Today Air New Zealand unveiled their remodeled International Lounge at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport, after a lengthy eleven-month closure during which passengers were accommodated in a temporary location. The lounge opens to the public tomorrow, May 9th.
The Air New Zealand lounge at Melbourne airport builds upon the success of the Sydney location
The new Air New Zealand International Lounge at Melbourne airport, conceived by Californian firm Gensler in partnership with design firm Marsen Collective, follows the design language premiered at the airline’s flagship Sydney International Lounge two years ago.
The complete makeover is part the airline’s ambitious NZ $100 million program to renovate lounges worldwide. New and renovated locations include the widely acclaimed Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles airport (designed and operated by Air New Zealand), the Air New Zealand International Lounge at Brisbane airport, opened in March 2016, the Auckland lounge, as well as several Regional Lounges including Auckland and Nadi.
While the Melbourne lounge is still located on the ground floor in the international terminal, its footprint has grown by 50%, and the club benefits from natural light, as well as views on the tarmac. The space sports a resolutely contemporary décor, walls of flat screens displaying vibrant nature scenery, sharp lines and colors, and modern furniture.
Enhanced amenities at the Air New Zealand Melbourne lounge
The Air New Zealand International Lounge features various zones catering to both work and relaxation.
The main seating area is outfitted with side tables and power and USB ports at every seat. Some seats also come with wireless charging for compatible mobile phones. Seating options include traditional lounge chairs, benches, conversation nooks, and communal tables ideal for laptop users.
In the dining area is large buffet with a variety of hot and cold dishes, two beverage stations, as well as a barista station. Patrons in a rush may order their favorite beverage directly from the Air New Zealand mobile app—even before their arrival at the lounge—and be notified when it’s ready for pickup.
Highlights of Air New Zealand’s Sydney lounge omitted from the Melbourne location are the “food theater” featuring live cooking and cooked-to-order dishes, as well as the cocktail bar.
For a more secluded experience, patrons will find a quiet zone where exquisitely modern dividers and mood lighting enhance privacy.
Other amenities include gorgeous black and white shower suites come complete with towels and bath amenities in wall-mounted dispensers; a colorful kids’ zone modelled after a Kiwi tree house; fast Wi-Fi throughout; and a selection of newspapers and magazines.
Bottom line
The new Air New Zealand Lounge at Melbourne airport significantly raises the bar for Star Alliance passengers. The nearby Singapore Airlines Lounge delivers on all the basics with a hot buffet, a comfortable seating area, and a single shower room, but is completely devoid of daylight, and gets occasionally crowded at peak times.
With seating for 250 customers, Air New Zealand’s new lounge can easily serve club members and Star Alliance’s growing traffic. Virgin Australia Gold, Platinum and The Club members departing on trans-Tasman flights operated by Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia also receive access, and will benefit from a vastly upgraded experience.
Next on Air New Zealand’s roadmap is a new lounge at Perth airport, where the airline’s passengers currently use the Singapore Airlines Lounge. The new location is scheduled to open by the end of the year.
Photos courtesy of Air New Zealand
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