Qantas announced that it will significantly improve its lounge network in several countries. The airline will invest around $100 million in a program that includes building four new lounges and upgrading existing ones.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the recovery in travel demand has allowed the airline to accelerate investment in its network. “Returning to profitability allows us to invest for the long term. This started with the major aircraft order we announced last year. Now, it continues with a major investment in our lounges,” he stated. “Millions of people visit our facilities every year. These tend to be the passengers who travel with us the most, so anything we do to improve them is a way of saying thank you to our most loyal customers.”
Airline plans
- opening of a new First Lounge at Heathrow Airport
- reopening of the renovated international lounge in Hong Kong
- renovation and expansion of the business class lounge in Sydney
- refurbishment and expansion of the International Business Lounge in Melbourne
- new Qantas Club in Hobart
- new regional lounge in Broome, with double the number of seats.
This will be the largest investment in its lounge network that Qantas will make in more than a decade. The plan is phased over three years. The Australian national airline has a network of 42 lounges in Australia (12 of them in regional destinations) and 9 overseas.
“This year we will be opening three new lounges. The ones we are announcing now will take us three more years, so this plan will take us to around 2025,” Joyce said. “London is one of the most important destinations in our network and is the perfect location for a First Lounge, especially when our direct Project Sunrise flights begin. Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, so we are delighted to secure space for our facility,” he said.
The London First Lounge will feature direct gate access, panoramic views of the airfield, and an unrivaled dining experience. The anticipated opening date will coincide -subject to regulatory approval- with the first direct flights to Sydney under Project Sunrise.
Qantas Global Lounge Upgrade Program
London First Lounge
The project involves the construction of a new First Lounge at London Heathrow Airport. Its opening should coincide with the launch of Project Sunrise flights, which will link the UK and Australia’s east coast nonstop. The First Lounge will operate alongside the existing International Lounge. It will be the fifth destination to offer a First Lounge along with Los Angeles, Melbourne, Singapore, and the original in Sydney.
Hong Kong International Lounge
The Qantas Hong Kong International Lounge, which was closed during the pandemic, will reopen. The lounge is being renovated and will open in April 2023.
Melbourne International Business Lounge
The existing lounge for business class passengers located at Melbourne International Airport will be remodeled. Its surface area will be enlarged and its capacity will be increased by up to 30%. The internal renovation will be complete and will incorporate a new food and beverage concept. Work will be carried out in phases starting in late 2023, with the aim of opening the first phase in mid-2024.
Sydney Airport business lounge
Sydney International Airport’s existing business class passenger lounge will be completely rebuilt while the airline awaits confirmation of plans to upgrade the terminal. It will increase capacity by 40%, to more than 600 seats, and will incorporate a new food offering. Work would begin in early 2024 and the first phase would be completed in early 2025.
Broome regional lounge
A new regional passenger lounge will be built and will open in 2024, doubling the capacity of the current lounge from 49 to approximately 100 seats. This is in order to cope with the strong demand from first-class travelers visiting the destination.
