Qantas First Lounge in Singapore

[Brettmcg]

Qantas has today announced a multi-million dollar investment in a new First Lounge and an expansion of the airline’s existing Business Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport.

With development due to start in April 2019, the Singapore First Lounge will offer seating for 240 customers, a luxurious design and premium a la carte dining with Asian-inspired menus.

The existing Business Lounge, which opened in 2013, will also be expanded. Combined, the First and Business Lounges will offer seating for more than 800 customers.

Set to open towards the end of 2019, the new First Lounge will be designed to suit the specific needs of transit travellers, with shower facilities, a coughtail bar, open kitchen and menu offerings reflecting the best of Singapore’s vibrant dining culture. It will join Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles as Qantas ports with a dedicated First Lounge.

 

[sudoer]

Qantas to open new Singapore first class lounge in 2019
QANTAS ANNOUNCES NEW FIRST LOUNGE AT CHANGI

Figured it was worth a new thread. Good news.

Qantas has today announced a multi-million dollar investment in a new First Lounge and an expansion of the airline’s existing Business Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport.

With development due to start in April 2019, the Singapore First Lounge will offer seating for 240 customers, a luxurious design and premium a la carte dining with Asian-inspired menus.

The existing Business Lounge, which opened in 2013, will also be expanded. Combined, the First and Business Lounges will offer seating for more than 800 customers.

Announcing the investment as part of the Qantas Group’s First Quarter trading update, CEO Alan Joyce said the airline’s overall lounge capacity in Singapore would increase by 60 percent.

“With the return of our A380 service to Singapore we’ve got more passengers transiting through our existing lounge and strong demand for travel in premium cabins.

“Our top tier Frequent Flyers tell us their pre-flight lounge ritual is one of their trip highlights and the Singapore First Lounge will be no exception. For people taking an onward flight it will be a place to refresh, dine, make calls and catch up on emails before continuing their journey.”

Qantas will work with Chef Neil Perry and Industrial Designer David Caon in collaboration with Akin Atelier, to create a relaxing, high quality environment for passengers to either start their international journey or transit through Singapore. The design will embody a clear focus on sustainability with choices in materials, lighting interior, layouts and amenities all reflecting the highest local and international design techniques.

Set to open towards the end of 2019, the new First Lounge will be designed to suit the specific needs of transit travellers, with shower facilities, a coughtail bar, open kitchen and menu offerings reflecting the best of Singapore’s vibrant dining culture. It will join Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles as Qantas ports with a dedicated First Lounge.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

This. Is. GREAT. News.

 

[Silvia]

do we exactly know what space are they taking? it is exciting indeed, probably would persuade me to consider Singapore as a stopover to Europe.

 

[sudoer]

do we exactly know what space are they taking?

Hasn't been revealed yet, but I reckon 240 seats might be possible in the space at the top of the escalators?

We can deduce the existing lounge expansion means (at least) an extra 60 seats. No news on whether this is an actual floorspace expansion or just a seating reconfiguration - one would hope the former given they already added an extra 40 seats earlier this year.

 

[kreuky]

I wonder if we will get access flying JetStar out of SIN as a Qantas Platinum...considering we can access the Business lounge currently if flying 3K

 

[Fifa]

So pleased to hear this news!!!

 

[TomJones]

Hallelujah! I wonder if this will mean a slight lowering in standards at the existing lounge when it changes from an intl mixed class lounge to a J + QC lounge.

 

[travellerqff]

It was only a matter of time

 

[drron]

Might have to sneak over and have a look.

 

[travellerqff]

I wonder if we will get access flying JetStar out of SIN as a Qantas Platinum...considering we can access the Business lounge currently if flying 3K

Yes, you will have access.

 

[sudoer]

I wonder if we will get access flying JetStar out of SIN as a Qantas Platinum...considering we can access the Business lounge currently if flying 3K

WPs should have access as per SYD/MEL F lounge entry rules, which permit JQ, 3K, GK and BL flight numbers.

I wonder if this will mean a slight lowering in standards at the existing lounge when it changes from an intl mixed class lounge to a J + QC lounge.

Let's hope there's no downgrade in facilities at the existing lounge, but if anything's to disappear I suspect it will be made to order dining.

 

[DavidFlynn]

FYI: new Qantas Singapore First lounge is a new-build project in a completely different part of the terminal, over at the D Gates wing (current lounge is in the C Gates wing). More here: Qantas to open new Singapore first class lounge in 2019

 

[BD1959]

Great news - though I'm intrigued to understand what (if any) concessions will be made to the statement "the new First Lounge will be designed to suit the specific needs of transit travellers" over the needs of passengers commencing their journey in SIN. *Greater* number of showers over some other usual feature ... ?

Has QF really reduced me to the level of such cynicism and doubt on "double speak"??

Regards,

BD

 

[dajop]

but if anything's to disappear I suspect it will be made to order dining.

One could argue that it disappeared long ago. Really the "made to order" dining is just heated and plated to order (as it has to be with the volumes of people in the lounge now) . I remember when it first opened, when you ordered it took longer to arrive than now (but the lounge was far less busy), but the dishes were the sort of dishes that were cooked from scratch.

As a result I am sure that this concept will disappear once the new F lounge opens.

 

[mviy]

Great news! QF should have anticipated this before switching back to flying the A380 to SIN but nice to hear they are going to take action.

Will be interesting to see if QF provides the option to fly the A380 via SIN to LHR once Project Sunrise is in full swing.

 

[sudoer]

No news on whether this is an actual floorspace expansion or just a seating reconfiguration - one would hope the former given they already added an extra 40 seats earlier this year.

According to @DavidFlynn's article - it's the latter

Qantas will also add more seating to its business class lounge by making use of some 'void' space within the lounge's current physical footprint.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Let's hope there's no downgrade in facilities at the existing lounge, but if anything's to disappear I suspect it will be made to order dining.

With fewer people in what will become the J lounge it may be that service levels will increase. And there's me being the optimist

 

[GoldCanyon340]

So.... another QF F lounge where I haven't had salt and pepper squid. 9.5 years and counting.

 

[DavidFlynn]

According to @DavidFlynn's article - it's the latter

Well, not exactly a seating reconfig: there will be more seating space available by building into some unused 'void' space, so while the current physical 'floorplate' remains, a little more of it will be made useable compared to today.