Qantas has announced it will introduce Premium Lounge Entry, as part of the redevlopment of the Brisbane Domestic Lounges. The new lounge enrty is being touted as a new airport departure experience for eligible Qantas customers.
The new Premium Lounge Entry will open in March 2017, co-inciding with the opening of the new Brisbane Domestic Lounge. According to Qantas, the new entry will offer eligible customers a dedicated check-in area, bag drop, security screening and escalator with direct access to the new Qantas Lounge Precinct.
The definition of an eligible customer covers pretty much anyone that will have access to the Qantas Lounge. This includes those travelling in Business, Qantas Club members, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyers and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald Members.
The new facility will be located on Level 1 and open 7 days a week, one hour prior to the first Qantas departure. Customers utilising Qantas Valet will also receive a new valet experience with direct terminal access.
“This is about streamlining the overall departure process for our top tier Frequent Flyers from the moment they arrive at the airport,” explained Qantas Customer Experience Philip Capps.
“Premium Lounge Entry will speed up the process for customers checking in both at the airport or on their mobile – allowing them to move through the terminal quickly and maximise their time relaxing or working in the lounge.”
Are they copying Virgin?
The concept of a Premium Entry is not new. Virgin Australua offers similar concepts at its Sydney and Brisbane lounges. Having said that, Qantas appear to have taken it one step further. While Virgin Australia offers a facility for guest travelling without check-in baggage, Qantas will be providing facilities to check-in baggage.
Either way, it does offer a more premium experience for eligible travellers. It would be nice to see this concept rolled out to other airports across the network.