Photos: inside the new-look Qantas Chairman's Lounge
By David Flynn, January 18 2018
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 86
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Apr 2012
Total posts 54
Great article as always.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Feb 2016
Total posts 28
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 2962
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 566
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
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11 Jan 2017
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
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It's who knows who you are.
D
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1380
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
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30 Aug 2013
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jun 2013
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18 Jan 2018
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21 Aug 2015
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29 Jan 2012
Total posts 108
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 29
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
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
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.
03 May 2013
Total posts 396
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