Flying Qatar Airways soon? With the right frequent flyer card or ticket, you could be waiting for your Doha-bound flight in the funky, bright spaces of Air New Zealand (Air NZ).
Despite the two airlines being in rival alliances – Qatar Airways is in oneworld and Air New Zealand in Star Alliance – travellers departing from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are currently being sent to the Air NZ lounges. But the situation is a bit different in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra.
Here’s everything you need to know about Qatar Airways lounge access in Australia.
Why is Qatar Airways using Air NZ lounges?
Before COVID-19, Qatar Airways would send passengers to the nearest Qantas lounge. But since international travel has made a rebound, not all the Qantas lounges are available before Qatar Airways flights. The opening hours are now timed to Qantas’ own flights in most cities.
For example, the Brisbane Qantas International Lounge is only open in the mornings and until 8:30 pm – no good for Qatar’s 10:40 pm departure. And in Perth, the Qantas International Business Lounge in T1 has now shut permanently, with no other oneworld options available.
A spokesperson for Qatar Airways confirmed to Point Hacks that eligible passengers can now use the Air NZ or Marhaba lounge, depending on the city. These lounges will remain open in the lead-up to each Qatar Airways flight.
But we’ll let you in on a tip. Due to oneworld alliance rules, many of those same passengers can still visit the Qantas lounges, if they’re open. We’ve included the Qantas opening hours below, in case you want to visit – but be aware the opening hours don’t always line up.
Which lounges are Qatar Airways using in 2022?
Sydney
- QR909 departs for Doha at 9:00 pm.
- Qatar Airways now uses: the Air New Zealand lounge.
- Qantas International Business/First Lounges close: 8:25 pm or 9:25 pm, depending on the day.
Qatar Airways is using the Air New Zealand lounge, which is near Gate 56 on the mezzanine level. As Air NZ’s flagship Australian lounge, it underwent a top-to-tail refresh in 2015 with the architectural firm, Gensler, and boasts an impressive 1,500 sqm footprint.
But in Sydney, the Qantas International Business and International First lounges are also open from 5 am until the last scheduled Qantas departure daily. So depending on the day, you might be able to relax there instead.
In particular, Qatar Airways First Class passengers (regardless of status) and those with oneworld Emerald status flying Qatar Economy and Business should try to venture to the Qantas International First Lounge for excellent a la carte dining.
Melbourne
- QR989 departs for Doha at 5:15 pm (from 1 Oct 2022).
- Qatar Airways now uses: the Marhaba lounge.
- Qantas International Business/First Lounges should be open.
- QR905 departs for Doha at 10:20 pm.
- Qatar Airways now uses: the Marhaba lounge.
- Qantas International Business/First Lounges close: 9:10 pm.
Passengers departing Melbourne are sent to the Marhaba Lounge, which is part of The Emirates Group. Yes, there are certainly some rivalries to overlook here! It’s found upstairs near gates 9-10, opposite the Qantas First Lounge. This area is prime lounge real estate, with sweeping airfield views.
From 1 October, there are two departures to Doha a day. The Qantas International Business and First Lounges don’t nicely line up with the second flight, but you might get a quick visit in. Qatar Airways hasn’t mentioned why the Air NZ lounge isn’t being used in Melbourne.
Brisbane
- QR899 departs for Doha at 10:40 pm.
- Qatar Airways now uses: the Air New Zealand lounge.
- Qantas International Lounge closes: 8:30 pm.
Leaving from Brisbane? Then make yourself at home in the Air New Zealand lounge. It’s at the top of the escalators between gates 81 and 82. The Qantas International Lounge shuts quite early, so you should just relax at the Air NZ lounge instead.
Perth
- QR901 departs for Doha at 11:00 pm.
- Qatar Airways now uses: the Air New Zealand lounge.
In Perth, Qatar Airways lounge-worthy passengers can cool their heels at the Air NZ lounge. With the Qantas lounge gone, there are no other oneworld alternatives available. You could pay for entry to the new Aspire Lounge, which also accepts Priority Pass.
The Air New Zealand Lounge in Perth T1 is one of the newest spaces in the terminal, so it’s certainly amongst the best places to be before an international flight.
Adelaide and Canberra
In Adelaide and Canberra, eligible Qatar Airways passengers can use the domestic Qantas Club or Business Lounge (Canberra only) before the flight, if they’re open. But do note that these lounges are before international security and immigration, so you should allow extra time for processing.
Some readers have reported being turned away from the Adelaide Qantas Club when flying Qatar Airways, as the lounge is closing for the night. They receive a $40 voucher to use at the Penfolds Wine Bar & Kitchen instead.
Who can use Qatar Airways lounges in Australia?
In all lounges, eligible Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers can enter. This includes those booked on reward seats, but not those travelling on a Business Lite fare or anyone who has upgraded from Economy – unless they also have the relevant status.
Economy passengers with Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold and Platinum can enter. Under oneworld rules, other oneworld Sapphire and Emerald passengers are welcome as well. This includes Aussie-based frequent flyers with Qantas Gold status or higher and applies to Air NZ and Marhaba lounge access.
Finally, Virgin Australia’s Velocity Gold and Platinum members can now access Qatar Airways lounges, including the Air New Zealand and Marhaba lounges across Australian ports.
