Qantas Moves Brisbane International Lounge Entry Before Security

Qantas has moved the entrance to its Brisbane International Lounge to a landside location until “late 2026”, as it replaces the escalators and lifts at the normal airside entrance.

Unfortunately, this is less convenient for passengers departing Brisbane. You’ll need to add extra time to clear security and immigration after leaving the lounge, so Qantas is now calling international flights in the lounge 70 minutes before the scheduled departure time. It also means that Qantas passengers in international transit at Brisbane Airport won’t be able to access the lounge at all.

New lounge location

The new, temporary entrance to the Qantas Brisbane International Lounge is located before security, behind check in row 1. The location may not be obvious, so keep an eye out for it.

Access restrictions

While the maintenance work is ongoing, Qantas is not accepting complimentary lounge invitations at its Brisbane International Lounge.

Qantas has also removed access early for Qantas Club, Gold and Platinum members flying Jetstar from Brisbane’s international terminal. While these people will lose access to all Qantas lounges when flying on Jetstar international flights from 1 July 2026, Qantas has already cut access at the Brisbane international lounge.

Jetstar passengers with a Business Max fare, “QF” codeshare flight or Qantas Platinum One status can still access this lounge.

Passengers in international transit

Since the lounge entrance is now before security, passengers transiting between international flights will no longer be able to access it (unless they enter Australia and go landside).

The Qantas website advises:

If you’re connecting to an international flight, make your way to the Qantas International Transfer Desk for more information.

According to recent reports, passengers without lounge access are being offered $25 meal vouchers to spend at airport restaurants. That said, according to a recent FlyerTalk post, these vouchers are being handed out at the normal lounge entrance as the Transfer Desk is not staffed.

In my opinion, a $25 voucher is not really enough to compensate for the lack of lounge access. You would struggle to find a proper meal in the international terminal that costs less than $25.

Alternative lounge options

If you can’t access the Qantas Brisbane International Lounge through its temporary landside entrance, or prefer to head directly airside, there are a few airside lounges that you can buy access into.

If you’re a Priority Pass member, you can use the Plaza Premium Lounge or Escape Lounge at Brisbane’s international terminal. Of those two lounges, my personal pick would be the Escape Lounge (located near the Air New Zealand Lounge). However, if you want to have a shower, the Plaza Premium Lounge would be a better choice.

Access to the Plaza Premium or Escape Lounge is otherwise available for around $65 when booking direct. However, there are some cheaper options available:

• Access the Escape Lounge for $55.25 when booking direct and using the discount code 15BNE230326 (discount available when booking by 30 April 2026, for lounge visits up to 30 November 2026)
• Buy access to the Escape Lounge for $58 or Plaza Premium Lounge for $52 through LoungePair
• AFF Platinum members could even redeem their complimentary lounge pass at either of these lounges after claiming their free year of LoungePair+ membership.

If you’ re eligible for lounge access and happen to be departing on a Qantas international flight (except to the USA) at a time when the Emirates Lounge is open, that could also be another option. However, the Emirates Lounge appears to be temporarily closed at the moment. During normal times, it’s usually open only in the evening.