Lounge Guides: Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney

The Qantas First Class lounge at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport shares the flagship status as the carrier’s ground product with its Melbourne counterpart. Located practically on top of the terminal, the boomerang-shaped vicinity is touted as one of the best of its kind globally in all aspects; design, atmosphere, amenities, cuisine, vista and service. After zipping to the airport, guests enjoy winding down in this lounge in preparation for a long-haul flight – and its offerings don’t disappoint.

Access and Directions

You can gain access to this pre-flight haven if you are travelling on a First Class ticket on Qantas, its partner Emirates, or other Oneworld member airlines. You can also be granted entry if you have a Oneworld Emerald status, which allows you to enjoy the lounge even if you are travelling on the cheapest economy ticket available.

To find the lounge, once you’ve cleared security ascend the escalators situated just after the duty-free shops. At the top, the set of glass sliding doors is the entrance to the First Class lounge (the Business Class lounge can be reached by making a left and going along the balcony).

Facilities

Once you reach the entrance, you are greeted by an impressive living wall of plants. The reception area is decked out in a classy light marble whilst a ticker board displaying departure times is a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era. Luggage can also be stored at the reception.

The lounge is designed and positioned just so, so that the views are spectacular. Given the city is only a ten minute drive away, naturally the background is Sydney’s stunning and carefully planned skyline. It is also the perfect position for some good old fashioned plane spotting.

As you delve further in you will discover a restaurant that offers table service, a kitchen counter, and a variety of seating spaces. Have a further wonder and you will encounter more seating areas, several meeting rooms and a library. At the very end, they have saved the best for last – the spa.

The spa gets a special mention here because it is one of the best you will ever find at an airport and it is very popular. If you are holding a First Class ticket, you can pre-book an appointment, but if not then you will have to take your chance on arrival. You will find the living walls of plants again in the treatment rooms whilst enjoying an excellent facial or massage that lets you completely forget that you’re in the middle of a very busy international airport.

Connecting to Wi-Fi is free and easy, and there are also several iMac workstations available.

Food and beverage

This particular First Class lounge delivers on the promise of serving restaurant quality food. Renowned chef, Neil Perry overseas the menu and the running of the kitchen which serves breakfast until 11am and an all-day menu thereafter that offers a range of appetizing options.