Passengers using the Qantas Domestic Business Lounge and Qantas Club at Melbourne Airport are set to benefit from a major upgrade with more seating and new dining options before they fly.
The Melbourne lounge project was announced with several other investments at Qantas’ full year results last week, including new flights from Sydney to London and Melbourne to New York by 2022.
Oh and did we mention total cabin revamps?
Anyway, we’re getting distracted.
Work on the extensive redevelopment will begin in November this year, with construction completed in stages to allow ongoing lounge access during the scheduled 12-month build. We wonder how it’ll stack up to these Best Airline Lounges in the world.
The Woods Bagot designed lounges will reflect Melbourne’s culture and urban environment.
Food and beverage will be influenced by Qantas Consulting Chef, Neil Perry. Following the popularity of feature dining offerings in Perth (gourmet pizzas) and Brisbane (Mexican cantina), the Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge will have its own unique food option that reflects the local culture, to be announced closer to completion.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the investment will give the airline’s growing number of customers travelling through Melbourne Airport a much improved start to their journey.
“Melbourne is one of the busiest ports in our network and with passenger numbers continuing to increase, it’s the right time to make our lounges there bigger and better,” Joyce said.
“While they will incorporate some of the elements that we’ve introduced with our recent Brisbane and Perth lounge upgrades, the new Melbourne lounges will have some unique local flair to them. Obviously, the coffee will have to be top-notch,” he added.
The combined footprint of the lounges will remain the same but space will be used more effectively to deliver a Business Lounge with 40 per cent more capacity (with room for approximately 350 people) and a Qantas Club with 10 per cent more capacity (with room for approximately 530 people).
Combined, the lounges will be able to accommodate around 130 more people compared with the current configuration.
The new lounges will share a joint reception but have separate entries, which will reduce the walking distance for Business Lounge customers compared with the current setup.
The lounges will be distinct from each other in terms of interior design and signature features but will both include:
- an all-day barista coffee service
- seasonal dining with hot and cold menu options
- Quench hydration station with a selection of premium non-alcoholic beverages
- business facilities including wireless printing and high speed wi-fi
- an increased number of device-charging access points
- service experience by Accor.
Since 2014, Qantas has rolled out significant improvements to nearly 30 domestic and international lounges. New lounges are currently under construction at both ends of the upcoming Perth-London route.
The Qantas Club is open to Qantas Club members, Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers and above, and those with equivalent oneworld tier benefits, while the Business Lounge is open to customers travelling in the Business cabin, Platinum Frequent Flyers and above, and equivalent oneworld members.
Alright now for a few piccies!
