- Introduction: Thanksgiving In London
- Review: Qantas First Class Lounge Los Angeles
- Review: British Airways Business Class A380 Los Angeles To London
- Review: The Park Tower Knightsbridge, London
- British Airways Galleries First Lounge London Heathrow Review
- Review: British Airways Business Class 777 London To Los Angeles
I’m used to crazy travel days, though the day we flew to London was one of the crazier ones for me. On Monday I had flown from Abu Dhabi to New York on the inaugural Etihad A380 flight, I had stuff going on all day in New York upon landing, then on Tuesday morning I flew from Newark to Charlotte to Los Angeles at 5AM.
When I got to LA I washed my clothes and met up with Ford, and then at around 4:30PM we headed to LAX for our 8:55PM flight to London Heathrow. We got to the airport at around 5PM, which of course is way early, but:
- I was on the verge of falling asleep due to exhaustion, and figured I was better off battling that with decent coffee in the Qantas Lounge than elsewhere
- The Qantas Lounge LAX (which oneworld carriers use for their first class and oneworld Emerald passengers) is actually nice and worth spending some time in
So we got to LAX at around 5PM, where it was already pitch dark. Goodness, this time of year is depressing, as someone who instantly gets tired when it’s dark.
Tom Bradley International Terminal, LAX
Once inside Tom Bradley International Terminal we headed to the “B” counters, where British Airways check-in is located.
Tom Bradley International Terminal departures hall
British Airways check-in signage at LAX
Since we got there so early, there were no queues at check-in. I’m used to British Airways being pretty strict about carry-on limits, so was relived when our request to not check bags was met with the agent saying “yeah, that’s what I like to do as well,” rather than “please place your bags on the scale.”
British Airways check-in LAX
Security at Tom Bradley International Terminal can be a disaster, given that they don’t have Pre-Check and that so many flights depart from it in the evening. Fortunately we lucked out, presumably since it was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, as the queue was very short. There were maybe a handful of people in the priority queue ahead of us, but even the economy queue didn’t look long at all either.
Entrance to security checkpoint at LAX
Just past the security checkpoint were some couches which were “Courtesy of American Express,” presumably a subtle hint at American Express soon opening a Centurion Lounge at the airport.
American Express couches at LAX — Centurion Lounge coming?
Tom Bradley International Terminal is absolutely stunning, I’d argue the most gorgeous in the country. It’s one of the few terminals in the US which is actually worth being proud of (even if the rest of LAX is a bit of a mess).
Gorgeous Tom Bradley International Terminal
Once through the security checkpoint, the Qantas First Class Lounge is located up one level and to the left. So you turn left and then take the elevator at the far end of the hallway.
Before I talk too much about the lounge, I should mention that I had the chance to visit the Qantas First Class Lounge last year when it opened, so wrote an extensive review of the lounge with lots of pictures then. This post will supplement it, as it was my first time seeing the lounge in “action.” In a follow up post I said it was one of my favorite lounges in the US, so is that still the case?
Qantas Lounge LAX exterior
At the entrance we were promptly admitted with my British Airways business class boarding pass, which indicated my oneworld Emerald status. If I weren’t a oneworld Emerald member, we would have have had to use the oneworld Business Class Lounge next door, which is still quite nice for a business class lounge.
There are quite a few people eligible for access to this lounge in the evenings, as there are oneworld flights to London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hong Kong, etc.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport departures monitor
Anyway, the Qantas First Lounge is gorgeously designed, though I know it’s not everyone’s style. The lounge is in a rectangular shape, and near the entrance are eight black leather chairs and a small bar with coffee, tea, and cookies. If you look carefully you’ll see there are also some “private” rooms, which have similar seating with a bit more privacy. They’re primarily reserved for celebrities. The Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX has a similar “private” room.
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
Qantas Lounge LAX snack setup
Past the black chairs are some red chairs which are lined up along the length of the lounge, with TVs at both ends.
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
The TV partitions that area from an area with a similar design, except it has black chairs on circular bases.
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
The only thing “sticking” out from the rectangular shape is a seating area near the entrance and to the side, which offers seats overlooking the (interior facing) windows, as well as some slightly more private and varied seating.
