Qantas First Class Lounge LAX

The Qantas First Class Lounge LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) had been on my radar for quite some time, and finally, Mrs. The Points Engineer and I had the opportunity to experience its renowned hospitality. 

Our journey began with a fairly long trek from terminal 6 to Tom Bradley International Airport terminal where the lounge is located. On one hand, the lounge left quite an impression, offering a taste of luxury and premium service, but on the other hand, some aspects of the experience were, unfortunately, a bit disappointing. Keep reading to find out more.

Checking-In:

As a oneworld Emerald flying on Alaska Airlines flight 1330 to Costa Rica, I have access to the lounge and could even bring in a guest, but it took the 2 front desk attendants on duty a couple of minutes to figure things out. Nevertheless, the lounge staff greeted us with warmth and professionalism, immediately making us feel at home.

Entry to the Qantas First Class Lounge at LAX is automatically extended to travelers flying in Qantas First Class. Additionally, Qantas’ top-tier frequent flyers, oneworld Emerald members, and specific first-class passengers from partner airlines within the Qantas network are also granted access to this lounge.

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The lounge is a spacious area that has been thoughtfully divided into distinct zones. The initial portion of the lounge is dedicated to relaxation and unwinding, while the latter part is designed for dining and enjoying meals. Upon entering the lounge, you’ll find numerous red seats arranged in pairs, facing one another, with table in-between them. 

Additionally, you will come across cream-colored leather seats and red chairs with ottomans, all positioned to face the concourse.

There are extra black and gray chairs along with accompanying tables in another designated areas, ensuring guest comfort and convenience.

Dining Areas:

The Qantas First Class Lounge at LAX offers an exceptional dining experience that truly stands out. The lounge creates an ambiance of sophistication and luxury, resembling a high-end restaurant rather than a typical airport lounge. Instead of the usual buffet-style service found in many lounges, guests have the option to order a-la-carte from a menu that caters to a wide range of tastes.

Read More: THE EMIRATES FIRST CLASS LOUNGE DUBAI

 

Food & Beverage:

One standout feature of the lounge is its open-plan kitchen, overlooking the 74-seat a la carte restaurant. Here, guests can savor table service from “Neil Perry’s exclusive Los Angeles restaurant,” adding to the distinctive charm of the lounge.

We kicked off our beverage experience with a delightful drinks order. I opted for the “Garden Goddess,” a concoction of freshly squeezed berries, cucumber, and apple, while Mrs. The Points Engineer chose the “Autumn Cooler.” Both options were truly refreshing, but I have to say, the Autumn Cooler stood out as my personal favorite.

The lounge’s culinary journey began on a high note with the “Salt and pepper squid with green chili dipping sauce and aioli” as our appetizers. Something which Mrs. The Points Engineer confirmed to be exceptionally delicious. We also tried the fried chicken wings with buttermilk dressing, but, in my opinion, could use a bit more flavor. And fresh fruits for our infant.

Before diving into our main courses, I decided to switch things up and requested the “Moroccan Mint Green Tea.” It turned out to be a refreshing palate cleanser. Interestingly, the Qantas First Class Lounge LAX serves Dilmah teas which is the same brand serves at the Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (post covid).

For our main courses, I ordered the “Black Angus minute steak with chips, chipotle butter, and lime.” While the steak was good, it didn’t quite reach the level of greatness I had anticipated. On the other hand though, Mrs. The Points Engineer’s choice of “Croque monsieur with keg ham and Gruyère” was nothing short of amazing, according to her.

Read More: LUFTHANSA FIRST CLASS LOUNGE JFK

 

With an hour left to savor this first-class experience, we decided to explore the menu further and sampled the “Seared striped bass with herb salad.” Although the sea bass didn’t quite meet our expectations, I must commend the restaurant team for their efficiency in delivering the dishes in a timely manner and for their overall attentive service.

No meal is complete without a sweet finish, right? For dessert, I ordered the “Ice Cream sundae with toasted almonds and blueberries.” To complement this indulgence, I paired it with yet another round of the delightful “Moroccan Mint Green Tea.” The dessert was very satisfying I must say.

Another thing I commend the Qantas First Class Lounge LAX for was the availability of kid’s menu. This is not something you see at many other first class lounges.

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Within the lounge, there’s a striking 48-foot-long marble bar that showcases an impressive selection of top-shelf liquors, Australian wines, French champagne, and a variety of other beverages.

 

Other Amenities:

Towards the center of the lounge, you’ll find self-serve coffee machine, an assortment of teas, cookies, and bottles of wine, providing additional options for guests to enjoy.

A collection of reading materials is tastefully displayed on a bookshelf. However, these materials appear to serve more as decorative pieces than actual reading materials.

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During our visit, all the shower rooms were occupied, and the lounge had implemented a waiting list with wait times of up to an hour. Unfortunately, the restrooms at the lounge also left something to be desired and didn’t appear to receive regular attention, resulting in a rather disappointing experience. The condition of certain toilets didn’t match the lounge’s luxurious reputation, underscoring the need for improvement in this area.

My Verdict:

To sum it up, the Qantas First Class Lounge LAX offered a memorable beginning to our journey to Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines. Having the privilege of accessing this lounge through my oneworld Emerald benefits was an added bonus. The lounge’s refined ambiance and exceptional culinary options were unquestionably the highlights, and not overshadowed by the disappointing state of the restrooms.

While the overall experience was largely impressive, there is potential for improvement in certain areas. Nonetheless, the lounge managed to provide a glimpse of luxury and comfort, that most other airport lounges in North America lacks.