle service to arrive at the airport and got out at Terminal 1 instead of 2 as we should have. There were a few bags to draw along then to take them to Terminal 2, but we finally arrived there and headed straight to the British Airways counters.

British Airways Check-in at Dublin Airport

The counters for British Airways Economy were full, but as British Airways Gold, we had access to the Club Europe Check-in, which was empty. We checked-in our bags only till London Heathrow and were on our way in double quick time.

British Airways Check-in at Dublin Airport

After passing through security, we turned left to find the elevators leading up to the DAA Executive Lounge. This lounge used to be the BMI lounge, and after the airline folded up, went over to the DAA.

DAA is the only lounge at Dublin Airport, so all the airlines use the same lounge. British Airways, Qatar Airways, KLM, Lufthansa were some of the airlines and you could also use the lounge with a Lounge Club, Priority Pass or Diners Club pass. We were admitted in via my BA Gold tier status, which allowed me to bring in a guest to the lounge as well.

Lounge Access to DAA Executive Lounge Dublin Airport

As you come up a flight of stairs, one comes up to a reception of the lounge. On both sides, there were seating areas in the lounge. For about 7 AM in the morning on a weekday, it was very very empty and quiet, which was a good thing for us.

DAA Executive Lounge Terminal 1

The receptionist scanned us in, and informed us about the facilities available at the Lounge. There were tonnes of newspaper and reading material next to her including all major newspapers.

If you went left, there were tonnes of couches and seats arranged in various formats, to sit across each other or get a work desk lined up along the wall.

DAA Executive Lounge seating

There was a small deli set up along with a bar as well on the left-hand side of the lounge.

DAA Executive Lounge seating

Now, I could have started my day with a Jameson Irish Whiskey, but heck, they made a mean cappuccino here and I went with that. I’m glad I did because, on the other side, the cappuccinos were machine-made and that does not beat the ability to talk to a bar(ista!) and get them to adjust the coffee to your liking.

Bar at DAA Executive Lounge

There were tonnes of swivel chairs dotting up the rest of the lounge on the left side.

DAA Executive Lounge seating

The right section of the Lounge was busier and had a smaller seating area, but again functional. The windows ensured a lot of light came in, however, there were no views to speak of outside.

DAA Executive Lounge seating

Given the time of the day, breakfast was the order of the hour. There were cereal, scones, croissants, granola and fruits laid out for anyone who wanted to have (continental) breakfast. I especially liked the pick-me-up format for the fruits which you could also take to the plane rather than having to eat it there itself.

DAA Executive Lounge breakfast

The food was pretty much okay, except there was a bit of a hygiene issue, with all the flies around the food. Too bad I saw them when I was over for first helpings, so I passed along the food and stuck with some cookies from the jar and the sealed fruits.

There were tea and coffee lining up the wall, along with lots of cold beverages in the coolers below.

DAA Executive Lounge beverages

Given we had just started the day, we settled in for some work to be finished at the lounge. The airport wifi was free and also used in the lounge. After spending an hour there, we headed to board our flight but had to finish up some other stuff along the way as well.

Bottomline

I won’t say avoid this lounge, but I won’t build in time for this as well in my schedule if I was back in Dublin. It is functional on the lines of most lounges in Europe and the Americas. Good for a short trip to catch the newspaper and a coffee along with some good wifi. Not more.