The World’s Best Airline Lounges
The holy grail for travellers in transit – who hasn’t tried to talk their way into a lounge?
These are the crème de la crème, worth booking with the airline on the veracity of their lounge alone.
CATHAY PACIFIC
The Pier, Hong Kong
Refurbished to a high design aesthetic a few years back, the Cathay lounge has one of the largest footprints of a lounge, and runs in a narrow alley through different segments. The further you go in, the more privacy there is. With a capacity of 550, there’s plenty of space for travellers.
The design is constructed around the concept of Hong Kong street life and there’s a slow lane and a fast lane. In every segment there’s a food or drink bar for the fast route, while the slow route has plenty of armchairs and working areas.
There’s a coffee cart, noodle bar and relaxation room. The highlight is the tea house, decked out in black and gold, with a menu of ten plus blends. There is an interactive experience as well where the travellers can see and smell before ordering the blend to be steeped.
The First Class lounge experience at The Pier is a cut above, with day suites and foot massages.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Heathrow Terminal Five, London
British Airways made a hefty investment in the comfort of their passengers passing through Terminal Five. The Galleries First Lounge has a gold bar, glinting and reflecting the spirits and crystal ware that is imbibed across it. Adding to the dazzle is the Swarovski chandelier. If that’s not enough booze, there’s also a wine gallery and a champagne bar.
The Concorde Room, in homage to those halcyon days of fast flight, is the highest level lounge and includes a restaurant and concierge desk for traveller’s own personal assistant at their disposal. While the emphasis is often put on departures, the arrivals lounge is something to consider.
It includes an infinity bath that replenishes water and splashes over the sides to stay fresh, much like the pool version. There’s also an Elemis travel spa with treatment rooms for facials and massages.
QANTAS
First Class Lounge, Sydney International Airport
This flagship lounge is an icon of design, with the trademark Q woven into the very balustrades of the building. Despite dating back to 2007, its futuristic vision has stood the test of time.
Based around feng shui principles, there’s even a vertical garden which has only blossomed with time, number 8400 plants that re-oxygenate the air and running for 30 metres total. And instead of a help-yourself style, there is waiter service from whichever chair you choose.
One of the biggest lures for travellers here, however, is the Aurora Spa. Offering short and sweet 20-minute treatments, there’s a signature experience as well as massages, facials and hand and foot therapies. Sydney’s signature? A back exfoliation with a bespoke enzymatic wattleseed and walnut exfoliator sealed by a white clay masque.
If you thought that couldn’t be compressed into 20 minutes, there’s more – body moisturizer as well as a foot massage. The shower is also an experience, with its own stereo system.
Overall, the lounge has recorded a 100 per cent customer satisfaction rating and is enough to make anyone accrue the frequent flyers like a maniac.
QATAR AIRWAYS
Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris
Ever been to a lounge with a roof terrace good enough to be a hot city bar? Well Qatar Airway’s brand new lounge at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has just that. Two, just to cover all bases. From here guests can see the city of lights and even the Eiffel Tower. There is also a brasserie and deli as well as a high end dining precinct. It clocks up more than 1000 square metres and can handle 200 travellers, with space in between.
There are accents of gold throughout, from the lighting to the finishings. What you expect from the extravagant Middle East is delivered. There is an indoor fountain, to seal the serenity as well as bathrooms with rain showers.
There’s plenty of natural light, so the emphasis is on bringing the tarmac into this sanctuary. There’s barista coffee and the smokers have their own dedicated roof terrace. This lounge is definitely the leader in CDG airport.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
british airways cathay pacific qantas qatar airwaysLatest News
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
The two-day Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024, opened with a vibrant ceremony at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau. A pinnacle event in the South Pacific tourism calendar, the event brings together industry stakeholders from across the globe to delve into Fiji’s tourism offerings and cultivate long-lasting business relationships. Acting Prime Minister and Minister […]
Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents
World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]
Seabourn’s two new value-add offers for 2024-25
Luxe cruise line Seabourn is offering two value-added promotions featuring must-have fares and a generous shipboard credit for guests seeking to book their next voyage. The exclusive “A Sail to Remember” Event includes must-have fares on most Seabourn ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages in October 2024 and beyond. The “More Moments on Us” Event offers […]
PONANT commercial team expands to meet growing demand in APAC
Luxury exploration cruise line Ponant has announced significant updates to their Asia Pacific commercial team in response to accelerated growth across the region. “These structural enhancements signify Ponant’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our valued trade partners in the Asia Pacific region,” general manager sales & marketing, Asia Pacific, Deb Corbett said. “We […]
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.
Etihad Airways boosts connectivity with five interline partnerships
Etihad high fives itself with interline partnerships announcing a handful of new airlines, including Rex.
Discover the enchantment of India – A tale of timeless cities
Whether you're game enough to test out the street food or not, we recon India should be top of your list.
Qantas cops $100m penalty with passengers to get $20m back over cancelled flights
Qantas cops a $100m civil penalty, passengers to get back $20m over cancelled flights to resolve ACCC court battle.
Body found off Sydney Heads suspected to be missing cruiser
Tragic developments onboard Pacific Adventure this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours ‘Wonderlust Sale’ offers the wonders of the world for less
More for less... Great news for all apart from Wendy's wallet.
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com launches new AI feature in Aus. We're hoping AI never gets the nuance involved with writing these jokes.
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.