Your next Jetstar or Virgin Australia pre-flight experience in Sydney could look quite different, with Plaza Premium opening its first independent, pay-per-use domestic lounge at Terminal 2 in late November 2026. A second domestic lounge is planned for Cairns in early 2027, along with a complete rebuild of its Brisbane international lounge.
The A$20 million investment marks a decade since Plaza Premium Group (PPG) entered Australia, with the company aiming to give more travellers access to airport lounges outside of the traditional airline club model.
Sydney’s first independent domestic lounge
The new Plaza Premium Lounge Sydney Domestic will occupy 545 square metres of airside space at Terminal 2, with seating for 113 guests. Located near Gate 49 in Terminal 2, it will primarily serve passengers departing on Virgin Australia and Jetstar – though there’s nothing stopping Rex and Qantas passengers visiting from Terminal 3, apart from the hassle of completing security twice.
The lounge will feature comfortable seating, quiet workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging facilities, barista-made coffee, locally inspired food and drinks, a shower room and a full-service bar (at extra cost in some cases).
Access will be available to travellers regardless of airline, ticket class or frequent flyer status. Passengers will be able to purchase entry directly, with both walk-in access and advance bookings available.
Cyrus Wong, General Manager, Oceania at Plaza Premium Group, said the opening would address a gap in the domestic airport experience.
“If you are flying out of Sydney’s domestic terminal without airline status, options prior to boarding have traditionally been limited. A decade after entering Australia, we are proud to launch our biggest domestic project yet. Whether it is a business traveller needing a quiet hour to work, a family heading on holiday, or a solo traveller wanting a comfortable space to relax, we are making a premium airport experience a normal, easy part of domestic travel.”
How to access Plaza Premium domestic lounges
Plaza Premium Lounge Sydney Domestic access starts at $29 (sans alcohol) or $54 for the full package, with advance bookings available through the Plaza Premium Group website. Have a Priority Pass membership or visit? Use them here for a visit under the ‘Full package’ inclusions.
Plaza Premium Smart Traveller members can enjoy 20% off lounge access by showing their membership card. It’s free to join.
You can also use your American Express Platinum card for complimentary access at Plaza Premium Lounges, even if you’re an additional Card Member. That’s a great perk, given that Amex has removed the additional Priority Pass membership that comes with the card.
American Express Platinum Card
Offer ends: 3 Nov 2026
- Bonus points
- 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points on year 1 + 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points on year 2¹
- Annual fee
- $1,450 p.a.
- Earn
- Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
American Express Platinum Card
Offer ends: 3 Nov 2026
- Bonus Points
- 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points on year 1 + 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points on year 2¹
- Annual Fee
- $1,450 p.a.
- Earn
- Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
Earn 200,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply by 3 November 2026, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend a further $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of your second year Card Membership. Offer available to new American Express Card members only. T&Cs apply.
Cairns and Brisbane also in line for upgrades
Sydney is not the only Australian airport set for changes. PPG plans to open a new domestic lounge at Cairns Airport in early 2027 – a welcome change for anyone who doesn’t have access to the Qantas Club there. Plaza Premium will move into the space previously occupied by the Virgin Australia lounge.
Meanwhile, Point Hacks understands there are also plans for Plaza Premium to launch an international lounge in Cairns – possibly in the footprint of the previous Escape Lounge.
PPG will also completely rebuild and redesign its Brisbane International lounge as part of the investment program. The refurbishment comes as Brisbane Airport prepares for increased international travel demand, including visitors expected for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
We expect to see more Australian developments for mid-to-late 2027, although PPG has not yet detailed the locations or facilities involved. In most cases, floor space is at a premium in our terminals nationwide, so finding the right footprint is the biggest barrier. For example, the Plaza Premium Brisbane International Lounge is located in a long and narrow space within a concourse, rather than in the main terminal building.
The new Sydney lounge will make Sydney Airport PPG’s largest operational hub in Australia. Since arriving in 2016, the group has established a presence across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, spanning international and domestic lounges, airport hotel accommodation and partner-operated facilities.
For Australian travellers, the new lounges offer another way to access pre-flight comforts without holding the right frequent flyer status or flying in a premium cabin. Holding the right card could get you unlimited entries with any airline.
Also read: Plaza Premium Lounge Adelaide Domestic →
All renders courtesy of Plaza Premium.
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