Of the “big three” global airline alliances, I tend to think the most valuable alliance-wide status is oneworld Emerald. The oneworld alliance is the only one with three elite tiers, and oneworld Emerald gives you access to some perks typically associated with first class (unlike oneworld Sapphire, which gets you perks typically associated with business class).
My single favorite thing about oneworld Emerald status is that you get access to oneworld first class lounges, even if you’re traveling in economy. Now, some lounges are excluded from this arrangement, like the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge and British Airways Concorde Room. However, many incredible lounges are eligible, including some of my favorite first class lounges in the world.
In this post I thought it would be fun to share what I consider to be the best oneworld Emerald lounges, roughly ranked in order. Suffice it to say that visiting some of these lounges is almost a rite of passage among oneworld Emeralds, for those earning status like American AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold 100K.
So below are my favorite oneworld Emerald lounges, and I’m curious to hear how many OMAAT readers have visited all of them. Let’s get into the list, starting with my favorite.
In this post:
Cathay Pacific The Pier First Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong is such an incredible lounge. I pinch myself every time I’m in this lounge as a oneworld Emerald member, because it’s such a nice space.
I love the design of the lounge, the amazing plane views, the a la carte restaurant, the bar with great coffee and cocktails, the private cabanas for relaxing, and even the complimentary massages.
While Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge is also excellent, personally I prefer this lounge, with the exception of the amazing shower suites at The Wing.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney (SYD)
Along with Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge, the Qantas First Lounge Sydney is my other favorite oneworld Emerald lounge.
The lounge has a gorgeous design with amazing apron and runway views, as well as delicious a la carte dining, barista coffee, and even complimentary spa treatments. I could spend hours here and not get bored.
The Qantas First Lounge Melbourne is also excellent, though I’ll only be including one of Qantas’ Australia lounges on the list, since they’re quite similar, and the Sydney lounge does have the edge.
Qantas First Lounge Singapore (SIN)
If there’s one thing that Qantas does a great job with, it’s the carrier’s oneworld Emerald lounges. They’re not just in Australia, but there are also a couple abroad. I really love the Qantas First Lounge Singapore, which has stunning decor, and almost feels like an exclusive restaurant. The lounge has amazing food, with Qantas classics like the salt & pepper squid, as well as some local specialties, like laksa.
Japan Airlines First Lounge Tokyo (HND)
The Japan Airlines First Lounge Tokyo Haneda is another treat for oneworld Emeralds. The lounge is probably the largest first class lounge that oneworld Emerald members have access to. I love how the lounge has so many distinct zones, from a bar with Japanese specialty drinks, to a sushi restaurant, and much more. Bring your appetite to the lounge, to enjoy dishes like sushi and beef curry with rice.
Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
In the United States, we’re used to airport lounges with cubed cheese and boxed wine. In that sense, the Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles is a real breath of fresh air, as it’s the best elite lounge in the United States, in my opinion.
Much like the other Qantas First Lounge locations, the lounge is heavily focused on dining, with a restaurant quality selection of food and drinks. What a treat to be able to use this prior to an American Airlines flight!
Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki (HEL)
While Finnair doesn’t have a first class product, the airline has the Finnair Platinum Wing especially for oneworld Emerald members. This has to be one of the coziest lounges out there, as it has lots of comfortable seating, a la carte dining, excellent coffee, and even a sauna, which is a mighty unique airport lounge amenity! Nothing quite like sauna-ing it up with your fellow oneworld Emeralds, eh?
Cathay Pacific First Lounge London (LHR)
While nothing can compete with Cathay Pacific’s lounge presence in Hong Kong, the carrier also has a great first class lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 3. In addition to having comfortable seating, the lounge also has a la carte dining, with an impressive food and drink selection.
If you’re flying American out of London and are a oneworld Emerald member, this is so much better than visiting the American International First Lounge.
American & British Airways Soho Lounge New York (JFK)
American & British Airways both operate out of Terminal 8 at New York JFK, and they have three shared lounges — the Chelsea Lounge, the Soho Lounge, and the Greenwich Lounge. The Soho Lounge is primarily for oneworld Emerald members, and it’s quite pleasant. It has views of the apron, comfortable seating, an extensive buffet, and a limited selection of a la carte dining options.
Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
While Malaysia Airlines no longer has first class, the airline does have an exclusive lounge for oneworld Emerald members. To be honest, it’s far from my favorite lounge in the world, but it’s still nice to have a much quieter space than the main lounge. The lounge has plenty of private seating, and otherwise the main point of differentiation is a la carte dining.
Bottom line
I love having oneworld Emerald status, because it provides access to some amazing lounges that you’d otherwise have to be flying first class to visit. There are some incredible oneworld Emerald lounges out there, and now that the world has fully reopened, it’s once again practical to visit most of these lounges.