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
Qantas Lounge LAX seating
In that area there’s also a self serve bar with all kinds of wine, champagne, mixed nuts, etc.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport self serve drinks
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport self serve drinks
At the very end of the lounge, presumably where people spend most of their time, is the bar & restaurant.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport bar
There are a couple of dozen tables, seating either two or four people, though they can be pushed together for larger parties if required.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport dining area
The restaurant area features a quasi-open kitchen design.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport dining area
The dining area is what sets the lounge apart in my opinon, as it’s designed by Neil Perry and based around his Rockpool restaurants. Furthermore, the servers are Sofitel trained, and all look quite sharp in their white jackets and black slacks.
The autumn menu read as follows (it’s available starting midday):
Before we had anything to eat, Ford and I both needed a kick of caffeine. So naturally we ordered some espresso martinis. They were delicious. So delicious, in fact, that a second round was ordered… just to get our caffeine fix, of course. 😉
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport espresso martinis
After sitting for a while we decided to order some food. Our served was friendly and explained the dining “concept,” and the dishes which were most popular.
We ordered the hamachi crudo and salt & pepper squid to start (I’m not usually a fan of squid, but Qantas does it really well). Both were top notch. With the food we switched to champagne, specifically Laurent Perrier.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport starter — hamachi crudo
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport starter — salt & pepper squid
After our appetizers were cleared I noticed that the staff were having a “team meeting” in the corner of the restaurant which I seem to notice every time I visit this lounge. In it they discuss how many guests they’re expecting that day, and some outrageously obvious stuff. “Remember that the more you interact with guests, the more of a connection you can build with them.” While I appreciate the concept, hopefully they don’t have to listen to that in a briefing every single day!
When the team meeting was done, our main courses were brought out. I ordered the gnocchi, which was excellent.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport main — semolina gnocchi
Meanwhile Ford ordered the burger, which he enjoyed.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport main — beef burger
We had a side of french fries (or “chips,” as the Aussies call them) to accompany the meal, which were sinfully delicious.
Qantas Lounge Los Angeles Airport main — french fries
The food in the Qantas Lounge is top notch and truly restaurant quality. Like, there are lounges in the US with good food, but if we’re being honest we wouldn’t pay for those meals in restaurants. The food served in this lounge is different. Which is why I think it’s worth arriving at the airport early to dine here, especially if you’re flying a carrier with sub-par food. Might as well stop here instead of at a restaurant on the way to the airport!
Since I knew there wouldn’t be Wi-Fi on the flight, I spent the next couple of hours getting caught up on work. Meanwhile Ford struggled to stay awake and was dreaming of a nap room, I think. 😉
Makeshift daybed
While the service was quite good in the restaurant area, I found it interesting that service was virtually non-existent in the lounge otherwise. In the 2+ hours we were in the lounge outside the restaurant, I wasn’t once offered a drink. I’m not sure if that was by design or not, though the contrast in service in the restaurant vs. the rest of the lounge was drastic.
The lounge really started to fill up around 7:30PM, as many Qantas passengers began to arrive. At around 8PM we decided to head to our departure gate, for our 8:55PM departure to London. I wanted to be a bit early so I could hopefully snag a few pictures of the cabin before it filled up.
We were departing from Gate 150, which was one of the first gates in the South Concourse, so was just a very short walk from the lounge.
Tom Bradley International Terminal departure gates
The gate area was still fairly quiet, and it looked like they were nowhere close to commencing boarding. That was especially apparent as the crew was just slowly strolling up to the gate.
British Airways departures gate LAX
Finally at around 8:30PM the “gate supervisor” began explaining the “very specific boarding process” which British Airways follows. I thought it was interesting that she was British, presumably to add a bit of “authentic” flair to the announcements. I always appreciate when a station manager or gate supervisor is from the airline’s home country.
British Airways A380 taking us to London
Admittedly the gate area was chaotic and people seem incapable of listening, though I don’t recall ever hearing a gate agent talk so much over the PA. She spent a good 10 minutes explaining the boarding process over and over before actually starting boarding.
Eventually she announced boarding for first class, followed by business class. We were aboard by 8:45PM.
Qantas First Class Lounge LAX bottom line
The Qantas Lounge LAX hands down has the best food of any lounge in the US. While the design is nice (and is intended to somewhat mimic the lounges in Sydney and Melbourne), I do wish the lounge had some natural light, which it otherwise lacks.
