For the final portion of my around the world journey with dad, we flew Qantas’ Airbus A380 top notch from Sydney to Los Angeles. Previous to our flight, we spent a number of hours within the Qantas First Lounge Sydney, which I’ll be reviewing on this installment
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is spectacular — it has enjoyable decor, beautiful views with a lot of pure mild, scrumptious meals and drinks, and even a spa with complimentary remedies. That is amongst my favourite top notch lounges on the planet, and in addition among the finest oneworld Emerald lounges on the planet.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney location
Though our flight from Sydney to Los Angeles solely departed at 10:20AM, we received to the airport manner early (at round 4:30AM), as I at all times desire to evaluation lounges proper after they open. We had checked in on-line, as the primary class check-in space was nonetheless closed on the time. Nonetheless, Qantas does have a pleasant devoted top notch facility, which you’ll see under.
We cleared safety by way of the primary and enterprise class lane, after which adopted the signage within the path of lounges.
When you stroll previous most of the obligation free outlets, you’ll see the escalator main as much as Qantas’ lounges (each for first and enterprise class passengers), simply close to the signal pointing within the path of gates 8-10.
On the high of the escalator is the doorway to the Qantas First Lounge.
There’s somebody on the door who scans you in, and then you definitely stroll down an extended hallway, after which take an escalator up yet one more stage, which is the place the lounge is situated.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney hours
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is at the moment open each day from 5AM till the final Qantas departure of the evening. So for those who’re touring on an eligible oneworld flight, you need to discover that this lounge is open.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney entry necessities
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is a typical oneworld Emerald and oneworld top notch lounge. According to oneworld lounge entry insurance policies:
- The lounge may be accessed by oneworld Emerald members touring in any cabin on a oneworld flight
- The lounge may be accessed by any similar day oneworld worldwide top notch passenger, not solely on Qantas, but additionally on airways like American, British Airways, and so forth.
It’s such a deal with how oneworld Emerald members get entry to Qantas’ unimaginable number of top notch lounges, not solely in Sydney, but additionally overseas, in locations like Los Angeles and Singapore.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney structure & seating
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is roughly 2,000 sq. meters (~21,500 sq. ft), so it’s one of many greater top notch lounges on the market. This isn’t simply your typical airport lounge that consists of 1 huge rectangular room, however reasonably the lounge has a enjoyable structure.
Whenever you enter the lounge, you’ll see the escalator, which is visually fairly cool, as you enter by way of a round opening.
Additionally proper close to the doorway is a break up flap departures board, which I like to see.
Your entire lounge is then alongside one lengthy hallway, which curves barely. When you’re contained in the lounge and going through the home windows, you’ll discover that the eating space is to the left, whereas many of the space for enjoyable is to the proper (effectively, apart from the spa).
The world for enjoyable is damaged up into a number of totally different zones, every of which is separated by an enormous picket beam, of kinds.
There are a number of areas with leather-based couches and chairs, in quite a lot of configurations.
On the very finish of the lounge there’s a library space. It’s not solely clear to me what function this space serves (are you supposed to pick a e-book, begin studying it, after which depart it there, or…?), however I don’t usually see individuals hanging out right here, except the lounge is de facto busy.
For these trying to get some work carried out, there’s an space with three workstations. I respect when lounges have correct desks, since it may be arduous to work on a laptop computer in a typical lounging chair with out slouching over.
Additionally on this aspect of the lounge are two non-public rooms (effectively, form of non-public, because the home windows are solely partially frosted), every with a desk and a front room space. These are meant as VIP rooms, although in the event that they’re not reserved for that individual function on a given day, they’re out there on a primary come, first served foundation. Simply ask somebody at reception about it, they usually can set you up.
Inside the doorway to the lounge and to the left is the eating space, which can be enormous. This consists of a number of totally different areas, every of which has a bit over a dozen tables.
There’s additionally a bar space, with some high-top seating, which seems instantly on the open kitchen.
Whenever you go deep into the lounge you’ll see a eating space that’s roped off. That is reserved for Qantas top notch passengers, I suppose to create some exclusivity for these passengers who’re in top notch, reasonably than oneworld Emerald members. Then once more, it appears extra about feeling particular by sitting behind a rope, reasonably than the rest.
On the very finish of the lounge is yet another room with seating for enjoyable, simply to interrupt issues up a bit.
