Qantas Confirms New Melbourne International Business Lounge For 2029
Only 6 years after the first announcement, the new lounge should be a massive upgrade for Qantas Frequent Flyers
Qantas has confirmed it is designing a new International Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport. The lounge will be built above Terminal 2, with views out over the airfield, and will be up to one-third larger than the current space. Works and fitout are expected to be completed by 2029.
This isn't a new announcement, but we did get more detail today. The Melbourne international business lounge was first flagged in 2023, slated for a stage one opening in 2024. What has changed is the location. Back in 2023 Qantas planned to renovate the existing space, and today's announcement is a significant upgrade on that plan.
The news came as part of a wider commercial agreement between the Qantas Group and Melbourne Airport, announced this morning. Flight Hacks was at the media briefing, which happened to line up with the arrival of the first Airbus A350-1000ULR test flight from Toulouse after 19h and 13 minutes in the air, according to Flightradar24 data.
What We Expect
So far, the details are pretty sparse. Qantas has only said the new lounge will give customers sweeping views of the airport (sounds familiar to the now axed London First lounge!). We're speculating that the design also includes an outdoor terrace, along the lines of the 150 square metre terrace going into the new Sydney International Business Lounge.
So far, nothing is locked in. Qantas teams are still working through the designs, and I expect renders and firm detail to follow over the coming months.
The Current Business Lounge Sets A Low Bar
The existing Melbourne international business lounge sits below the departures concourse in T2. No windows, no natural light, and a capacity that struggles the moment two widebodies are scheduled push back within an hour of each other. It has been the weakest of the major Qantas international lounges for years. And by the looks of it, passengers may need to endure it for some years to come!
Moving the lounge upstairs fixes a few things that matter most. Daylight, and floor space.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said "The new Qantas International Business Lounge will deliver significant improvements for their premium customers and will boast one of the best views at the airport."
Final agreements are still to be executed in the coming months.
Singapore Airlines Escapes The Dungeon First
Qantas is not the first airline moving upstairs at T2. Singapore Airlines is opening new SilverKris First and Business lounges towards the end of this year, on level 3 above Gate 10, in the space previously used by Etihad Airways and more recently by Aspire.
That lounge runs to around 750 square metres, roughly 30 per cent larger than the current SilverKris, with seating for more than 170. It also sits on the same level as the Qantas International First Lounge, which makes the position of the Qantas business lounge downstairs harder to defend.
Summing Up
It's great to see Qantas hinting at a long overdue new Business Lounge for Melbourne International. While the lounge is is a solid 3 years away, it's not unlike Qantas to start advertising new enhancements well in advance.
Meanwhile, competitors like Singapore Airlines are moving much faster with their new lounge design unveiled in late 2025 and the opening date is set to be on track for Christmas this year!
More on the Qantas lounge design as we get it!
