Airports & Lounges

Airports and lounges are integral to the travel experience, offering comfort and convenience before your flight. From the Qantas Club to Virgin Australia lounges and tips for navigating airport lounges worldwide, this section has you covered. Find guides and reviews below to make the most of your airport time.

LHR flight departure board

Why Airports Reveal Gate Numbers at the Last Minute

Ever noticed that some airports hide gate numbers from their flight information display boards until as little as 30 minutes before departure? It’s not an accident – some airports have decided to intentionally make people wait until boarding is about to begin to learn where their flight will be leaving from. This tactic is more … Continued

Plaza Premium Lounge

Plaza Premium Airport Lounge Shuffle

Plaza Premium has exited the Priority Pass program, while introducing its own lounge visit passes. These are just some of a raft of changes to airport lounge access arrangements that came into effect earlier this month. Here’s a summary of what’s changed in the recent airport lounge shuffle… Plaza Premium exits Priority Pass program Since … Continued

Duty free shop

Why Sri Lankan Duty-Free Stores are Full of Whitegoods

The experience of arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka is just like most other airports around the world. Except for one thing: the huge number of duty-free stores selling bulky whitegoods and electronics. In most countries, airport duty-free stores mainly sell things like alcohol, cigarettes, small electronics and perfumes. You know, the … Continued

SYD international departures

Steep Rise in International Flight Taxes & Charges

With the trans-Tasman bubble launching next week, many Australians are booking trips to New Zealand. But Australians heading overseas are now paying much more than before for the privilege. Airfares from Australia to New Zealand are now considerably more expensive than they were before the pandemic, when return Qantas flights to Christchurch were available for … Continued

Qantas Reopening Domestic Lounges from 1 July 2020

Qantas & Virgin Suspend Lounge Access on Arrival

EXCLUSIVE | Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have stopped permitting arriving passengers to access their airport lounges, without updating their websites or informing affected customers. Qantas still advertises lounge access on arrival as a benefit for Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers, while Virgin Australia advertises arrival access for Velocity Gold, Velocity Platinum and Business Class … Continued

Photos: Melbourne Airport's International Terminal in December 2020

Photos: Melbourne Airport’s International Terminal in December 2020

Last week, Melbourne Airport began accepting international arrivals (who go directly into hotel quarantine) for the first time since June. But with the controversial international arrival caps still in place, and Australians still banned from leaving the country without a travel exemption, the international terminal at Melbourne Airport remains eeriely quiet. An Australian Frequent Flyer reader was … Continued

Lufthansa and easyJet A320s land at Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is Finally Open!

After years (and years) of embarrassing delays, the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport finally opened last weekend! The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (airport code “BER”), nicknamed “Willy Brandt”, was originally due to open in June 2012. But the construction of the airport has been plagued by mismanagement, scandals, fraud and cost blowouts which led the project … Continued

Canberra Airport check-in area

Canberra Added to Priority Pass Network

A café at Canberra Airport has been added to the Priority Pass network, giving members another option when travelling in Australia. Priority Pass members can now receive a $36 food & beverage credit at City Hill Coffee, located near gate 8 at Canberra Airport. This is offered in lieu of lounge access, and could be … Continued

No Refunds as Many Priority Pass Lounges Remain Closed

No Refunds as Many Priority Pass Lounges Remain Closed

Priority Pass members have complained that they have not been offered refunds, even though they have been unable to travel and many airport lounges have been closed since March. Priority Pass sells annual memberships which, under normal circumstances, grant access to over 1,300 participating airport lounges & restaurants around the world. This includes 8 lounges … Continued

Icebergs seen on Qantas flight 63 from Sydney to Johannesburg

Australia is Building a New Airport in Antarctica

Australia is planning to build the first paved airport in Antarctica. Davis Aerodrome will be open year-round and feature a 2,700m runway capable of handling Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s. A site has now been chosen and planning is well underway, with a Request for Tender released. The project is still subject to environmental approvals. … Continued

Sydney Qantas Club

Qantas, Virgin Close All Domestic Lounges

Qantas and Virgin Australia have both been forced to close their domestic airport lounges today due to new government-mandated COVID-19 measures. All Qantas-operated lounges worldwide, including Qantas Clubs and Qantas Business Lounges, closed at midday today. Qantas says that it is working through options for Qantas Club members that are impacted by the lounge closures. … Continued

Qantas Temporarily Shuts Singapore First Lounge

Qantas will temporarily close its brand new Singapore First Lounge from next month. The closure is expected to last from 20 April until mid-September 2020, although it could be reduced or extended depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves. The Qantas First Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport only opened in late 2019. It’s currently less … Continued