Qantas Restricts Singapore First Lounge Access

Qantas is having to turn away Qantas Platinum and Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers travelling on Oneworld partner airlines from its First Class lounge in Singapore during peak periods.

The Qantas Singapore First Lounge is one of the most popular lounges in Qantas’ network, with great service and excellent a la carte dining. Unfortunately, it’s become so popular that overcrowding has started to become a real issue. This is especially the case between around 5.30pm and 7.30pm, prior to the majority of Qantas flight departures to Australia.

Qantas has implemented capacity restrictions at its Singapore First Lounge

In order to maintain a high standard of quality and ensure enough seats (and showers) are available for those passengers departing on Qantas flights, Qantas is blocking access to passengers flying on other Oneworld airlines during the busiest times. Other Oneworld airlines that fly from Singapore include Malaysia Airlines, British Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Finnair.

As one AFF member posted on our forum last Sunday evening:

Flying AY in J, SIN to LHR and booked though QF, also WP. Told that as I am not flying QF metal that I cannot access the 1st lounge until after 7.30pm due to capacity management. First time for me, and I have been through Singapore multiple times this year, anyone else experienced this? 

Australian Frequent Flyer understands that Qantas implements capacity management on evenings when it is expecting a high number of visitors, in order to prioritise Qantas customers.

The good news is that, if you’re flying on a Qantas aircraft and have the appropriate status (or a First Class ticket), you should definitely be able to get in.

Oneworld airlines may restrict lounge access at peak times

Qantas is within its rights to block passengers on Oneworld airlines from accessing its lounge during peak times due to space limitations. According to the Lounge Access Policy on the Oneworld alliance website:

Some lounges may get busy at peak times, and access to them may be restricted as a result.

While opinions on the AFF forum are mixed, some frequent flyers believe this is a very reasonable policy. For example, one AFF member wrote on the forum:

This is pretty common and not really newsworthy. The SIN QF F lounge is frequently oversubscribed at peak periods and capacity restrictions enacted as per other OW lounges.
One of my family members has been refused access here as QF Plat but flying another OW carrier.

Interestingly, the Qantas First Lounge is no longer even listed as an available Oneworld airline lounge in Singapore on the Oneworld website.

Other lounges you can access at Singapore Changi Airport

If you have Qantas Platinum or Oneworld Emerald status and you’re flying out of Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 in the early evening, the good news is that there are plenty of other Oneworld lounges without capacity restrictions to choose from.

If you’re flying in Business Class on a Oneworld airline, our pick is the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge. We recently ranked this the best Oneworld lounge at Singapore Changi Airport. However, you can’t get into this lounge if you’re flying Economy or Premium Economy.

Other options include the Qantas Singapore Business Lounge, which is still very good, and the newly refurbished British Airways Singapore Lounge. The Qantas Singapore Business Lounge also accepts Qantas Lounge Invitations.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.