Photos: inside the new-look Qantas Chairman's Lounge

By David Flynn, January 18 2018
Photos: inside the new-look Qantas Chairman's Lounge

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
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
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
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
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
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
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
One of the bespoke pieces created for the Qantas Chairman's Lounge
Scarchi & Boston

Three meeting rooms afford even more privacy.

The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane. Lucas Muro
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
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
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
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
The Qantas Chairman's Lounge, Brisbane
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

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 57

Looks very nice & bright.


Great article as always.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Feb 2016

Total posts 25

Who will be able to use this lounge?

If I was travelling first from Syd-Lhw but business on a separate ticket Bne-Syd could I go in before my flight down to syd? any guest allowed?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2482

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 1193

If you need to ask, you can't access it.


Chairmans Lounge (and VA equivalent The Club) are invitation only and vey secretive as to who are members. Typically, it is CEOs & board members of large businesses, federal politicians and state ministers and nominated celebrities.

As the name implies, the Chairmans Lounge members are selected by the Qantas Chairman, Leigh Clifford. Club members are selected by John Borghetti.

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 11

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....

It's who knows who you are.
D

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Mar 2014

Total posts 132

Just divine! i wish i had that card!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jul 2011

Total posts 1379

Quite sizeable. Wonder how many BNE based CLs? Would be less from the business set.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1248

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 441

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.

All the new Business and CL lounges getting the best views 😀

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 86

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 157

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.

The subtle and low-key approach is what is valued, not rowdy, busy nor swimming with networkers (net-worthers).
A place where high end producers and enablers in the Australian economy and poli-conomy can have a few clear uninterrupted moments prior to flights.
Sure, it has some network environment, but for most it is a rare place of Solace, (for lack of a better word).
Anyway, merely my opinion , though based upon observation, not speculation.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Nov 2015

Total posts 20

Post script.

The access advantages to the CH Lounge have been updated.
New regulations take effect Feb 19 2018.
For those it concerns, check your email, or soon to be updated Ts n Cs.
Life is about to change a little.
Nuff said.

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 668

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.


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