After checking out the American Express Lounge Melbourne Airport, I decided to check out the Air New Zealand Lounge. This lounge is located on the ground floor, so it’s one level below the American Express and Singapore Airlines lounges.
The lounge opens three hours before the earliest Air New Zealand departure. The number of flights Air New Zealand operates to Melbourne varies based on the day and season. Typically they operate 5-10 flights per day, primarily to Auckland, though they also operate some flights to Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington.
However, typically only a couple of the daily flights are on widebody aircraft with business class, while the rest are operated by narrowbody planes without business class.
Keep in mind the Air New Zealand lounge can also be accessed by all Star Alliance business class as well as Star Alliance Gold passengers, so you can use this lounge when flying Singapore Airlines (which is how I was using it) and other airlines.
Just over a year ago I reviewed the Air New Zealand Lounge Sydney, and for a moment I was having deja vu, because the lounges almost seem identical in terms of design. The airline renovated both of these lounges recently, which would explain that.
The lounge has a really sleek exterior, with “Air New Zealand” written in white letters across a black, backlit wall.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne exterior
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne entrance
The lady at the front desk was friendly, and had me checked in within seconds.
The Air New Zealand Lounge feels massive to me, given the limited flights Air New Zealand operates here.
Inside the entrance were rows of seats facing one another, including dark seats as well as purple ones, for a splash of color.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Inside and to the left was the dining area, which had dining tables with booths, as well as communal tables.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne dining area
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne dining area
Then straight ahead was a bar with custom espresso beverages.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne bar area
To the right of that was lots more seating.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Off to the side was a cute area that had some benches built into the wall, as well as some curtains of sorts hanging from the ceiling, to create more of a sense of privacy.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
There was also a play area for kids in the back corner of the lounge.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne seating
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne play area
As mentioned above, the buffet was inside and to the left, and was the only part of the lounge with food.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne buffet
The breakfast selection included cereal, yogurt, fruit salad, several kinds of breads and pastries, etc.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Hot options included a pancake machine, scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne breakfast
Overall I’d say the food selection was significantly better than in the American Express Lounge.
One of my favorite features of Air New Zealand lounges is the custom espresso drinks available at the bar.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne bar area
There’s a tablet where you can place your order, and then it tells you roughly how long it should be.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne espresso bar
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne espresso bar
I ordered a flat white, so I could do a head-to-head comparison to the flat white I had in the American Express Lounge. While this one was good, I preferred the other one — this one was a little bitter for my liking.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne flat white
In addition to the food spread, the lounge has a couple of different drink stations.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne drinks
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne drinks
Options included juice, a soda fountain, a water fountain, self serve liquor, and wine.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne juice
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne soda
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne water
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne alcohol
As far as other amenities go, the lounge had nice bathrooms and very nice private shower rooms.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne showers
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne showers
The one other thing I’d note is that because the lounge is on the ground floor it has limited views. It’s on the same level as the apron, so you primarily have views of baggage carts driving back and forth.
I spent about 30 minutes in the Air New Zealand Lounge before continuing my tour.
Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne bottom line
The Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne is spacious and nicely decorated, and has a good selection of food and drinks. The lounge reminded me almost exactly of their recently renovated lounge in Sydney.
Frankly I’m surprised by just how big the lounge is. I guess they largely rely on other Star Alliance passengers to fill the lounge, especially between flights. A ton of space doesn’t make this the best airport lounge, but it certainly is a great space to spend some time.
If you’ve visited the Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne, what was your experience like?
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