When visited: June 2017
Time of day: Midday (12.40 pm to 15.45 pm)
Rating: 5 / 5

ACCESS RULES
– Flying First class on a Qantas or Oneworld flight later that day.
– Qantas Platinum member or Oneworld Alliance Emerald flying Business or Economy international flight later that day
– Emirates Skywards Platinum member whose next onward flight that day carries a QF or EK flight number and is operated by Qantas.
– Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult given this is a licensed area.

I accessed the International First Class Lounge as a QANTAS Platinum member, while I was travelling in Business Class later that day this would not have gotten me into the lounge.

Escalator to traveler heaven

LOUNGE LOCATION
The Qantas Sydney International First Class Lounge is in international terminal on level four, just follow the many signs after clearing passport control and the duty free shops. The escalators are located near gates 9 and 10.

The frosted gates to the First Class Lounge

Take the escalators up to the third level and you will see the frosted first class doors from which many passengers will be rejected and sent to the Qantas Sydney International First Class Lounge.

A short walk past plant life somehow maintained in this inside setting and you will find another escalator to the fourth floor and you will find the lounge entry next to old style flight notification board.

Tip: Make sure you inquiry about the free Spa Treatment booking at the lounge entry desk as spots fill very fast (mostly taken by actual First Class passengers who can book 24 hours before they travel.

LOUNGE AREA
The Qantas Sydney International First Class Lounge area is large, you enter roughly in the middle, turning left will take you towards the library area with two booked quiet rooms, turning left will eventually see you at the Spa Treatment facility.

The seating areas can seem both intimate but at the same time spacious, the chairs vary in style (all good) and are very comfortable and cozy, especially the reclining chairs near the windows so you can watch the planes.

Comfortable Chairs in the First Class Lounge

The lounge has an entire glass viewing area with a view of the tarmac and the coming and going planes.  The natural light is very refreshing, and even more speculator when a storm passes (which occurred when I visited).

Library Area First Class Lounge

FOOD AND DRINKS

The Small All Day Dinning Station

There are several small service stations with some very minor snacks but the main game is the restaurant areas spread across the lounge.

Salt & Pepper Squid

You take a seat and a waiter will quickly bring a menu and offer water (still or sparkling). You can order beers and wines immediately or when the waiter comes back for your meal order. On my first sitting (yes I came back 2 hours later) I had the Salt and Pepper Squid which was amazing with a James Boag premium light.

Dessert French Vanilla Ice Cream

I followed this up with a dessert of French vanilla ice cream.

At my second sitting (after walking around the International Terminal) I ordered the stunning risotto mushroom.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES
There are showers, toilets, several TVs which have either Pay TV Station Sky News or free to air Channel Nine, several iMac computers (which you can select PC mode on), printing/photocopying facilities, multiple tea / coffee stations.

There are a number of power outlets to plug in your laptop or other equipment.  Free Wi-Fi is offered which I used for about 30 minutes and it appeared to be very fast for a free.

SPA TREATMENT 

The Spa Treatment Facility Entry

One of the major extras of this lounge is the free spa treatment.  As mentioned earlier you must book on the day if not flaying First Class so do it early.  I arranged a booking for myself only 20 minutes after arriving at the lounge.  The Spa facility has indoor plants on the walls helping create a sense of wellness.

The Spa Treatment Centre Waiting Room

I selected the Men’s Purifying Facial.  Linda was an amazing attendant who engaged with me during the treatment with interesting stories from her life and health tips.  I enjoyed the treatment so much I decided to forgo my normal shower before an international shower.

The Private Treatment Room

WHAT’S GOOD

The View from the Lounge of the Tarmac

Everything.  The service is great, the menu for the sit down service is amazing, the views perfect.  Not sure what more you could ask for.

WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD

Nothing really.  Maybe a few chairs that reclined more to sleep easier but not sure why you would need that during the hours the lounge operates.

SUMMARY

If you have access to the Qantas Sydney International First Class Lounge take it up.  Book a Spa Treatment is you can, enjoy the sit down meal service and relax before your next international flight.  It will be hard to go back to lower status lounges or no lounges!