Qantas has announced an opening date for its newly updated International Lounge at Auckland Airport. The lounge will begin to welcome eligible passengers from 17 December 17, 2025. This is just in time for the peak summer holiday season.
The good news is that travellers are getting a more premium space than they had before. Once again, Qantas have turned to David Caon for the design, in a collaboration with Architectus, Akin Atelier and Simon James Design. If some of that sounds familiar, it’s because Caon worked with Akin Atelier on the Singapore First Lounge.
Inside the Qantas Auckland Lounge
Qantas have created a single ‘premium’ lounge in the space that was once a pair of Qantas Lounges – Business and First. As a single lounge, it provides 60 per sent more space than before, with an all up capacity of 370 customers, Within the lounge, there are spaces for dining, relaxing and working.
Qantas says that the lounge design “brings the outside in, with living green walls throughout, travertine tiles and terrazzo tabletops creating a natural, relaxed atmosphere”. As with most lounges in the Qantas network, there are some local touches. As such, the Auckland lounge features bespoke furniture with seating upholstered in premium New Zealand wool and leather. There is also a four-metre artwork by artist Gabrielle Penfold capturing the iconic North Head, Devonport.
Food and Beverage
Of course, much of the lounge experience revolves around indulging in eating and drinking. In the case of Auckland Lounge, New Zealand’s produce and local wine will feature in a dining area offering a buffet, gelato station and a cocktail bar serving up premium beverages and barista-made coffee.
Space for Platinum and Platinum One Members
For Platinum and above members there is a special feature that we haven’t seen before in Qantas Premium lounges. In a first, the Auckland lounge, Platinum and Platinum One members will have access to s special à la carte dining area.
In this space, eligible members will have access to a specially crafted seasonal menu from Qantas Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service, Neil Perry. The menu will feature dishes such as crumbed local fish and chips. Qantas First favourites such as salt and pepper squid and signature pavlova will also be available.
More features
Of course it’s not all about dining. The lounge features areas for socialing and relaxing. You can even charge your devices while doing so – Qantas says 70 per cent of the seats are fitted with charging points.
Fifteen shower suites have been built for customers to freshen up during long-haul journeys, particularly those transiting on the popular direct Auckland–New York service.
