Travelling between Sydney and London via Darwin? Qantas is opening a temporary lounge from next month, allowing eligible passengers to unwind and rejuvenate during their transit.
The announcement of the new pop-up transit lounge follows the recent announcement that Qantas’ flagship Australia to United Kingdom route would operate via Darwin once Australia’s international borders open on 1 November until at least April 2022 due to WA border closures.
Qantas will lease Darwin International Airport’s Catalina lounge, which will have space for approximately 100 guests utilising existing furniture and fittings.
The offering will include Qantas’ famous service, a signature welcome mocktail (called Top End Lemonade), refreshing cold towels, lounge and dining areas with a serviced buffet, tailored menus with Asian style influence, premium beverages, power points and bathrooms, making sure you’re fully equipped for the next leg of your journey.
Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully, said the national carrier is delighted to work with Darwin International Airport to ensure a comfortable transit experience for its top tier frequent flyers and customers travelling in Business Class.
“We know that spending time in our lounges is one of the most enjoyable parts of the travel experience. We are excited to work with our friends at Darwin Airport to have our lounge facility ready next week in time to welcome our first international customers in 20 months.
“Given the relatively brief transit time of 90 minutes, our focus will be on offering a comfortable space for customers to stretch their legs, enjoy a brunch or light supper and to refresh before their onward journey.
“Previously, our direct flight between Australia and London had the highest customer satisfaction rating on our entire network and our plan is to recreate that as we restart.”
Customers eligible to visit the Qantas Darwin International Transit Lounge include:
- Platinum One, Platinum, Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members
- Customers travelling in Business Class
- Eligible oneworld partner members
Qantas says it will also reopen its Sydney International First Lounge from 1 November and its London and Los Angeles lounges in December.
In the interim few weeks of operation, eligible Qantas customers will be able to visit the British Airways T3 Lounge at London Heathrow and the Star Alliance Lounge at Tom Bradley International Terminal in LA.
Other international lounges will reopen to align with the return of further international routes.
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