I spent just one night in Sydney, and decided to head to the airport really early the next morning, even though my flight was just at 12:15PM. That’s because I wanted to review the Star Alliance lounges at the airport, and I always feel more comfortable reviewing lounges if they’re not too full.
Singapore Airlines’ website indicated that the Singapore Airlines lounge would open at 5AM, so I got to the airport at around 4:30AM. At 5AM I was in front of the lounge, but there was no sign of life. At this point I checked the Star Alliance website, which noted that the Singapore Airlines lounge should open at 5:30AM.
At around 5:10AM an Air New Zealand employee showed up to unlock that lounge.
“Are you waiting to get into the lounge?”
“Yes, I thought the Singapore Airlines lounge was supposed to open at 5AM, but it looks like that’s not the case.”
“Well we aren’t supposed to open until 6AM, but you’re more than welcome to come in already. We just won’t have all the food out yet.”
I thought that was an extremely nice gesture. I’m so used to standing in front of a lounge at opening time and watching the employees read magazines waiting until the exact minute the lounge is supposed to open. So the fact that she invited me in nearly an hour before opening time was a very nice gesture.
This lounge had Air New Zealand’s updated branding, which I quite like.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney exterior
At the entrance there was a self-scanning system you could use to get in, and also a wall with several TV screens that had beautiful images of New Zealand.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney entryway
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney entryway
The Air New Zealand lounge was large and quite beautiful. There was a hallway once you entered the lounge that brought you into the main seating area.
To the left there were seats arranged in a pretty traditional manner for a lounge, along with some high-top communal tables.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Past that was the bar area.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney bar area
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney bar
This is also where the dining area was, which had some cafe tables and communal tables, as well as the main buffet.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney cafe area
Past that area was yet another seating area, both with seats facing one another, and also with seats facing the windows.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Then in the very back of the lounge were more chairs, as well as another communal table.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney relaxation area
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
In the back corner of the lounge was probably the nicest seating area in terms of design. This had leather seats facing the windows, as well as some nooks.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney relaxation area
The entire lounge had great views of the apron and runway in the distance.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney view
There was also a play area for kids in the back part of the lounge.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney play area for kids
The entrance to the bathroom area was near the back of the lounge as well.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney bathrooms
Not only were the bathrooms themselves quite nice, but there were also several shower rooms.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney bathroom
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney shower room
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney shower room
The lounge had two other drink stations with self serve coffee, soft drinks, water, beer, wine, and liquor, to supplement the main buffet.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney buffet
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney buffet
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney soft drinks
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney buffet
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney buffet
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney buffet
The main buffet consisted of a selection of bread, croissants, danishes, whole fruit, sliced fruit, yogurt, and cereal.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Much like you’d find in an Alaska Lounge, there was also a pancake machine.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney pancake machine
There were also a few hot dishes, including scrambled eggs with chive, artichoke peas & mint frittata, chipotle tomato cannellini beans with feta, and roasted new potatoes with capsicum and feta.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney food selection
While there are self serve coffee machines throughout the lounge, what you really want to do is go to the bar and order your drink there.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney espresso machine
There’s a tablet where you can order your coffee drink, and then they tell you how long it will be.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney drink ordering system
I ordered a flat white, and it was excellent.
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney flat white
I ended up spending about an hour in the lounge before heading to the Singapore Airlines lounge (as it turned out, it only opened at 6AM, not the 5AM or 5:30AM that was posted).
Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney bottom line
Air New Zealand has an excellent business class lounge at Sydney Airport, which is accessible by first and business class passengers on any Star Alliance carrier, as well as Star Alliance Gold members. The lounge is spacious, has great views, is nicely decorated, and also has a good selection of food and drinks (especially their freshly made coffee). The lounge gets extra bonus points for letting me in early, which I’ve never had anyone at any other lounge ever offer. That’s true hospitality. All things considered, for a business class lounge, this is definitely one of the better ones.
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