Airport Lounges Reviews

Review: Qantas Business Class Lounge Brisbane

a room with a large balcony and a large screen with people sitting at tables

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After a great time in Gold Coast Australia it was time to head off to Hong Kong. We were utilizing Alaska’s outstanding award chart to fly on Cathay Pacific’s new A350 in business from BNE to HKG, then spend a few days in Hong Kong, and finally continue on to LA in Cathay Pacific’s First Class. This was all booked for 80k points a piece.

I was especially excited to check out CX’s new A350 and was a bit bummed our flight was delayed, but it allowed us to check out two lounges at BNE. This one offered by Qantas, and the Plaza Premium Lounge BNE. One positive note about our BNE to HKG flight departing late was an arrival that facilitated an easy and straight forward check-in at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, along with Prive benefits.

a building with palm trees

The Deets:

  • When: April 2018
  • Where: Brisbane, Level 4, Airside
  • Access:
    • One World Business Class
    • Platinum One
    • Gold
    • Qantas Club

Entrance and check-in

The lounge is up the escalator to level 4. Since our flight was a few hours delayed and I believe the only people in the lounge were from our flight, it was dead city.

a stuffed animal on luggage in a building

First Impression

The lounge is contemporary with a fresh, recently renovated feel. You’ll enter near the bar which leads to the general dining area and expanded seating area. A major plus… Perrier Jouet – an incredible champagne for business class.

Seating:

There is lounge seating, and then there is seating in the terminal. I like lounges that offer the “in terminal” seating vibe. I like hearing the hubbub of the airport while I work, lounge, etc. The Melbourne lounge I visited earlier on this trip has since been updated, but in comparison to it, Brisbane was hands down the winner. In fact, the finishes this lounge made the Qantas First Lounge at LAX feel a bit dated.

Dining:

The food was up to expectation, which for Qantas, is quite high. It was all fresh, hot, and a fine selection considering it was purely open for one delayed flight. Good on ya Qantas.

If need be…a shower:

Overall:

Lounges are getting more and more competitive, and this Qantas lounge is on the better end of business class lounges internationally. Completely on par with the new crop of Flagship lounges that American Airlines is rolling out, Amex Centurion lounges, and better than anything I’ve ever stepped foot in from BA.  The colors are fresh, food is contemporary and healthy, seating is varied for leisure/work, spacious showers, and there are ample plugs for charging.  Pouring a nice champagne is a great added touch that signifies the distinction that Qantas is looking to make in the market, and one that I believe they’re successful in their execution.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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