Qantas will open a temporary lounge to cater for eligible customers travelling between Sydney and London via Darwin from next month.
It follows the recent announcement that Qantas’ flagship Australia to United Kingdom route would operate via Darwin once Australia’s international borders open on 1 November until at least April 2022 due to WA border closures.
Qantas will lease Darwin International Airport’s Catalina lounge, which will have space for approximately 100 guests utilising existing furniture and fittings. The offering will feature:
- Service delivered by local Qantas lounge team members, including a signature welcome mocktail (Top End Lemonade) and refreshing cold towels.
- Generous lounge and dining areas with a serviced buffet
- Tailored menus for time of day, drawing on local culinary influences such as a Darwin markets inspired Asian style soup.
- Premium Australian wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks offered by a dedicated bar attendant
- Power points through the space to recharge on the fly
- Bathroom facilities
Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully, said the national carrier is delighted to work with Darwin International Airport to ensure a comfortable transit experience for its top tier frequent flyers and customers travelling in Business Class.
“We know that spending time in our lounges is one of the most enjoyable parts of the travel experience. We are excited to work with our friends at Darwin Airport to have our lounge facility ready next week in time to welcome our first international customers in 20 months.
“Given the relatively brief transit time of 90 minutes, our focus will be on offering a comfortable space for customers to stretch their legs, enjoy a brunch or light supper and to refresh before their onward journey.
“Previously, our direct flight between Australia and London had the highest customer satisfaction rating on our entire network and our plan is to recreate that as we restart.”
Customers eligible to visit the Qantas Darwin International Transit Lounge include:
- Platinum One, Platinum, Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members
- Customers travelling in Business Class
- Eligible oneworld partner members
Qantas will also reopen its Sydney International First Lounge from 1 November and its London and Los Angeles lounges in December. In the interim few weeks of operation, eligible Qantas customers will be able to visit the British Airways T3 Lounge at London Heathrow and the Star Alliance Lounge at Tom Bradley International Terminal in LA. Other international lounges will reopen to align with the return of further international routes.
Images of Top End Lemonade here.