New Auckland Lounge and Sydney Redevelopment Mark Next Phase in Qantas’ Premium Travel Push

(NEWS) MASCOT, Australia, 2025-Nov-6 — /Travel PR News/ — Qantas is ramping up its investment in the premium travel experience, moving forward with an extensive global lounge overhaul that will see a major transformation of its Sydney International Business Lounge and the long-awaited opening of its new Auckland International Lounge next month. The twin projects reflect the airline’s efforts to meet growing demand for high-end leisure and corporate travel as international capacity continues to rebound.

At Sydney Airport, construction will enter its second phase on 8 December, according to their announcement, expanding the International Business Lounge by more than 30 per cent in seating capacity. The redevelopment — part of a multi-year project designed by Caon Design Office and Akin Atelier — is scheduled for completion in 2027, just ahead of the airline’s Project Sunrise ultra long-haul flights to New York and London. The new layout will include an outdoor terrace, a show kitchen, and multiple dining and relaxation zones tailored for different passenger needs.

The addition of a 150-square-metre outdoor area marks a first for Qantas’ Sydney lounge, allowing travellers to enjoy fresh air and natural light before boarding. Inside, travellers will find a mix of workspaces, quiet nooks, and communal areas, complemented by a hosted bar serving barista coffee and cocktails. More than 80 per cent of the seating will feature wireless charging and USB-C connectivity — part of the carrier’s push to modernize its ground experience.

While the Sydney lounge undergoes renovation, Qantas will operate a temporary business lounge at Terminal 1 and offer customers access to the Plaza Premium Lounge to ensure continued service.

Across the Tasman, Qantas’ new Auckland International Lounge will officially open on 17 December, in time for the peak holiday season. The reimagined space — developed with Caon Design Office, Akin Atelier, and Architectus’ New Zealand studio — draws inspiration from the natural landscapes of Aotearoa and uses locally sourced materials. The expanded facility is expected to serve both trans-Tasman passengers and long-haul travellers on routes such as Auckland–New York and the new Auckland–Perth service launching this December.

Work on the new Auckland International Lounge began earlier this year, seven years after Qantas first announced its plan to redevelop the space. According to Australian Frequent Flyer, the former Qantas International Business Lounge and Qantas First Lounge at Auckland Airport closed their doors for the last time on 22 April 2025, marking the start of construction on the new facility. The lounge was originally part of a broader Qantas lounge upgrade program unveiled in August 2018, which outlined improvements to six lounges across the airline’s network.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the enhancements are a direct response to the resurgence in demand for premium travel. “Our trans-Tasman customers have been eagerly awaiting the new Auckland lounge, and we’re thrilled to open it just in time for the holidays,” Wallace said. “At the same time, Sydney’s redevelopment will give customers more space, dining options, and a completely reimagined pre-flight experience.”

The upgrades in Sydney and Auckland are part of a wider lounge refurbishment program spanning several continents. Work is also underway at the Los Angeles International Business Lounge, while domestic lounges across Australia are being refreshed to support increased regional travel.

With its Project Sunrise ultra long-haul flights on the horizon and international operations nearing pre-pandemic levels, Qantas is positioning its lounges as central to its premium offering — places that go beyond functionality to reflect design, local culture, and the evolving expectations of global travellers.