Eight Australian airport lounges you can access without flying business class

Planespotters get a prime view from the bar at 'The House' in Melbourne Airport's international terminal.

Air travel is a horror show at the moment. Staff shortages mean long queues at the check-in desk, bag drop and security. Terminals are heaving at peak periods, which can be 10am on a Monday, flight delays and cancellations are the order of the day. Aircraft are packed and at the end of your flight you might have to wait 10 or 15 minutes before an airbridge is connected to your aircraft.

Unless you're flying business class, you just might be tempted to shell out for a pay-for-use lounge. Inside is a sanctuary of calm and comfort, where the food and drink are there for the taking and the loudest noise is the hiss of the espresso machine. In these turbulent times, they bring a soft edge to air travel. If you're travelling at the pointy end, you're likely to have access included, but there are other ways to get into these privileged domains and they mostly involve your wallet.

The bad news is that most pay-for-use lounges in Australia are located in our international terminals. Even there, a number have yet to open after closing during the pandemic. Adjust your expectations. Like every other aspect of airport operations, lounges are struggling with shortages of experienced staff. If you judge these lounges by the business-class havens of the pre-pandemic era, you might be disappointed.

Melbourne Airport

The House, international departures

With seating for 144, this crisp, stylish lounge has decent food and beverage offerings with an a la carte menu that makes a feature of regional Victorian produce while planespotters get a prime view from the bar. Opening hours are from midday to 4pm most days, 5:30pm to 11:30pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, calculated to chime with Etihad departures. A Priority Pass gets you in, or you can book and pay on the pay on the Executive Lounges website. Charge is £34.69 ($60.60).

Marhaba Lounge, international departures

Located on level three of the international terminal, some airlines use this as their business lounge so it probably won't be quiet, but seating and staff get a general tick. Meat pies and sausage rolls loom large among the food selections but there's an a la carte menu with a few Asian options. The Hudsons' coffee cart is often out of action but there's a fair selection of beers, wines and spirits. A Priority Pass membership will get you through the door or you can pay for entry, $64 for four hours.

Sydney Airport

Rex Lounge, domestic departures

Located in T2, it's a small haven away from this busy domestic terminal, which hosts Virgin Australia and Jetstar as well as Rex Airlines. There's a selection of wraps, sandwiches and salads and wine with beer available from mid-afternoon. Anyone travelling with Rex can enter, business class free of charge while those on a saver fare pay $33 and flex fare passengers pay just $16.50, but entry is subject to space availability and it's not large. The lounge is also open to Priority Pass members.

Plaza Premium Lounge, international departures

Located on Level 1 of the international departures terminal, several airlines are using this as their business class lounge. It's struggling to get back on its feet with food, ambience and seating generally getting the thumbs down, although staff are trying hard. Booking on the Plaza Premium website gives you five hours' access for $64.

The House, international departures

Generally regarded as the better of the two pay-for-use lounges at Sydney's international terminal, The House is reasonably spacious. Food selections at the buffet are limited but overall quality is good and the drinks selection gets a tick. Opening hours are 7am to 9:30pm except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the lounge opens at 11:45am. A Priority Pass gets you in but you can also book and pay, £34.69 ($60.60) at the Executive Lounges website.

Perth Airport

Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 domestic departures

This is another sassy offering from Aspire, the lounge division of Swiss aviation services company Swissport. Formerly a Virgin Australia lounge, it's bright and comfortable with an open-plan design but space constraints mean no bathrooms. Wi-Fi is fast and power outlets are plentiful but there are no USB ports, so BYO plug. FIFO workers make up a large percentage of the clientele and the buffet selection is designed for appetites honed on a mine site. So too the opening hours – 4am to 4pm weekdays. A Platinum Pass or an Amex Platinum card will get you in, and so will $11, but for a limited time only.

Aspire Lounge Terminal 1 International departures

If only all pay-for-use lounges were this great. This sleek, newly opened lounge in Perth's international terminal has been re-created from the airport's former control centre and it's a cut about the terminal's Singapore Airlines and Qantas business class lounges. The muted blue and earthy colour scheme is soothing and the design is tasty. There's even a circular observation area with wraparound windows. Opening hours are synched with international departures, 6:30pm to 10:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30pm to 10:30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, 12:30pm to midnight on Saturdays. A Platinum Pass opens the door, so will a Amex Platinum card but for others it's worth the $66 entry fee.

Brisbane Airport

Plaza Premium Lounge, international departures

It's plenty spacious, there are showers and private workstations, staff are pleasant and helpful and the Wifi is decent but it feels tired and in need of refurb. The decor is chaotic and food tries too hard to cover too many bases. The overall impression is a lounge still getting back on its feet after a long lie-down, and the present timetable doesn't make for a smooth operation. Opening hours are just 8-11pm daily. Admission cost is $56.92.

The passes that get you in

With more than 1300 lounges around the world, Priority Pass is the great white whale of airport lounges. As a general rule, PP membership gets you into lounges under such brand names as Plaza Premium and Marhaba and in a few cases, the lounges that premier-league airlines operate for the benefit of their business-class elite.

Standard membership is currently discounted to an annual $US49 ($70), on top of which you'll pay $US32 ($46) for each lounge visit. Standard Plus costs $US254 ($365) p.a. and gives you 10 free visits with a fee of $US32 for each subsequent visit. Prestige membership costs $US429 ($616) for unlimited access. Priority Pass members can bring a guest for a fee of $US32.

The American Express Platinum Card gets you free entry to The Global Lounge Collection. That's more than 1500 lounges under such brand names as Centurion Lounges, International American Express Lounges, Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Lounges, Plaza Premium and Air Space lounges plus any one of the lounges open to Priority Pass members. Most of those lounges allow Amex Platinum cardholders to bring in two travel companions, no charge. Annual card fee is a stiff $1450, but that does come with an annual travel credit of $450 and plenty more perks.

See also: Sneak peek inside Virgin's new exclusive, invites-only lounge

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