The SkyTeam Alliance opened their third co-branded airport lounge at the Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport on March 5, 2015,. to support 80 weekly flights and to consolidate lounge operations in one location for the seven SkyTeam members serving the airport. Before the opening of the Sydney SkyTeam Lounge, all seven SkyTeam members operating at Sydney International were using lounges operated by other airlines from different alliances.
| Skyteam Airline | Previous Lounge |
| China Airlines | Qantas Business Lounge |
| China Eastern | Qantas Business Lounge |
| China Southern | Qantas Business Lounge |
| Delta | Air New Zealand Koru Lounge |
| Garuada Indonesia | Qantas Business Lounge |
| Korean Airlines | Air New Zealand Koru Lounge |
| Vietnam Airlines | Qantas Business Lounge |
The new 8,471 ft2 (784m2) lounge, located in Terminal 1 pier B is open seven days a week from 0600 to 2200. If there is a schedule change, the alliance will be certain to open the lounge 3 hours before the first SkyTeam flight of the day. All SkyTeam First and Business Class passengers are welcome to use the lounge, along with SkyTeam Elite Plus customers traveling in economy class.
This is a huge improvement, as previously, SkyTeam Elite Plus customers traveling in economy were lounge-less in Sydney, as no SkyTeam airline operated a lounge at SYD and instead each airline paid either Qantas or Air New Zealand per passenger who used the lounge. Because of the “pay in” program, the lounges were restricted to premium passengers. I recall traveling from Sydney to Los Angeles on Delta in 2009 and not being able to use a lounge pre-departure, despite my Delta Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus) status.
The new lounge has all the bells and whistles typically found in a lounge but leaves out the more luxurious items such as spa treatments and oxygen bars found at other Skyteam Lounges. A virtual lounge tour is available, along with more photos of the new lounge.
The Sydney SkyTeam Lounge boasts:
- Seating capacity for 140 guests, with electrical outlets available by each seat for more personal comfort and ease while charging personal electronic devices.
- Connectivity & Business amenities, with access to WIFI and business area fully equipped with printing facilities.
- Complimentary refreshments -Champagne and Wine bar carefully selected to meet tastes and choices of the guests. In addition to a wide assortment of different foods and beverages.
- Wellness center including showers and 4 full body massage chair
- Dedicated TV room
- iconic ‘green botanical Wall’ adding a breath of fresh air.
- Tarmac views
The new Sydney lounge will be home for China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines and is the third co-branded lounge after SkyTeam lounges in London Heathrow and Istanbul Ataturk airport.
The lounge will be managed by Plaza Premium Lounge Management on behalf of the Alliance. Most Plaza Premium Lounges are Priority Pass lounges as well, so this could lead to a partnership with Priority Pass. If this materializes, the Skyteam Lounge would be the first Sydney Priority Pass lounge. In addition to this new lounge, the Skyteam alliance is set to open new co-branded lounges in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Dubai by the end of 2015.
