Australia’s Regional Airports Step Into a New Era as Qantas Elevates Lounge Comfort Nationwide

Across Australia, a renewed focus on regional travel comfort is being quietly but steadily reshaped as Qantas Airways (QF) advances a comprehensive lounge refurbishment initiative. Regional airports, long viewed primarily as functional transit points, are being repositioned as welcoming spaces that reflect both modern expectations and local identity. Through this program, regional lounges are being transformed into environments that mirror the quality, usability, and visual appeal traditionally associated with major metropolitan hubs in Australia.

The initiative has been positioned as part of a multi-million-dollar customer experience investment, aimed at ensuring that passengers traveling through regional centres are offered the same sense of care and consistency as those passing through Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. By focusing on interior design, technology upgrades, and passenger comfort, a more cohesive national lounge network is being developed.

This transformation is not limited to aesthetics alone. Practical considerations such as productivity, relaxation, and accessibility are being addressed, ensuring that leisure travellers and corporate passengers alike benefit from the changes. As refurbishment works begin across seven domestic locations, a broader narrative is being reinforced: regional aviation in Australia is being treated as an essential pillar of the national network rather than a secondary component.

A Strategic Refresh of Regional Lounge Infrastructure in Australia

A noticeable uplift in airport hospitality across regional Australia is being delivered through the Qantas Regional Lounge Refresh Program. Under this initiative, refurbishment works are being rolled out across seven domestic lounges located in key regional centres.

Passengers travelling through Rockhampton Airport ROK, Gladstone Airport GLT, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport KGI are among the first to experience the transition. These locations, along with Tamworth Airport TMW, Coffs Harbour Airport CFS, Mackay Airport MKY, and Karratha Airport KTA, have been selected to receive comprehensive interior upgrades.

The refurbishment strategy has been designed to modernise the regional lounge network while ensuring alignment with the standards already established in major domestic hubs throughout Australia. By applying a consistent design philosophy while allowing for local character, a balanced and contemporary passenger experience is being achieved.

Design Inspired by Local Australian Landscapes

Each lounge included in the program is undergoing a full interior refresh, with design elements being inspired by the surrounding region. Colour palettes influenced by local landscapes across Australia are being introduced, helping each lounge maintain a distinct sense of place while remaining unmistakably part of the Qantas brand.

Contemporary furniture has been selected to enhance both comfort and usability, with seating layouts being refined to better accommodate different passenger needs. Whether space is required for quiet relaxation or focused work, the redesigned interiors are being structured to offer flexibility.

New flooring and refined interior finishes are also being installed across all seven locations. These updates are contributing to a cleaner, more modern look while improving durability and ease of maintenance, factors that are particularly important in high-traffic regional environments.

Technology Enhancements Supporting Productivity and Convenience

Alongside visual and structural improvements, practical technology upgrades are being integrated into the refreshed lounges. Additional charging points are being installed to support the growing number of personal electronic devices carried by passengers travelling across Australia.

Upgraded display screens are also being introduced, ensuring that flight and travel information is communicated more clearly and efficiently. These enhancements are intended to reduce uncertainty and improve the overall flow of information within the lounge environment.

By addressing both comfort and connectivity, the upgraded lounges are being positioned as spaces that support productivity for corporate travellers while remaining welcoming for leisure passengers.

Managing Temporary Closures Across Regional Australia

To allow refurbishment works to be completed efficiently, temporary lounge closures are being implemented on a staggered basis. This approach has been adopted to minimise network-wide disruption while ensuring that each upgrade is delivered to a consistent standard.

Rockhampton Airport ROK is scheduled for closure from 5 to 18 February, followed by Gladstone Airport GLT from 8 to 26 February. Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport KGI is set to close from 8 to 14 February, with Tamworth Airport TMW affected between 12 and 21 February.

Coffs Harbour Airport CFS is planned for closure from 14 to 24 February, while Mackay Airport MKY will undergo refurbishment from 15 February until 9 March. The final upgrade in this phase is scheduled at Karratha Airport KTA from 8 to 19 March.

During these periods, passengers are being encouraged to plan ahead, with alternative airport amenities remaining accessible throughout the renovation timeline across regional Australia.

Regional Investment Extending Beyond Airport Lounges

The lounge refresh initiative forms part of a broader regional investment strategy being pursued by the Qantas Group across Australia. Beyond airport infrastructure, significant progress is also being made in fleet renewal to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.

As part of this effort, the introduction of 11 Airbus A220 aircraft is underway, with a further 18 aircraft scheduled for future delivery. These aircraft are expected to play a key role in improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing passenger comfort on regional routes throughout Australia.

Additionally, a transition to a single fleet of Dash 8 Q400 turboprops is being implemented. This move is expected to simplify operations, improve reliability, and deliver lower emissions per seat, reinforcing Qantas commitment to sustainable regional aviation.

Strengthening the End-to-End Regional Travel Experience

By aligning lounge upgrades with fleet renewal and operational improvements, a more cohesive end-to-end travel experience is being created for passengers across regional Australia. From airport arrival to onboard comfort, consistency and quality are being prioritised at every stage of the journey.

While short-term inconvenience is being acknowledged due to temporary lounge closures, long-term value is being emphasised. Upgraded facilities are expected to serve regional communities for years to come, supporting both economic activity and passenger satisfaction.

The focus on regional investment reflects a broader understanding that strong domestic connectivity is essential for a country as geographically expansive as Australia.

Bottom Line

A stronger regional footprint is being established as Qantas upgrades seven lounges while simultaneously advancing major investments in fleet renewal and operational reliability across Australia. Although temporary disruptions are being experienced during refurbishment periods, the overall strategy highlights a commitment to delivering a consistent, modern, and competitive travel experience nationwide.

By elevating regional lounges to the standards seen in major hubs, regional passengers are being placed at the centre of the airline’s long-term vision. This approach is reinforcing the importance of regional aviation in Australia, ensuring that comfort, connectivity, and quality are no longer defined by geography.

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