What do you want from Qantas' new Singapore first class lounge?
By David Flynn, October 30 2018
TALKING POINT | This time next year, or probably a little closer towards Christmas, Qantas will open an all-new first class lounge at Singapore's Changi Airport.
Such a lounge has been in demand ever since the Red Roo resumed flying its Airbus A380s from Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore and then onto London, following a five-year flirtation with Dubai as its European hub under the Qantas/Emirates alliance.
Indeed, Qantas has arguably exceeded expectations by embarking on a new-build project rather than carving out an extension to its current already-overcrowded lounge.
That new lounge – which the airline tells us will be located at the other side of Changi Terminal 1, in the D Gates wing – is promised to have seating for 240 customers, including Platinum and Platinum One-grade frequent flyers alongside first class travellers.
Qantas designer David Caon is leading the project – which we rate as a plus, because we're generally fans of his clean, fresh and understated aesthetic (seen by some in Qantas' Brisbane Chairmans Lounge).
But as we enjoy Australia's largest readership of business travellers and frequent flyers – some 800,000+ per month, and counting – we figured it's appropriate to hear what you want from this all-new lounge.
Qantas' existing first class lounges at Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles will be obvious reference points in creating their Singaporean sibling, but they will also contain learnings for Caon and co when it comes to shaping this shiny new space.
Qantas has already indicated the Singapore First Lounge will include must-haves such as shower suites, a cocktail bar and à la carte dining "reflecting the best of Singapore’s vibrant dining culture."
But what else needs to be on the list, either by way of what the lounge should have or what it should not have? (We'd suggest 'blaring TVs' for the latter list).
Share your thoughts with other readers (and Qantas, too, because we know they're reading this!) in the comments area below...
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 204
Cabanas with a daybed, hydrotherapy bathtub and in-cabana massages - these should be made available for QF First pax to pre-book in the same way spa services at the MEL and SYD lounges are pre-booked the day before travel and then made available to QF CL, P1 and Platinum FF's on a first come-first served basis and then to other OWE's.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2018
Total posts 16
Restricting the first lounge to PAX flying on Qantas metal only.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
They can't do that under oneworld rules. BA, AA and QR all have lounges, or parts thereof (BA Concord lounge/dining, AA Flagship dining, QR DOH, LHR lounges) which get around the rules because they provide other "equivalent" lounges for oneworld.
If QF wants to lock down this new lounge to QF F only, they wouldn't need 240 seats, and they would have to provide another "emerald" lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 168
No jetstar passengers. No qantas club passengers. Only ow platinums and genuine f passengers. Separate childrens area. Proper al la Carte dining. Spa and cabanas to relax. This will be a stopover lounge for many unlike lax Mel and Syd. Needs space to chill
QF
21 May 2014
Total posts 24
Unless being granted entry by CoS or being guested, why would there be QP members in the lounge anyway?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 462
This is a First lounge. Qantas Club pax won'be admitted, they'll continue to go to the Business lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 153
A la carte, a spa or massage, plenty of real work areas with real work chairs complemented with fast WiFi, children's area and like 30 showers.
26 Jul 2017
Total posts 13
Spa service, would be superb if connecting from QF35 ( Melbourne A380 Service) to QF1 (Qantas Sydney - London Service) As some passengers will be transiting for 4 hours. Along a spa service, Qantas should introduce a quiet area.
07 Jun 2016
Total posts 29
For me it’s not about spa service. I’d prefer if the space was given over to actual lounge seating because the luxury that I want is a lounge that feels relaxed even at the busiest times.
