The Qantas International First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is widely regarded as one of the finest lounges in North America. With à la carte dining, a sprawling bar, and a wide variety of comfortable seating options, it’s a great spot to visit before a flight.
Prior to a Qantas First Class flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne, I had the chance to spend the better part of a day in the lounge.
As I found out, it’s a lounge that’s entirely deserving of an early arrival, and one that I hope to return to soon.
Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles – Access & Entry
The Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles is located in Tom Bradley International Terminal.
After passing through security, keep an eye out for signage pointing out the various lounges in the terminal. Then, you can head up an elevator or escalator to access the fifth floor, where the lounges are located.
It’s worth noting that the lounge is accessible airside from other terminals at LAX. Therefore, even if you’re leaving from another terminal, you can still make time to visit the lounge without having to pass through security again.
The Qantas International First Lounge at LAX is open daily from 6:30am until the departure of the last Qantas flight each day.
This time, I enjoyed access with a departing Qantas First Class ticket, which I booked using American Airlines AAdvantage miles. You can also access this lounge on a same-day departing Oneworld First Class flight, and also with an Emirates First Class ticket.
Eligible ticketholders can bring with them one guest, who must be departing on a same-day Oneworld or Emirates flight.
Access is also granted to members of Qantas Frequent Flyer at the Platinum One and Platinum levels travelling in any class of service, who can also bring one guest.
Additionally, access is available to Oneworld Emerald members, who are also allowed to bring one accompanying guest.
The entrance to the Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles is marked by sliding glass doors with intricate white and honeycomb patterns that partially reveal the interior.
Inside, the Qantas logo is prominently displayed against a backdrop of marble, juxtaposed with the warmth of a wooden accent wall.
The reception area, which features a clean, minimalist design, has two marble reception desks with wooden tops placed on either side of the entrance, ready to serve arriving guests. Behind the desks, the wall is clad in wood, with a warm light strip running along the top, casting a soft glow.
I approached the reception, and with a quick scan of my boarding pass, I was warmly welcomed into the lounge.
Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles – Seating
The Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles is a generously sized rectangular space, spanning over 17,000 square feet. It offers functional seating arrangements, and can comfortably accommodate over 200 people.
The lounge gives off a modern, stylish, and somewhat futuristic vibe. The honeycomb pattern is dominant throughout the space, extending from the flooring to wall embellishments.
In the front half of the lounge, you’ll find an array of comfortable armchairs and seating designed for relaxation. Towards the back part of the lounge, there’s an inviting arrangement of tables and chairs specifically set up for dining.
Near the entrance is a small sitting area. The space is furnished with groups of four plush black leather armchairs, accompanied by chic tulip-style chairs.
Here, frosted glass doors discreetly shield two exclusive rooms, each outfitted with a desk and seating for four. These spaces aren’t openly available to passengers, and are presumably designated for VIP use.
Both rooms were occupied during my visit.
Along the wall, you’ll find a self-serve automatic coffee maker and a selection of candy and biscuits in jars. Keep in mind that there’s a full barista station at the bar, so if you’re looking for a nicer cup of coffee, be sure to head there instead.
Immediately after entry, a row of single seats with ottomans faces the windows, offering a view of the interior atrium. Unfortunately, the lounge doesn’t have any outdoor views, so you’re stuck with looking at the atrium or the security area from another part of the lounge.
On the other hand, these chairs are notably comfortable, and are perfect if you’re looking for a spot to relax and kick your feet up.
Just behind the seats overlooking the atrium is a strip of cream sofas and single chairs, which runs the length of the primary seating area on the left-hand side of the main hallway.
At the end of this section, there’s a self-serve beverage station with a nice selection of wines.
To the right of the main hallway, a spacious seating area equipped with bright red seats facing each other is present, with a honeycomb-patterned carpet underneath. The seats are setup in clusters of two or four.
Along the wall, you’ll find another self-serve beverage and snack station, as well as a door that leads to a handful of restrooms.
Between the main section of the lounge and the dining area, there’s an arrangement of circular seats with glass tables nearby. The view from this part of the lounge overlooks the security and check-in area.
Lastly, there’s a row of cream seats facing each other along the wall in the dining area.
Prior to my flight, I spent about seven hours in the lounge, and made use of each of the seating areas. I got some work done, made a few phone calls, relaxed, and enjoyed a glass of Champagne.
While I don’t usually find lounge furniture to be particularly intriguing, I was pleasantly surprised to find all seating options to be noticeably comfortable and well-designed. Plus, during such an extended visit, I appreciated having multiple seating options available in the lounge.