I do maintain that this is one of the best airline lounges in the US. It’s always worth stopping here for a meal, as it will almost certainly be better than what you’re served aboard. That being said, it’s not the most “fun” lounge out there. It might sound silly to some, but I actively enjoy spending time in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK, for example. It has a fun vibe, fun staff, and is quirky.
The Qantas Lounge feels a bit more “proper,” and as a result isn’t all that enjoyable to actively spend time in, as the focus of the lounge seems to be more on stylish design over comfortable, private areas to relax.
Still, I consider this to be the best lounge at LAX, and also the best lounge for dining in the US. Kudos to Qantas for this lounge.
If you’ve visited the Qantas Lounge LAX, what was your experience like?
@jjj
Very similar experience there July 2nd of this year... the Biz class lounge a floor below was better and more friendly. After 5 minutes of awaiting an entree after the appetizer was cleared no refills no acknowledgement - I left for downstairs where at the least I could not depend on these horrid people
Just visited the OW First Class Lounge for the second time in 3 months on Tuesday. Found it to be poorly staffed, with slow service and mediocre food. After entry at about 4:30 pm, I went to the dining area and waited several minutes for someone to acknowledge me. Then, after being seated, the person brought my drink and forgot about me. About 15 minutes later, another person came by to ask if I needed...
Just visited the OW First Class Lounge for the second time in 3 months on Tuesday. Found it to be poorly staffed, with slow service and mediocre food. After entry at about 4:30 pm, I went to the dining area and waited several minutes for someone to acknowledge me. Then, after being seated, the person brought my drink and forgot about me. About 15 minutes later, another person came by to ask if I needed a refill. I asked if I could order. He verbally acknowledged my order.
15 minutes later I was served an appetizer. Once completed, I waited another 20 minutes while groups of workers, including kitchen staff, chatted all around the dining area (there were only about 5 other customers there at the time). Many looked over at my table and that of others - none made any effort to provide food or at least explain the delay.
I gathered my things and left after telling the "greeter" that it was the worst F--ing lounge experience I have ever had!!
I would have rather gone to a Denny's in Compton! I would have received better service.
Bartender forgot my order. Apologized profusely and brought my order quickly once I reminded him. Otherwise kudos to the drink selection and the quiet atmosphere but nothing special. Maybe better service at the tables.
Is the Qantas first class lounge the one i will use at lax for my first class flight to London LHR on British Airways?
Arrived from Sydney in Economy onward connection to JFK in AA first. As one world Emerald I had no issue with access.
@Lucky
Hi Ben, I booked first class tickets using AA miles to return from Sydney (Qantas SYD-LAX and then American LAX-IAD). For the 3-hour morning layover in LAX, what is the best lounge I'll have access to (with no status) in LAX? The Qantas First Class Lounge, this American Flagship Lounge, or other?
Thanks.
We enjoyed this Qantas lounge last year when flying BA (AA) First Class from Hawaii to LHR. It was a long stopover in LAX but the lounge was everything anyone would need for such a journey. We both used the shower facilities, had some food and drink and relaxed before our flight back to London. All in all, whilst not Cathay Pacific "The Pier" Hong Kong it was nonetheless a pretty decent lounge that added to our overall journey.
A few details from 2 visits in the last few days:
Connected in LAX (AA) to HKG (CX F) in the morning. There is now an airside bus service from T4 to TBIT, same place as the gate 44 shuttle. This is new in the last few weeks and few seem to know it exists. Dropped us off at a distant, unused part of TBIT, but still was easier than doing the TBIT TSA.
Quantas...
A few details from 2 visits in the last few days:
Connected in LAX (AA) to HKG (CX F) in the morning. There is now an airside bus service from T4 to TBIT, same place as the gate 44 shuttle. This is new in the last few weeks and few seem to know it exists. Dropped us off at a distant, unused part of TBIT, but still was easier than doing the TBIT TSA.
Quantas First lounge was very quiet in the morning, salmon and goat cheese omelet was excellent and a couple spicy bloody marys were tasty.
