Spotlight: Qantas First Class Lounge At LAX

Today, we step inside the Qantas First Class Lounge at LAX—widely regarded as one of North America’s top-tier First Class lounges. With Qantas bringing the same sophistication found in its Sydney and Melbourne lounges.

Qantas may not be an airline that wins back any affection anytime soon. The lounges are less risky a proposition, simply because you can move onto another lounge if need be! I’ve had the chance to experience this lounge twice recently.

Designed by Marc Newson, with Italian marble floors, plush Hong Kong wool carpeting, and sleek Californian furnishings—does this lounge still live up to its luxurious reputation?

Location & Access

The lounge is located airside of Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at level 5. TBIT is now accessible airside from all other LAX terminals.

There is some walking required post security to get to it. And the lounge, or any others for that matter, are not well signposted.

Once at central area of the terminal past security, look for elevators to go up, you will most likely already be on level 4 so you need to go one floor up..

Judging by this photo you may think you have to go up several times !

You will then go past the more generic Oneworld Lounge, which Qantas Business passengers would be using, just walk straight past that..

You will then find the Qantas First lounge on the left corner.

Lounge Eligibility

• Qantas First customers and their guest.
• Qantas Frequent Flyer members – Platinum One, Platinum members and their guests.
• oneworld® International First customers, Emerald members and their guests.
• Emirates First customers and their guests *
• Guests using status via Alaska Mileage Plan or American AAdvantage must be travelling internationally outside USA/Canada.

* You can invite varying number of guests depending on your Oneworld status, class of travel and specific partners, it appears those travelling Emirates First Class can invite 3 other guests in!

This lounge is open from 6.30am till last Qantas flight, which currently is around midnight !

Qantas First Class Lounge At LAX Spaces

Entering through sliding glass doors that incorporates the classic Qantas hex design, bring you into a rather spacious reception area..

This is a lot of empty space just here with 2 small reception desks.

In it’s entirely it measures over 17,000 square feet – BIG for an airlines outstation First class lounge..

One of the first thing that draws your eye is the plush Tai Ping wool carpets that also features the hex design. It works great to divide up the spaces.

Behind these glass door above, there are two private rooms – that either were just locked or in use when I checked.

Everything else is broadly speaking one open plan room that flows from one space to another, with the main bulk of seating in this centre section with red couch chairs..

On the left side, you have another seating zone over wooded floor. Creating a different feel, this is where most of the natural lights floods in via the sky roof of the terminal itself.

There is also a line of more relaxed loungers against the windows where you can put your put up with a drink or whatever you like to do..

Further in into the main space, leads you onto the dining spaces and formal sit down restaurant. The restaurant itself features a open-style kitchen

In the backdrop of this, you have the large 48-foot long bar with bar staff eager to serve you ! I’m going to use one of Qantas’s own promotional design shots here as it’s so much better than mine..

The entire bar is lined with high stools, so is a perfect place to enjoy your favourite drink and a little chat with the friendly staff.

Even though this lounge in it’s current form was designed 10 years ago, it still feel fresh and modern, if more on the understated side of things..

Some of the furnishings like these velvet chairs, looked brand new and add to the touch of elegance.

Qantas First Class Los Angeles Food + Drink

One of the primary draws of this lounge is it’s infamous a la carte restaurant. Proudly boasting signature dishes by Neil Perry, Qantas’s renowned in-house Chef, you will find Californian inspired seasonal produce has been used to create appealing dishes.

In both my visits this year, it also helped that there was probably more staff in the lounge than there were guests !

Since my visits were only 2 weeks apart in May and June, I had the same menu with the breakfast offering as follows:

I did not have breakfast here, but that is quite the range of choice for Breakfast, you could be truly spoilt here !

For lunch and dinner, the menu was equally extensive…

On my first visit around midday, I only had just over an hour so decided to grab a quick bite at the bar alongside a refreshing cocktail.

Almost by autopilot, I requested the famous Salt & Pepper Squid, which I just can’t get enough of, and have even specially flown out of Heathrow T3 for.

When the barman asked if I wanted anything else after, unsure and indecisive, I wanted his recommendation so I ordered some Tacos!

Now the Salt Pepper Squid was excellent and satisfying as ever, but boy the Taco was a great call. It was by far the best Taco I’ve had anywhere in America, and yes I mean I’ve been to all major cities in Texas and nothing compared.

Fresh, zesty and full of flavour, I was very glad I went with it!

On my second visit before a British Airways flight back to London, I had more time on my hands so opted for the restaurant dining  ( It’s the same food and menu ).

This dining space can seat up to 74 guests at once, it felt much more formal with the waiters starting off with your drink orders and then allow you to order course by course, as you please..

Again, with so many enticing options in the menu, it can take a while to decide what you want ! I  liked the plant focus on the menu, very wholesome !

To start this meal, I ordered the Cauliflower soup with Dukka and parsley oil..

This was light and delicious. For this main, I opted for another Qantas class, the Black Angus minute steak with chips with chipotle butter and lime..

While this may not look like anything fancy, but that steak was absolutely fantastic ! I appreciated the chipotle butter not being entirely submersed into the steak, so you can chose how you like to add it in. It certainly added a kick to the already flavourful meat.

Overall it was rather a rich meal so for dessert, I needed something light. I chose the Rhubarb raspberry rose meringue with pistachio..

It was a perfect end to a great meal!

Champagne + Cocktails

You may have noticed there are no Champagne listed in the menu. The lounge does serve this on-demand and during my visit they had Moet Rose and Taittinger. Perhaps it’s not on the menu as they rotate ?

I’m not a big drinker, but the range of cocktails on offer were also impressive and I particularly liked the Lychee Mojito.

Self Help Refreshments + Treats

Spread across different ends of the lounging areas you will find refreshment stations with self service hot and cold drinks available as well as some light treats..

The choice of wine is also great !

Qantas First Lounge Restrooms + Showers

There is a restroom in the middle of the lounge behind one of the Oak walls.

At the far end of the lounge, you will find a corridor with several others as well as the shower room.

You will find a little reception where they will hand you a shower room key. There are several showers so I did not have to wait.

These shower rooms would be a far cry from the opulence of the likes of Singapore’s Private Room or Oman First Class Lounge, it’s all monotone and industrial vibes here with exposed plumbing..

The rooms are fully stocked with good fluffy towels, slippers, hair dryers and Aurora Spa amenities, which are great products.

Overall Thoughts

This lounge largely delivers on its reputation but didn’t quite feel like a 5-star oasis to me, as was declared by it’s infamous and now disgraced, ex CEO.

Though still stylish, the design is over nine years old. The noise levels were noticeable despite the small number of guests—ranging from as few as 6-7 to no more than 15-20 during my visits.

While the decor and furnishings are high-quality and aesthetically pleasing, there’s no standout ‘wow’ factor. One key feature missing is a view of the runway or airport, which, for me, should form a core part of the airport lounge experience.

Where this lounge truly excels is in its service and à la carte dining. Despite some shortcomings, I’d happily return—especially since American Airlines has yet to reopen Flagship First Dining at LAX.

Amongst Qantas lounges, I prefer the Qantas Lounge in Heathrow over this!