Qantas’ Regional Lounge Refreshes

In early February 2026, Qantas announced its plans to continue refreshing its regional lounge network. This much-needed upgrade program for seven Qantas domestic regional lounges kicked off in February and will run through to mid-March 2026.

These renovations are a continuation of Qantas’ lounge upgrade program, with refurbishments of the lounges in Adelaide and Auckland being completed in 2025. Meanwhile, Sydney’s international Business Lounge will be closed for refurbishment until early 2027.

Qantas states that the updated lounges will receive refurbished interiors “featuring a distinct, new colour palette inspired by the region’s natural landscapes.”

Customers can also expect updated furniture and improved seating options, new flooring as well as upgraded technology including more charging points.

These upgrades will be an overall improvement to these regional lounge locations. However, this means that multiple lounges will be closed over the coming months while the renovations are underway. Qantas hasn’t suggested that any alternatives will be provided while the lounges are inaccessible.

Locations and schedule

The following is the current schedule for the lounge closures and renovations:

• Rockhampton: 5-18 February 2026 (extended closure until 27 February)
• Gladstone: 8-26 February 2026
• Kalgoorlie: 8-14 February 2026
• Tamworth: 12-21 February 2026
• Coffs Harbour: 14-24 February 2026
• Mackay: 15 February-9 March 2026
• Karratha: 8 March-19 March 2026

While Qantas has helpfully released the planned timelines for these renovations, it unfortunately wouldn’t be the first time that Qantas has advertised plans and then failed to live up to them.

For example, the Sydney and Auckland lounge upgrades were first announced in 2018, but kept being pushed back year after year. Then, in February 2023, there were more updates for these lounge upgrades, as well as announcements that the Auckland and Adelaide lounge weres supposed to open in 2023. But these didn’t eventuate until 2025.

There’s also the proposed Qantas London Lounge upgrades (including a new Qantas First Lounge), which have also been put on the backburner. This was expected to open in late 2025, but a location for the new lounge hasn’t even been found as of February 2026.

It remains to be seen whether Qantas will meet its timelines for all the regional lounge refurbishments.

How to access these Qantas lounges

You can get access to domestic Qantas lounges before your Qantas or Jetstar flight a few different ways. Of course, if you are flying Business Class or are a Platinum One, Platinum or Gold status holder then you will have access. Silver status members receive a complimentary lounge invitation upon reaching Silver status.

Some credit cards offer airport lounge access as additional benefits to cardholders.

You can always purchase a Qantas Club Membership. Note that AFF Gold and Platinum members get 20% off Qantas Club membership fees through the AFF Qantas Club Discount.

Otherwise, if you earn 350,000 Qantas Points in a year, you’ll get a complimentary Qantas Club membership via Points Club Plus.

Lastly, you may receive an email offering you the option to purchase a lounge pass around 2-5 days before your flight. However, these invitations are sent randomly and are unlikely to be offered if you’re travelling at a peak time.

What do you think about these new lounge upgrades? Let us know in the forum!