And the award for best airport lounge in the world goes to ... Qantas

WHICH airline provides its customers with the best airport experience? The answer is not necessarily one you’d expect.

The Qantas, Marc Newson designed First Class lounge Pic: Supplied

Qantas has just been announced as the winner of an award for the best first class lounge in the world by design industry leader TheDesignAir.

The Marc Newson designed lounge made it into the Top 10 Airport Lounges of 2015, as voted for by an independent judging panel of ten design and aviation names.

The other lounges in the top 10 included the Qantas Lounge in Hong Kong the Finnair Premium Lounge in Helsinki, the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Hong Kong, the China Airlines Lounge in Taipei, the JAL First Class Lounge in Haneda, the GVK Lounge in Mumbai, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow, the Qatar Airways Lounge in Doha, and the British Airways Concorde Lounge at Heathrow.

TheDesignAir was created by founder Jonny Clark in 2012, who originally trained as a commercial pilot and went on to create a news and product review site that showcases the recent influx of design influences shaping the aviation industry.

“Our awards have been running for three years, and every year, we evaluate the very best the airline industry can offer. Our esteemed judging panel continually delve into the products on offer and evaluate on a series of criteria, from service and offering, through to most importantly, design aesthetic,” said Jonny Clark, founder and lead judge of TheDesignAir.

“Lounges around the world have become more than just a place to relax or work before a flight. The last couple of years have seen these previously uninspiring vacuous spaces become areas of luxury and comfort, with a large emphasis on branding spaces.

“There are some industry leaders that really stick out, and Qantas of all the carriers is standing out as an airline who has invested in creating a very beautiful on-the-ground product that punches far above their weight”

TheDesignAir Top 10 lists have been running since late 2012, covering a range of aviation categories and celebrating the way in which design is growing as a factor in the aviation experience.

“Awarding the efforts of those carriers who strive in making the travel experience much more convenient, comfortable and luxurious is something we take pride on,” says Enrique Perrella, Publisher and Editor in Chief of Airways Magazine and fellow TheDesignAir judge.

“By teaming up with TheDesignAir, we’re certain that our monthly choices will become an industry standard. Travelling is a marvellous thing, it’s up to the airlines to improve the passengers’ experience.”

Qantas Group Executive of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Olivia Wirth said Qantas is delighted to take out not one, but two of the top ten lounge awards, as it highlights the airline’s commitment to having the best product both on the ground and in the air.

“Our flagship Sydney First Lounge has set the bar to the highest standard globally and we are excited that our remodelled Hong Kong Lounge has also been included in the top two,’’ says Ms Wirth.

“Our frequent flyers tell us having a relaxing and enjoyable pre-flight experience is important because it sets the tone for their overall journey. Qantas will keep investing in these areas to ensure our lounges and our entire in-flight offering continues to set a high benchmark.”

So what makes the Qantas lounge stand out from the crowd?

Well, try this wrap sheet from TheDesignAir.

Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney

“Qantas is on a roll: having opened a handful of lounges in 2014 alone, the airline seems to have managed to successfully develop a winning formula. Although the lounges have been created by a collection of different designers, the original flagship lounge, designed by its Creative Director Marc Newson, has really shown itself to be the ultimate template to follow. Although it is a few years old now, the lounge has refused to age, and still offers a contemporary haven in Sydney Airport.

While it features an impressive square footage, offering swathes of personal space, the area is compartmentalised to provide more intimate areas.

For those seeking the ultimate hedonistic experience; if you have the time, there is a spa that can offer a 50 minute long full body massage surrounded by a living wall of lush green foliage. After the massage, why not visit the restaurant, with a menu created by Neil Perry (of Rockpool restaurant fame), serving fine Australian cuisine on tables designed to look like helipads and a wine list that any Michelin-starred restaurant would be proud of.

There are also a library, a business centre (naturally), and a sweeping panorama of the airport. What really contributes to set this lounge apart is the feeling that it was designed from the ground up, a space that wasn’t ever meant to be anything even resembling what it now is. The wooden veneers, clean white seating, splashes of red and living walls offer a calming, contemporary environment that doesn’t challenge the eye, but naturally provides a sense of relaxation and luxury. That is a difficult blend to master, but this lounge just seems to do so effortlessly.”

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