The Air New Zealand Lounge at Sydney International Airport is located in the International Terminal (T1) on Level 3. As one of only two Star Alliance lounges at the airport, it’s the primary lounge used by most premium passengers. Access is available to Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers, as well as First and Business Class passengers travelling with any Star Alliance airline. On this occasion, our Marketing Manager, Blake, was flying Business Class with Air Canada to Vancouver and had the opportunity to enjoy the lounge before his flight.

Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge Location

The Air New Zealand Lounge is located in the International Terminal on Level 3, right at the far end of Pier C, and conveniently close to my gate, which was Gate 56. Once you’re through passport control and security, it was a fairly long walk but it was enjoyable as you pass all of the duty-free and luxury shops along the way.

Sydney Airport has just two Star Alliance lounges – Air New Zealand and Thai Airways. Most passengers are directed to the Air NZ lounge as it’s the larger and more accommodating space. The Thai lounge is apparently smaller and more intimate, probably a good option if you’re looking for a quiet spot to work. But for most Business and First Class passengers flying Star Alliance, the Air NZ lounge is the main go-to.

Air New Zealand Lounge Layout and Design

When I walked in, the space felt light, bright, and modern, thanks mostly to the big floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tarmac. I always enjoy lounges where you can see the planes come and go. It’s a relaxing way to pass time before a flight, and this lounge has that view in spades.

The seating is well-zoned depending on how you want to use the space. There’s a mix of café-style tables and bar seating near the food, and softer booths and lounge chairs closer to the windows. It all feels well thought out, and there were plenty of power points dotted around, handy for topping up devices before boarding.

Visually, the lounge has a clean, modern look with white surfaces, black furniture, and pops of Air New Zealand’s signature purple/fuchsia colour throughout. It's stylish without trying too hard.

Staff were attentive and constantly moving through the lounge, clearing tables and keeping everything tidy. I didn’t see any dirty plates left lying around, and the food and drink stations were consistently well stocked. Overall, the place was very clean and well-maintained, which always makes a difference in how relaxed you feel before a flight.

Dining and Beverages

As my flight was in the morning, the lounge was offering breakfast service, and overall, it was pretty solid. There was a DIY granola and yogurt station with heaps of toppings like seeds, fruit compotes, and nuts, which I really liked. There were also chia puddings, bircher muesli, and pre-made cereal cups available in the fridge.

The hot food options were a bit limited, to be honest, just scrambled eggs, sausages, a tomato and bean mix, and steamed vegetables. I was hoping for a bit more variety there. They had a pancake machine and a toast station, plus a live cooking setup where a chef was doing eggs your way, which is always a good addition.

For drinks, there was a decent range. The full-service bar wasn’t running that early in the day, but I imagine it gets going later on. The barista-made coffee was a highlight - I grabbed an almond milk latte, and it was great to see alternative milks available. There were also two self-serve drink stations with filtered water, juices, tea, and an automatic coffee machine (though this only had full cream milk). Self-service fridges nearby were well stocked with beer, champagne, and wine, even in the morning.

Air New Leand Business Class Lounge Facilities

One of the most impressive features of this lounge is definitely the shower facilities. There are six or seven large private shower suites, each with a shower, toilet, sink, towels, and even a makeup bench. These were huge – honestly, you could fit a whole family in one and still have room. I didn’t see any booking system – it seemed to be first come, first served – but at 7:30am they were mostly empty. I imagine in the evenings they’d get a lot more use.

There’s also a kids’ area in a glass-enclosed room, which I thought was a clever way to contain the noise. There were toys, a TV, and plenty of colour to keep little ones entertained. Right next to it was a small seating zone for parents, so they can relax and still keep an eye on things.

Another great touch was the quiet corner tucked away at the far end of the lounge. It had booth seating and high-backed chairs, and felt much more private. I used that area to get a bit of work done (and film a few videos), and it was easily my favourite spot in the lounge. Of course, there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the space, and it was easy to connect and reliable during my visit.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the Air New Zealand/Star Alliance Lounge in Sydney is a great space to spend time before an international flight. It’s modern, well-equipped, and can handle a decent volume of people without feeling too cramped, though I can imagine it getting busy during peak periods.
The barista coffee, generous seating zones, and huge shower suites all stood out to me. It’s not the most luxurious lounge I’ve ever been in, but it does everything you need it to do - and does it well. I’d definitely be happy to return next time I’m flying out of Sydney on a Star Alliance airline.

If you're keen on booking an Air New Zealand flight or want to know whether you can visit this lounge on your next trip- talk to an airfare specialist here.