Singapore Airlines delays re-opening of Melbourne SilverKris lounge

If you're flying Singapore Airlines out of Melbourne, don't expect to put your heels up in the airport's SilverKris lounge until the middle of May.

SQ has pushed back the opening of its renovated Melbourne Airport lounge, adding an extra eight weeks to the the previously planned mid-March timeframe.

A spokeswoman for Singapore Airlines assured Australian Business Traveller that "all arrangements previously announced in relation to alternate lounge access for eligible customers remain in place."

This means that United Airlines' United Club will be your new temporary home for a bit longer.

The United Club is located close to Singapore's SilverKris lounge (and Air NZ's Koru lounge) in the area near gates 5-11 in Melbourne's International Terminal (marked "67" below).

However, it's worth noting that Star Alliance frequent flyers and SQ passengers in business class or first class can also use the Air New Zealand lounge, which is larger than the United Club and has a wider variety of snacks and beverages.

The United Club will also increase its opening hours temporarily to take account of Singapore Airlines' three daily flights from Melbourne (United has just one flight out of Melbourne, so its lounge is usually just open from 1000-1215 daily.)

You'll now find the United Club open 0830-1215, 1230-1545, and 2200-0030.

Priority Pass members flying from Melbourne International will also be able to use the United lounge during this period.

While SQ business class passengers and frequent flyers with lounge access would have been allowed in to United's lounge anyway since the airlines are both part of the Star Alliance, Virgin Australia Gold and Platinum frequent flyers on Singapore Airlines are the key winners here.

"In order to minimise any inconvenience to customers during the renovation period, arrangements have been made for Suites, First Class and Business Class customers, as well as PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and eligible Virgin Australia Velocity members, to use Star Alliance partner United Airlines’ Club Lounge," Singapore Airlines spokeswoman Harriet Morgan confirmed to Australian Business Traveller.

However, Melbourne won't leapfrog Sydney to receive the first of Singapore Airlines' new SilverKris concept lounges.

"Sydney will still be the first lounge to receive the global update" Morgan said. "The renovations in Melbourne aren't related."

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John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.