Singapore Airlines starts work on Sydney's new SilverKris lounge
By David Flynn, August 12 2013
A stylish new Singapore Airlines lounge is taking shape at Sydney Airport ahead of a November 2013 reveal for the new-look SilverKris lounge network.
Sydney is the first to receive the multi-million dollar make-over before it's rolled out to all SilverKris lounges worldwide.
The design is being crafted by Singapore-based architectural and interior design firm ONG&ONG, which interviewed frequent flyers about their experiences of airport lounges and travel in general before presenting their winning pitch for the new look.
“Apart from providing customers with an inviting and exclusive contemporary space, the next generation of SilverKris Lounges will meet the changing needs and expectations of both business and leisure travellers and better integrate the ground and air travel experience" said SIA’s Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr Tan Pee Teck.
SQ's investment in its ground product accompanies the airline's next generation of first class, business class and economy class seating to be introduced on all new long-range Boeing 777-300ER jets along with the forthcoming Airbus A350s.
Temporary lounge access at Sydney
With Sydney Airport's SilverKris lounge now closed for renovations, all Singapore Airlines travellers are being redirected to Air New Zealand's Koru Lounge on Level 3 of Pier C.
This includes flyers booked into suites, first class and business class as well as PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and eligible Star Alliance Gold members.
However, Singapore Airlines advises that Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum and Gold members travelling in economy class will find their own access is "subject to availability" based on the lounge's capacity, which we expect to be pretty crowded during peak times.
For this reason, Singapore Airlines' travellers will also not be allowed to "to bring a guest to the Air New Zealand Lounge".
Get the latest updates for business traveller and frequent flyers: follow @AusBT on Twitter.
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
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
It seems that all airlines are stepping up their game in terms of lounges at SYD. Wonder if NZ will also renovate theirs as it is pretty tired.
Re SQ, any news on whether the lounge will be expanded? It is pretty crowded when there is an A380 departure. Also, will there be a seperate F class section or will it be one lounge for all?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
KG: I wouldn't be suprised if they expanded the lounge given that it is not that big at the moment. However, I doubt that they will have a seperate F section. I don't think SQ have seperate 1st class lounge/ areas outside its home port of SIN and they have not mentioned any plans to do so.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Dec 2012
Total posts 40
The existing lounge in SYD had a separate F class section
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
HKG also has a separate F section, though it's just an extra seating area - facilities are all the same
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
Didnt MEL have a refurbished lounge open recently? Maybe it was not the 'new' design?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Melbourne lounge was refurbished but it's not the new design, just an update of the current one.
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
seems a bit silly to open a refurbished lounge that's the 'old' style after the announcement of the 'new'?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Except that Sydney was always earmarked to be the first of their flagship lounges and the 'all new' design hasn't been ready to roll out until now... I suspect this means Melbourne will be pushed way back to the end of the queue for its own upgrade.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 65
All I can say is I hope the new design doesn't includes the chairs from the current Changi T2 Silver Kris lounge. Spent an exceeedingly uncomfortable 3 hours there last month, the stiffest, hardest most upright chairs I have ever encountered in a lounge. People were resorting to draping themeselves sideways. The food was fairly ordinary too - it looked like a lot but many of the dishes were at their end with dried up leftovers, including soggy, tasteless Indian food, which is quite an achievement in Singpore considering what great food that city has.
Quite a poor offering all around - it was packed at 20.30, with most pax waiting for the 23.00 - 24.00 wave of flights. My second time in the lounge in recent times, very not impressed. They might like to improve the catering at BNE SQ lounge too - very very ordinary, and slim pickings.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
RR: Have to agree that the BNE lounge is dismal with terrible catering. I think that the SQ T2 lounge is poor compared to the T3 one because T2 is mainly used for regional and Silkair flights while most long haul SQ flights (including those to Australia) depart from T3.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 65
Waynec, yes it did seem an odd mix of airlines...I was flying Swiss who unfortunately use T2 (as does Lufthansa)
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
I agree, especially around the 9pm to midnight period, SKL in SIN is way too busy - struggled to find a seat, there was a line for showers and the food was very very very average. Seems like it has gone a bit down hill from 2 years ago
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
Somehow I hate to say this but the SQ lounges even those in SIN are quite poorly managed especially with regards to quality control. Overcrowding is a big issue as well. I once decided that the lounge was so unpleasant and crowded that I decided to buy a drink and sit in the public area instead. The catering probably went downhill cos of some cost cuttings measures. The only good SQ lounge I could recall is The Private Room which can only be accessed if you are flying 1st/Suites. (It's like a mini version of the QF 1st lounge less the Spa and the awesome Tarmac views). I strongly feel that the refurbished QF Singapore lounge is way better than the SQ SKL. Although the QF SIN lounge have a smaller food selection somehow the quality of the food is better than the SKL.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Can't wait for the reveal, will be flying in December.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jul 2013
Total posts 2
It's now 3 December 13 and the lounge is not open - and the SQ website still says closed to end November. Travelling on Friday this week - any chance the lounge will be open by Friday 6th December?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Paul: thie lounge will open this month and it's very soon but not sure it'll be Friday...
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Web site now says reopening will be in mid-December.
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