Qantas has just completed refurbishing its Hobart lounge. The lounge now features more seats and an improved menu, with the addition of toasted sandwiches. The increased seating has been made possible by removing the lounge’s Business Centre.
The Hobart lounge is often regarded as one of the worst capital city lounges in the country due to its small size and lack of food options. So on the whole, our members have welcomed the announcement as a much-needed improvement.
Congrats, a much needed refurb (albeit a minor one).
The Hobart Qantas Club, as with the rest of the airport, is not large. Our members have long complained of lounge overcrowding, particularly when multiple Qantas and Jetstar flights depart around the same time. Some members have even reported being denied access because the lounge was full. These passengers were usually offered meal vouchers for use in the main terminal. Although the refurbishment will see a small capacity increase, some members feel it may not be enough.
Be grateful for small mercies I guess, but sorry, this doesn’t impress this HBA based flyer. I was there a few days ago and noticed some new furniture – smaller, to get more into the tiny space. Doing away with the business centre will only create a few more spaces, and it won’t alleviate the over-crowding – just that those presently turned away will be let in, and it’ll be as crowded as ever.
Qantas is currently the only airline to operate a lounge in Hobart. Although Virgin Australia has previously hinted that they plan to build a lounge in Hobart, this has not yet eventuated. When, or indeed whether a Virgin lounge would open remains a mystery. Some members speculate that it would need to coincide with an expansion of the entire terminal as the airport is currently too small for a second lounge.
Well it’s lucky that Virgin treat Hobart as such a priority and have a great lounge as an alternative. Oh wait…
Our members will be posting their reviews and photos of the new lounge in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, our members are looking forward to seeing the results of the promised Brisbane lounge refurbishment later this year.
Join the discussion HERE.
