Review: Qantas domestic business lounge, Perth Airport
From oven-fresh pizzas to showers and a tended bar, this premium hangout is ideal for both work and play.
By Chris Ashton, December 7 2023
Country
Australia
City
Perth
Airport
Perth
Alliance
oneworld
Airline
Qantas
Cabin-class
Business
Notes
The Good
- Rotating menu, broad drinks list
The Bad
- Showing signs of wear and tear
X-Factor
- House-made pizzas from 11:30am
Introduction
Domestic travellers bound from Perth’s Terminal 4 have two Qantas frequent flyer hangouts at their disposal. Chief among them is the Qantas business lounge, which debuted in 2015 to alleviate congestion at the nearby Qantas Club.
Though physically located a level down from the Qantas Club and indeed lacking the expansive view across the runway, the business lounge is arguably a big step up, both in design and amenity.
While showing some expected signs of age, most notably in the soft furnishings, it still ticks plenty of boxes for work and leisure.
Location & Impressions
After scaling the escalator post-security screening, continue straight and you’ll find the business lounge entrance on the far side of the central atrium, adjacent to Gate 15.
The entrance is next door to Common Kitchen & Bar.
Within, the 350-seater hangout follows a similar aesthetic to its siblings in Brisbane and Melbourne, with some West Aussie references in its colour palette: terracotta subway tiles to reflect the rugged rocks of the Pilbara were highlighted by Qantas as an example.
Curtains are unfortunately drawn, obscuring a view of the apron.
Seating is an eclectic mix of leather and cloth armchairs, leather bench seats, dining settings and a lengthy shared workbench – mostly in good condition.
There's a warm feeling thanks to extensive use of timber throughout.
The heart of the lounge is its dining space, which spans two lengthy buffet counters and also houses two timber dining benches.
Access
Unlocking its door one hour before the first Qantas service until the last Qantas departure, the lounge welcomes:
- Qantas Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers
- Passengers seated in business class, plus those connecting from an international business class flight, even if the next leg is in economy
- Oneworld Emerald status holders, when flying on Qantas, QantasLink or Jetstar
(5-7am daily is peak ‘Fly in, fly out’ time, resulting in a sea of high-vis clothing. Once this morning rush ends the atmosphere is significantly calmer.)
The standard guest rules also apply:
- two for Platinum or Platinum One members
- one for travellers in business class, holding Oneworld Emerald or Emirates Skywards Gold/Platinum status (the latter must be on a same-day QF or EK-operated flight).
Platinum and Platinum One members can also take advantage of on-arrival access.
Dining
Breakfast is served until 11am, after which the Pizza Bar – a feature unique to this lounge – is fired up and the lunch service begins.
There's ample dining seating alongside the buffet or over near the bar.
Early risers and mid-morning flyers can tuck into a breakfast menu which typically includes beef and pork sausages, scrambled eggs and baked beans, along with all the makings of a toasted sandwich.
Fruit salad, bircher muesli and chia pudding are all on offer in the cold buffet, as is natural yoghurt with raspberry or mango purée.
Various cereals and sweet treats are also available, together with a make-your-own juice bar and fruit-infused waters.
Caffeine-deprived travellers can saunter up to the all-day barista counter, which sits alongside the buffet and sees coffee orders moved through at a rapid pace.
A secondary barista station is available at the bar.
For lunch, the all-day menu consists of soup (white bean minestrone on our visit) plus a mix of salads, toasted sandwiches, and some sweet savoury snacks. The variety and quality of dishes is much-improved versus the Qantas Club.
Mixed bean salad with soy dressing; toasted sandwiches and hummus with crudités.
For many though, it’s all about the ‘Pizza Bar’, where white-clad chefs dish up oven-fresh pizzas throughout the day. (Perth is one of just three Qantas lounges to have a speciality dining option, together with ‘The Oven’ in Brisbane and ‘Spice Bar’ in Melbourne.)
Our visit presents two choices: roasted pumpkin, sage and pine nuts, alongside pork sausage, rocket and mozzarella.
Pizzas are a hot-ticket item and quickly snapped up.
Bar service featuring beer, wine, an Australian sparkling and spirits opens from midday, with a dedicated bar nestled around the corner from the buffet, where you’ll also find yet more seating.
The bar also houses a couple of circular upright tables.
Select wines are available at the barista counter: a choice of three reds, three whites and a rosé.
Work
When work calls or emails can no longer be ignored, you can take your pick of several long work benches with built-in powerpoints at either end (AC and USB outlets are included).
Desk AC power points are on an angle, and only just fit a Mac charger.
Power points are conveniently spaced around the perimeter as well as on the kickboard of bench seats. However, the latter are too low to the ground for standard MacBook chargers, meaning Mac users will need to pick an alternative seat.
The blue armchairs have seen better days, but other chairs are holding up well.
An 11-seat meeting room complete with printer, TV and presentation board is located near the reception. This was previously available to hire, though has yet to return since Covid.
That said, staff advise Executive Traveller that if you ask at the front desk, you may be allowed to pop inside and use it.
The meeting room houses a TV, printer and paper flipchart.
WiFi speeds reach a solid 80Mbps download, and around 100Mbps upload, which is more than adequate to work or download movies.
Relax
Four shower suites stocked with Li’tya skincare (the same found in Qantas amenity kits) are available free of charge, with towels supplied at their entrance.
Showers are clean and tidy on our visit.
Shampoo, conditioner and body wash are readily available.
Verdict
Almost a decade on, Perth Qantas business lounge is holding up surprisingly well, bar a few signs of wear and tear on lounges and in the main bathroom. Executive Traveller understands a soft seating refresh will be taking place in the near future.
There’s a decidedly calmer and more upmarket feel to the lounge, particularly compared to the nearby Qantas Club, and if your access allows, it’s worth visiting to kick back, relax and enjoy a few slices of pizza.
11 Sep 2018
Total posts 18
Honestly don't get why they offer what is frankly a subpar product in the Qantas Club when the Business Lounge is what is to be expected from a lounge experience. Luckily every time i've intended to go the the Qantas club at Perth it's been closed and have been redirected to the Business Lounge which is more than adequate.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 39
On most occasions I have visited, across, most hours, there are large numbers of Yellow vests, work boots, poorly groomed men, tee shirts, rubber thongs, people yelling down mobile phones (as if anybody else is interested) and screaming, uncontrolled children.
Not too sure if it is much better than the Club upstairs EXCEPT for the food and wines.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Business and Platinum members only - not sure why anyone else is allowed in. But really, food needs to be improved but perhaps a F lounge should be made in Perth.
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