The Best International Lounges at Sydney Airport

Frequent flyers are spoilt for lounge choices when departing from Sydney Airport on an international flight. There are 11 lounges in Terminal 1, the international terminal of Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport, including Qantas’ flagship First Class lounge.

Depending on which airline you’re flying, your credit card and any paid memberships such as Priority Pass, you might have access to multiple lounges at Sydney Airport.

This article provides an overview of the international airport lounges available in Sydney, ranked from best to worst. In reality, they are all pretty good lounges by global standards. So it would be more accurate to say they’re ranked from excellent to good!

If you’re not yet familiar with airport lounge access rules, check out this unit of our Frequent Flyer Training course. All AFF members can access this training unit for free; you just need to be logged into your account.

Qantas First Lounge

The Qantas First Lounge in Sydney is the Australian airline’s flagship airport lounge. Exclusively for First Class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers, this large space offers sweeping views over the airport and the city of Sydney.

There’s a la carte dining, with comprehensive seasonal breakfast and all-day dining menus, as well as multiple different types of champagne, wine, beer, spirits and cocktails available. The quality of the food and service is excellent, and many frequent flyers particularly love the salt & pepper squid.

The lounge has lots of different seating areas, meeting rooms, a business centre, a library, showers, and even a spa.

Massage and spa treatment appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but priority is given to Qantas passengers flying in First Class.

This lounge is so good that some frequent flyers go to great lengths to attain Qantas Platinum status specifically so they can access it.

How to access the Qantas First Lounge

Qantas First Lounge access is available to the following passengers departing on Qantas or a oneworld airline:

• First Class passengers
• Qantas Platinum One & Platinum frequent flyers
• Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers

Qantas Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers can also access this lounge prior to Jetstar international flights.

This lounge is located on the mezzanine level after security. After clearing security and walking past the duty-free store, take the escalator directly to the entrance of the Qantas First Lounge.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Class Lounge

Nestled beside the main Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, which we’ll cover below, is a small First Class section. This private space rarely has more than a few passengers inside at a time, and the personalised service is exemplary.

There are various seating areas and a dining room where you’ll find both a buffet and a la carte menu. The Western and Singaporean food options are high quality, and of course there’s a full suite of alcoholic beverages available including champagne and cocktails.

How to access the SilverKris First Class Lounge

Singapore Airlines invites First Class passengers and PPS Solitaire members to use the SilverKris First Class Lounge when flying with Singapore Airlines.

In theory, you could also get in when flying First Class on another Star Alliance partner airline – although very few currently offer First Class from Sydney.

This lounge shares its entrance with the SilverKris Lounge. If you’re eligible for access, you’ll be escorted through an unmarked sliding door to the right of the reception desk.

Emirates Lounge

Wherever you are in the world, a visit to the Emirates Lounge is usually a good choice. The Sydney lounge has great buffet dining and a comprehensive selection of beverages, including champagne. It’s a large space with lots of seating areas, a business centre and showers, all in the distinct Emirates style.

There are airfield views, but they’re not as good as some of the other lounges at Sydney Airport due to the location on the ground floor.

How to access the Emirates Lounge

The following passengers can access the Emirates Lounge:

• Emirates Business & First Class passengers, except on Business Special fares
• Qantas Business & First Class passengers (except when flying to the Americas or South Africa)
• Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members flying Emirates or eligible Qantas flights
• Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members flying Emirates or eligible Qantas flights

If you’re flying Emirates but don’t have lounge access included with your status or ticket, you can purchase access – but it’s not cheap. The entry price is USD137.50 for Emirates Skywards members or USD170.50 for anyone else.

This lounge is located near gate 58. Take the escalator down to the lower level to access the Emirates Lounge.

Note that this lounge only opens a few hours prior to each Emirates departure, i.e. early in the morning and in the evening. If you’re flying Qantas, it might not be open at the time of your flight.

Air New Zealand Lounge

The Air New Zealand is a great Star Alliance lounge at Sydney Airport. It’s a large space with lots of different seating areas, nice views, a substantial buffet, a bar and excellent barista coffee. There are also showers and a kids play area.

How to access the Air New Zealand Lounge

The following passengers can use the Air New Zealand Lounge in Sydney:

• Air New Zealand & Star Alliance Business Class passengers
• Air New Zealand & Star Alliance passengers with Star Alliance Gold status
• Business Class, Etihad Guest Gold/Platinum and Velocity Gold/Platinum members flying Etihad Airways
• Business/First Class, Qatar Gold/Platinum, Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald and Velocity Gold/Platinum members flying Qatar Airways

This lounge is located on the upper level near gate 59. Take the escalator upstairs and walk past the SilverKris Lounge to get to the Air New Zealand Lounge.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge

The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in Sydney is another solid option accessible to Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers.

This lounge isn’t quite as large as the neighbouring Air New Zealand lounge, but the hot buffet does feature delicious Singaporean food.

There are separate areas for dining, relaxing and working, including individual seating booths that look like Singapore Airlines Business Class seats. The seats near the window get a view of the airport.

If you’re flying a Star Alliance airline and have access to both the Air New Zealand and SilverKris Lounges, why not try both? 😉

How to access the SilverKris Lounge

SilverKris Lounge access is available to the following passengers:

• Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance Business Class passengers
• Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers travelling on any Star Alliance airline
• Velocity Gold & Platinum members departing on Singapore Airlines or United Airlines
• Philippine Airlines Business Class passengers

This lounge is located at the top of the escalator near gate 59.

Qantas International Business Lounge

Qantas’ other lounge in Terminal 1 at Sydney Airport is its International Business Lounge. This is quite a step down from the First Lounge and is often quite crowded. It’s also overdue for a refurbishment, which Qantas has announced is coming soon.

