In 2022, Singapore Airlines completed its home base lounge renovation project at Changi Airport Terminal 3, with brand new designs at The Private Room, SilverKris lounges and the KrisFlyer Gold lounge, a S$50 million project to see these facilities through to the opening of Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s.
Since then, SIA has been extending its lounge renovation project to overseas stations, including Perth and London Heathrow. and today Executive Traveller has revealed that the Sydney lounge is next in line for a revamp.
Sydney SKL closing for refurbishment
From 10th August 2024, the SilverKris Business Class and First Class lounges in Sydney will close for refurbishment until the end of the month, which will bring them up to date with the latest lounge design concept including new carpets and new furniture.
A fixed reopening date is not yet available, but the new lounge should reopen in September 2024, suggesting a relatively modest revamp is in store here with no major changes in store.
Singapore Airlines currently operates four daily flights between Sydney and Singapore, including Airbus A380 services, expanding to five daily flights from late October 2024, so a refreshed lounge is welcome news for passengers.
(Photo: Head for Points)
The current facility is looking a little dated, having first opened over a decade ago in December 2013.
The refreshed Sydney SKL will also allow the airline to show off its latest lounge concept at all three customer touch points on the popular ‘kangaroo route’, which attracts a substantial proportion of the carrier’s revenue, having recently completed this work at London Heathrow.
Alternative lounge
With the Sydney SilverKris lounge undergoing refurbishment in its existing location, eligible passengers will be directed to the adjacent Air New Zealand lounge during the closure period.
This one we often head to before departing on a Singapore Airlines flight anyway, with a bright airy feel, tended bar offering barista coffee, and good F&B selection.
(Photo: Air New Zealand)
You can read a recent review of the Air New Zealand Sydney lounge here.
Sydney SKL Access
The following passengers are able to access the Sydney SilverKris lounge, when departing on a Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance member operated flight:
- in Suites Class or First Class (+1 guest)
- in Business Class (passenger only)
- in Premium Economy or Economy class and holding KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS or PPS Solitaire status (+1 guest)
- in Premium Economy or Economy class and holding Star Alliance Gold status (+1 guest)
- in any class holding paid membership to United Club or Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide (+1 guest)
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)
In all cases your guest (where permitted) must be travelling on a Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance member operated flight, with the exception of Virgin Australia Velocity members’ guests, who must be travelling on a Singapore Airlines flight.
If your guest is flying on a Star Alliance member flight, you must be travelling on the same flight in order to invite them to join you in the lounge.
Sydney SKL Access (First Class section)
The Sydney SilverKris lounge has a dedicated section for First Class passengers, connected to the main lounge.
The following passengers are entitled to access the First Class section of the Sydney SilverKris lounge:
- Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance First Class (or Suites) travellers
- Solitaire PPS Club members travelling on Singapore Airlines
What to expect from the revamped Sydney SKL
Sydney will be the third overseas SilverKris lounge on the network to receive an upgrade, following SIA’s announcement last year that several of these facilities were due to go under the knife.
“A process has started to look at renovating some of [our] key lounges around the world, so that our customers can experience upgraded lounges when they travel with us.”
Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines
17th May 2023
Perth was then revealed as the first facility to be getting an upgrade, thanks to a move into the space formerly occupied by the Qantas lounge, which has doubled its capacity and now sees a much-improved experience for passengers, including a tended bar and shower facilities.
(Photo: Singapore Airlines)
More recently, the SilverKris lounge at London Heathrow has been refurbished and is now operating again with its fresh new look.
(Photo: Singapore Airlines)
That means we can expect a similar style and finish for the Sydney lounge after its refurbishment, reportedly including a dedicated tended bar, while also potentially seeing some of the latest features included at the revamped Changi T3 lounges.
(Photo: MainlyMiles)
Meanwhile Singapore Airlines told Executive Traveller that the carpets and furniture is all being replaced “to align with the latest lounge products”.
More SKL revamps to come
Last month, Singapore Airlines confirmed that refurbishment of the Heathrow SilverKris lounge isn’t the last one planned on the network, with several of the carrier’s SKLs also still potentially in need of a refreshed look.
We inaugurated a new SilverKris Lounge at Perth International Airport in February 2024, with renovations underway at the London (Heathrow) lounge and plans for further upgrades across our network.
Singapore Airlines Annual Report, July 2024
Here’s a summary of SIA’s overseas SilverKris lounges, including which have been revamped with the ‘Home Away From Home’ design.
| Older concept |
‘Home away from home’ concept |
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Melbourne and Taipei now stand out as the two lounges most in need of a facelift, with no major refresh for well over a decade at these facilities.
Summary
Singapore Airlines is closing its SilverKris lounge in Sydney from 10th August 2024, to allow for a refreshed lounge with new carpets and furniture in line with the latest design concept later this year.
Sydney will be the third overseas SilverKris lounge to get a revamp, following an all-new facility in a brand new location at Perth Airport and a refurbishment of the carrier’s London Heathrow lounge.
Thankfully the Air New Zealand lounge in Sydney, one we personally rate highly, is a great alternative for passengers during the closure period.
Hopefully there are some more overseas SilverKris lounge upgrades in the pipeline, with those in Melbourne and Taipei standing out as the most in need of a facelift.
(Cover Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Wow what is this?
“ occupied by the Qantas lounge, which has doubled tits capacity and now sees a much-improved experience”
tits?
Haha thanks – corrected!
No apostrophe in “its” when used as a possessive.