Qantas serves up Christmas cheer in lounges and inflight

You can’t quite believe it’s already December, with Christmas just weeks away? Join the club.

2024 is pretty much done and dusted, and I’m in ‘Q1 denial’ while drawing up my travel schedule for early 2025.

But look on the bright side, which includes a bit of surprise-and-delight if you're flying with Qantas during the festive season. 

Double points

Any Qantas Frequent Flyers who find themselves on the Boeing 737 ‘Roo-dolph’ or QantasLink Q400 ‘Dasher-8’ planes (both of which are decked out in sspecial Christmas livery) will pocket a double serve of Qantas Points.

Sure, it’s not double status credits – but we can wait until early next year for that, right..?

Christmas PJs

Themed Qantas pyjamas are very much a thing, and this Christmas they’re back with a splash in bright red.

Claim your Santa sleepwear at the Qantas First Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne between December 16-25, or watch for them to pop up at other lounges across the domestic terminals as well as on international business class flights.

Qantas lounges

Speaking of lounges, the Qantas First Lounge’s summer 2024-2025 all-day dining menu will be complemented by three Christmas dishes across December 16-25.

Don’t pass up the starter of super-sized yet sweet Skull Island tiger prawns from the Gulf of Carpentaria, served with asparagus, avocado and togarashi spice.

A new mains option is the grilled pork cutlet with rosemary roast onions, peaches and a balsamic drizzle, although I found the pork on the dry side.

And what’s an Aussie Christmas without a pavlova?

Alongside the ‘deconstructed’ pav in a glass, the Qantas First Lounges will tempt with a more traditional take on the pav topped by strawberries and passionfruit. It’s a must-try.

Across all lounges there’ll be a delightful ‘Christmas cocktail’ spritz built around strawberry syrup, soda water, a dash of vodka and cherry brandy, and then dressed with crystallised ginger and fresh mint.

Several capital city lounges will also be rolling out local independent beers, such as:

• Hawke’s lager in Sydney
• Stomping Ground Big Sky Hazy in Melbourne
• Straddie Amity Pale Ale in Brisbane
• Bentspoke Crankshaft IPA in Canberra
• Gage Roads Single Fin Summer Ale in Perth

To top it off, and again this is apparently an ‘all lounges’ offering, there’ll be roast turkey rolls, fruit mince pies, gingerbread and ‘Christmas’ ice-creams.

Inflight menus

Some great Australian produce takes centre stage as festive fare.

Highlights from  first class on the A380 superjumbos include:

• Australian tasting plate of saltbush crusted goats cheese, lamb prosciutto, dukkah olives, piccalilli and bush tomato relish served with pepperleaf and parmesan lavosh
• Seared Glacier 51 toothfish with sugar snaps, snow peas and lemon served with Cobram Estate Hojiblanca extra virgin olive oil
• Coratina extra virgin olive oil pannacotta with toasted almond praline

Meanwhile, in business class across the A380, A330 and Boeing 787s, watch for:

• Braised Margra lamb shoulder with rosemary potatoes, honey glazed carrots and crushed minted peas
• Vegetable rendang with fragrant rice, cashews and spicy pickles
• Roast chicken thigh cutlet with charred broccolini, feta, olive and almond dressing

Qantas will also be serving up its new Qantas Aviation Spritz – created by Curatif using Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin and Regal Rogue Daring Dry – across international economy and premium economy cabins.