Back in May 2023, Singapore Airlines revealed that a revamp was on the cards for some of its overseas SilverKris lounges on the network, following completion of its home base T3 lounge renovation, and the following month Perth was confirmed as the first location for the project.
That’s great news for passengers, with Singapore Airlines taking over the former space occupied by the Qantas Business Class lounge in Terminal 1, opposite Gate 52, which is more than twice the size of the old one.
The new lounge has formally opened its doors to eligible guests today, marking completion of the first overseas SKL renovation since late 2019, when the carrier’s Seoul facility was upgraded.
The all-new Perth SilverKris lounge
The brand new Perth SilverKris lounge takes on the carrier’s latest iteration of the ‘Home away from home’ concept, but “[takes] elements from the recently completed Flagship SilverKris Lounge in Singapore [T3]”, according to the airline.
The facility, designed by DP Architects, offers “additional space, enhanced facilities, and a range of new dining options for even more customers”.
“The opening of the new SilverKris Lounge at Perth International Airport, together with the resumption of four daily flights from Perth to Singapore, is a significant milestone in our almost 60-year history in Perth, during which our operations have grown in tandem with the city.
Louis Arul, RVP Southwest Pacific, Singapore Airlines
“The new lounge is a significant investment to ensure the ground experience matches the premium experience in the air, and testament to our confidence in Western Australia.”
The Perth lounge first opened in December 2006, and while an upgrade was due to be completed by 2018, that never happened, so this all-new lounge is definitely welcome news after 17 years.
The lounge location is slightly different compared to the old lounge in Terminal 1, opposite Gate 52.
For Perth regulars, that’ll mean a left turn after ascending the escalator or lifts post-security, as you emerge into the gate area on Level 1 through the Duty Free store, instead of the right turn towards the current lounge.
The all-new facility accommodates 135 passengers, and boasts:
- A larger buffet area, inclusive of a live cooking station
- A full tended bar
- Shower facilities
- Specially designed productivity pods
Elements of the carrier’s latest design at its home base lounges include batik motifs and high wingback chairs.
The airline’s latest productivity pods are also a great addition, and have taken on a teal-green hue at this overseas station.
A tended bar serves up barista coffees along with a variety of cocktails and Piper-Heidsieck Champagne.
There is also a wide selection of beers from Western Australia.
The lounge features a live cooking station, for local Singapore dishes including Chicken Rice and Carrot Cake, among Aussie options.
It’s great to see a shower included in the new lounge, a missing feature in the former Perth SKL. Unforunately there is only one installed, so you may find you have to wait to use it.
It will be particularly welcome prior to SIA’s overnight flight SQ216, which goes wheels-up from the Western Australia capital at 1.10am, potentially 12 hours or more since travellers have been ‘kicked out’ of their hotels.
These look to have taken on a similar design to those seen at the SilverKris Business Class lounge in Singapore, with floor to ceiling marble tiling and backlit mirrors, plus the obligatory Quercus amenities.
Opening hours
The Perth SilverKris lounge currently offers up to four daily opening windows, to coincide with SIA’s flight departures from the airport.
- 3.50am to 6.20am
for SQ224 (daily) - 10.50am to 1.30pm
for SQ226 (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun only) - 2.30pm to 5.10pm
for SQ214 (daily) - 10.10pm to 0.50am
for SQ216 (daily)
That second opening window over the late morning / lunchtime period for SQ226 will upgrade from four days a week to a daily option, following the ramp-up for SQ226, from 31st March 2024.
The lounge’s opening windows also allow some eligible Star Alliance passengers access, including newly-reinstated flights at Perth by Thai Airways and South African Airways.
Lounge access
The following passengers are able to access SIA’s SilverKris lounge in Perth, when departing on a Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance member operated flight:
- in Business Class (passenger only)
- in any cabin class when holding KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS or Solitaire PPS status (+1 guest)
- in any cabin class when holding Star Alliance Gold status (+1 guest)
In all cases your guest (where permitted) must be departing on the same flight as you, as part of a policy that was tightened in 2022.
Additionally, only when flying on a Singapore Airlines flight:
- Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum and Gold status members, in any cabin class (+1 guest)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold status members, in any cabin class (passenger only)
Additionally, only when flying on a Scoot flight:
- in any cabin class when holding Solitaire PPS status (+1 guest)
Again in these cases your guest (where permitted) must be travelling on the same Singapore Airlines or Scoot operated flight as you.
Opening is well-timed
Despite the Perth lounge opening running a couple of months behind schedule, it has thankfully opened in good time for the carrier’s hike to 28 times weekly operation between Singapore and Perth.
That will happen when the the four times weekly SQ213/226 service increases to daily operation from 31st March 2024, for four daily services in total on the route, restoring pre-COVID frequencies and 109% of pre-COVID seat capacity to the Perth market, thanks to the use of larger Airbus A350 MH and Boeing 787-10 aircraft.
There’s an even bigger hike for Business Class on these jets, meaning 152 departing seats in this cabin per day out of Perth come April 2024, compared to 122 in April 2019, a 25% increase.
Additionally, Scoot has ramped up its passenger capacity on Perth flights from 2,525 departing seats per week in April 2019 to 3,232 per week in April 2024, a 28% increase.
As we noted above in the access section, Solitaire PPS Club members flying on Scoot are now eligible for SilverKris lounge access, along with one guest.
These increases make the opening of the new larger Perth SKL great news, as lounge-eligible passenger numbers at the airport inevitably increase.
Summary
Perth has become the first overseas SilverKris lounge on SIA’s network to receive the latest post-pandemic design refresh, in a brand new location taking over the old Qantas Business Class lounge, which now offers double the space and capacity compared to the former facility.
The new lounge looks like a great option, especially with the inclusion of a tended bar, shower facilities and a wider range of food options, so this one may now be worth getting to the airport early for.
We look forward to trying it out next time we’re departing from Perth.
The opening also times nicely for a frequency increase to 28 weekly SIA departures from Perth, with record seat capacity from the mainline carrier and Scoot on flights to Singapore, increasing the volume of lounge-eligible passengers at the airport each day.
(Cover Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Finally, a decent lounge for us poor West Aussies 🤷👍
The attention to detail of finishes in the Perth lounge is top notch!
Earlier this month they started work to updating the London Heathrow SilverKris Lounge with the new Home Away from Home design concept. A consistent product throughout the customer’s journey is important – so glad to see they’re being efficient at rolling out the new new design language to outstations as quickly as possible.