Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific get larger LAX lounge

Qantas has opened a new wing at its Los Angeles Business Lounge, in partnership with Oneworld members British Airways and Cathay Pacific, and marking the completion of a multi-million dollar upgrade to its LAX lounges.

The extension provides room for 200 more travellers, boosting the business class lounge's total capacity to 600, with another 200 in the adjacent Qantas first class lounge. The total footprint is a staggering but stylish 42,000 square feet.

Central to the expansion is the opening of a new kitchen to boost the preflight dining options, which now extends to a second buffet with a do-it-yourself juice station plus a dedicated dining area.

The large communal dining table is equipped with AC and USB power sockets to keep your laptop, tablet or smartphone charging up while you chow down.

However, Qantas says its original plan to serve 'a daily plate with matching premium wine or beer' has been put on hold for now.

Out in the main part of the lounge the Californian food carts will remain to serve street food such as pulled pork tacos, speciality hot dogs, crumbed cod tacos with red cabbage coleslaw and lime chipotle mayo, and Asian-spiced chicken wings.

As before, the lounge’s overall menu is influenced by the multicultural nature of Los Angeles, including Italian, Mexican, Chinese and Korean alongside ‘US West Coast’ cuisine, and delivers what Qantas consulting chef Neil Perry has described as "the very best airport lounge food in America, by a long way."

Qantas has also made room for a business zone with six Apple iMac desktops and a wireless printer, plus a small family zone which in peak holiday periods is enlarged with children’s furniture, toys and games.

Finally, there are now 16 shower suites where you can freshen up before your flight with Aurora Spa ASPAR amenities.

"The completion of this project represents our significant investment in the US market" says Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Regional General Manager for The Americas.

"Together with Los Angeles International Airport’s renovations, Qantas now offers truly world class facilities for international travellers and our lounges in the US are second to none."

Also read: Qantas Los Angeles first class lounge brings luxe to LAX

A uniquely LA look

The Qantas Los Angeles Business Lounge plays off its location to shape a unique "look, feel and food" offering, similar to what the airline has done at its Singapore and Hong Kong lounges.

For an LAX lounge this means “a contemporary design reflecting Californian culture”, according to Qantas and lounge designers Woods Bagot.

A cornerstone of this is an internal circular fireplace around which passengers can sit and relax.

But the rest of lounge’s decor also makes nods to its SoCal origins with iconic American-designed furniture and warm woods.

However, to prevent things getting too dark and heavy, there’s also a central glass atrium to bring some natural light into the lounge.

And what’s a modern airport lounge without a cocktail bar?

The Qantas Los Angeles Business Lounge is open from 6.30am to midnight for the following passengers:

• Qantas, Cathay and British Airways business class and first class travellers
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold, Platinum, Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge members
• Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club Gold and Diamond members
• British Airways Executive Club Silver and Gold members
• Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members
• Qantas Club members

Read our first-hand review of the new Qantas Los Angeles Business Lounge

David Flynn travelled to Los Angeles as a guest of Qantas.

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David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.