Brisbane is now host to Qantas’ best home-grown international business class lounge, with an all-new 'premium lounge' concept which makes its Sydney and Melbourne counterparts look more than a little dated.
Split across two levels, the new-look Brisbane International Lounge replaces the previously separate business class and first class spaces and adds nearly 30% more space into the bargain.
But while frequent flyers will welcome the larger footprint they’ll be wowed by the lounge’s fresh design, which takes its cues from the Queensland landscape.
It’s an approach already evident in the Singapore and Hong Kong lounges as well as Perth’s domestic Qantas Business Lounge, where a corporate ‘identikit’ approach to lounges is replaced by a decidedly local feel.
In the case of the Brisbane International Lounge this means furniture inspired by a relaxed approach to living in the tropical north, including low-slung lounges and timber café seating.
Even the floor rugs pick up notes reminiscent of the reef, sandbars and waterways of Queensland’s coast and inlets, while the loft-style mezzanine level brings in natural light to enhance the lounge’s airy open feel.
A standout feature is a custom-made glass and light art installation called The Pulse of Our Ancient Land, created by artist Jenna Lee from Brisbane indigenous design agency Gilimbaa.
Visitors to the lounge should take a moment to study the work and ponder the abstract interpretation of the Queensland region as viewed from above, brought to life through glass, watercolour and lights.
The new Brisbane lounge “reflects the natural beauty of the Queensland landscape through natural light, furniture and design, offering a new standard in premium travel from Queensland’s capital,” says Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans.
“Queensland is where it started for Qantas and we are proud to maintain such a strong presence after 95 years of flying.”
That presence will extend to locally-sourced produce for the seasonal menus delivered by Qantas Chef Neil Perry's Rockpool team.
A breakfast nook on the mezzanine level will offer breakfast bowls, bircher muesli and French toast alongside the hot and cold buffet.
The new Quench hydration bar – which the airline says will be rolled out “across future lounge developments” – will provide passengers with some pre-flight hydration through a range of non-alcoholic beverages.
Want something a little stronger? Hit up the tended bar for a barista-pulled Vittoria coffee, a craft beer or a glass of wine.
Travellers wishing to freshen up before their flight can duck into the shower suites stocked with Aurora skincare products.
Brisbane domestic lounges to follow
The Brisbane International Lounge is the first part of a multi-million dollar upgrade to all of Qantas’ Brisbane Airport lounges.
Up next are the trio of Qantas lounges at Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal, with a new Business Lounge opening in early 2017, followed by a refreshed Qantas Club and the invitation-only Chairman's Lounge.
Click here for AusBT's extensive and exclusive 'photo tour' of the new Qantas Brisbane International Lounge.
The Qantas Brisbane International Lounge will open to the public on the morning of Thursday October 20, 2016 for business class travellers, Qantas Gold and Platinum frequent flyers and their OneWorld Sapphire and Emerald equivalents, along with Qantas Club members.
Join other AusBT readers talking about the new Qantas Brisbane International Lounge in our Qantas discussion group
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.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
I love how much natural light there is - I feel that's something many many airports (and lounges) lack around the world, but Qantas seems to do it well.
Some of the chairs do look kind of.. old school though (3rd pic from the top i)
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Yes, very old school 1950's contemporary retro look and colors, can't wait for the first few Premiums to trip over those splayed legs, could be refurbished sooner that we think.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
QANTAS cant be responsible for some peoples stupidity..regardless of their 'Premium'ness lol. This also applies to those who choose to blame others for their 'issues' in life in general :)
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
It is a drawing, not a picture... Reality is always different.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1205
Natural light in a lounge is a great advantage but it is more a function of where the airport is granted space. QF Int'l MEL has no natural light and is a depressing place but QF is not alone here and until a new complex of lounges is completed above the main concourse, this will continue.
03 May 2012
Total posts 121
Looks fantastic. All this leads me to think that if you live in Brisbane or Perth and are not fighting for first class seat points upgrades or seeking access to a First Class Lounge, there is little point to shooting for Platinum over Gold, just for the advantage in Award seats.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Nov 2011
Total posts 186
Agreed PK. I am Adelaide based. For paid tickets to Europe in Business my best option is Qatar given the timmings etc. And by flying J I get a better lounge in Doha than my OWE status gets me. If I fly Emirates at least I can use the Dubai First Class lounge.
