Emirates closes Auckland lounge
The business class lounge is also a popular go-to for Qantas flyers.

Emirates has closed its international lounge at Auckland Airport for the next eight weeks as it undergoes a refurbishment.
When the Emirates Auckland lounge reopens at the tail end of March, visitors can look forward to new tiling and lighting fixtures, along with other small refreshes.
In the meantime, Emirates is redirecting passengers to the nearby Strata Lounge – although they also have the choice of visiting the adjacent Qantas lounges which are just up the escalators.
Sadly, there’s next to zero evidence of Qantas’ long-promised new Auckland lounge, first announced in August 2022 as “set to open progressively from 2023”, with work to be completed by the end of 2024.
This was to see the separate business class and first class lounges merged into a single Qantas Auckland International lounge with a larger footprint taking capacity from 244 to 340 seats.
Qantas promised visitors to the new-look Auckland lounge could look forward to not only “a new dining experience” featuring the best of NZ food and wine, but “a number of features specifically tailored for long haul travel,” considering Auckland’s new role as the jumping off point for non-stop Qantas flights to New York.
As it stands, the Strata Lounge has a markedly superior buffet spread to the Qantas lounges, with the drinks selection broadly on par, although you might prefer the Qantas lounge as a quieter pre-flight pit-stop and a better place to grab a quick shower.
Also read: New Emirates 777X business class suites and “game-changer” economy seat
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 171
Actually the Qantas Auckland Lounge revamp was first announced in 2018. It was then reannounced after the pandemic in 2022. Here we are in 2025. It looks like it will be at least a decade between first announcement and completion.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 393
Wow, Qantas not delivering on what they promised, I'm shocked.....(insert sarcasm here).
ET, maybe see if you can get an honest update from QF on the Auckland lounge, although that will be harder than it sounds.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2568
We've been repeatedly asking, Mightyreds, believe me we've been asking...
04 Oct 2017
Total posts 7
Can QFF pax use the Emirates lounge even if they're not flying Emirates?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 468
Yes, under the QF/EK agreement, eligible passengers travelling on QF can use the EK lounges in Australasia, Asia and Europe.
QFF
16 Nov 2014
Total posts 18
EK lounge was at some previous times turning me away if I was on a QF ticket back to Sydney (they seemed confused about the supposed mutuality deal)- sure if I was on a later EK metal on QF tikt direct to DBX prob not an issue. I am out of AKL 6 times pa or so only ever on QF metal and obviously EK really only works if the flight is after about 4.45pm when EK lounge opens. The EK lounge is SO much better than so-called QF First lounge for Plat as food is way better choice of cold and hot plates. As for wine, WAY ahead - Waiheke Island wines and Otago pinot etc, rather than the boring selection of QF warehouse wines in even the QF First lounge, which is but a shadow of the supreme SYD First lounge, which actually is First level.
23 Aug 2024
Total posts 3
Not necessarily. On my last return from Bangkok I was advised that the EK lounge was no longer available and was directed instead to the Air France lounge which was horrid in all respects.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Mar 2024
Total posts 1
John, the agreement says yes to access, but the lounge dragons in most EK ports say no.........even after you show them the policy. I have raised the matter time after time with the QVIP desk and as usual all you hear is the sound of crickets.
QFF
16 Nov 2014
Total posts 18
As the EK lounge in AKL does not open until 4:45 p.m. for the Dubai flight it only suits if on preferred 7 P.M QF to SYD. I was okay last time as it had barely opened it's doors (and I would only be there an hour or so) but have previously been refused a couple of times as not on EK ticket ( QF Plat usually in economy)
QFF
16 Nov 2014
Total posts 18
EK wine selection in AKL leaves QF Dan Murphy selections, even in alleged First AKL lounge, for dead
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