The lounge has floor-to-ceiling home windows all through, and my gosh, I don’t know if there’s a lounge on the planet with higher views. Not solely do you may have wonderful views of the apron and runway, however you even get views of the Sydney skyline. Watching the dawn from the lounge was merely magical.
Nonetheless, fear not, the view was fairly nice afterward as effectively.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney meals & drinks
One of many issues the Qantas First Lounge is finest recognized for is its a la carte eating, designed by Neil Perry. The one factor I used to be unhappy about with this go to is that our flight was within the morning, so we “solely” received to strive the breakfast menu, and never the lunch or dinner menu.
You’ll find the breakfast menu under.
Once we first arrived within the lounge, we in fact wanted our caffeine hit. I ordered a flat white, after which finally a latte, and each have been glorious. Discuss 36 hours of wonderful espresso!
Finally we sat down for breakfast. To start out, I ordered the home toasted muesli, and my dad ordered the buttermilk pancakes with whipped macadamias and Qantas uncooked honey. Okay, I don’t need to completely throw my dad underneath the bus, I didn’t thoughts serving to him with these. 😉
For these questioning about “Qantas uncooked honey,” that is truly honey from beehives at Qantas’ headquarters in Sydney… hah.
Then for our mains, I ordered the zucchini and soba noodles with sesame, tamari, and grilled enoki mushrooms, and my dad ordered eggs ready to his liking, with some accompaniments.
The meals high quality was glorious. As I mentioned above, it’s only a disgrace that we have been solely there for breakfast.
Notice that service all through the lounge is from servers, as there are very restricted choices to assist your self. The one self-serve choices are one drink station with smooth drinks, water, and beer, plus a couple of jars with sweet and nuts.
Positively come to this lounge hungry, as you gained’t be disenchanted.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney spa
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney has its personal spa, which these days I’d think about to supply the very best complimentary airport spa remedy. When you’re touring in Qantas top notch, you’ll obtain an e mail from a concierge the day earlier than departure, and might make an appointment prematurely for a remedy.
In the meantime for those who’re not touring in Qantas top notch however nonetheless have entry to the lounge, appointments can be found on a primary come, first served foundation on the entrance.
Under you could find the Qantas First Lounge Sydney spa menu. As you possibly can see, every remedy is 20 minutes, and you’ll select from any of the next 4 choices:
- A facial
- A neck, shoulder, and scalp therapeutic massage
- A scorching stone again therapeutic massage
- A foot therapeutic massage
You may determine which remedy you need if you arrive in your appointment, as a result of the identical therapist performs all of them.
To search out the spa, enter the lounge and switch left, and also you’ll see the doorway to the spa on the very again left of the lounge.
This spa isn’t just a few afterthought, however is sort of a fantastically designed house, with a plant wall to present it a correct spa-like feeling.
Upon arriving I used to be proven to my remedy room. I had booked the new stone therapeutic massage, so was simply requested to take my shirt off and get on the therapeutic massage desk.
The remedy was excellent, and my dad loved his as effectively. What a deal with!
Qantas First Lounge Sydney bogs & showers
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney has a few units of bogs.
I like how every lavatory stall is principally non-public, with a rest room and a sink, so it’s extra dignified than your typical airport lounge lavatory setup.
The lounge additionally has a number of bathe suites, that are effectively appointed. Every bathe suite has a walk-in bathe, a sink, and a rest room.
Toiletries have been from LaGaia UNEDITED, the identical firm behind the spa.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney service
I discovered the workers within the Qantas First Lounge Sydney to be extremely pleasant throughout the board. Whether or not it was the Qantas workers on the entrance desk, or the restaurant servers, you positively get the sense that folks take satisfaction in working within the lounge.
Backside line
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is an unimaginable lounge, and I’m so blissful to have visited it for the primary time in years. There’s a lot to like in regards to the lounge, from the design, to the views, to the a la carte eating, to the spa. This lounge actually is a deal with to go to, and this is among the finest lounges on the planet that you could entry on account of elite standing.
Whereas I’m not in any other case the world’s largest Qantas fanboy, I do love Qantas First Lounges, and constantly take pleasure in my visits to them. Heck, a majority of these lounges are one in every of my foremost motivations for sustaining oneworld Emerald standing (although that wasn’t wanted on this case, since we have been flying top notch).
What’s your tackle the Qantas First Lounge Sydney?
