Upbeat: Qantas Queensland regional general-manager Andrew Hogg (middle) has the ears of (from left) Alex Jefferis, Grace BrowningTanner, Paul Nicholas and Eleonora Paton at yesterday’s sneak peek of the Qantas Club lounge.
VIPs were given a sneak preview of the 1000sq m lounge overlooking the runway yesterday afternoon.
The lounge, which is above the old club in the departure area, is understood to have cost the airline $2.5 million.
Queensland regional general-manager Andrew Hogg said it was “the largest by a long way” of any regional airport in Australia.
He said it was triple the size of the old area with double the number of seats.
Mr Hogg said the Cairns club revealed the new look to be adopted throughout the nation and worldwide, using white walls and tiled areas, brown carpet with white streaks and maroon, red, brown and beige seats.
Other firsts include iMac computers as well as wireless internet capabilities and extra power outlets.
“This is a significant investment justified to support the excellent Qantas product,” Mr Hogg said.
He said it was a more modern and open feel and less formal.
“This well suits a leisure destination such as Cairns with a fantastic view of the runway,” Mr Hogg said.
“We’re very confident that people will enjoy the new lounge and it will lead to an increase in business,” he said.
“This lounge is what is expected of a full service and premium airline such as Qantas.”