11 Qantas Lounges Will Re-Open July 1

With domestic Australian interstate travel slowly opening back up (I’m taking my first flight since February next week!), Qantas has just announced the 11 domestic lounges which will be opening July 1, 2020.

The network is a mix of partial city and regional lounges to support the flights operating on these routes right now. Lounges around the country and those at International airports were closed on March 23 as a result of government-enforced restrictions. Perfect timing if you just got your Qatar Airways status match approved!

Qantas Fly Well Program

As part of the Qantas Group’s ‘Fly Well’ program, several measures will be put in place across the lounge network to promote the health and wellbeing of passengers and staff including:

• Capping the number of guests to comply with state-specific restrictions on indoor gatherings
• A hosted All-Day Snacking Station replacing ‘self serve’ buffets and drink stations.
• Disposable coffee cups
• Additional cleaning protocols
• Sanitising stations
• Upgrade To The Business Lounge

Those with Qantas Club, Gold or higher status will now be invited to visit the Qantas Business Lounge since the Qantas Club will remain closed for the time being. However, guest numbers will be capped to comply with social distancing regulations. This also means there will be some restrictions on the guests you’re allowed to bring in.

The Lounge Experience

Instead of a free for all buffet (RIP to the shared butter – if you know, you know), there will be a selection of bespoke dishes which are offered around the lounge by staff. In addition to this, guests can enjoy individual treats at the staffed snacking stations.

The individually plated menu items will change daily and will include a variety of dishes from roast field mushrooms, kale and cheese tarts with tomato relish; bacon and egg rolls; bacon, chilli and parmesan frittatas; to blackberry cheesecakes and carrot and pecan cakes with cream cheese frosting. Melbourne’s Spice Bar and Perth’s Pizza bar will also be in operation.

Will alcohol be served?

Yes! The bar inside the Qantas business lounge will be open so guests can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer before their flight.

Which Qantas Lounges Are Opening?

11 of the 35 domestic Qantas lounges will open initially. Missing of the list is Melbourne and Brisbane, those lounges will follow suit from July 10, in line with government regulations.

Qantas Capital City Lounges:

• Sydney Domestic Business Lounge
• Perth Domestic Business Lounge
• Adelaide Qantas Club
• Canberra Business Lounge

Regional Lounges:

• Alice Springs Regional Lounge
• Kalgoorlie Regional Lounge
• Tamworth Regional Lounge
• Coffs Harbour Regional Lounge
• Broome Regional Lounge
• Karratha Regional Lounge
• Launceston Regional Lounge

As I mentioned before, Qantas initially will invite customers to visit the Business Lounges or regional lounges subject to capacity, with plans to reopen Qantas Clubs and Chairmans Lounges in coming weeks.

Stephanie Tully added, “This is a new world for everyone as we introduce and evolve our services to the new travel climate, but we’re very confident that we can make this work well for our people and our customers.
“Some initiatives will become the norm while others, such as capacity restrictions will ease as time goes on. We haven’t ruled out a return of the buffet, toastie and pancake maker in the future or the reintroduction of self-serve beverage stations when restrictions ease, in the meantime, we are hopeful Qantas customers will enjoy the extra personalised offering.”

Qantas Lounge Re-Opening Conclusion

It’s great to see some normality returning back to the travel industry who need our support. I’m looking forward to checking out the new Qantas Lounge experience next week for my trip from Perth to Exmouth so stay tuned for a more detailed review!