Honestly the only two reasons left to maintain QF Platinum is for availability of award seats and the domestic business lounges. Oh and a distant third would be for the rare opportunities that I have long layovers in SYD/MEL/HKG.
Dont get me wrong this new lounge is fantastic, but it seems that the paid QC members get a roaringly good deal, and heavy flying Platinums get no differentiation of service....perhaps Qantas could take an idea from BA and have the 'Kangaroo Bar' as a more secluded seating section for OWE/Chairmans Lounge memebers to relax. There is definately space within all of these premium lounges.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 143
The Kangaroo bar! I love it haha that would be a great perk.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
What is the arrangement for CX pax?
I believe they currently use the QF Business and First lounges.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1251
Why would it change?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2015
Total posts 43
So from this i read that the Domestic Lounge upgrade is behind schedule.
This article states
On the domestic front, Qantas will overhaul Brisbane's Qantas Club, Qantas Business Lounge and invitation-only Chairman's Lounge in what it terms a 'new lounge precinct' with a staggered opening planned from early 2017.
With previous articles stating
Work on all three domestic lounges will be carried out in stages so that each can be partly open, in a staged process across the second half of this year, while a second stage of expansion continues into 2017
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
Yes, we're looking into this...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2015
Total posts 21
Hmm, BNE airport redevlopment site states "Work on each of the lounges is expected to start in early 2016, with a completion date of early 2017"
And Qantas' BNE J lounge page states "Works on all of the new lounge facilities will begin before the end of the year with a staged completion throughout 2016 and early 2017"
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
I actually really don't like the name. I hope they don't stick with 'premium'
I feel like they should continue naming these combined lounges after the city. For example: 'The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge' and 'The Qantas Singapore Lounge'. In this case then, it should be 'The Qantas Brisbane Lounge'.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Mar 2014
Total posts 73
I was thinking the exact same thing. I associate the word "premium" with premium economy when realting to Qantas and not their number 1 lounge at this airport.
12 Feb 2014
Total posts 228
Not sure I can discern anything regional that screams Brisbane or Queensland in the design. Maybe the fruit crates on the wall? It still looks great and if it reaches the high standard of the Perth domestic business fit-out it will do the job nicely.
I agree with tmsmile on the naming. Just call it the Qantas Brisbane Lounge and keep it simple.
09 Oct 2015
Total posts 3
Let's hope they also revamp the air conditioning or add an extra layer of glass to the northern wall - as soon as the sun hits, the heat on that side of the lounge makes it barely tolerable.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
Checked in for the final time this afternoon for my flight to Auckland - 18 years of visiting this lounge - I'm actually going to miss it whilst also looking forward to the upgrade
Kudos to quite a few of the front desk regulars - the lovely Qantas ladies who have been a staple of this lounge - always smiling, always helpful.
Hopefully Qantas will find a way to do a launch event in the lounge before the public opening!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Feb 2014
Total posts 143
I'm so happy :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
You will by djcz - Qantas has done a great job.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Aug 2015
Total posts 34
Yes a premium bar that still serves Tattinger would be wonderful, I'm going to miss that part of the old first lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
Can't wait to try it out in 2 weeks time. Hopefully they will have ironed out any quirks by that time :)
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
18 Oct 2016
Total posts 1
Can this lounge be used if flying with emirates? Would like to see what the new lounge looks like as opposed to the old Emirates lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Mar 2015
Total posts 94
Huge disappointment. Natural light is great. No moving air. The rest is very crowded. Having been through LAX and Melbourne I was expecting more. One thing i expect in lounges is space. Upstairs is cramped downstairs is a maze of people walking in circles. I dragged my partner from our hotel to see what this new lounge would be like. Not impressed.
14 Nov 2017
Total posts 1
The new lounge is nicely fitted out. Other than that it's a huge disappointment. In terms of service, it simply does not come close to the standards of other business class lounges in Sydney, HK, Singapore, etc. In fact the food and bar situation is well below the standard of even the Qantas Club domestic lounges. And don't use this lounge on a last/late flight. The staff are so desperate to get home they will kick you out 30 mins before the flight boards, and let me tell you they are not polite about it. Get your act together Qantas!
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas opens new Brisbane International airport lounge