To oneworld Emeralds, which lounge is your favorite? How many of the above have you visited?
I’ve been to them all and agree with most comments. One draw back with the two Cathay lounges is that there aren’t any gluten free options (my wife is allergic). I’d also suggest that the food options in the JAL lounge aren’t quite as good as any of the Qantas options.
I think the Cathay Lounge in Vancouver (YVR) and Bangkok (BKK) worth a mention with the usual noodle/dim sum offerings.
We've visited the intimate Cathay Pacific First Lounge at LHR T3 three times in 2004. We do find the chairs so uncomfortable (low, lacking support, hard to get out of) that on our most recent visit we left after dining and headed to the Business Lounge to sit in regular chairs.
Our son tells us he spent a comfortable four hours in the F Lounge snoozing in one of those chairs last year so it's probably our problem.
Heh... 2024 that is!
The Qantas First Lounge in Sydney is getting very tatty - the white leather lounges are worn and dirty-grubby, carpet stained. The wines are cheap and the menu is not what it used to be.
Best days are definitely behind it.
Nobody flies certain airlines or to/from certain destinations just because of the lounge, unless you are a blogger or doing it for business.
i do, for recreation
The LAX Quantas Lounge only allows access if you are traveling internationally, you cannot access the lounge when traveling domestic flights with AA or AS.
Brand new OW Emerald here. We will be flying through LAX to Tahiti/Bora Bora later this year. Air Tahiti Nui isn't in an alliance, so I cannot use the Qantas Lounge, correct? When we return, we will take an Alaska flight out of LAX, so I can use the Qantas lounge, correct? Thanks in advance for the guidance!
I find it remarkable that while Qantas is very well represented in the list (and its First Class lounges are definitely worthy of praise), it has one of the most unimpressive (read "terrible) Business Class lounges in its home city of Sydney. Other than the lovely baristas, that lounge has nothing going for it, and is really the only OneWorld option in SYD...
Count your blessings that you aren't reliant on Bloody Awful and their cost cut "lounges" at LHR...
The "galleries" make Qantas SYD look world beating in comparison.
Why isn't the DFW Flagship Lounge included? Seems odd to not include one of the biggest and founding members Lounge at their home airport. MANY OW Emerald members use this lounge daily. I get that it could always be "better", but still.
The Flagship Lounge in DFW is a business class lounge and only requires Sapphire status for access. While nicer than an Admirals Clubs, and arguably the nicest lounge at DFW, it's objectively inferior to every other lounge on this list.
It is a fine lounge, but, a step below those on the list.
The Qatar Airways lounge in Doha is very nice as well, though can get crowded. Consistently worst ones have been BA. The LHR is a zoo and the one in ORD is the size of a shoebox. Honorable mention is the AA lounge in Santiago, Chile.
BA's first class lounges at LHR T3 and ORD are more akin to business class.
I only hold One World Emerald and no other airline tier status . . . for these lounges and LHR T5 First Wing. Qantas was supposed to open a first class lounge at LHR T3 in late 2023. If you are going to include the visually harsh, post-industrial Qantas first class lounge at LAX, then you might as well include the BA first class lounge at LHR T5. To me, a nicer experience. If the argument against it is no table service, Soho at JFK doesn't either.
BA First class lounge at LHR T5 does have table service - you order with a waiter from a menu. Most people use the buffet, but menu service is an option. Same as the BA First lounge at LHR T3 (is that still open?)
Technically, the T5 first class lounge doesn't have tables. But, yes, it has menu-based "chair" service.
It's sad that QR doesn't honour the access to their Al Safwa Lounge at DOH for oneworld Emerald members.
They're trying to preserve the experience. Same applies to BA's Concorde Room and JFK's Chelsea Lounge.
You can only travel QR First Class, on a very few limited routes. Those routes that use A380s, those that use the few Qatar Pacific 773s and regional 'First Class' flights. Surely this can't be logical for the QR 'bean-counters', to keep such a humongous lounge open.
Moreover, Qatar does not permit first class award redemption on DOH to LHR.
Within the GCC, a business ticket is actually counted as first class (but with a business seat). Thus if you fly via Doha you can access the Salwa first class lounge. Have done it that way plenty of times
Nice overview. But I think that the AA International First Lounge is a pretty solid option, too. The food was even better than in Cathay's LHR First lounge.
Absolutely disagree.
He probably meant flagship dining, which I agree food offering can rival The Pier F.
But it’s not an oneworld Emerald lounge so doesn’t count anyway.
Haven't yet visited the Qantas Lounges in Sydney and Singapore but have done the rest, including Wing at HKG.