Inside Singapore Airlines’ new-look Sydney lounges

What can travellers expect in the refreshed Sydney SilverKris first and business class lounges?

By David Flynn, August 30 2024
Inside Singapore Airlines’ new-look Sydney lounges

Singapore Airlines’ refreshed Sydney SilverKris Lounge delivers exactly what the Star Alliance member promised: a touch-up to improve the preflight experience without detracting from the best traits of the first and business class wings.

While the changes are subtle, they’ll be noticeable to frequent visitors – especially in the business class lounge, which overall looks a little brighter owing to both the new carpet and furniture, along with sharper lighting.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

It’s a light-touch modernisation “to align with some of the latest lounge products,” Singapore Airlines tells Executive Traveller – with those influences ranging from the flagship lounges at Changi Terminal 3 to the recently-reopened lounges at London Heathrow T2 and the all-new Perth SilverKris business class lounge.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

The chairs are clad in a lighter material, like the benchtops between them – which include handily-placed AC and USB-C power outlets.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

A row of new tables and chairs are adjacent to the self-serve buffet area.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

At the far end of the lounge, the ten high-walled ‘productivity pods’ – semi-private cubicles for travellers seeking a bit of privacy and a more work-friendly  environment – have also been updated.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

But if there’s any single stand-out change, it’s the barista bar.

This replaces the less formal coffee cart in the same location, just across from the buffet, with a barista still pulling smooth well-rounded shots of whatever type of coffee takes your fancy (flat white for me, thanks).

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

Is it better than the coffee being served in the adjacent Air New Zealand lounge? Ahead of your next flight out of Sydney on any Star Alliance airline, we suggest you visit both lounges and be your own judge.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris business class lounge.

The Sydney SilverKris Lounge’s first class wing also retains its refined contemporary look, now enhanced by new tables and chairs in the dining room...

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.

... refreshed work pods...

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.

... and those iconic wingback chairs at either end of the lounge, now finished in leather upholstery embroidered with Singapore Airlines’ batik pattern.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.

These are wonderful chairs to nestle yourself into, and with the first class wing of the lounge being so quiet, they help it achieve a ‘private club’ vibe which is of course perfectly complemented by any flight in Singapore Airlines’ A380 first class suites.

Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.
Singapore Airlines' refreshed Sydney SilverKris first class lounge.

As before, Singapore Airlines’ Sydney SilverKris first class and business class lounges are open daily from 5:30am to 6pm, with the business class lounge also welcoming KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers.

Also read: Here’s your 2024 fast track to Star Alliance Gold status

13 Nov 2017

Total posts 3

Looking forward to checking this out in December.

04 Dec 2019

Total posts 1

So how comes Singapore can refresh a lounge in two weeks and yet in Auckland and sydney business lounges take years from an announcement to anything happening at all!

What an idiotic comment. Maybe because Qantas' SYD and AKL lounge projects are much much bigger and involve more than just laying own new carpets and bringing in new furniture. SYD and AKL are pretty much rebuilds. AKL will in effect be a totally new lounge. But sure, go and kick Qantas without ever engaging a single brain cell.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

24 Jan 2018

Total posts 763

By business partner, a Quantity Surveyor and PM who is regularly engaged by both airlines and airports on airside refurbishments, upgrades and extensions, is standing very much in paulwhybrow's corner, and has his own interpretation of an idiotic comment, which I won't repeat here.  Although I'm personally not involved in any, I get to hear about the crazy problems and delays caused by contractors who don't understand their certification obligations to go airside.  It seem that oversight alone can extend a 4-8 week project out by another 4-6 weeks.  And then there are the certification inspections,  'rectification works' required AFTER PC (Practical Completion), all of which must be undertaken BEFORE the 'site' is cleared for airport operations.  (My QS is fuming here because I'm not typing - verbatim - his sarcasm).  But even in these instances, the projects are completed within 3-4 months, which is twice as long as would occur if they were undertaken in a shopping centre.  

But it does seem as though paulwhybrow has asked a very valid question (well, the red-faced QS sitting opposite me certainly thinks so.)  Neither of us here can think of an answer to his question.  


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