Nonetheless, this isn’t a bad lounge. It has multiple buffet food stations, showers and a partially obstructed view of the runway and Sydney skyline.

There’s also barista coffee and a range of self-service drinks available including beer, wine and spirits.

How to access the Qantas International Business Lounge

The Qantas International Business Lounge is open to the following passengers departing on Qantas (including Qantas marketed codeshare flights) or any Oneworld airline:

• Business Class passengers
• Qantas Gold frequent flyers
• Qantas Club members
• Oneworld Sapphire frequent flyers

The following airlines also issue Qantas Business Lounge invitations to their Business Class passengers and eligible frequent flyers departing from Sydney:

• Fiji Airways (joining Oneworld in 2025)
• Air India
• Aircalin
• LATAM Airlines

If you’re flying Jetstar and have Qantas Gold status, Qantas Club membership or a Business Max fare, you can also use the Qantas International Business Lounge.

You can also redeem a Qantas Lounge invitation, such as the ones issued to Silver frequent flyers, Points Club members and with certain credit cards, to access this lounge before any Qantas or Jetstar flight.

By the way, if you’re thinking about becoming a Qantas Club member, AFF Gold and Platinum members get a 20% discount! 😉

This lounge is located on the mezzanine level above duty-free, down the corridor from the Qantas First Lounge.

The House

Formerly the Etihad Lounge, “The House by Aspire” is now part of the Priority Pass network and is also used as the go-to lounge by several international airlines.

This isn’t a huge lounge, but it has all the usual amenities as well as a bar, a small buffet and comfortable seating. If you’re entering using Priority Pass, you can pay an extra $20 to upgrade to a la carte dining, premium alcohol and full use of the showers.

How to access The House lounge by Aspire

Ways to access The House Lounge at Sydney Airport include:

• With Priority Pass membership
• Paying for entry at the door
• As a Business Class passenger or Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald frequent flyer on British Airways or Cathay Pacific
• Business Class passengers and eligible frequent flyers on Hawaiian Airlines and Hainan Airlines (note: no access for Velocity Gold or Platinum members)

SkyTeam Lounge

Not to be left behind, the SkyTeam alliance has its own lounge at Sydney Airport. SkyTeam members flying from Sydney include Delta, Garuda Indonesia, Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, China Airlines, China Eastern and Xiamen Air.

The Sydney SkyTeam Lounge was refurbished in 2022 and offers buffet food, a bar and a live cooking station.

It has seating for around 140 guests, as well as phone booths and showers.

How to access the SkyTeam Lounge

SkyTeam Lounge access is available to the following passengers:

• Business Class passengers on any SkyTeam airline
• SkyTeam Elite Plus frequent flyers departing on any SkyTeam airline

Passengers flying on any airline can also purchase paid access to this lounge on the website of Plaza Premium, which operates this lounge. The cost is $71 for two hours or $85 for up to five hours.

This lounge is located near gate 25, on the lower level.

Amex Centurion Lounge

If you have an eligible American Express card, you can use the Amex Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport regardless of which airline you’re flying. This could be a good fallback option if you don’t have access to an airline lounge.

There’s a selection of hot buffet food available, as well as beer, wine and cocktails. The lounge also has work spaces and showers.

How to access the Centurion Lounge

This lounge is open to eligible American Express cardholders.

The Amex Centurion, Amex Platinum, Amex Platinum Business and Amex Platinum Corporate cards come with unlimited visits.

The following credit cards include two complimentary annual visits to the Amex Centurion Lounges in either Sydney or Melbourne:

• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Reserve
• American Express Business Explorer
• American Express Corporate Platinum
• American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum

Plaza Premium Lounge

The Plaza Premium Lounge is located next to the SkyTeam Lounge. It’s run by the same operator, but is available to walk-in guests and Priority Pass members.

It’s not a large space, but there are some decent runway views, a staffed bar, a food buffet and showers. There’s no champagne (just sparkling wine), but you will find other premium wines, spirits and barista coffee.

How to access the Plaza Premium Departures Lounge

Regardless of which airline you’re flying, you can access the Plaza Premium Lounge by:

• Using Priority Pass
• Using LoungeKey
• Showing an American Express Platinum or Centurion card
• As a Business Class passenger or Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald frequent flyer on Malaysia Airlines
• Paying for access

It costs $63.24 to purchase 2 hours of access or $71 for 5 hours on the Plaza Premium website. Alternatively, you could buy 3 hours of access through LoungePair from just $54. Plus, AFF members can save up to 21% off LoungePair passes!

If you have a NAB Rewards Signature credit card and your flight is delayed by more than an hour, you could also access the Plaza Premium Lounge using your Delayed Flight Lounge Pass benefit.

This lounge is located on the lower level near gate 25, next to the SkyTeam Lounge.

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals)

Plaza Premium also has an arrivals lounge in Terminal 1 at Sydney Airport! This is great for grabbing a coffee, a bite to eat, a shower and catching up on emails after arriving in Sydney on an overnight international flight.

How to access the Plaza Premium Lounge on arrival

This is a landside lounge, so you can’t access it after clearing security for a departing flight. But you can use this lounge while waiting to check in for your flight, or on arrival into Sydney Airport. Just show a same-day boarding pass or flight booking at the door, along with a pass or membership that gets you access.

You can get into this lounge with:

• Priority Pass membership
• LoungeKey membership
• Showing an American Express Platinum or Centurion card
• Paying for access (including direct through Plaza Premium, or for less with LoungePair)

The Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge is located near International Arrivals B on the ground floor of Terminal 1 at Sydney Airport, near the Aerotel airport hotel.