Qantas fires up the barbecue at new Perth-London non-stop lounge

QANTAS’ new international wing at Perth Airport for its non-stop service to London will feature the first outdoor patio at an airport in Australia, with a barbecue grill and a Neil Perry-designed barbecue menu. The airline will unveil details today of the facility to be built at the southern end of the airport’s Terminal T4. It will feature a large outdoor deck, a streamlined immigration and customs area to enable a faster transfer of passengers, food and beverage outlets and a duty-free store. Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline’s domestic flights and services to Singapore, Auckland and London would operate from the combined precinct. Computer images of the new Qantas International Lounge at Perth Airport to support the new Perth to London non-stop service. Picture: Qantas “Combining all of our operations under one roof means customers can transfer from domestic to international ser-vices without changing terminals,” he said. “It’s fair to say there’s been a huge amount of excitement about the launch of our non-stop services from Perth to London and we’re delighted to be working with the State Government and Perth Airport to encourage overseas visitors to stop over in Perth.” Qantas will also build an international transit lounge with more than a dozen shower suites and a wellness facility. The lounge will handle passengers coming from or heading to Melbourne on the London flight as well as Perth travellers. Computer images of the new Qantas International Lounge at Perth Airport to support the new Perth to London non-stop service. Picture: Qantas Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown welcomed the announcement of the new passenger facilities. “There’s already been so much hard work done by the Perth Airport and Qantas teams on this project and it’s incredibly exciting that we can now see the vision taking shape for what will be a world-class transit lounge,” he said. Preparatory work has begun, with the wing due to be completed by March next year in time for the inaugural nonstop services between Perth and London. Qantas will move its operations to an expanded Terminal 1 at Perth Airport by 2025, pending a commercial agreement. The carrier will continue to operate the Qantas Club in Terminal 1 to cater for customers travelling internationally on partner airlines.