Qantas Chairman's Lounges to reopen from December 7

The airline’s invitation-only lounges will soon welcome back VIP-tiered travellers at six major airports.

By Chris C., November 27 2020
Qantas Chairman's Lounges to reopen from December 7

The frosted glass doors at Qantas’ invitation-only Chairman’s Lounges will be slide open once again from December 7.

These exclusive spaces – tucked away in the domestic terminals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide – had been shuttered since March, with Chairman's Lounge members redirected to the nearby Qantas Business Lounge during the closure, where available.

But as state borders soften and travel restrictions are removed, Qantas is keen to bring back that Chairman's Lounge warmth and familiarity to its VIP set, especially as they take time out for their own brief getaways and holidays.

The Sydney Chairman's Lounge is like a smaller, greener version of the Sydney first class lounge.
The Sydney Chairman's Lounge is like a smaller, greener version of the Sydney first class lounge.

Read more: What it's really like inside the Qantas Chairman's Lounge

Chairman's Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will all re-open from Monday December 7, with the Canberra Chairman's Lounge unlocked as of Wednesday December 9.

Most of Qantas’ other domestic lounges will also return one week prior on December 2.

Included on that list is Melbourne’s Business Lounge, as well as the Qantas Clubs in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Devonport and on the Gold Coast.

After December 9, only the domestic Qantas Club lounges in Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Port Hedland and Rockhampton will remain closed, with Qantas Club members welcomed into the Business Lounges of Canberra and Melbourne in the meantime.

Read more: Qantas to reopen most airport lounges on December 2

Virgin Australia's VIP travellers are less fortunate.

The Club lounges – Virgin's competitor to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge network – at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth remain closed.

Virgin's The Club is a sanctuary of schmooze for high-flying corporates and captains of industry.. Source: Supplied
Virgin's The Club is a sanctuary of schmooze for high-flying corporates and captains of industry.
Source: Supplied

Indeed, the fate of The Club remains unknown, with the airline saying it is "under review".

Virgin Australia has currently reopened just one of its domestic lounges, being in Brisbane, and has confirmed its lounges in Alice Springs, Cairns, Darwin, Mackay, Perth Terminal 2 and Wellington have been permanently closed.

Back at Qantas, the Roo stands ready to reopen some international lounges as soon as travel bubbles take off.

This could even see the Qantas First Lounges opening first, and welcoming all lounge-eligible travellers who’d otherwise use the Qantas Business Lounge.

Read: Qantas eager to reopen its international lounges

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.

QF Plat

14 Jul 2014

Total posts 29

Looks like Virgin just keeps getting out played and out gunned, I'm starting to wonder if VA will still be here in April 2021, no product disclosure, no information to customers about the future direction, looks like advisors advising the advisors and lets get another advisor to check the advisory information.  

KW72 Banned
KW72 Banned

17 Jun 2020

Total posts 238

What rubbish. Virgin probably has a cost base now that is lower than Jetstar having restructured. So all it has to do is price at Jetstar levels and it will make money. 

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 962

Doesn’t matter what the cost base is if your market share doesn’t support that cost.

QF - Red

23 Nov 2012

Total posts 38

They need to open these to P1 members. Try and bring back some appeal to reaching 3600 SC, particularly given the various P1 benefits they've withdrawn over the past 6 months. 

20 Jun 2020

Total posts 33

3.6k SCs is nothing compared to what their member target demographic generates for the business. They're looking at CL members (pollies, execs, celebs, corporate travel account owners) that result in QF retaining or attaining millions of dollars in revenue per year.

If you start flooding the lounge with high vis jackets, the exclusive appeal of the lounge is lost.

KW72 Banned
KW72 Banned

17 Jun 2020

Total posts 238

So Qantas has enough cash to reopen these lounges for the very few elite, but not enough to keep ground service staff? Ok then.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 May 2019

Total posts 29

It's ridiculous that the Canberra Qantas Club remains closed. The Business Lounge is over capacity and it is now getting very difficult to find seats during peak periods. I hate to say it but it would be better if they just opened up the Qantas Club and made business and platinum people go there - there's just not enough space in the Business Lounge and TBH the Qantas Club is actually just better at Canberra Airport. More space, more seats, same amenities and a view of the tarmac. 

20 Oct 2015

Total posts 241

The Qantas Club at Canberra opens this week, see https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-opens-domestic-airport-lounges

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2449

Gold4Life: The Canberra Qantas Club remains closed "until further notice". The Business Lounge reopened in July, and the Chairman's Lounge reopens next week, but the Qantas Club doesn't have an opening date.


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