New Qantas London Lounge opens at Heathrow Airport

Hanging out at Heathrow Airport has probably never featured on your London bucket list. But that may change thanks to the first dedicated Qantas London Lounge.

This swanky new Terminal 3 retreat is a boon for those travelling on the airline's twice-daily "kangaroo route" services, and also for the direct Perth-London stretch beginning next March.

Unveiling the 230-seat, Wi-Fi-connected lounge, Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce described it as "a bit of English and a bit of Australian, too" and that's reflected in everything from the decor to food and drink.

Overlooking the airfield, there's a smart-casual lower-floor dining room, with a staircase winding up to a spacious top floor that has the air of a hip hotel bar, not least when you're at its circular, marble-topped bar, beneath a brass chandelier, sipping cocktails to jazzy background tunes. There are fabric chairs and leather sofas for chilling out, secluded workstations with printer facilities, and six dazzling shower suites with Aurora Spa amenities.

Flatscreen TVs show UK and Australian news and weather. You can order flat whites and select gins, beers and wines from both countries. There's tea and scones, hot and cold buffets (including the likes of smoked salmon with kale and quinoa salad), and a la carte offerings such as salt and pepper squid with green chilli sauce – a popular signature dish that you may have enjoyed in other Qantas lounges around the world.

Open daily 8am-8.30pm, the lounge is available to Qantas customers travelling in First and Business and Qantas Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers and their guests. Also eligible are oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers, Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold customers and Qantas Club members and their guests. See qantas.com

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