{"id":533352,"date":"2025-07-16T13:24:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T03:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=533352"},"modified":"2025-08-02T21:13:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T11:13:15","slug":"is-this-the-worlds-best-airline-lounge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/is-this-the-worlds-best-airline-lounge","title":{"rendered":"Is This The World&#8217;s Best Airline Lounge?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>It\u2019s hard not to be biased when it comes to Australia and our national carrier, Qantas. But an hour in their First Lounge had me thinking: <em>Do we have the best airline lounge in our own backyard?<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Access to the Qantas First Lounge doesn\u2019t come easily. You\u2019ll need to be flying First Class or hold Platinum or Platinum One status with Qantas, which usually means a couple of business class return flights to Europe each year, or around $20,000 in spend with the Flying Kangaroo and their code share partners like Emirates or within the Oneworld network.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_122510-1400x788.jpg\" alt=\"Qantas First Lounge in Sydney T1 International Airport\" class=\"wp-image-533355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_122510-1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_122510-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_122510-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_122510-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_122510-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Qantas First Lounge in Sydney T1 International Airport. Image: DMARGE<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><strong>RELATED: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/qantas-first-class-a380-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Qantas First Review: 80,000 Points for First Class from London to Sydney\u2026 But Is It Worth It?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-410152067\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_235849142 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_235849142 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[300,250],[320,100],[320,180],[336,280],[640,360]],\"incontent-410152067\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_235849142.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-410152067\");});};adsQueue.push(load_235849142);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-qantas-first-lounge-at-sydney-airport-could-is-among-the-best-in-the-world\">Qantas\u2019 First Lounge at Sydney Airport Could is Among the Best In the World<\/h2><p>But if you <em>do<\/em> make it through those hallowed frosted-glass doors, you\u2019ll enter the inner sanctum of premium travel. The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/qantas-lounge-differences\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sydney First Lounge<\/a> may be a little dated compared to some of its international rivals, but it delivers something most other lounges don\u2019t. It\u2019s not just a place to dump your bag and smash a warm Heineken. It\u2019s somewhere you genuinely <em>look forward<\/em> to spending time.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/before-after-pav-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Pavlova in Qantas First Lounge in Sydney T1 International Airport\" class=\"wp-image-533358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/before-after-pav-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/before-after-pav-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/before-after-pav-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/before-after-pav-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/before-after-pav-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The iconic Pavlova. Before and after. Image: DMARGE<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Some will argue <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/emirates-first-class-lounge-dubai-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Emirates\u2019 sprawling First Lounge<\/a> in Dubai takes the cake, or that Singapore Airlines\u2019 The Private Room is the pinnacle. But having experienced both, they weirdly lack the warm-and-fuzzies you get from Qantas First in Melbourne and Sydney.<\/p><p>The secret? It\u2019s not the Eames chairs. Not the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/qantas-sunrise-project\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Caon<\/a> designed cutlery. Not even the curated wine list. It\u2019s the food.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-qantas-partnership-with-neil-perry-sets-it-apart\">Qantas\u2019 Partnership with Neil Perry Sets it Apart<\/h2><p>Qantas\u2019 long-running partnership <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/food\/cooking-steak-fire\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">with Neil Perry<\/a> has been nothing short of genius. The man with the ponytail that could rival Steven Seagal\u2019s has stamped his signature across the entire offering, from the iconic salt and pepper squid or Pavlova to rotating seasonal dishes you\u2019d happily pay for in a proper restaurant. <\/p><p><strong>RELATED: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/island-shangri-la-hotel-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Island Shangri-La Might Be Hong Kong\u2019s Best Hotel, As We Discovered On A 36-hour Stopover<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_123828-1400x788.jpg\" alt=\"Salt &amp; Pepper squid in Qantas' First Class Lounge Sydney Airport\" class=\"wp-image-533354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_123828-1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_123828-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_123828-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_123828-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250716_123828-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Salt &amp; Pepper squid anyone? Image: DMARGE<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>That\u2019s the thing with Qantas\u2019 First Class Lounge: it <em>feels<\/em> like a restaurant. A very good Australian one, serving premium produce in the middle of an airport.<\/p><p>Most competitor airlines fall short with buffet-style service and mediocre dining. Even Emirates, <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/emirates-first-class-lounge-dubai-review\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">with its vast footprint and solid comfort levels<\/a>, delivers food that feels more functional than memorable. You\u2019re full, sure but it\u2019s forgettable.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Qantas-First-Class-Lounge-Sydney-Airport-1400x788.jpg\" alt=\"Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney Airport.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-533369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Qantas-First-Class-Lounge-Sydney-Airport-1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Qantas-First-Class-Lounge-Sydney-Airport-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Qantas-First-Class-Lounge-Sydney-Airport-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Qantas-First-Class-Lounge-Sydney-Airport-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Qantas-First-Class-Lounge-Sydney-Airport-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It\u2019s the premium touches that sets Qantas\u2019 First Class Lounge apart. Image: DMARGE<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/cathay-pacific-the-wing-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cathay Pacific\u2019s Wing<\/a> and Pier lounges in Hong Kong are an exception. Thanks to partnerships with some of the city\u2019s best chefs and hatted restaurants, they\u2019ve created something that rivals Qantas in the food department. Hong Kong, after all, is a global food capital.<\/p><p>We\u2019ve sampled the best (and worst) lounges across Europe, the Middle East, and the US. And while it\u2019s easy to criticise Qantas, almost a national sport at this point, sometimes we forget just how good we\u2019ve got it.<\/p>    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533352\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re not First, you&#8217;re last.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":533356,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[237],"tags":[],"coauthors":[146525],"class_list":{"0":"post-533352","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533352"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":533370,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533352\/revisions\/533370"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/533356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533352"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=533352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}