First photos: Qantas reveals new Hong Kong, Los Angeles lounges
By David Flynn, October 31 2013
UPDATES | The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is now open is now open, with the new Qantas Los Angeles business lounge to follow in early May.
PREVIOUS | Qantas will unveil slick new lounges at Hong Kong and Los Angeles airports next year, and we've got full details and the first photos.
Well, okay, these are actually computer-generated artist's impressions – but they'll still give you a sneak peek at what's in store. And we like what we see.
The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge
Set to open in March 2014, the new Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is based on the same concept as the Qantas Singapore Lounge – which includes being a single integrated lounge for all business class and first class passengers (along with Qantas Gold and Platinum-grade frequent flyers and their oneworld card-holding equivalents).
This means there'll be no dedicated Qantas lounge for first class passengers – although Cathay Pacific's excellent The Wing First Class lounge is barely ten minutes' walk away.
However, as with the Qantas Singapore Lounge, there will be some form of 'service differentiation' for travellers booked into first class along with Platinum One and Chairman's Lounge members.
In Singapore that includes a valet service with shirt pressing and a shoe shine, although what's on offer for the Hong Kong lounge is yet to being finalised.
Read: Qantas Singapore Lounge – a dash of luxe for Lion City travellers
The entry to the Qantas Hong Kong lounge has a similar look and feel to the Qantas Singapore Lounge
The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge will be crafted by Sydney-based architectural firm Sumu Design, which also created the airline's Singapore lounge.
And as with its Singapore sibling, it's the wining and dining in the Hong Kong lounge which will see the biggest upgrade.
The menu will be drawn from Neil Perry’s Rockpool and Spice Temple restaurants with regionally inspired Asian flavours and ingredients.
Yum cha trolleys serving dumplings will weave throughout the lounge, with a 'tray around' service and buffet similar to the Qantas' Sydney and Melbourne international business lounges.
The seating will include a communal dining area.
The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge showing part of the dining area and the bar
There'll also be a Spice Temple BBQ Bar with views across the airport where customers will be able to enjoy signature cocktails, wines, spirits and a full barista service.
The Qantas Los Angeles Business Lounge
April 2014 will see the staged opening of the new Los Angeles Business Lounge in the recently renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.
Located on level 5 of TBIT with room for almost 600 passengers it will be more than twice the size of the current lounge, and will be jointly owned by Qantas, Cathay Pacific and British Airways, with Qantas as the managing airline.
This will be followed by a new Qantas First Lounge in the second half of 2014.
Here's the layout for Qantas' new LAX lounges.
LAWA/AusBT
So what will they look like inside?
The standout feature will be a circular internal fireplace around which travellers can relax and socialise.
The menu will be inspired by a mix of local West Coast US and Asian flavours, with a view from the dining area into the kitchen.
Contemporary style and warm design are hallmarks of Qantas' new business class lounge at LAX
There'll also be a wine bar offering signature cocktails and bar snacks plus seating surrounding a central glass atrium.
An interesting seating area in Qantas' new business class lounge at LAX
"This multi-million dollar investment in our international lounges delivers on our promise to continually invest in our customers and benchmark Qantas as the airline of choice for global travellers" says Simon Hickey, Qantas International Chief Executive Officer.
“Our customers consistently tell us that Qantas lounges are a key part of their journey. And the success of our new Singapore lounge reaffirms our strategy of investing in international lounges which are just as important for our customers."
Enjoy more great Qantas Lounge articles from the Australian Business Traveller team!
Expert tips to make the most of the Qantas First Lounge
How seasonal menus are crafted for the Qantas First Lounge
How some cheap Jetstar domestic flights can get you into the Qantas first class Lounge
Behind the scenes – fine dining at the Qantas First Lounge
Pre-flight bliss: The Spa at the Qantas First Lounge
Photos: Inside the Qantas Chairman's Lounge
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
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.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 744
Did they really only release two CGI images of each lounge?
Well, if that's all they're giving us then I'll nitpick on those. I don't like the giant round table or giant round lounge, which seem to be a deliberate theme. I'm usually in the lounge alone, or at most in a very small group, I have no desire to sit on a big communal table with a bunch of... the other sorts of people you find in lounges.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1253
I'm sorry, but really? "the other sorts of people you find in lounges"... Are you referring to pleasant individuals like yourself Hugo?
