Qantas lounges dress code: Crackdown to enforce 'smart casual'

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Qantas lounges dress code: Crackdown to enforce 'smart casual'

By Jamie Freed
Updated
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Heading to a Qantas lounge? If so, you might want to check your outfit first. High-visibility workwear is in, but your singlet, boardshorts and rubber thongs may no longer make the cut.

From April 1, the airline will be more closely applying its minimum "smart casual" dress guidelines in its Qantas Clubs and business lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide. Those in regional areas, including Darwin, Cairns and the Gold Coast, will not be under the same scrutiny.

Qantas said the move was in response to customer feedback.

"Entry may be refused at the discretion of the lounge staff if visitors do not meet the appropriate standard," the airline said. "We want to create a comfortable atmosphere in our lounges that all visitors can enjoy."

Some frequent flyers have long complained about the tendency for some passengers to wear attire such as singlets, shorts and thongs in the lounges, particularly in Perth and Brisbane.

"The dress guidelines for our lounges are the same as most restaurants or clubs," said Qantas head of domestic product and service Helen Gray. "The vast majority of our members meet and exceed the guidelines, but we have had some feedback from customers that they want to see those guidelines apply to everyone."

High-visibility workwear required at mine sites is also common in the lounges - and another bugbear with a certain set - but it is classified as a uniform and therefore it will be allowed even under the stricter regime.

The stricter standards will be applied on a case-by-case basis on a customer's overall standard of dress rather than by individual items. That means a man wearing tailored shorts and a polo shirt with thongs or a woman wearing a singlet will probably be allowed in.

Rival Virgin Australia also has a smart casual dress code for its lounges. Lounge staff are able to use their discretion and advise guests if they do not meet the dress code. If the dress is deemed inappropriate, Virgin staff will offer the customer the opportunity to change or shower using the lounge facilities.

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