When visited: February 2017
Time of day: Late Morning (just before noon)
Rating: 5 / 5
ACCESS RULES
– Flying Business class on a Qantas or QantasLink flight later that day.
– Qantas Platinum member or Oneworld Alliance Emerald member departing on a on a Qantas or QantasLink 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 or QantasLink
– Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult given this is a licensed area.
I accessed the Business Lounge as a QANTAS Platinum member flying in economy later that day back to Melbourne.
LOUNGE LOCATION
The QANTAS Sydney Domestic Business Lounge is located in Terminal 3 opposite Gates 4 and 5. After clearing security you turn left and will find the entrance to the QANTAS Domestic Business Lounge about 10 metres away. The separate (but connected) QANTAS Club Lounge entrance is approximately 10 metres further away.
LOUNGE AREA
The QANTAS Business Lounge area is very large and provides get views of the QANTAS planes at the boarding gates and a maintenance hangar. The main food serving and bar area is just past the Lounge Access Guardians. This area has a more formal bench area with napkins and cutlery set out, you can make yourself a nice basic meal for lunch. Most of the lounge area is informal but being the higher status level lounge you are more likely to see businessmen and a higher dress standard (jeans yes, singlets no).
FOOD
I was at the lounge just as breakfast was ending and lunch was approaching. At this time most of the food was fruit, pastries, and sandwich making ingredients. Just has I was leaving staff were bring out some pasta based dishes.
DRINKS
There is an all-day barista coffee service (very popular even when lounge is almost empty), juices, soft drinks, tea and water. The bar for alcohol doesn’t open until noon but offers good selection of wine, beer and spirits.
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
There are several showers (no need to book), toilets, areas to watch TV (SkyNews), extensive computer area with printers and photocopiers, multiple tea / coffee stations and charging stations for most different cable connections.
There are limited power outlets to plug in your laptop or other equipment, usually you can tell those areas by someone sitting there, be fast and grab a spot if you find one! Free Wi-Fi is offered that is at a reasonable speed. You need to be connected to the Wi-Fi to print a document from your device. There are various free newspapers (which you can take away) and magazines (which you should leave in the lounge).
WHAT’S GOOD
The food and drinks are excellent (even better after noon for drink and after 6 pm for food). Comfortable seating, in quads, pairs and singles. Close to Gates 1 through 7 meaning you can stay a little longer. Feels very classy and relaxing (but not on a Friday evening).
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Lack of power points to charge your mobile equipment is disappointing.
SUMMARY
Excellent top level domestic lounge in Qantas’ home port so a definite must visit if you are allowed access. There is no charge for food or drinks nor is tipping expected (or anywhere really in Australia). This is slightly better domestic lounge than Qantas’ Melbourne Business Lounge (better views and location) making it the best domestic lounge I’ve visited anywhere in the world (there are however lots of better International Lounges).
For my 2010 Fiji trip I travelled between 30 October 2010 and 6 November 2010. I used this trip to undertake a ‘status run’ basically a couple of extra flights to help increase my Qantas membership level back to Gold.
Nathan's Insights 