Qantas swaps lounges in Singapore as new First Lounge takes shape
By David Flynn, May 24 2012
Qantas is swapping the location of it First and Business lounges at Singapore's Changi Airport – and, for time being, changing the access rules for who gets into which lounge.
The Red Roo's switcheroo comes as the airline builds an all-new first class lounge in Singapore which will open by year's end.
The lounge, like its new Hong Kong and LAX siblings, will be modelled along the same lines as Qantas' highly-regarded First lounges in Sydney and Melbourne with a contemporary design by Marc Newson and a Neil Perry menu.
Also on the list are 'concierge services' provided by Sofitel, although there's no word if the lounges will include table service for meals or remain as a DIY dining with a plate-around service for selected dishes.
Until then, however, travellers will find that Singapore's large Qantas Business lounge is now the 'Temporary First Lounge' – so when you step off the escalator in Terminal 1, keep going straight ahead instead of veering right (yes, we know you'll be fighting 'muscle memory').
In turn, the rather worn and much smaller First lounge is now the 'Temporary Business Lounge'.
Revised lounge access rules
Qantas has also changed the lounge access policy in this interim period before the new first class lounge opens, with business class passengers will be permitted in the temporary first class lounge.
The airline says this is to avoid over-crowding in the temporary business lounge, so that travellers are spread equally throughout both spaces.
"When the new First Lounge opens, First customers will move back to that lounge and the normal access policies will be reinstated."
Access to the Temporary First Lounge (previously the Business Lounge)
- customers travelling in First on Qantas, British Airways or a oneworld carrier
- customers travelling in Business or Club World on Qantas, British Airways or a oneworld carrier
- Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyers
- British Airways Gold Executive member
- oneworld Emerald members
Access to the Temporary Business Lounge (previously the First Lounge)
- Qantas Gold Frequent Flyers
- Qantas Club members
- British Airways Silver Executive Club members
- oneworld Sapphire members
- Jetstar Business Max fare customers
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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.
15 Apr 2011
Total posts 580
So is the new F lounge in a totally new space then? I assumed they were just renovating the old one, but that's going to be tricky if it's being used during the reno.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
There's a large area of open space to the immediate right of the escalators (by memory) which I've always thought could be claimed for a much larger First lounge. Don't have any info on what's happened right there now, if any AusBT readers are passing through Changi maybe they can update us! Otherwise I'll be there in a fortnight (Scoot inaugraul to review ScootBiz) and will see what I can see...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Nov 2011
Total posts 186
David I too have often wondered why at least the QF F lounge didn't have a view of the tarmac! That space at the top of the escalators would be great! The A330 flights often line up there, shame the A380s are usually on the other side of that pier!
15 Apr 2011
Total posts 580
That would be excellent - fingers crossed!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
How does this affect the opening times of the lounges, considering that the First lounge is usually closed during the day....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Nov 2011
Total posts 186
I believe that owing to the LHR - SYD flight now operating a similar schedule to the MEL flight that there is no need for QF lounges to be open until the afternoon. The biggest disappointment there is that there is no access for the morning 3K flights. Admittedly this is not QFs responsibility, but to many that would have made the difference to booking JQ over say Tiger or Air Asia. Also JQ8 arrives from Beijing in the AM, so connecting PAX with access will have to chill in the airport until the lounge opens.....admittedly not the worst airport to do so!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
05 Jan 2012
Total posts 335
Didnt OW get rid of these benefits? customers travelling in First on Qantas, British Airways or a oneworld carrier
15 Mar 2012
Total posts 9
So.... esentially the 'Old New First' lounge is a Combined First and Business Lounge and the 'Old New Business' lounge is a Qantas Club?
17 May 2012
Total posts 80
I am surprised Qantas are not shutting the Lounges in Singapore for the reno's from the 26th Dec to 6th January like they are in Australia for 'routine maintanence'
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