OREANDA-NEWS. Coinciding with the match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Emirates yesterday inaugurated its exclusive branded VIP Lounge at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Unveiled less than four months after signing the prestigious five-year shirt sponsorship with Real Madrid, the new lounge was officially opened today by Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid Institutional Relations Manager and former Club player, and Fernando Suarez De Gongora, Emirates' Manager Spain & Portugal.

Covering an area of 375sqm, the innovatively designed space can comfortably host more than 200 guests during match days. The bespoke design is modelled after the cabin of a Boeing 777 - the same aircraft currently serving the route between Madrid and Dubai. Interior features such as windows and space illumination have been thoughtfully reproduced to mimic the experience of walking through an Emirates aircraft.

The Emirates VIP Lounge will be open to its invited guests an hour before and after matches and is situated just below the VIP boxes from where guests can enjoy matches with an unparalleled view of the pitch and stadium.

Mr Gongora said: “The Emirates VIP lounge is yet another milestone in the partnership between Emirates and Real Madrid, and highlights the immense value we see in our relationship with the Club and with Spain. The unique space will be instrumental in delivering unique experiences to our guests during matches, and will be a powerful platform for on-going engagement with our customers.”

Emilio Butragueno highlighted: “It's an honour for Real Madrid to reach millions of fans worldwide through a leading partner like Emirates. Our association with an airline of this calibre makes us stronger.”

Expected to host over 6,000 guests every season, the lounge welcomes invitees to comfortable seating, large plasma screens as well as gourmet food and beverages. The lounge is replete with imagery that capture Emirates' on-board experience, global network, and action shots with the new Fly Emirates branding. All of this is set amidst a colour palette customers have come to associate with the Emirates brand.