Qantas is set to give trans‑Tasman and long‑haul travellers a major upgrade this summer with the opening of its brand-new Auckland International Lounge, timed perfectly for the peak holiday season. Located at Auckland Airport, the redesigned space is 60 per cent larger than the previous lounge and can now host more than 370 guests across distinct zones for dining, relaxing and working, supporting the airline’s expanding trans‑Tasman network. Travellers can explore Qantas routes and benefits via the airline’s official website, Qantas.
More Space, New Zones and Premium Dining
The new Auckland International Lounge has been created as a key hub for customers flying across the Tasman and onwards to global destinations, including the popular non‑stop Auckland–New York service. The layout introduces clearly defined spaces for different travel moods: quiet corners for business travellers catching up on work, social areas for families and groups, and dining zones where guests can settle in for a proper meal before boarding. Charging is now available at around 70 per cent of seats and there are fifteen shower suites, giving long‑haul guests the chance to freshen up mid‑journey.
In a first for the Qantas global lounge network, Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers gain access to a dedicated à la carte dining area within the lounge. Curated by Qantas Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service Neil Perry, the seasonal menu highlights New Zealand ingredients with plates like crumbed local fish and chips, alongside Qantas First favourites including salt and pepper squid and signature pavlova. Elsewhere in the lounge, guests can enjoy a buffet featuring Kiwi produce, a gelato station and a full cocktail bar serving premium drinks and barista‑made coffee.
Design That Brings New Zealand’s Outdoors Inside
The design team, led by David Caon in collaboration with Architectus, Akin Atelier and Simon James Design, set out to celebrate New Zealand’s landscape while maintaining continuity with Qantas’ global lounge aesthetic. Living green walls, travertine tiles and terrazzo tabletops create a relaxed, natural feel, while bespoke furniture upholstered in New Zealand wool and leather adds warmth and tactility. Signature Qantas design cues, such as porthole‑style windows and sweeping curved walls, have been reimagined with handmade glass and lush greenery to soften the space. A four‑metre artwork by Gabrielle Penfold depicting North Head at Devonport anchors the room and gives the lounge a strong sense of place.
Strengthening Qantas’ Trans‑Tasman Hub
Qantas describes the new lounge as a major investment in the customer journey, recognising that the pre‑flight experience is an important part of how travellers perceive their trip overall. Auckland is a strategic hub for the Flying Kangaroo’s international network, linking Australian cities with New Zealand, North America and beyond, and the expanded lounge supports plans to grow trans‑Tasman operations in 2026 with new routes and extra capacity over key peak periods such as Christmas and the April school holidays.
The Qantas Auckland International Lounge officially opens on 17 December, just as holiday traffic peaks. For Australian and New Zealand travellers heading across the ditch, onward to New York or further afield, it promises a calmer, more spacious and distinctly local place to start – or break – their journey with Qantas.
