For the final portion of my around the world journey with dad, we flew Qantas’ Airbus A380 first-class 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, attractive views with a lot of pure mild, scrumptious meals and drinks, and even a spa with complimentary remedies. That is amongst my favourite first-class lounges on this planet, and likewise one among the very best oneworld Emerald lounges on this planet.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney location
Though our flight from Sydney to Los Angeles solely departed at 10:20AM, we bought to the airport manner early (at round 4:30AM), as I all the time want to assessment lounges proper after they open. We had checked in on-line, as the primary class check-in space was nonetheless closed on the time. Nevertheless, Qantas does have a pleasant devoted first-class facility, which you’ll be able to see under.
We cleared safety by means of the primary and enterprise class lane, after which adopted the signage within the route of lounges.
When you stroll previous lots of the responsibility free retailers, 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 route 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 you then stroll down a protracted hallway, after which take an escalator up yet one more stage, which is the place the lounge is positioned.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney hours
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is presently open each day from 5AM till the final Qantas departure of the night time. So if you happen to’re touring on an eligible oneworld flight, it’s best to discover that this lounge is open.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney entry necessities
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney is an ordinary oneworld Emerald and oneworld first-class 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 first-class passenger, not solely on Qantas, but in addition on airways like American, British Airways, and so on.
It’s such a deal with how oneworld Emerald members get entry to Qantas’ unimaginable choice of first-class lounges, not solely in Sydney, but in addition 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. toes), so it’s one of many greater first-class lounges on the market. This isn’t simply your typical airport lounge that consists of 1 large rectangular room, however slightly 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 means of a round opening.
Additionally proper close to the doorway is a break up flap departures board, which I like to see.
The whole 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 a lot of the space for stress-free is to the correct (effectively, aside from the spa).
The realm for stress-free is damaged up into a number of completely different zones, every of which is separated by a giant wood beam, of types.
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 totally clear to me what goal this space serves (are you supposed to select a ebook, begin studying it, after which go away it there, or…?), however I don’t typically see folks hanging out right here, until the lounge is basically busy.
For these trying to get some work executed, there’s an space with three workstations. I admire when lounges have correct desks, since it may be exhausting to work on a laptop computer in a typical lounging chair with out slouching over.
Additionally on this aspect of the lounge are two personal rooms (effectively, kind of personal, 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 exact goal on a given day, they’re obtainable 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 large. This consists of a number of completely different areas, every of which has a bit over a dozen tables.
There’s additionally a bar space, with some high-top seating, which appears to be like 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 first-class passengers, I suppose to create some exclusivity for these passengers who’re in first-class, slightly than oneworld Emerald members. Then once more, it appears extra about feeling particular by sitting behind a rope, slightly than the rest.
On the very finish of the lounge is yet one more room with seating for stress-free, 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 this planet with higher views. Not solely do you could have superb views of the apron and runway, however you even get views of the Sydney skyline. Watching the dawn from the lounge was merely magical.
Nevertheless, 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 greatest 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” bought to attempt the breakfast menu, and never the lunch or dinner menu.
You will discover the breakfast menu under.
After we first arrived within the lounge, we in fact wanted our caffeine hit. I ordered a flat white, after which ultimately a latte, and each had been wonderful. Speak about 36 hours of fantastic espresso!
Ultimately 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 wish to completely throw my dad below 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 wonderful. As I mentioned above, it’s only a disgrace that we had 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 delicate drinks, water, and beer, plus just a few jars with sweet and nuts.
Positively come to this lounge hungry, as you received’t be upset.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney spa
The Qantas First Lounge Sydney has its personal spa, which these days I’d take into account to supply the very best complimentary airport spa remedy. When you’re touring in Qantas first-class, you’ll obtain an electronic mail from a concierge the day earlier than departure, and may make an appointment upfront for a remedy.
In the meantime if you happen to’re not touring in Qantas first-class however nonetheless have entry to the lounge, appointments can be found on a primary come, first served foundation on the entrance.
Beneath you’ll find the Qantas First Lounge Sydney spa menu. As you may 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 possibly can resolve which remedy you need if you arrive in your appointment, as a result of the identical therapist performs all of them.
To seek 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 kind of a superbly designed house, with a plant wall to offer it a correct spa-like feeling.
Upon arriving I used to be proven to my remedy room. I had booked the recent stone therapeutic massage, so was simply requested to take my shirt off and get on the therapeutic massage desk.
The remedy was superb, 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 toilet stall is mainly personal, with a rest room and a sink, so it’s extra dignified than your typical airport lounge toilet 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 had 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 undoubtedly 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 completely satisfied 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 likely one of the greatest lounges on this planet which you could entry on account of elite standing.
Whereas I’m not in any other case the world’s greatest Qantas fanboy, I do love Qantas First Lounges, and constantly get pleasure from my visits to them. Heck, a lot of these lounges are one among my most important motivations for sustaining oneworld Emerald standing (although that wasn’t wanted on this case, since we had been flying first-class).
What’s your tackle the Qantas First Lounge Sydney?