Qantas/OneWorld International Business Class Lounge, Sydney

Location:

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, Terminal 1 upstairs at the Mezzanine above the main shopping area.

Facilities:

If you're flying in business class with Cathay Pacific, you'll have the chance to relax in this spacious, modern lounge beforehand. It's a Qantas owned and operated lounge, used by OneWorld partner airlines, including the award-winning Hong Kong based premium carrier.

One of the main features of the Qantas International Business Lounge, apart from panoramic views of the airport and the distant Sydney city skyline, is awing bar which is actually a couple of them spread throughout the facility with a good selection of sparkling wine on ice, along with three quality white wines and three good reds on offer should you fancy a drink. There's also a staffed bar if you want to order something else, such as a beer or a your favourite G&T.

The food selection is a buffet style and self-service. It begins with breakfast in the morning featuring a decent selection of teas, coffee machines for a coffee or espresso, fresh juices, toast, cereals, cold meats and cheeses. On the morning I was there, prior to a flight to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, scrambled eggs were also available for those who wished for a more hearty breakfast prior to flying. Lunch is more of an antipasto affair, complete with salads and cold meats and other savoury items, and should you be in the lounge for dinner, offerings sometimes include basic pasta dishes and dips.

Wi-Fi access is complimentary throughout the lounge, and there's also a good selection of newspapers and magazines at media hubs, together with flat screen TV's showing Sky News, the ABC, and other news channels, although the sound levels are low or off altogether, and thankfully not intrusive if you're seeking peace and quiet.

Comfortable lounge chairs are also arranged throughout the facility, with tall bar chairs set up at the Wine Bars, and working desks in cubicles available. Basically if you want to sit on your own and have some quiet time you can, and if you want to sit around a table and chat with other travellers with a coffee or a drink, these options are also on offer.

The Lowdown:

Unlike many airline business class lounges, which can seem pretty crowded especially during peak times, the layout of Sydney's Qantas/OneWorld Business Class International Lounge is such that it creates an atmosphere of spaciousness and calm, in spite of how many people are inside.

In fact, the morning I was there was only hours after a terrific storm hit the NSW capital, cancelling flights; although there were probably more people in the lounge than usual for that time of day, there were still plenty of seats on offer and a welcoming vibe. The drinks selection is pretty good, especially where local wines are concerned, and there's also a dedicated barista to order specialty coffees. The food selection changes through the day, offering enough variety to get you through until you get on board the flight.