Qantas previews Virgin-esque 'Premium Lounge Entry' for Brisbane
By David Flynn, December 16 2016
Qantas will debut a new Premium Lounge Entry at Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal from March 2017, with selected travellers enjoying a 'fast-track' experience from a dedicated airport drop-off point to the lounge.
Passengers will find a dedicated check-in area with baggage drop, security screening and an escalator providing direct access to the Qantas lounges, including the new Qantas Business Lounge (which will also open in early March, we're told) and the soon-to-be-refreshed Qantas Club.
Read: New Qantas business class lounge for Brisbane
(Pssst: there'll be a swish new Chairman's Lounge too, with the invitation-only clubroom moving into the footprint of the old Qantas Business Lounge.)
The Premium Lounge Entry will incorporate the Qantas Valet service and be open seven days a week from one hour prior to departure of the first Qantas flight.
If that all sounds familiar, it's because Virgin Australia rolled out a near-identical Premium Entry channel at its Brisbane Airport terminal in September 2015 to whisk travellers straight from a drop-off and valet parking zone into the lounge via private and dedicated security screening lanes.
A key difference, of course, is that Virgin's premium entry lane is restricted for travellers with only carry-on bags, while the new Qantas premium entry can be used by passengers with checked luggage.
Photo tour: Virgin Australia's new Brisbane lounge, terminal
Both concepts take their cue from Virgin's original 'kerbside express entry' arrangements at Sydney Airport terminal 2.
Not every airport in Australia is suitable for these fast-track entry systems that seamlessly take you from street kerb to lounge couch, but business travellers and frequent flyers certainly appreciate the convenience they bring.
"This is about streamlining the overall departure process for our top tier Frequent Flyers from the moment they arrive at the airport," explained Qantas Customer Experience Philip Capps.
“Premium Lounge Entry will speed up the process for customers checking in both at the airport or on their mobile – allowing them to move through the terminal quickly and maximise their time relaxing or working in the lounge."
To use the new Qantas Premium Lounge at Brisbane Airport you'll need to be travelling in business class, be a Gold, Platinum or Platinum One frequent flyers (or hold the equivalent Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status with a Oneworld airline) or have your Qantas Club membership card at the ready.
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Great news that - unlike Virgin's arrangements - the QF premium entry will cater for passengers with checked luggage!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 387
This facility will be very impressive. I cannot wait to see it:
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Assuming its open in the mornings I should be able to use this... Goody!
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
Well as the article clearly says the premium lounge entry "will be open seven days a week from one hour prior to departure of the first Qantas flight" you can take that to mean it's open in the mornings.
28 May 2016
Total posts 127
The ability to check luggage makes QF's premium entry far superior to VA's. Great job QF, can't wait to use this feature.
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
Of course, if Virgin had never introduced this concept at Sydney T2 and then Brisbane I doubt Qantas would have made this move. It's just like east-west business class, competition can prove to be a mighty motivator!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 319
Agreed, competition is great for the consumer. However, i don't think it matters who did what first... in today's market it's about who does it better... if you did it first, and do it bad, customers will eventually choose the better product...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Feb 2014
Total posts 143
I'm happy that BNE got some love this week :)
25 Jan 2012
Total posts 29
competition breeds competition.. here's hoping Virgin follow suit
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Hmm Bit hard for virgin to follow suit when they introduced the concept first at BNE??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
I think the reference is in relation to it being open at all times and available to pax with checked-in luggage. The absence of those two things make the VA version of very limited use.
25 Jan 2012
Total posts 29
Yeah sorry was more referring to the checked baggage thing. Premium entry is great, but having to queue first to check in or bag drop is a pain.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Feb 2016
Total posts 25
Good news for Bne.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jun 2015
Total posts 105
This is awesome!!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer GOLD
15 Sep 2015
Total posts 13
Fantastic! Can't wait to use it!
23 Feb 2016
Total posts 33
As a fan of VA's premium entry I'm excited for this to be complete. Hopefully it will spur some more competition.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2015
Total posts 21
Working with Woods Bagot again I presume? Certainly feels like their DNA here, and they sure are giving CX + Studioilse a run for their money on best designed lounges.
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