In an 18 June exclusive, industry site Australian Frequent Flyer revealed that Qantas has abandoned plans to build a dedicated First Lounge at London Heathrow ahead of Project Sunrise. Instead, the airline will refurbish its existing dual-level lounge, carving out a smaller premium-dining enclave for Platinum One and First-Class customers. Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace told media that the carrier had examined “three or four spaces” in Terminal 3 but none justified the investment amid uncertain terminal-allocation changes. The revamped lounge will add shower suites and replicate the Auckland lounge’s à-la-carte dining concept, but business-class and Gold passengers will lose access to table service during the works. Construction is expected to proceed in stages so that the facility can remain partly open, with completion due “by the end of 2026”, shortly before nonstop Sydney-London A350 flights now pencilled for October 2027.
Travellers transiting Heathrow on their way to Australia should also ensure their documentation is in order. VisaHQ’s Australia service (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) streamlines the process of securing Electronic Travel Authorities, transit permits and other visas, freeing corporate travel managers to concentrate on itinerary adjustments while Qantas’s lounge refurbishments are under way.
During closures Qantas will redirect passengers to partner lounges such as Cathay Pacific’s. For corporate travel programmes the announcement means Heathrow capacity constraints will persist through 2027, and high-yield travellers may face reduced lounge amenities during refurbishment. Travel managers should build longer layovers into connection windows and advise executives accustomed to First-Class standards about the interim dining downgrade. The decision underscores the pressure on Qantas capital budgets after Airbus confirmed delays to the A350-1000ULR delivery schedule. Airport stakeholders meanwhile anticipate intensified competition for premium lounge real-estate as other oneworld carriers upgrade facilities ahead of the 2028 slot shuffle.
Travellers transiting Heathrow on their way to Australia should also ensure their documentation is in order. VisaHQ’s Australia service (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) streamlines the process of securing Electronic Travel Authorities, transit permits and other visas, freeing corporate travel managers to concentrate on itinerary adjustments while Qantas’s lounge refurbishments are under way.
During closures Qantas will redirect passengers to partner lounges such as Cathay Pacific’s. For corporate travel programmes the announcement means Heathrow capacity constraints will persist through 2027, and high-yield travellers may face reduced lounge amenities during refurbishment. Travel managers should build longer layovers into connection windows and advise executives accustomed to First-Class standards about the interim dining downgrade. The decision underscores the pressure on Qantas capital budgets after Airbus confirmed delays to the A350-1000ULR delivery schedule. Airport stakeholders meanwhile anticipate intensified competition for premium lounge real-estate as other oneworld carriers upgrade facilities ahead of the 2028 slot shuffle.