Good to see QF spending some money. Now just need to move forward with those A330 refurbs sooner than 2030 (sorry, I mean late 2014).
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 744
Indeed I am! I wouldn't want to socialise with me if I didn't already know me, and particularly not on a day when I'm all jetlagged and stinky.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Nov 2011
Total posts 246
Thumbs up on shower facilities in lounges..
Need them bad in hot and humid weather...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1388
So a step-up for Gold/ Business travellers in HK, and another slap in the face for Platinum only - who get no additional benefits.
From the CGI of HK, appears to be in the same position as the current First Lounge (due to open roof) which would mean a serious reduction in total lounge space.
Thw wooden roof in LAX looks good.
10 Mar 2011
Total posts 531
Do you really think it's a slap in the face? Remember that these lounges are not in a home port (or home country) so I think they look pretty darn good considering what other airlines offer in foreign ports. I don't know of many airlines that really offer decent lounges in ports outside their own domain.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Nov 2011
Total posts 246
Why go to Business Lounge when you can enter First Class Lounges?
Was in Singapore and because it's not a Oneworld hub, no First Class Lounge...
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
Too few pictures to comment but any changes from its current state is a good thing!
April 2014...would that be before or after Easter?
Here's a general question about the QF LAX lounges.
Do you have to tip staff? I'm always in a jam...I never know if they're Qantas employees and get a decent wage or US contract staff who get paid peanuts. And they're so very good at what they do as well...
Thoughts anyone?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 469
TRB,lounge staff in lax work for a passenger service company,as per there ID .They are not QF staff.Recently showed a p b/pass got a b/label,then told to go to the bus lounge and show b/pass and got blue label,sat back in the small p lounge and thought i tipped it helps.Not shore TRB if this was beverage available to BA or CA first pax and was in the back room,but this bevrage was not available in the QF P lounge.You also get a shower faster.That said QF staff say tipping is not expected,
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 194
Not really sure what Robert means. If a tip changed hands, to whom was it made, to provide entree to a hitherto unknown 'back room'?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 469
Bar tender.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 194
So, Robert, I was in the lounge only a few days ago, and feeling pretty tired and plainly not awfully alert, I missed any hint of this exclusive lounge. Was the man at the desk at the far reaches of the lounge the gatekeeper perhaps? I guess P FF's deserve something better than the current lounge, which is pretty ordinary.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 469
Mb,upon entry to the bus lounge there is a P lounge to the right.In the lounge they tell you to go to the bus lounge and show your P boarding pass.You get a blue label scotch which is not available in the QF P lounge,You may be aware this lounge also services BA and other airlines.The back room to which i refer is a store room,i never said a lounge.My earlier comments to the TRB,s posting were in regarding tipping,you should try it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 194
Got it. My sojourns to the B lounge in LAX are always in-transit stops from/to JFK. At that stage of the journey I am not overly fussed about what is on offer in the lounge other than somewhere quiet to strech out and grab a barista-made coffee or the like and check emails. The current long trek from the gate to the lounge is good exercise I suppose.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 744
If someone pours you a drink in the US, tip 'em a dollar. It's pretty silly when they've done nothing except pour a beer, but them's the breaks.
I can't think of anyone else at a lounge whom you could possibly have occasion to tip.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Aug 2012
Total posts 24
I think the lounges as shown here have a nice warmth to them, though I agree with earlier comments about the flawed concept behind such a communal lounge concept. I know that many disagree with me, but I feel that the loss of a dedicated First class/ Platinum zone is a step backwards. In Hong Kong particularly as QF remains the only airline to offer an F Class product to and from Australia, though is driving passengers to sample CX's premium F lounge experience.
I'm not entirely certain but it seems that JQ Hong Kong will eventually have passengers using this space too if they hold QC membership, which I fear will lead to the zoo-like atmosphere of the Qantas Pub in Singapore. Anyway, just my opinion on that one folks, thanks for the heads up with the article!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Sep 2012
Total posts 7
Great scoop David and Ausbt team! The lounge impressions are a positive first sign - if only the new Qantas J Class seats/suites would be launched at the same time!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2012
Total posts 126
Seriously... No first class product in the terminal, or incentive to be a platinum member at Qantas. How is a shoe shine or someone ironing your shirt, the big differentiation... Wow!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1196
Those artist renderings (if you can call them that) are really awful...
