QANTAS: Darwin Catalina lounge takeover, and Sydney First Lounge to reopen 1 November

Two problems, one solution. Qantas is rerouting its international flights to London to travel via Darwin instead of Perth until April 2022. Problem is, Darwin only has one international lounge. The solution, Qantas is taking it over temporarily.

The lounge has space for about 100 guests, will retain its current fittings and furniture, but the service will be provided by Qantas lounge team members.

You’ll get:

• Serviced Buffet
• Localised menus
• Premium Australina wines and beers and drinks from a bar, with a barperson
• Powerpoints (!)
• Bathroom facililties – but I don’t think showers

“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.

Stephanie Tully, Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer

Lounge Entry Eligibility

• Platinum One, Platinum, Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers
• Qantas Club members
• Business Class passengers
• oneworld partner members – with emerald or saphire status

Sydney First Louge

This will re-open from 1 November, with the London and LAX lounges opening in December.

In the interim, Qantas flyers will be able to use the British Airways T3 Lounge at Heathrow, and the Star Alliance Lounge at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX

Qantas will roll out other lounge openings in line with the commencement of additional international routes.

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.

Excellent news, despite the Darwin move already being foreshadowed. I have not visited the new Qantas lounges in LAX and Heathrow, nor the re-designed one in Singapore. Can’t wait.