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 353
I’d agreee with not allowing Jetstar passengers in here but I don’t think Qantas would agree! There should be a corner of the lounge with a TV and some seating but the rest of the lounge should in effect be one big ‘quiet zone’. As a transit lounge as well as somewhere to hang before flying back to Australia there needs to be plenty of showers plus a pressing service. Very separate and sound-proofed kids area sounds good.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Oct 2018
Total posts 5
I think a la Carte dining will be a given. I agree with Timothy that because some passengers will be transiting for extended periods they should consider a spa service, cabanas or perhaps even rest beds like at the Pier in Hong Kong or the Emirates first lounge in Dubai.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jun 2017
Total posts 6
What's everyone's beef with Jetstar passengers? If you're connecting to Southeast Asia, guess what? You're on Jetstar!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Jun 2015
Total posts 71
Day beds like the Pier F or cabanas like wing F.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2014
Total posts 25
Open by May 2019 would be convenient 😊
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
Definitely a massage service for a free 15-20 minute session half way through the trip. Its always super relaxing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Aug 2012
Total posts 74
I dont mind who else is there as long as it doesnt get crowded.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
NO children play area! If pax have kids they can go to QC or J lounge.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 45
Peppa Pig themed play area for children
06 Jun 2017
Total posts 3
Don't stop there - a Peppa Pig themed lounge. Full of Pork dumplings and shu mai ;)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 381
Stop right there to the anti-Jetstar lobby!! I’m a QF Platinum and fly to/from Asia on QF up the front, and intra Asia usually on 3K so I will absolutely be using the new SG F lounge with my Jetstar boarding pass!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 54
its seems pretty fair that jetstar pax are allowed to. Most of the platinum+ flying jetstar would have no other choice to get to many other asian cities. And if they are PW+ they're clearly spending enough to warrant access, its not like they're opening the doors to every jetstar passenger. I actually doubt there would be that many per flight with access
03 Nov 2015
Total posts 10
No problems with Jetstar Asia passengers, as long as people behave and QF enforces a dress code. As to the rest of these 'wish list' items I think some are a bit of a stretch, cabanas? Really? Remember that Qantas has two types of passengers for Singapore, those who are in transit on say QF1 or QF2 and they will not have much time anyway, we're talking 90 minutes between landing and take-off so you won't even get 60 minutes at the lounge, more like 45 if you're lucky because of SIN's gate-based security checks. For these people it will be a quick meal or maybe a shower, probably not both. But Qantas also has passengers flying from Singapore back to Australia, those are evening flights and most people come early to the airport because even a late checkout from the hotel is still hours ahead of their flight. For those passengers they have plenty of time to kill at the lounge, and they would welcome a spa.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
09 May 2017
Total posts 36
Re QF1 and QF2 Transit being there a short time - the two times we have flown this route this year we have been delayed 4 and 6 hours. The ability to lay down is critical - cabanas/daybeds or a reclining seat - just somewhere please. Spreading out on banquettes until 2 or 4 in the morning is horrible.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 435
Something I would love to see Qantas offer at the new Singapore First lounge would be arrivals access. Changi is set up for this because there is no separation between inbound and outbound passengers, as security is done at the boarding gates. I regularly fly between Sydney and Singapore with Qantas and I would love to be able to use the lounge on arrival when I have no checked luggage, which is most of the time. It would be great to step off my flight, go to the first class lounge for a shower and a meal and drink if I didn't want to go straight to my hotel.
21 Jul 2011
Total posts 90
Cabanas. Foot massages. Barber. Shoe shine. Yoga room. Gym.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 435
Gym, yoga room, barber and shoe shine? And would sir like a sauna and some caviar to go with that? Seriously some of those would have the SIN lounge surpass the flagship SYD lounge which makes no sense.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Restaurant and spa.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 May 2017
Total posts 13
Good menu as offered in other Qantas FC lounges, not just some bay marie offerings.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
Totally seperate sound proof area for children, Who are forced to go there
31 Oct 2018
Total posts 12
A totally separate sound proof area for whiny Platinum card members, that way my kids who fly F can enjoy the lounge as it was intended - for people actually flying F.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Plenty of suggestions from practical to very funny. How about a lounge with some separate areas, great food and a place to shower and freshen up. Take a look at the CX lounges at HK for inspiration.
24 Aug 2016
Total posts 4
enough toilets for the amount of people using it would be a start... conformable seating, not subcontracting to a massive hotel chain, and no gin bar. Anyone been to London recently?...
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 23
Real green plants and fresh flowers. Massage chair.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Jan 2018
Total posts 11
Small gym for quick spin before shower
25 Jul 2011
Total posts 17
The 'Cabana' lounges are great in CX Hong Kong, so bring them in.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
19 Mar 2016
Total posts 30
If nothing else this may make SQ stand up and pay some attention to its lounges. In particular The Private room whilst well maintained is rather old with what they offer and is in need of some major work..
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Mar 2015
Total posts 9
private workspaces
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