There's a swish new look for the exclusive Qantas Chairman's Lounge, with the latest in the invitation-only airport lounges now open at Brisbane revealing a updated design from its counterparts in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
Lucas Muro
Lucas Muro
Created by Sumu Design in collaboration with David Caon, the more contemporary look of the Brisbane Qantas Chairman's Lounge clearly shares a bit of DNA with the recently-opened Qantas London Lounge in the walnut panelling.
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
Lucas Muro
Lucas Muro
At first glance it also reminds us of Cathay Pacific's The Pier lounges in Hong Kong due to a common 'residential feel' which emphasises rich natural materials including wood, brass, wool carpet and marble flooring – helping it truly look the part of an elite airport lounge.
There's a thoughtful mix of individual chairs, banquet seating and booths, including some furniture designed specifically for Qantas.
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
Lucas Muro
Lucas Muro
That includes this corner lounge unit built by Gold Coast fit-out firm Scarchi & Boston and first revealed by Australian Business Traveller in August 2017.
One of the bespoke pieces created for the Qantas Chairman's Lounge
Scarchi & Boston
Scarchi & Boston
Three meeting rooms afford even more privacy.
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
Lucas Muro
Lucas Muro
As with all Chairman's Lounges, there's a tended bar and Rockpool dining menu.
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
Lucas Muro
Lucas Muro
The open plan of the Brisbane lounge helps light flood through the lounge through full-length windows, although we're told that the lounge's location – adjacent to where the regional QantasLink turboprops fire up – required additional sound-dampening for the glass and thick window frames.
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
Lucas Muro
Lucas Muro
In all, the result is a far more modern and relaxing vibe for VIPs, and is less ostensibly ‘look at me’ than the green leather furniture and refined old world gentleman’s club vibe of the ‘classic’ Chairman’s Lounge design seen in Sydney, Canberra and Perth – which are in turn modelled on the Sydney and Melbourne international first class lounges.
The final element of Qantas' domestic Brisbane lounge precinct, the new Chairman's Lounge was created in the footprint of the former Qantas Business Lounge and also sits alongside the refreshed Qantas Club which opened in November 2017.
There are currently no plans to bring this updated design to the older Chairman’s Lounges as part of Qantas’ rolling lounge upgrade program, which will see all-new Melbourne business class and Qantas Club lounges open in September 2018 followed by their Sydney counterparts in 2019.
Read more about the Qantas Chairman's Lounge in our unofficial guide.
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 Feb 2015
Total posts 89
Great! The previous Brisbane Chairman's Lounge was very dark and pokey.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Apr 2012
Total posts 58
Looks very nice & bright.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Feb 2016
Total posts 28
Who will be able to use this lounge?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2585
It's an invitation-only lounge: you need to have Qantas Chairman's Lounge membership to get inside, or be a guest of a member.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 986
If you need to ask, you can't access it.
Qantas Platinum
04 Dec 2012
Total posts 48
Next to being CEO or business leader, your business should also be a big Qantas spender. They also seem to take that into the equation.
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
CEO of company which annually generates at least 1 million to Qantas - the more revenue that company contribures, the more numbers of executives that can join the club.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
It's not what you know nor who you know....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
Total posts 135
Just divine! i wish i had that card!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1393
Quite sizeable. Wonder how many BNE based CLs? Would be less from the business set.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1272
This is a gorgeous lounge. Seems very large from the photos; are there that many CL passengers passing through BNE?
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 445
If you hadnt told me it was a QF lounge I would have assumed it was a CX Pier Lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jun 2013
Total posts 41
A bit disappointed that the QF BNE lounge has no tarmac views any more. I know it was taken over by the business lounge most recently but now it’s only got a car park view. Was in Melbourne last week too and it looks like the QF club will also lose any outward view once that massive wall is finished down the middle of it.
18 Jan 2018
Total posts 2
Beautiful lounge, timeless design. Makes me want to crack open a single malt and a Cuban whilst relaxing in one of those soft lounges.
21 Aug 2015
Total posts 90
Yep, long over due. Brisbane lounge was poor by the standards of other states. If you aren't a member don't get excited as you are paying for this little perk extended to the "elites" and paid for by the average passenger, either in cash by higher prices or the fact your access and choices are reduced because QF gives these elites preferred access and status. Politicians and corporate types who generally get huge rebates on ticket prices also via business accounts.
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 109
Looks like a beautiful lounge indeed and nice to see the professionalism Qantas has put into the décor. Takes me back to the 80's when the Captains Clubs were available for P and J passengers to enjoy before their international flights.
It is a shame though that the economy and business Qantas Clubs have taken a back step to the this new room as I believe this removes some of the atmosphere and enjoyment many revenue paying passengers used to enjoy.
07 Dec 2016
Total posts 37
The good? It looks almost identical to Sydney's QF First Class Lounge in use of natural light, timber and light coloured material. The NOT good is the lack of life and colour in the decor, apart from a few forlorn pot plants. Looks like a 4 star hotel. Ditch the hideous black (NOT a racist comment!). Makes me relieved i use the more artistic and animated SIA lounge in Brisbane.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
I've been reading posts here and in previous CH related articlesles ans have come to the conclusion that most lack understanding in the Value to "selected guests" of The CH Lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
Post script.
03 May 2013
Total posts 642
Qantas are a joke....they go all out here but on board they serve up crap food outdated inferior hard product and substandard soft product in premium cabins.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Photos: inside the new-look Qantas Chairman's Lounge