Qantas reopens Singapore Business Class lounge

Good news for Qantas, oneworld and Emirates passengers departing Singapore Changi Airport in Business Class or First Class, or those holding a lounge-worthy status tier, with Qantas reopening its large Business Class lounge in Terminal 1 from 4.30pm today.

This will be the first oneworld lounge to reopen at Changi since most airline-operated facilities at the airport closed their doors in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there were rumours that Qantas would open its smaller, more intimate Singapore First Lounge ahead of this 570-seat capacity Business lounge, the latter has been chosen to offer better capacity as flights ramp up and ensure no issues with Singapore’s required social distancing measures.

Opening hours

Qantas will be opening its Singapore Business Class lounge to cater for its two evening departures to Sydney and Melbourne.

Initially from 3rd December 2021 this will see the lounge opening from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, on the days Qantas is operating.

From 18th December Qantas has daily service from Changi, and the earlier departure of the QF36 Melbourne service will see a slightly longer opening window from 3.30pm to 8.30pm.

Prior to COVID-19 this facility was open from 2.30pm to midnight, an availability window we’re unlikely to see until later next year when Qantas plans to reinstate Singapore – London services.

Who is eligible?

Until the nearby Qantas Singapore First lounge also opens, the Qantas Singapore Business lounge will cater to passengers flying on a Qantas or Emirates flight, or on a oneworld member operated flight:

• in First Class or Business Class; or
• in Premium Economy or Economy Class and holding Qantas Platinum One, Platinum or Gold status, Emirates Platinum or Gold Skywards status* or oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status**.

* Qantas or Emirates flights only
** Qantas or oneworld flights only

This lounge is also available to passengers flying on a Jetstar flight (coded JQ or 3K):

• on a Jetstar Business Max fare; or
• holding Qantas Platinum One, Platinum or Gold status.

If you are a Qantas Club member flying on a Qantas (QF) or Jetstar (JQ or 3K) flight number you are also permitted access.

The Qantas Singapore Business Lounge

With the nearby British Airways and Qatar Airways lounges still shuttered, the Qantas Business Lounge will be the first oneworld facility to reopen at Changi.

Luckily it’s spacious, and offers a variety of seating, showers, a manned bar including barista coffee and some signature food dishes.

We reviewed the lounge in September 2019, shortly before it was forced to close due to the pandemic, and aside from a lack of Champagne (sparkling wine is offered), we rate it as among the better Business Class lounges out there.

The lounge’s made-to-order food in particular should be perfect for the current restrictions, while most buffet options are off the cards.

Qantas has stated that there are a range of temporary COVID-19 precautions at this lounge and all those currently open on its network.

Temporary measures have been put in place in the lounge including capacity restrictions, physical distancing requirements and changes to our food and beverage service offerings.

Qantas

Shower facilities should still be available for those who want to freshen up before their flight, with 20 private shower suites offered in this huge lounge.

There’s also super fast Wi-Fi, clocking in at 62 Mbps during our last visit. This is still something Singapore Airlines just can’t seem to get right in its lounges (even the new ones!).

Despite the lack of Champagne, this lounge also boasts a full bar and we’re certainly hoping they have managed to reinstate Little Creatures on tap!

Oneworld and partner flights

The reopened Qantas Singapore Business lounge provides some nice options for those travelling with oneworld and partner airlines to have a better pre-flight experience compared to the existing third-party lounges operating at Changi T1.

Those flying on Jetstar Asia’s evening departures to Kuala Lumpur (3K687 at 7.40pm), Penang (3K677 at 7.50pm), Phuket (3K537 at 8.15pm) and Jakarta (3K205 at 8.30pm) who also hold Qantas Platinum One, Platinum or Gold status, or have a Qantas Club card, will be in luck.

From mid-December, those flying on Jetstar’s reinstated JQ8 Melbourne services will also be eligible, with a Business Max ticket or the right Qantas status.

Eligible Emirates customers departing to Dubai and beyond on EK355 at 9pm, which currently operates on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, will almost certainly benefit.

Status holders and Business Class passengers flying on SriLankan Airlines to Colombo (UL309 at 9pm) should also get a look-in.

Unfortunately the current Singapore departure timings for British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines don’t really fit with the relatively short opening window of the Qantas Business Lounge.

Obviously we’re a little disappointed that Qantas has not mirrored its strategy in Australia, by opening its smaller Singapore First Class lounge ahead of the Business Class lounge, however the latter is still a great pre-flight option in Terminal 1 compared to the mundane third-party lounges currently available.

Selected passengers flying on Emirates, Jetstar and oneworld carriers will also gain access, where the lounge opening hours coincide with their flight departure time.

Qantas will also be reopening its London and Los Angeles lounges later this month, while international passengers departing from Sydney and Melbourne currently have the airline’s First Class lounges to look forward to, even when travelling in Business Class.

(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)