Qantas will reopen three of its flagship international lounges on Monday, April 19 with the national carrier also announcing a new seven-year agreement for Accor to continue the management of Qantas Club lounges in Australia and overseas.
Qantas (QF) is ready to welcome visitors back to the First lounges in Sydney and Melbourne as well as its International Lounge in Brisbane on Monday, April 19, a year after they closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions.
And Accor will be bringing the French flair and continuing to ensure every traveller in the lounge receives top-notch hospitality and the best of send-offs for their departing flight.
If you weren’t aware already, Accor has been managing and servicing QF customers across the airline’s network of domestic and international lounges for the last 14-years.
The global hospitality giant began managing the lounges in 2007 when the airline opened its flagship International First lounges in Australia, followed by the Domestic Business lounges, Chairmans Lounges and Qantas Club in 2013.
The new agreement is an extension of the ongoing partnership and timed with the launch of the trans-Tasman bubble flights from next Monday, April 19.
More Frequent Flyers can now enjoy the First lounge
As an added bonus, while normally only reserved for Platinum Frequent Flyers, QF will extend an invitation to customers travelling in Business, Gold Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members to visit the stunning First Lounge until the neighbouring Business lounges reopen.
First Lounge customers will get to enjoy the infamous a la carte dining experience designed by Neil Perry featuring some of the most popular menu items such as salt and pepper squid with green chilli dipping sauce, healthy bircher muesli for breakfast and the signature pavlova, as well as menu highlights from other Qantas lounges.
With QF’ lounges in New Zealand currently closed, Qantas will also offer Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members access to Air New Zealand lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
QF Group CEO Alan Joyce said the renewed agreement highlights the airline’s commitment to maintaining a premium travel experience for its customers across every part of their journey.
“As our customers step back into our lounges for the first time in over a year, they will continue to receive the exceptional service they have been accustomed to from the Qantas and Accor teams,’ Mr Joyce said.
“Many of our frequent flyers who travel through the lounges regularly are like family to the Qantas and Accor team members who take great pride in knowing their coffee or wine preferences, family members names, birthdays and anniversaries.”
Accor Pacific CEO, Simon McGrath said the continued partnership between Accor and QF would bring significant benefits for customers.
“Customers will continue to enjoy an unrivalled standard of service from our two much-loved brands. In Qantas we have an innovative tourism leader at our side; together we share a commitment to creating exceptional and memorable travel experiences on land and in the air,” said Mr McGrath.
The announcement coincides with QF’ plans to fast-track the reopening of its award-winning First lounges in Australia in line with the launch of the two-way trans-Tasman travel bubble on 19 April 2021.
Mr Joyce said reopening three of its flagship international lounges was a key milestone in the national carrier’s recovery.
“If you’re making a comeback, you should do it in style. That’s why we’ve decided to open our First lounges ahead of our other lounges and give more of our customers the opportunity to experience them,”
Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO
“Our lounges are a second home for many frequent flyers when they’re on the road and we know their re-opening will be well received.” He said.
QF has reopened almost all of its 35 Club and Business lounges across Australia as well as its Chairman’s lounges. It will open the remainder of its international lounges in Australia and overseas in line with the broader reopening of international borders and recommencement of the rest of Qantas’ international network.
The airline has also automatically extended Qantas Club membership for six months for those eligible paid Qantas Club members with a membership anniversary between 23 March 2020 and February 2024. Qantas Frequent Flyer has also extended member tier status for 12 months.
Find out more: www.qantas.com/au