Qantas opens 'pop up' lounge in Australia's top end

Qantas will open a "pop-up" lounge to cater for eligible passengers on its new Sydney to London route. West Australian border closures mean Qantas will be flying the Sydney-Darwin-London route from next month until at least April and many passengers will want to freshen up before the long non-stop hop to Blighty. To give them somewhere to relax, the airline has leased Darwin International Airport’s Catalina Lounge. READ: US confirms new COVID-19 travel rules The lounge will be able to cater for about 100 guests utilizing existing furniture and fittings with local Qantas lounge staff delivering service, including a signature welcome mocktail dubbed Top End Lemonade. Other features will include generous lounge and dining areas with a serviced buffet, tailored menus drawing on local culinary influences, power points and premium Australian wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks offered by a dedicated attendant. “We know that spending time in our lounges is one of the most enjoyable parts of the travel experience,'' said Qantas Group chief customer officer Stephanie Tully. "We are excited to work with our friends at Darwin Airport to have our lounge facility ready next week in time to welcome our first international customers in 20 months. “Given the relatively brief transit time of 90 minutes, our focus will be on offering a comfortable space for customers to stretch their legs, enjoy a brunch or light supper and to refresh before their onward journey." Eligible customers include Gold tier and above frequent flyers, Qantas Club members as well as passengers in business class and appropriate oneworld partner members. The Flying Kangaroo will also reopen its Sydney international First Lounge from November 1 and its London and Los Angeles lounges in December. Until the overseas lounges open, eligible Qantas customers will be able to visit the British Airways T3 Lounge at London Heathrow and the Star Alliance Lounge at Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles. The airline said other international lounges would reopen to align with the return of further international routes.