Nathan's Insights

When visited: Friday 05 April 2024
Time of day: Dinner
Operator: Qantas (Linked to the Oneworld Alliance)
Rating: 4.5 / 5

SUMMARY

I last visited this lounge on 08 June 2023 so less than 12 months ago. This Qantas Lounge was upgraded a few years ago and as a result is very modern and provides everything you need. In particular access to showers before you long haul flight to Europe or back to Australia.

ACCESS RULES

• Qantas Club members flying on Qantas or Jetstar
• First and Business Class passengers on Qantas, Qantas Partner Airlines, and Oneworld Airline International flights
• Qantas Platinum One, Platinum, and Gold members flying on Qantas or Jetstar flight, Qantas Partner Airlines, and Oneworld Airline International flights
• Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire members on international Oneworld or American Airline flight

I gained access as Qantas Lifetime Gold Member flying Finnair (a Oneworld Airline) in economy.

LOUNGE LOCATION

The Qantas International Business Lounge is located at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1. It is upstairs in a lounge precinct between the airport’s C and D gates.

Lounge Opening hours: Opens at 14:30 until last Qantas flight leaves.

LOUNGE AREA

The lounge is a huge area and is effectively divided into two sections, one is focused on dinning with a bar (located near the shower area) and the other much bigger area as a large number and range of seats to relax and have snacks.

While there is no tarmac views this lounge gets significant nature light during the day time and area overlooks the check in area.

FOOD AND DRINKS

In the dining area there is as ‘show kitchen menu’, from which selected dishes are made to order which I didn’t use on this visit. There are always regular hot meals available all with a regional Asian theme.

There is also a salad bar which includes a few biscuit options but no beard or ham and cheeses or other associated items to make a sandwich which I usually like to do.

There is a bar service which I did not use, along with several self-serve drink, tea and coffee, and water stations allocated across the lounge.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Includes: Toilets / Wi-Fi (fast) / Power Charging Outlets (but not at every location) / Showers (8)

The showers are what puts this lounge over the top. In such a humid climate having a good shower before your flight or while on a long transit feels like heaven.

Immediately on arrival I went to the shower block. My niece couldn’t be convinced to use the showers even though I told her they are better than you shower at home by a long shot.

WHAT’S GOOD

• Shower facilities
• Natural light
• The open, spacious and beautifully appointed spaces and areas
• Food cooked in front of you from the Show Kitchen Menu
• Self-serve Alcohol, Soft Drinks and Water

WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD

• The Lounge can be very far from your boarding gate in this huge airport.
• The late opening of the lounge (14:30) means any flights before 15:00 and you can’t access the Lounge.