A Rare Look Inside The Qantas Chairman’s Lounge In Brisbane

by Zac George
a room with chairs and tables

In Australia, both of our major airlines have a VIP membership, Qantas have ‘Chairman’s Lounge’ while Virgin Australia has the ‘Club.’ Both memberships cannot be earned by flying and members are usually high profile politicians, celebrities, and very big spenders. What’s included with the membership is kept very secret. In this post, I’ll be giving a photo tour of one of the oldest Chairman’s Lounges which is located in Brisbane. Each membership has a private lounge which can only be accessed by a cardholder and their guests if they’re taking any.

The lounge isn’t actually attached to the Qantas Club and Business Lounge, It’s located about 30 meters away in a small nook. Most would probably miss it walking past.

a glass doors in a room

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The lounge has a lot of dark wood finishes making the overall feel quite dark. The lounge doesn’t have any natural light as it looks out over the check-in desks of the airport.

a closet with a mirror and a shelf

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

As you walk in, there’s a small station which has some hot tea and different types of candy.

a table with jars of candy and a teapot

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The lounge was pretty empty with only 3 members using it at the time I was there. Right at the back of the lounge is a lounge area with a TV.

a room with a television and couches

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

 

a couch and two chairs in a room

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

Just in front of that is more seating space. I was told It’s pretty rare for it to fill to capacity as there are not too many people that hold the membership.

a room with chairs and tables

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

Like what you’d find in the Business lounges and Qantas clubs, there’s a few Imac’s and printers available for use.

a room with desks and computers

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

As you can see, in terms of seating, there’s not too much difference to other Qantas lounges.

a room with chairs and tables

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

All of the wall seats also have phones available.

a telephone on a table next to a couch

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The facility is quite small but doesn’t feel cramped. As I mentioned, with only 3 people in there, it was very relaxing and peacefull.

a room with chairs and tables

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The food and drink section is in some ways very similar to the Business lounge buffet’s but there are a few noticable differences.

a refridgerator in a restaurant

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

All of the wines in the lounge are self-serve.

a group of bottles in a sink

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

As well as the liqor. I would have thought they could of had more of an ‘exclusive’ range of beverages but I can’t drink so I don’t know the differences in quality ‘yet’ 😉

a group of bottles of alcohol

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

As with all lounges, it has the set menu explaining what’s available at the buffet.

a menu on a clip

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The self-serve fridge is pretty standard with juice, water, soft drinks and beer.

a refrigerator with drinks and beverages

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The Chairmans’ lounges also have quite a number of resemblences with the First lounges. For instance, the T2 collection.

a shelf with fruit and vegetables on it

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The snack jars are pretty similar to what you’d find in other lounges Qantas have.

a group of jars of cookies and candy

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

They also stock the Four Pillars gin which is found in the First lounges.

a hand holding a bottle of alcohol

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

As you can see, the lounge is on the smaller side but it’s always kept quiet.

a room with a table and chairs

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

Also next to the buffet are the dining tables, this is where the lounge feels very similar to the First lounges.

a table with food on it

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

The lounge has two dining tables. There are also waitresses that can serve you dishes from another menu. Some of the dishes are very famous and well known in the First lounges.

a table and chairs in a room

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

 

a table with food and glasses on it

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

I had to have the famous salt and pepper squid!

a plate of fried food with sauces on a place mat

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

 

a room with tables and chairs

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

If you’re interested to know if the bathrooms are any different, they’re not. They also have only 1 shower suite.

a white sink on a white counter

Brisbane Chairman’s Lounge

Overall, the lounge doesn’t have a big ‘wow’ factor but that’s for a reason. The majority of guests using the lounge just quickly stop in and leave for their flights. Many won’t want to stay for hours on end.

 

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6 comments

DS WP June 9, 2017 - 9:42 pm

I guess what everyone wants to know is how did you gain access to it and where are you jetting off to next

Zac George June 9, 2017 - 10:10 pm

I’m currently in Sydney for Sunrise tomorrow morning 😉

Nick June 10, 2017 - 7:26 pm

I’ve been inside the Sydney and Canberra Chairmans lounges. Brisbane lounge looks average compared to them but rumour is that the Brisbane CL will be replaced in the near future. Of course the Chairmans Lounge is not just about the lounges, its members enjoy privileges such as highest priority for upgrades and waiting lists. When I flew with a Chairmans Lounge member, in December last year, I got stuck in Canberra due to thunderstorms in Sydney and several flights being cancelled except the very last flight out. I am certain they kicked other passengers off just to ensure we could get home that evening.

Zac George June 12, 2017 - 6:39 am

Nick – you’re correct the new CL in BNE is currently being constructed.

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