Qantas’ crack down on bogan outfits with strict new dress standards for business lounges will not apply in Darwin

REJOICE Top End bogans - Qantas’ crack down on bogan outfits with strict new dress standards will not apply in Darwin’s business lounge.

Scott Hillis and Frank West are appreciative that Qantas club at Darwin airport is one of the only lounges of its kind in Australia permitting singlet tops and thongs.

AFTER receiving a number of complaints from uptight southern patrons at its interstate business class lounges, Qantas will make guests meet higher dress code standards, which will be enforced “at the discretion of lounge staff”.

Scott Hillis and Frank West show off their Territory work boots. Picture: Aaron Burton

The new rules will come into place Down South from April 1, and will mean that guests will have to meet undefined “smart casual” dress standards.

But in a sign Qantas is still in touch with its NT heritage, the company will continue to allow guests at its Darwin business lounge to wear singlets and double-pluggers.

The three major airports where singlets and stubbies will still be allowed are Darwin, Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Qantas head of domestic product and service Helen Gray said the rule would be ­enforced with “a friendly ­reminder” at lounges in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Darwin travel enthusiast Frank West said it would have been a struggle for Qantas to introduce its dress code to the Territory.

READ: QANTAS CRACKS DOWN ON BOGAN OUTFITS

“I’d like to see them f***n’ try,” he said, laughing between sips of VB.

His mate Scott Hillis, dressed in Territory-appropriate business wear – a fetching ­orange work shirt and King Gee shorts – said the airline’s expectations for its paying ­customers were unrealistic.

Mr Hillis said he was unsure if he owned even “smart casual” attire. “Personally, I think these work shirts are pretty great,” he said.

A Qantas spokesman said FIFO workers and tradies wearing hi-vis workwear had a blanket exception to the dress code.

Qantas did not respond to further requests about their Darwin lounge but it is understood that the airline has a range of bogan-friendly beverages available at the bar, ­including Bundy and coke, VB and XXXX Gold.

Those who choose to buy $900-a-year lounge membership will have access to menu items including “grass-fed minute steak with wasabi and miso butter, new potatoes”, which is what the wealthy call “meat and three veg”, and “croque monsieur with leg ham and gruyere”, which is what the wealthy call a “ham and cheese toastie”.