Qantas first class lounge officially unveiled in LA with gala party
QANTAS is upping the A-list factor by opening a first class lounge at bustling Los Angeles airport. We take a peek inside.
“If this lounge wasn't an airport I wold be here 24/7,’’ said guest Melissa George as she attended the official opening of a brand spanking new Qantas first class lounge in Los Angeles.
“Marc Newson design and Neil Perry food, why would you eat or hang out anywhere else?” she told news.com.au down the line from the US.
As of today, Qantas customers travelling from Los Angeles are set to experience a new standard of luxury, following the glam unveiling.
The new luxe lounge is based on the flagship multi-award winning Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne and will provide seating for more than 200 well-to-do flyers so they can dine, relax, work. Oh, and socialise.
It is the first overseas Qantas First lounge to be designed by renowned Australian industrial designer, Marc Newson.
Speaking at a launch event in Los Angeles, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the newest Qantas First Lounge offers what he believes is the best on-ground First class experience in North America.
“The new lounge is more than triple the size of the previous space, and the design and service is equal to the world’s best five star hotels and restaurants,” said Mr Joyce.
“Lounges are important to our international customers’ journey, which is why we have drawn on the knowledge of world leading experts like Marc Newson and Qantas Chef Neil Perry to deliver the most luxurious experience before people even step on board.
“This new lounge is symbolic of our continued investment in our customers and commitment to the US market. We are the only airline to operate non-stop A380 services between the United States and Australia, we’ve recently introduced the A380 on services between Dallas/Fort Worth and Sydney and opened a new Business Lounge in LA in June,” added Mr Joyce.
Qantas Creative Designer Marc Newson said he was proud to design Qantas’ First Lounge in Los Angeles: “The new Qantas First Lounge will give Qantas travellers a beautiful, calm oasis to rest, work or dine, prior to their flight,” he said.
Features of the lounge include Californian Knoll furniture selected by Newson himself, with superior lounge finishes including American oak walls, Tuscan Carrara marbled floors and 48 foot-long bar, and Tai Ping wool carpets from Hong Kong featuring the renowned Qantas First Lounge hex design.
Similar to the flagship First Lounge in Sydney, the new LA lounge features a 74-seat restaurant and bar where customers can dine from a Neil Perry Rockpool designed a la carte menu, while enjoying a view of the open-style kitchen.
“We are proud to bring the first Neil Perry restaurant to LA and offer our customers some of their favourite dishes from Neil’s impressive repertoire,” said Mr Joyce.
The new menu will be updated seasonally to take advantage of the best available produce and will offer a mix of signature Rockpool Bar and Grill dishes including Black Angus minute steak with chipotle butter and lime, local LA-inspired cuisine including Mexican, Korean and Italian, and favourites from the First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne such as the Salt and Pepper Squid.
Umm, sure beats a packet of chips.
Customers can imbibe cocktails like the Mezcal Margarita, premium Australian and Californian wines, Champagne, iced teas and a full barista service.
Qantas has also partnered with the Sofitel group to offer a service experience consistent with the standards across its First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, providing a personalised service for customers with dedicated check-in, fast-track immigration and dedicated boarding.
The new lounge also offers faster Wi-Fi, wireless printing, cable television, two private work suites and seven shower suites featuring Aurora Spa ASPAR products.
Qantas is the only carrier to operate A380 services between the US and Australia. Qantas will boost services between Los Angeles and Sydney to cater for increased demand over the holiday period, operating an extra B747 service on 18, 19 and 20 December in addition to the scheduled daily B747 and A380 service.
From today, Qantas will increase its Los Angeles to Melbourne service from a daily service to ten per week with B747s on the Pacific route reconfigured, now with similar interiors and in-flight entertainment found in the airline’s flagship A380 fleet.
All this in a roller-coaster year that saw a big financial turnaround of Qantas after the airline was forced to axe 5000 jobs.
It posted a $2.8 billion loss in February. The company has now forecast a half-year profit that could be anything from $300 to $350 million.
At the glam opening of the lounge, names like Xavier Samuel and Human Nature walked the red carpet before supping on first class lounge delicacies.
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