Review Qantas business lounge at T1 at Melbourne Airport

The Melbourne Sydney flight, is a similar connection to our Linate/Fiumicino flight, with the only difference being. commuting by train takes 12 hours, and there are about 40 flights a day connecting the two state capitals of Victoria and New Wales.

Marika, Bete, and I boarded on an economy ticket, but thanks to my Emerald oneWorld status we had access to the lounge without any problem.

Status is needed if you exploit

Today we boarded with three basic economy tickets, but since we all had a card, and a collective account, in BA's Executive Club we took advantage of all possible benefits:

• Business check-in desks
• Free checked baggage
• Fast track (just me)
• Business class lounge
• Group 1 at boarding
• Free seat selection on board

With this ticket alone we saved, thanks to the status, about 160€, sure we could have also flown with other carriers such as Jetstar, Virgin Australia or other low-cost carriers, but on balance we would have spent much more since we had two suitcases to check in and we didn't want to have any problems or stress about the weight of carry-on luggage.

Location

The directions to Qantas Precint are clear and immediately after the controls, just turn left and head gate 1/12. The entrance is very obvious and easy to spot.

There are two rooms at the top of the escalators, but the best thing is the sign at the entrance that defines the minimum dress code to enter the lounge: BRAVA Qantas banning bare feet and peppered armpits.

Acesso

If you meet the dress code you have two lounges to access: One for business passengers and those with emerald oneworld status, the Qantas Club is the one is dedicated to those with sapphire status or the equivalent in the Qantas loyalty program.

We are in terminal 1 used practically only by the Australian flag carrier and there are no PP lounges or other independent rooms, halls that are instead present in T2 and T4 those used for international flights.

The business lounge

The nicer of the two is obviously reserved for the most loyal, or premium, passengers, the treat du this lounge is definitely the endless view of the runway and gates used by QF.

It is very big, but When we arrived we struggled to find three places close together, but the great thing about lounges is that they are constantly moving, people coming in and people going out seamlessly.

All along the wall are seats perfect for taking a nap while admiring the movements of the QF fleet ranging from small Dash-8s to A380s.

The large open space is interspersed with structures that serve as beverage islands and partitions.

In the center of the room, dividing the lounge in two, is the food & beverage area. A circular bar counter, the area with the buffet and open kitchens. Solution very reminiscent of the lounge at LHR Terminal 3.

There are so many types of seating, there is a business area where you can work and print, maybe what is missing is just a quieter area, true that only domestic flights leave from here, but to get to Darwin or Perth takes almost 4 hours of flight time.

Food & Beverage

The bar counter is beautiful, scenic and stocked. I took advantage of it for an espresso coffee, after carefully explaining to the barista how to use the "made in Italy" machine in the correct manner.

Opposite the bar is the restaurant area. There is a small buffet and then an express kitchen where you can order from the dishes of the day.

Comfortable different types of seating, both for those who want to eat on the sofa and for those who prefer a restaurant setup.

In conclusion

Certainly not comparable to the lounges in Singapore or London, but we are talking about a dedicated room for domestic flights, at T2 there is a real First Class lounge, which I would also have had access to because of my status, but when I think about what they offer on "similar" flights in the old continent this is real TOP class. An extra point for the dress code at the entrance.

The verdict

Of course a domestic flight in Australia can mean flying for 6h, so you would have to compare it to international ones, but in any case it doesn't disappoint, indeed. Great food offerings, a real bar, great views. What more could you want, ah no maranza in flip flops around.

8

Rated Location

8

F&B

8

Services

7

Pro

• Bright
• Food and wine offerings
• The view
• Dress code

Against

• Ingolfata