Qantas has joined a host of other companies in reducing, and mulling over reducing, access to its lounges. The changes will come into effect on June 15th.
By cutting down on the number of guests welcome in these spaces, Qantas hopes to bolster allure and usher in the return of its sanctuaries being perceived as the exclusive havens for which they were once known. As the airline grows its network, attracts new customers, and seeks to remain a trailblazer in the industry, tweaks to policies are a small but necessary step to improving overall traveler experience.
What’s changing with Qantas lounge access?
Qantas stipulates that, while current guidelines permit one or two accompanying guests, depending on the passenger’s travel class and status and irrespective of whether said guests are even traveling, these are due to change on June 15th. So take your non-frequent-flying friends and enjoy the free salmon mousse while you still can. From then onwards, only guests ‘traveling on Qantas-operated’ or ‘eligible partner flights’ on that day are welcome.
The loophole of general admission of guests at domestic airport lounges exists due to the ability for non-flyers to pass airside at Australian terminals and wave off loved ones right at the gate. Qantas is aware that customers take advantage of this and invite relatives and friends into the lounge with them, even if they are not traveling. Until now, this has been accepted, but with paying customers and their qualms becoming more of a priority, the company is trimming down its guest policies.
