Qantas has finally started work on its brand new Auckland International Lounge, seven years after it first announced the project.
After decades of faithful service, the Qantas international Business Lounge and Qantas First Lounge at Auckland Airport finally closed their doors for the last time on 22 April 2025.
The new Qantas Auckland Lounge is set to open in early 2026. In the meantime, the airline is sending its Business Class customers, frequent flyers and Qantas Club members to alternative lounges. Here’s what you need to know…
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Platinum and Business Class flyers can use the Emirates Lounge
Until Qantas completes construction of its new lounge at Auckland Airport, some customers are being re-accommodated in the neighbouring Emirates Lounge. The following passengers are currently eligible to use the Emirates Lounge when flying Qantas or Jetstar from Auckland:
- Qantas Platinum One frequent flyers
- Qantas Platinum frequent flyers
- Qantas Business & First Class passengers
Presumably, Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers booked on Qantas would also be welcomed into the Emirates Lounge during the interim period.
A Qantas Platinum member flew out of Auckland Airport on the first day of the Qantas lounge closure, and confirmed on our forum that they were able to use the Emirates Lounge.
Confirming it was closed yesterday, I ended up in the very nice and spacious Emirates Lounge.
TheBigD on the AFF forum
Emirates has arguably the best lounge at Auckland Airport, so it’s actually a really nice upgrade for those Qantas customers eligible to use it.
Emirates refurbished its Auckland Lounge earlier this year with new furniture.
This space is normally only open for a few hours in the evening, right before the Emirates service to Dubai is scheduled to depart. But during the Qantas Auckland lounge refurbishment, Emirates is extending the opening hours to accommodate displaced Qantas customers.
Gold and Qantas Club members can use the Strata Lounge
While Qantas completes the construction of its new Auckland lounge, Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold and Qantas Club members flying Qantas or Jetstar are being invited into the Strata Lounge. This is located directly opposite the old Qantas lounges. It’s also quite a nice space with showers and good food & drink options.
Qantas Lounge Invitations not being accepted during construction
During the construction period, Qantas is temporarily not accepting single-use lounge invitations such as those given to Silver frequent flyers, Points Club members or with certain credit cards.
However, the Strata Lounge does accept Priority Pass. You could use the Strata Lounge if you have lounge access through a Priority Pass membership or an eligible credit card.
Credit Cards with Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Visits
- Card Name
- American Express Platinum Card
- Earn
- 2.25
- Signup Bonus
-
150,000 bonus Membership Rewards points¹
Apply by 6th May 2025
- Annual Fee
- $1,450 p.a.
- Read more
- View Offer
on everyday purchases
- Card Name
- Citi Prestige Card
- Earn
- 1
- Signup Bonus
-
Up to 200,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
Apply by 27th May 2025
- Annual Fee
- $700 p.a. ongoing
- Read more
- View Offer
on everyday purchases
What about passengers on other Oneworld airlines?
Some Oneworld airlines use lounges other than the Qantas lounges in Auckland as their contract lounges. For example, Cathay Pacific chooses to send its passengers to the Air New Zealand Lounge. Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways are sending their passengers to the Strata Lounge.
Other airlines that normally send their eligible customers to the Qantas Business Lounge may also have alternative arrangements in place while the Qantas Auckland lounge is closed. For example, LATAM and China Eastern are now using the Strata Lounge.
What to expect from the new Qantas Auckland Lounge
When it opens in early 2026, the new Qantas Auckland International Lounge will offer an improved dining experience, including a staffed bar stocked with New Zealand wines. It will also be larger than the previous Auckland lounges, with a much more modern design.
Like the Qantas international lounges at airports like Brisbane and Hong Kong, it will be a combined Business & First Class lounge.
