Back in November 2025 we confirmed that Melbourne was next in line for a full SilverKris lounge relocation to a brand new space, as part of SIA’s overseas facility programme that began with Perth in early 2024.

At the time the opening window was pencilled in for late 2026, or even early 2027.

As reported by Point Hacks, that timeline has now both firmed up and improved – the new facility is expected to open in September 2026, only around three months from now, and the first official renders are out for us to pore over.

The all-new Melbourne SilverKris lounge

As confirmed previously, this is a totally new build in a new location, lifting the lounge out of the windowless basement of Terminal 2 and into a brighter, more spacious home around 30% larger than the current facility.

Crucially, the renders confirm exactly what Melbourne lounge regulars were hoping for – the facility takes full advantage of elevated external views, with windows on two sides, a world away from the natural-light-free bunker travellers have endured for over a decade.

We also finally know exactly where it’s going.

The new lounge will sit upstairs on Level 2, above Gates 11 and 15, taking over the space formerly occupied by the Aspire Lounge (previously The House, and before that Etihad’s premium lounge).

Tellingly, it lands directly opposite the Emirates Lounge, the very facility we pointed to last year as the kind of bright, window-lined space Melbourne’s SilverKris regulars could only dream of.

At around 750 square metres, it’ll be roughly 30% larger than the current lounge.

Here’s what else we know so far:

• All-new build in a new location – out of the basement at last
• Windows on two sides with elevated apron views
• Singapore Airlines’ latest overseas lounge design
• Opening in September 2026

The design language will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s visited the new Perth lounge, which this facility closely mirrors – itself part of the same overseas design ethos rolled out at the London Heathrow revamp.

Expect the signature batik wall entrance, plenty of timber, marble accents and the high wingback chairs that have become a hallmark of the airline’s recent lounges, right down to the popular productivity pods for those wanting to get some work done before boarding.

A full tended bar and live cooking stations are also part of the package, mirroring the dining setup that has proven so popular in Perth.

The lounge has been designed in collaboration with Singapore’s ONG&ONG, with the renders released by Perth architecture firm MODE.

A dedicated First Class section

As with the current Melbourne lounge, the new facility will retain a dedicated First Class section for those jetting off in First or Suites, or for Solitaire PPS Club members.

That’s especially timely given we recently covered the year-round deployment of the Airbus A380 on Melbourne flights SQ237/228.

While it’s largely a consequence of the ongoing Middle East situation, with the superjumbo originally supposed to be plying the Dubai route for several months already, the upshot is more First, Suites and Business Class capacity on Melbourne flights year-round.

Those customers will certainly appreciate a proper Melbourne First Class lounge, after years relegated to the basement.

Goodbye to the ‘lounge dungeon’

Last renovated back in mid-2013, the current Melbourne SilverKris lounge harks back to a much older design era, and its windowless basement location has long made it a firm fixture at the bottom of travellers’ rankings.

Indeed when we attended the opening of the T2 SilverKris First Class lounge, SIA’s own Vice President of Lounge Development, Timothy Chua, went as far as calling it the network’s “ugly duckling”.

As a result, this transformation should be dramatic.

Lounge Access

The following passengers will be able to access SIA’s SilverKris Business Class lounge in Melbourne, 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 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 any class holding paid membership to United Club or Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide (+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)

Again your guest (where permitted) must be travelling on the same Singapore Airlines flight as you.

Additionally, the following passengers are entitled to access the dedicated First Class section:

• Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance First Class (or Suites) travellers
• Solitaire PPS Club members travelling on Singapore Airlines

Part of a wider lounge refresh

Melbourne’s upgrade continues a busy period for SIA’s lounge portfolio.

Perth and London both received attention in 2024, Sydney has had a lighter spruce-up, and even back at home base the T2 SilverKris Business Class lounge revamp has now started to open in phases.

That follows the all-new First Class SilverKris lounge unveiled at T2 late last year, and the wider 2022 T3 revamp, which included an all-new The Private Room.

Once Melbourne is done, it’s effectively just Taipei left flying the flag for the older design.

The confirmation of a September 2026 opening for Melbourne’s all-new SilverKris lounge is excellent news for regular travellers on the route, and arrives well ahead of the late-2026 / early-2027 window we were originally given.

A brand new location out of the basement, around 30% more space, windows on two sides and the airline’s latest design language – including retention of a dedicated First Class section – promise a dramatic upgrade over the current “lounge dungeon”.

With the Airbus A380 now a year-round fixture on the route, it lands at just the right time, but more importantly after more than a decade in the basement – Melbourne’s wait is nearly over.

Hat-tip to Point Hacks.

(Cover Image: Singapore Airlines)