Qantas To Reopen First Class Lounges

With the first Trans-Tasman bubble flights set to depart next week, Qantas plans to open up its international lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

After just over a year, Qantas will roll out the red carpet at their International First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, while the neighbouring International Business Lounges remain closed. The Brisbane International Lounge is also set to open.

Who can access Qantas First Lounges?

“If you’re making a comeback, you should do it in style,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. That’s because passengers who would normally be restricted to lower-tier lounges will have access to the airline’s flagship International First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne. This includes:

• Qantas Business Class passengers
• Qantas Club members
• Qantas Platinum One, Platinum and Gold frequent flyers
• Equivalent Oneworld and partner airline frequent flyers

What to expect from the Qantas First Lounge

Qantas’s International First Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne have deservedly ranked among the world’s best airport lounges. An awesome view, Neil Perry inspired à la carte dining, bar service, barista coffee, complimentary spa treatments and marble-lined shower suites are a few of the perks that these lounges have to offer.

But, and this is a big one, given the extensive access list, we are yet to find out if exclusive services including spa treatments and on-tap Champagne will remain.

Qantas First Lounge menu

Frequent flyers rejoice as the fan-favourite à la carte dining is here to stay. The Sydney and Melbourne First Class Lounges will offer an à la carte menu featuring a range of dishes curated by Rockpool chef Neil Perry. So, what exactly can travellers expect?

Breakfast

• Seasonal fruit salad
• Croissant
• House made muffin
• Neil’s healthy Bircher muesli with apple, cranberry and hazelnuts
• Buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon yoghurt, berries and maple syrup
• Brunch bowl with goats’ cheese, avocado, cherry tomato bulgur and green tahini
• Brioche, leg ham and Gruyere toasted sandwich
• Scrambled eggs with bacon, pork chipolata, spinach, tomato braised beans

All-day dining

• Brioche, leg ham and Gruyere toasted sandwich, rocket and lemon
• Salt and pepper squid with cabbage salad, green chilli dipping sauce and aioli
• Roast cauliflower with carrot and almond hummus, zucchini, preserved lemon and hazelnuts
• Tamarind chicken with eggplant, jasmine rice and lime pickle yoghurt
• Red braised lamb shoulder with chilli paste and noodles
• Signature pavlova with seasonal fruit, mascarpone and Persian fairy floss

Want to know more? Why not check out our pre-Covid review of Qantas’ First Class Lounge at Sydney Airport!

Lounge access in New Zealand

Qantas has made the decision not to open its New Zealand lounges for now. Instead, Qantas will offer Qantas Club members and Gold or above Frequent Flyers access to Air New Zealand’s lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.