Qatar Airways’ Singapore lounge reopens June 15

Qatar Airways will reopen its Premium Lounge at Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Wednesday June 15, and it’s not just business class passengers on Qatar Airways who are pleased at the news.

The lounge – which Qatar Airways describes as “more of a boutique hotel or private club” – welcomes business class travellers across all Oneworld airlines departing from T1.

That roster currently includes British Airways, Finnair, Malaysia Airlines and Qantas – although the departure time for those flights need to match the lounge’s limited opening hours.

Qatar Airways' Singapore Premium Lounge.

Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge opening hours

From June 15 to June 30, Qatar Airways’ Singapore lounge will open from 6pm to 2.40am: a window that happily includes British Airways’ BA15/BA16, Finnair’s AY132 to Helsinki, plus most Qantas flights to Australia (except Perth, which departs 6.40pm) plus the QF1/QF2 flights between Sydney and London.

However, from July onwards, some days will see the lounge open for several hours during the morning to accommodate Qatar Airways’ second Singapore-Doha flight, which runs three days a week.

Here’s the full schedule for Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge opening hours:

• Monday: 6pm to 2.40am
• Tuesday: 7.25am to 10.25am and 6pm to 2.40am
• Wednesday: 6pm to 2.40am
• Thursday: 7.25am to 10.25am and 6pm to 2.40am
• Friday: 6pm to 2.40am
• Saturday: 7.25am to 10.25am and 6pm to 2.40am
• Sunday: 6pm to 2.40am

Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge access

However, Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge is reserved for ‘premium cabin’ passengers, which means business and first class (but not premium economy) of Qatar Airways and other Oneworld member airlines.

There's no access if you are a top-tier frequent flyer (Oneworld Emerald or Oneworld Sapphire status) but travelling in economy or premium economy class.

Although this is at odds with most Oneworld airline lounges, where shiny status trumps travel class, it’s a long-established practice at all Qatar Airways' Premium Lounges and in keeping with the airline's desire to ensure an upmarket lounge experience.

The best practice for those frequent flyers is of course to make a beeline to the Qantas lounges: either the Qantas Business Lounge, or the Qantas First Lounge which reopens this coming weekend.

What to expect at Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge

When Executive Traveller visited Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge shortly after it opened in mid-February 2020, we rated it as Changi’s best business class lounge – and that could still be the case, even with Singapore Airlines’ new KrisFlyer Business Lounge at T3.

Qatar Airways' Singapore Premium Lounge.

The arrival of Covid meant Qatar’s Singapore lounge was short-lived, so what will travellers see when those frosted doors are unlocked this week?

One highlight – apart from the elegant yet understated design – is the à la carte dining room: a rarity in any business class lounge, and more typically the domain of a first class lounge, where extensive menu spans local, Western and Arabic-influenced dishes.

There's also a self-serve ‘deli counter’ with salads, Arabic mezze, antipasto meats and cheeses, bakery items, yoghurt, fruit juices and sweet treats.

That’s complemented by a wine and cocktail bar, and if more unwinding is required, you can freshen up after a long day in Singapore at one of the five spacious and well-appointed shower suites.

Qatar Airways' Singapore Premium Lounge.

Where to find Qatar Airways’ Singapore Premium Lounge

Qatar Airways’ Singapore lounge sits on the upper ‘lounge level’ of Terminal 1, adjacent to the Emirates and Plaza Premium lounges at the start of the C gates wing (above gate C1).

While this makes it less central to T1 than the Qantas and British Airways business lounges, it’s a handy location if your flight departs from the C gates, and doubly so if you’re in transit (on BA15/16 or QF1/2), as you’ll be able to sqqueeze in a little more lounge time – perhaps just enough for a quick shower – during your short layover.