Review: Qantas international business class lounge, Perth T1
Qantas' Perth Transit Lounge may be better-known, but there's another international lounge for partner airline flights over in T1.
By Chris C., February 26 2020
Country
Australia
City
Perth
Airport
Perth
Alliance
oneworld
Airline
Qantas
Cabin-class
Business
Notes
The Good
- Qantas has no flights here, but still operates a lounge for members flying with partners
The Bad
- Limited power points and broken work chairs
X-Factor
- A good food spread, whether for a quick bite or a more substantial meal
Introduction
Qantas doesn't run any flights from Perth's main international terminal, but that hasn't stopped the Roo from operating its own business class lounge here in Terminal 1 for the benefit of its overseas partner airlines, and others as well.
Among them: Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways, as well as Air Mauritius, Garuda, Malindo Air and more.
Location & Impressions
Firstly, take note: this is not the international lounge you'd visit when flying Qantas to London: that's the Perth Transit Lounge.
This facility is instead on the opposite side of Perth Airport, past security screening and passport control over in Terminal 1, the main international terminal.
After clearing the departure formalities, follow the pathway through the terminal, and the signs pointing to "Lounges":
You'll spot the Qantas lounge on your left-hand side, opposite gate 52.
While not an exceedingly large lounge, the space is still divided into a variety of areas, with a dedicated dining room opposite the buffet, plus space to work and relax.
Kids are catered for too, with a small corner offering games and seating for children, while remaining in view of their parents.
This lounge opens and closes throughout the day, depending on the flight times of the airlines using it. It's open from 4:30am until 9am, then from 11am until 6pm, and again from 7:30pm until 2am – as unlike Sydney, Perth has no curfew.
Access
With no Qantas flights departing from Terminal 1 in Perth, this lounge instead serves the following guests:
- Business class passengers of Air Mauritius, Batik Air, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern (seasonally), China Southern, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar (Business Max fares only), Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air and Qatar Airways.
- First class passengers of Emirates and Qatar Airways.
- Qantas Gold, Platinum, Platinum One and Chairman's Lounge members travelling with a Oneworld airline; or, with a QF flight number on their ticket on any airline; or, with Emirates on a QF or EK flight number; or, with Jetstar on a QF or JQ flight number.
- Qantas Club members travelling on a QF or JQ flight number, such as on Qantas codeshare flights operated by Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Emirates (and others), or with Jetstar.
- Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers travelling with Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines or Qatar Airways. This includes Marco Polo Club Gold and Diamond, Malaysia Airlines Enrich Gold and Platinum, Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold and Platinum, and others.
- Air Mauritius Kestrelflyer Elite/Gold guests flying with Air Mauritius.
- Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club Silver members prior to Cathay Pacific flights only.
- Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club Green cardholders, and those at higher tiers, when flying Cathay Pacific and who use a complimentary Business Class Lounge Pass to enter the lounge (in the case of Green members) or to bring an extra guest into the lounge (beyond normal entitlements).
- China Eastern's Eastern Miles Gold and Platinum guests prior to China Eastern flights.
- China Southern Sky Pearl Club Silver and Gold members prior to China Southern flights.
- Emirates Skywards Gold, Platinum and iO cardholders travelling with Emirates on a QF or EK flight number.
- GarudaMiles Platinum guests prior to Garuda Indonesia flights.
Note, Qantas complimentary lounge invitations (such as those included with many credit cards) cannot be used at this lounge, even when travelling on what would otherwise be an eligible flight.
Emirates also operates its own combined business class and first class lounge here in Perth T1, open to eligible passengers.
Dining
Almost all the food and beverage options in this lounge are self-service, with buffet dining and DIY mixed drinks at the ready.
On the foot front were surprisingly tasty sandwiches, paired with fresh salads, crudités, and the typical ingredients for a toastie.
Hot food included samosas and pizzas – in a nod to Qantas' Terminal 4 business class lounge in Perth – with the crust in Terminal 1 proving just as popular.
Joining that, curry, rice, and soup with croutons.
You'll also find sweet bites for dessert, as well as a cheese board, with wines nearby.
Other beverage options include a 'Quench' station giving refreshing yet non-alcoholic options beyond the typical soft drinks and juices, as seen in many other Qantas business class lounges.
A dash of the pink grapefruit syrup mixes well with chilled sparkling water, available from the nearby tap.
A selection of relatively entry-level spirits can be found here too, and the Beefeater 24 sufficed for a gin and tonic, although a lime would have given the drink a little more zest.
Espresso coffee is available whenever the lounge is open, and when the barista spotted me busily typing away on a laptop at midnight ahead of a delayed flight – a time when most other guests were kicking back – an offer of a latte served to the table was appreciated and accepted.
Finally, fresh fruit can be found over in the main dining room.
Work
Aside from a line of work spaces close to reception, the lounge's other productivity zone is over in the far right corner, with seats for up to four guests.
However, those seats are well overdue for repairing or replacing, as the gas lifts were all worn out, with chairs lowering themselves every time they're sat on.
It instead proved more comfortable to set up with a laptop at the seats nearby, where there was fortunately a power point just behind.
That's something this lounge could use far more of, although WiFi speeds – averaging 47Mbps for both uploads and downloads – were acceptable, at least.
Relax
Seats at the lounge's communal benches are adequate for a quick stay or social chat, but you'd be wise to look elsewhere for something more comfortable when your schedule provides a little relaxation time.
For instance, the chairs in this row are reasonably comfortable, with many facing towards TV screens to help pass the time and with cocktail tables at-hand.
The same is true of these other seats, nestled between the dining and business areas.
Particularly welcome prior to overnight flights are the lounge's shower suites, with towel packs available from reception.
All things considered, Qantas' international business class lounge in Perth Airport's Terminal 1 is a respectable facility, particularly for an airline that doesn't even fly from this side of the airport.
While it lacks the style and panache of many newer lounges – both in the WA capital, and other Australian cities – it's a lounge that's still worth arriving a little early to visit and enjoy, if not the full three hours before departure when check-in typically opens.
Also reviewed: Cathay Pacific A350 business class, Perth-Hong Kong
Chris Chamberlin travelled as a guest of Cathay Pacific.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 372
While you can't link the lounge vouchers to the T1 lounge on the Qantas site, you can link them to T4 instead and still gain entry to the T1 lounge. I provided a couple vouchers to friends before a Jetstar. They said they didn't have any issues and saw others gaining entry in the same fashion
04 May 2015
Total posts 270
The Qantas site says that invites can't currently be used at the T4 "international" lounge: are you somehow linking these to the domestic Qantas Club instead when departing on an international flight, and then using the T1 lounge?
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 372
Yes, that's correct
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 106
Focussed on the descriptor:” follow the signs” to the lounge. What a pleasant surprise as in many airports , notably Santiago ( Chile) the Airport administration appears ashamed to admit they have a VIP lounge. Signage in either Spanish or English is badly needed, so well done Perth.
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