On the return, (CX882 around 1:00pm) TBIT passport que was well past the maze, and long line at the customs checkpoint also. Global Entry saved us 2 hours. We went right back upstairs and did TSA at TBIT to use the Quantas lounge again. No problem (except 25 minutes) getting into TBIT with AA boarding pass for T4.
Afternoon was quiet at Quantas Lounge from 2-5pm. Perhaps 3 or 4 people came and went for the Air France CDG afternoon flight (Sky Team. Why?). A few more on BA to LHR, then only a couple stragglers like us remained. Service was friendly and attentive. They were proactively offering drinks in the lounge areas, and would have brought food to us anywhere in the lounge, though we chose to dine at a regular table (not a low height coffee table). The squid was fantastic and the reuben sandwich very good.
We chose to exit TBIT and walk over to T4 for our connection as we figured TSA precheck would be quicker and easier than seeking out the mysterious airside TBIT/T4 shuttle. It was quick and easy walk and reentry.
Best lounge in the USA. On par with the Wing and the Pier. Easy to forget you're waiting for a flight!
@bluedevil
From what Lucky posted:
"At the entrance we were promptly admitted with my British Airways business class boarding pass, which indicated my oneworld Emerald status. If I weren’t a oneworld Emerald member, we would have have had to use the oneworld Business Class Lounge next door, which is still quite nice for a business class lounge."
Scroll back up for a link to Lucky's review of that lounge, or just click on the link:...
@bluedevil
From what Lucky posted:
"At the entrance we were promptly admitted with my British Airways business class boarding pass, which indicated my oneworld Emerald status. If I weren’t a oneworld Emerald member, we would have have had to use the oneworld Business Class Lounge next door, which is still quite nice for a business class lounge."
Scroll back up for a link to Lucky's review of that lounge, or just click on the link: https://onemileatatime.com/review-oneworld-business-class-lounge-los-angeles-lax/
As Luis said, it all depends on how much time you have going back and forth between terminals.
I was in the lounge last month for a Cathay Pacific flight. It was nicely furnished and you were welcomed in but no one offered drinks etc. I agree natural lighting would help. I did not get a chance to eat there since I wanted to have an appetite for the flight. It was a nice place to wait but I was not overly impressed as it didn't have much character. I haven't been to...
I was in the lounge last month for a Cathay Pacific flight. It was nicely furnished and you were welcomed in but no one offered drinks etc. I agree natural lighting would help. I did not get a chance to eat there since I wanted to have an appetite for the flight. It was a nice place to wait but I was not overly impressed as it didn't have much character. I haven't been to many lounges in the states but Qantas' First lounge in Sydney and Cathay's Pier lounge in Hong Kong are top notch.
" The Qantas Lounge feels a bit more “proper,”... "
Well, it is a First Class Lounge...
My last time in this lounge, the kitchen was having some sort of melt-down and the food took AGES to arrive (like, 45 minutes for entrees). When it finally did come it seemed ok but not up to the standard of the Sydney/Melbourne lounges.
Also the shower attendant was blatantly touting for tips which didn't seem particularly in keeping with the "first class" atmosphere.
@bludevil - AA flies out of Terminal 4, which is different from the International terminal that Ben posted here. There's a pretty nice Oneworld Business Lounge that you can access if you really want, but you'll have to come back out and clear security again to actually catch your flight to SYD.
The only lounge you'll have access to in Terminal 4 is the AA Admirals Club and that's not really worth spending much time in.
@wwk5d Ooops. I'm flying the AA flight both ways, so I will be going LAX-SYD and SYD-LAX. Which lounge will be my best option to spend a few hours in LAX before departing?
Er, typo, not type. Irony is a bitch.
@bluedevil
Considering how the lounge is in LA and your flight originates in Sydney, I don't think accessing this lounge will be an issue for you ;)
Assuming what you wrote was a type and your routing is LAX-SYD in business class, then no, you don't get access unless you are oneworld Emerald level.
I am confused about who has access to this lounge. I will be flying the new AA flight from Sydney to LAX in February in business class. Will I have access to this lounge before my fight?
I loved the lounge but was disappointed with the staff after being denied bringing in a guest when it was clear in their rules that I was allowed one. Lounge wasn't full, staff just wasn't up to date on guest rules. I filed a complaint but nothing came out of it, oh well.
After our appetizers were* cleared