Qantas: International Lounge Access for Trans-Tasman bubble flights?

With the opening of the no-quarantine requirement travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand – what will happen to the currently closed Qantas and Air New Zealand International lounges both in Australia and NZ?

Qantas

The Australian based airline has International First and/or Business lounges in most Australian capital cities. All are currently closed and it looks like they will remain closed for the immediate future – with a small potential window of opportunity as offered by a Qantas spokesperson:

When asked the If, which and when questions on International lounges in Australia and New Zealand, we got the following response:

Qantas is working through Trans Tasman bubble lounge options for its customers and we will share that information in the near future.

Amanda Bolger, Head of PR and Publicity, Qantas Airways

No news, but hope springs eternal . . .

Qantas pre-COVID-19 ran lounges in the Airports of Auckland (First and Business), Wellington (Business) and provided access to partner Manaia Lounges (also Priority Pass lounges) in Christchurch and Queenstown.

Air New Zealand

Their International lounges are also currently closed, with the exception of the Rarotonga International Lounge. However, in statements yesterday Air New Zealand indicated that their International lounges would re-open in line with the commencement of the travel bubble with Australia on 19 April.

The airline has been preparing for a trans-Tasman bubble for a few months now, bringing furloughed crew back and ensuring they are up to speed with training, along with making sure its international airports and lounges are ready for the influx of customers.  

Greg Foran, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer

Air New Zealand runs International lounges in Sydney and Melbourne which are currently closed, and domestic lounges in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, which are all currently open.

I would expect the Sydney and Melbourne lounges to be open from 19 April, with lounge arrangements with Qantas to be active for other Australian destinations.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

OK, let me just say here what you are all thinking: When can I visit a Qantas First Class Lounge again? Unfortunately the answer is – we don’t know. Let me be honest – once they announce that – I’ll be there and onto a trans-Tasman bubble flight!