The countdown to the Qantas marathon Boeing 787 flights between London and Perth continues with the opening today of the airlines swanky new London lounge.
The multi-million-dollar investment has taken 12 months to complete and is being pitched as a significant investment in the first direct air link between Australia and Europe.
It is part of a network-wide program that has seen the Australian carrier build or refresh 30 lounges across international and domestic networks.
Still to come are a new Melbourne domestic business lounge and a new Perth international transit lounge.
“The Kangaroo Route is at the heart of Qantas’ identity and London is one of our most important destinations,” chief executive Alan Joyce said in a statement.
“We have worked with leaders in design, food and service to create a lounge that is modern and comfortable and incorporates the aesthetics of the Qantas lounges that make our customers feel at home.
“We are reshaping what customers come to expect from international travel with direct flights between Australia and London. It’s a long flight, so we’re taking a holistic approach to passenger wellbeing on and off the aircraft, and the new Heathrow lounge is an important part of that,’’
The double-storey lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3 is available to first and business class passengers as well as those in the Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Qantas frequent flyer tiers and Qantas Club members. Also eligible are top tier oneworld and Emirates customers.
It seats 230 people and features a marble cocktail bar beneath a a brass chandelier on the upper level serving bespoke cocktails as well as Australian and European wine and beer
A gin bar on the lower level offers the finest Australian and British gins, alongside an all-day barista service
Menus designed by Rockpool include British dishes such as ploughman’s platters, pot pies and scones with jam and cream
Business facilities including Wi-Fi, flexible work spaces and workstations and there are six shower suites with Aurora Spa amenities.
There is also a new range of Noritake crockery by David Caon and a collection of tea cups and saucers by Miranda Kerr for Royal Albert.
Qantas will launch its ultra-long-haul flights between Melbourne and London via Perth in March, 2018. It will complement a daily Sydney-london A380 service via Singapore and flights via partner Emirates.
