Review: Qantas Los Angeles Business Lounge (LAX)
More than a decade on from its last update, Qantas’ LA business lounge is still one of its best.
By Chris Ashton, June 11 2024
Country
United States
City
Los Angeles (CA)
Airport
Los Angeles (LAX)
Alliance
Oneworld
Airline
Qantas
Cabin-class
Business
Notes
The Good
- Extensive international buffet
- Tended bar with cocktails, beer and wine
The Bad
- Only US-style power outlets
X-Factor
- Circular fireplace seating area
Introduction
Qantas passengers jetting out of Los Angeles are used to late night departures, with flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne all departing between 8pm and midnight.
In a way it’s a good thing, giving you more time to explore LA – perhaps nearby Santa Monica or Venice Beach – before that long flight home, but it does prompt the need for forward planning, and the need to pack a change of clothes to freshen up.
Thankfully, Qantas LAX international business lounge is well set up for exactly this, with a suite of showers plus ample seating to stretch out, a bountiful buffet and tended bar for that pre-flight cocktail or sparkling wine.
Location & Impressions
You’ll find the lounge on Level 5 of Terminal B, directly upstairs from where you emerge after immigration. An escalator or lift to your right can take you up. (The Qantas first class lounge is located alongside, though has a separate entrance at the far end of the hall).
Qantas' LAX business lounge.
Three logos at the lounge entrance represent the co-owners of the space: Qantas, British Airways and Cathay Pacific, of which the Red Roo takes charge of the day-to-day running.
A secondary service desk is found immediately behind the reception.
Inside your seating options are varied and vast, from a leafy co-work space to private recliner lounges, dining table and even a cosy circular fireplace.
The primary seating area, just to the right of the lounge entrance.
The fireplace seating area is the signature of the lounge.
Most travellers seem to gravitate towards the far side of the lounge, to the right of the buffet. It’s a fine choice for sure, particularly if you’re travelling with a group, but it can get rather crowded as the departure of Qantas’ A380 to Sydney inches closer.
Those seeking a little privacy will prefer the area to the left of the main entrance instead. In our experience, it’s much quieter, no doubt thanks to its distance from the buffet.
This space remained relatively calm throughout our visit.
A self-serve tea and coffee station is here too, alongside a dedicated business centre for a little work. And just around the corner, yet more recliner lounges to stretch out.
Upright work desks set the scene for the business centre beyond.
The quietest hangout in the lounge.
On the other side of the glass atrium is another workspace, one which has almost the feel of a co-working space, thanks to the lengthy table running along its centre.
Power points are within reach of most seats, either in the wall or lining the kick board.
No matter where you settle though, you’re never too far from the buffet or bar, both of which are well worth getting acquainted with.
Of course, not all aspects of the lounge are holding up – some of the seating is rather worn, particularly the leather seats near the buffet. Given it’s almost been a decade since much of this furniture was swapped out, it is time for a solid refresh.
The main dining zone.
Seating in the main dining area is also looking a bit shabby, as is the paintwork and flooring on closer inspection. There are also several benches where it was clear something once lived there (perhaps a self-serve bar), but it’s been removed.
Access
Qantas LAX international business lounge opens daily from 6:30am to 11pm. Given the vast number of carriers operating from the hub, it has a lengthy guest list that includes:
- Qantas business class travellers and Gold-grade frequent flyers (Platinum are welcomed at the Qantas First Lounge next door)
- Qantas Club members flying Qantas or American Airlines
- Oneworld business class passengers, including those travelling on British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways
- Oneworld Sapphire card holders travelling on a Oneworld carrier
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold members and above travelling outside Canada, the United States and Mexico
- American Airlines Flagship Business passengers and AAdvantage Platinum members on flights outside Canada, the United States and Mexico
- Fiji Airways business class passengers travelling on a QF codeshare
Dining
Whether it’s a light bite or hearty meal you seek, you’re in the right place. The buffet encompasses:
- a noodle station featuring an assortment of ingredients, like tofu, carrots and bamboo shoots
- fried snacks such as pork dumplings, vegetable spring rolls, chicken tenders and fries
- all-day hot dishes including Mexican Red Pozole soup, Spanish chicken and peppers (capsicum), beef bolognese and rigatoni pasta, and zucchini and chickpeas with feta and mint
- fresh salads, fruit, crudites and dips, cheese and assorted crackers
- sweet treats, like yoghurt, lemon tart (a must try), brownies and carrot cake
The pick and mix noodle station is a standout.
Presentation the best, but it hits the spot.
The customisable noodles are the standout for me, with the other hot dishes – the pasta and zucchini – tasting a bit bland.
Biscuits, crackers and pretzels are just a few of the options.
Self-serve automated coffee, tea, juice and soft drinks are here too, but, if you’ve been craving proper coffee during your visit, you’ll want to head on over to the tended bar.
A mix of Australian and Californian wines are available self-pour, or you can walk up to the bar and ask staff to pour one for you.
Cocktails made to order.
There's no champagne, but there is a sparkling option.
Select spirits, beers and cocktails are also on offer, along with some self-serve bar snacks and lollies.
Work
As mentioned, there’s a variety of work-ready seating options available, including a business centre housing a printer. WiFi is also fast and free, reaching speeds of 44Mbps.
A pod of six work desks.
Note, only US power outlets are available, so be sure to pack an international adapter.
Relax
Each of the lounge’s 16 shower suites contains an overhead and handheld shower, along with a hairdryer and Li Tya amenities (the same found within Qantas amenity kits).
Showers are spacious and well-equipped.
An accessible and family-sized room is also available, should you have children in tow.
Verdict
Despite remaining relatively unchanged for a decade, Qantas’ LAX business class lounge is a clear step up on its Australian counterparts, particularly compared to the Sydney outpost, which is in much need of its impending makeover.
Qantas Los Angeles business class lounge.
With the variety of seating and extensive buffet sure to satisfy most travellers, and though it gets rather rowdy as the evening wears on, there are still pockets of serenity to enjoy.
The writer visited as a guest of Qantas.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 May 2018
Total posts 29
Pity it is so far from the gates-almost missed my flight from gate 207 by under estimating the walk. Also getting one of those recliner chairs is like getting a deck chair around the pool on a cruise.
The showers need a complete makeover.
23 Sep 2023
Total posts 16
I don't remember the walk being that long (but it has been a while since I've done it) and I was going from the first lounge where they walked you to the plane (not sure if that still happens) so I didn't have to think about how long to allow.
Shame about the showers, they look pretty good in the image.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 May 2017
Total posts 2
Was there late May 2024, so a few weeks before this was written, this feels like a list rather than a review, but can agree that it has a great mix of places to sit and wait.
What I didn’t understand, given that as you describe it’s an A380 leaving late at night, so it’s busy, was the fact that only one bank of showers were open, which meant a 30 minute wait. That’s not really practical.
However my big thing was none of the hot food I tried was hot, which seems a bit of a waste to be honest.
That said it’s lighting was excellent, which led to a feeling of calm and the staff abundant and helpful.
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