On the other hand, power outlets weren’t available in abundance, which could be a downside if you’re looking for a charge when the lounge is full. In the absence of a dedicated seating area for working, I’d suggest saddling up at the bar or close to the windows for the most ergonomic choices.
It’s also worth noting that the cream-coloured sofas and chairs were showing some signs of wear; however, the rest of the seating was in good shape, and felt to be of a higher quality than most seating you might encounter in lounges.
Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles – Dining
The dining area boasts a wide number of tables for groups of four and pairs, with the capacity to seat over 70 guests at a time.
One section of the lounge is reserved for Qantas Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge members. These tables are denoted with “Reserved” signs; however, the menu is the same for everyone.
The paper menu, which rotates seasonally, presented an excellent selection of tempting dishes during my stay. During my visit in December 2023, the winter all-day dining menu read as follows:
Upon taking a seat, I was offered a choice of Taittinger or G.H. Mumm Champagne.
After giving the menu a read while I sipped on some bubbles, I opted for the salt and pepper squid – a hallmark of the Qantas International First Lounge experience – as well as the baja prawn tacos.
The green chili dipping sauce complemented the crispy squid nicely, and the smokey pineapple salsa in the prawn tacos added an elevated touch.
For the main course, I chose the Black Angus minute steak with chipotle butter and chips, as well as a wild rocket and parmesan salad on the side.
Unfortunately, the steak wasn’t as memorable as I’d hoped it to be, as I found it to be a bit tough. Still, it was quite tasty and indulgent with the chipotle butter, and the rocket salad provided a nice, peppery complement to the meal.
For dessert, I opted to try the apple butter cake with yogurt ganoche and blueberries, as well as the seasonal fruit plate.
The apple fruit cake was fantastic, with the creamy ganoche pairing nicely with the sweetness from the apples.
Overall, I was quite pleased with the dining experience in the lounge, even though the steak fell a bit short, in my opinion.
During the afternoon and early evening, the lounge was very quiet; however, it was bustling in the hours leading up to the Qantas departures. Service remained consistent throughout, and the area felt appropriately staffed for how busy it was.
Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles – Bar
The expansive bar counter runs along the back edge of the dining area. With a stunning undulating form and smooth marble finish, it adds an upscale, sophisticated edge to the lounge.
Around 10 high-top seats run along the edge, and no fewer than three bartenders were available to whip up drinks and cocktails for guests.
The backdrop showcases a visually striking honeycomb feature wall, playfully adorned with an eclectic array of bottles and glassware, adding to the lounge’s stylish allure.
If you’re in search of a nice hit of coffee, the bar features an espresso machine.
I enjoyed watching and listening to the bartenders skillfully preparing cocktails for guests throughout my stay. With a long flight ahead of me, I mostly stuck to non-alcoholic beverages, aside from a glass or two of Champagne.
Prior to heading to the gate, I spent some time at the bar and enjoyed another round of salt and pepper squid and chatted with the bartenders.
At this point, it was into the latter part of the evening, and both the dining area and bar were quite busy. Still, the bartenders managed to check on everyone with great frequency, and I found the service to be great.
Qantas International First Lounge Los Angeles – Other Facilities
In addition to its dining and seating areas, the lounge boasts elegantly designed shower rooms equipped with high-quality amenities.
At the shower check-in area, additional amenities are available, and you can also request an ironing service.
These facilities are located at the back of the lounge, to the left of the dining area, and down a short hallway. Each spacious room features a shower, sink, and toilet.
It’s worth noting that the showers are popular in the latter part of the day when the lounge is at its busiest. However, the staff efficiently manages the demand through an organized waitlist system.
Adjacent to the main lounge area, and between the dining area and the showers, you’ll find several gender-neutral restrooms. Each offers complete privacy, a thoughtful and inclusive design aspect.
Another delightful find in the lounge are the print books – a nice touch for those who prefer physical reading material over digital.
Conclusion
Overall, my experience in the Qantas First Class Lounge was exceptionally comfortable and quite satisfying.
In particular, I appreciated the thoughtfully designed seating areas and the attentive service from staff. It’s not often that lounge seats are memorable in a good way, and it’s great to see high-end furniture available in a proper First Class lounge.
When it comes to dining, I found most of the dishes to be delicious, and certainly of a restaurant calibre. Based on many other reports, main courses are typically well-executed, so perhaps the experience with my steak was atypical.
The Qantas International First Lounge in Los Angeles is certainly well above the typical standard for North American lounges. Given its rather generous access policy and airside accessibility from other terminals, it’s certainly worth going out of your way to visit if you’re eligible for entry.
This story originally appeared on princeoftravel