29 Jun 2011
Total posts 6
Forgive my ignorance. For HKG does this mean still two lounges but the plit is
1st/Plat/Business/Gold and seporate Qantas Club
Or is this lounge going to overrun with Qantas Clubbers.
One of my frustrations is how Lounge has become to mean the same as Pub and the last thing I want to do is visit a pub before my flight.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2013
Total posts 18
Thats a very good question
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2375
No, for Hong Kong there will be only the one lounge for everyone - first & business class, QFF Gold & Platinum, Qantas Club and eligible Emirates & Oneworld travellers. As the Qantas Hong Kong lounge is modelled on the Qantas Singapore Lounge concept, one can expect the same access rules to apply - see https://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/lounge-locations/singapore/qantas-lounge-terminal-1/international-lounge-the-qantas-singapore-lounge/global/en for a full list of who gets into Singapore.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 662
...why build / keep a seperate dedicated FIRST (and and a few other 'entiltled' pax) LOUNGE..along with the added costs involved..it's NOTt their home port..its not a large percentage of extra pax.. who knows whats in the pipeline in the near future...and using some peoples thinking.. EVERY airline that flies a F/C cabin to/from ANY port (excluding their 'home' port) in the world should maintain their OWN seperate 'branded' F/C LOUNGE..(Iyou will find it's not the case with many airlines)
29 Jun 2011
Total posts 6
I agree it makes little sense for QF to have a 1st loung when CX are doing a good job. Sin is different - last time I flew through there there was a real shortage of 'credible' lounges.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Aug 2012
Total posts 24
To a large extent agree with what you're saying, though the majority of world leading, premium airlines do not have programs like Qantas Club that allow access to their lounges for those who do not fly regularly enough to earn the benefits in their own right, or are not in a premium cabin.
Moreso, Qantas maintains an extremely generous guesting program, where a QC member can bring in basically their entire family. As a platinum member I have no problem sharing a lounge with other high-status pax, but I do think this is part of a wider issue. I do not have a family, and I appreciate many disagree with my opinion, but I think a BA style lounge access policy of "a guest is a guest" regardless of age works better.
Again, just my opinion. Have a nice weekend :)
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 662
dont get me started on airlines' FFer programmes....they are the worst thing ever invented! ..every man and his dog (and kid) belongs to one..along with the 'guesting' policies...airports and airlines have a finite space available for lounges etc...yet airlines just keep adding an infinite number of pax eligeable to the finite resources / spaces available...it's oversaturated and something's gotta give!!
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
Gosh, how dare you suggest we end middle class welfare in Australia? :p
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 194
Where exactly will the new LAX Qantas lounge be located? Impossible to tell from the layout plan shown in this article. I hope it is a lot closer to the new QF gates than at present. I also hope it will eliminate the need to use the world's slowest and temperemental elevator to get to the lounge level!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2013
Total posts 1
All well and good if you're travelling out of LAX to Melbourne or Sydney, but Brisbane passengers travel from Terminal 4... which means the AA Domestic lounge... one 'cocktail voucher' per visit, no complimentary food, and a very ordinary 'pay' menu.. and if you like a decent red wine, forget it! Can we start a petition to get Brisbane flights back into Tom Bradley?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 374
Not in favour of this. If i am paying more for first then i want that exclusivity. I will save the airline some money, will go to the CX 1st lounge bfore boarding QF flight.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 469
Get over it Worldflyer90.AS a plat with QF i wouid love all dedicated p lounges at all ports.But your talking QF,and if it was not for paying QF club members you would not have dedicated lounges.REmember all QF did in SYD and BNE,plus other lounges is put up a partician and reduce space of the existing QF club lounge.Try any nite in any DOM bus lounge free loaders all over.You also should do some reserch most world airlines are membership,either paid,or prefered credit card entry.And some in Asia should you reside in that country also provide paid membership even though it is not available to foreign residents.
29 Jun 2011
Total posts 6
I should remind all of the universal truth of lounge entry requirements. The ideal lounge entry level is the one that sees me just qualify and excludes the most other people. This is the one that most will agree an but airlines simply can not implement!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 194
Robert is fortunate there is not an English grammar and spelling proficiency requirement for entry to any QF lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 469
Thats true.
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