But if you’re a Velocity Platinum member flying in Qatar Airways Economy or Business Class from Sydney or Melbourne, don’t go trying to sneak into the Qantas First Class Lounge! Those lounges can only be accessed by oneworld Emerald frequent flyers, such as Qantas Platinum and higher.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
- Annual Fee:
- $440 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 30 April 2026
- The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 70,000 bonus Velocity Points on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval, plus an additional 30,000 Velocity Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 30 April 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access² every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes³ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight⁷.
Summing up
Qatar Airways is striving to provide a more uniform lounge access policy in Australia. Air New Zealand is a good fit, with a high standard of lounges in Australia. The arrangement is a bit unconventional, but it’s generally a win for Business Class passengers – particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, where the Qantas International Business Lounges aren’t quite as polished.
Qatar Airways isn’t the only oneworld carrier to seek a separate lounge arrangement in Australia. For example, both Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific use the Plaza Premium Lounge in Brisbane, while British Airways makes itself at home at The House in Sydney.
I am VFF Gold and was turned away at the Air NZ lounge in Brisbane on 27 November. When I was in Madrid on the 3 December, I was also denied entry at a third-party lounge being used by Qatar. I still had to carry my Gold member card as their system doesn’t recognise your status using your boarding pass alone. It was annoying and an experience I wouldn’t want to endure again.
Hi – I’m VFF Platinum and have just been turned away in Brisbane as well (25 Jan). I’ll revert to Etihad or Emirates for my travel in future.
I flew on QR899 (BNE-DOH) as a Velocity Gold member and was directed to the Air NZ lounge my check-in staff. However, I was turned away from the Air NZ lounge. Where do you have confirmation that Velocity Gold should have access to Air NZ lounges when travelling with Qatar?
Hi J, the lounge access is publicised on the Velocity website. It specifically mentions all third-party lounges at international airports are included. We’ve previously confirmed with Velocity that Qatar’s Australian contract lounges should be included, but it looks like there’s an issue getting it sorted for Air NZ lounges.
Travelling PER>DOH but AirNZ lounge said the velocity gold/platinum reciprocal arrangement is still being worked out so wouldn’t let us in…
Hi,
I’m confused on two points. I am flying on flight QR989 end Oct but the time of departure is 16:15 not 17:15 as mentioned here. I’ve just looked up the flight history and can see that the flight is departing at 5.15. Why would my ticket show a time an hour earlier?
Also i am so confused about the lounge situation in MELB. According to the Qatar website the Qantas lounges are closed. When I look at the Qantas lounge information it seems only Emirates, Qantas and jetstar business class passengers can use the lounge. No mention of oneworld business class ticket holders. If you look at the International Business class lounge table, for oneworld passengers you only can get access if you have gold qantas membership. Does this mean Qatar/oneworld business classs travellers cannot use the Qantas business lounge? So looks like maharba is the ony option? Sounds about right for Qantas.
I’ve since clarified the time of my flight is correct as it will change to a different schedule but does anyone has any insight into the current lounge situation in Melbourne for Qatar passengers? thanks
Hi T, the Qantas lounge hours have probably been updated recently. Assuming it’s open all day until the last departure, you should be able to choose between the Qantas or Marhaba (or access both) lounges with a QR Business Class ticket.
Flew out on QR899 (BNE > DOH) on Weds 14th September. Directed to the Air NZ lounge but Qantas Inteenational lounge is now open until 10:30 (for late night QF flight to Los Angeles). Lounge opening times on Qantas website have been updated to reflect this.
Both had a decent food selection. Qantas had better drinks (staffed bar and proper barista coffee, as opposed to machine in Air NZ. Overall I rated the QF lounge better.
Also flew out with QR909 and was directed to the AirNZ lounge. Its miles better than the Qantas offering. Cocktails, drinks, food and atmosphere a notch above. Qantas business is a bit worn and really unappealing food and drinks selection – more like subway
Just flew QR909 last week and was directed to Air NZ lounge in Sydney. Fantastic lounge for an evening departure with a great cocktail list. A step above the Qantas lounge for sure.
I caught QR915 from Adelaide to Doha on 20/07/2022 and was given a voucher for $40 to use at the Coopers Alehouse at Adelaide Airport (before international security but after domestic security). The ground staff said that this was in lieu of a lounge.
Thanks for the data point!
For the extra 2 hours service, surprised QF don’t want the revenue which would surely cover just this usage alone.
Re: “Qantas International Business/First Lounges close: 3:15 pm (re-opens 5:10 pm)”
Where do pax with status, or flying J, go for the mid/late afternoon QF MEL-DPS flights?
e.g. QF45
Apologies, I missed that in the schedule and have updated the hours to reflect this, depending on the day.
Great article Brandon. Slightly related, but being Perth based you may know. What lounge are Malaysian using from Perth International now that the T1 Qantas Lounge is permanently closed? If it’s also the Air NZ lounge (like Qatar) I’ll be happy as I’m traveling with MH ex Perth next month.
So OWE’s flying to DOH in J on QR 989 can only use the Marhaba Lounge, meanwhile the QF First lounge right next door is closed until 5 minutes before departure.
Can’t help but think QF has done this on purpose.