SYDNEY- Qantas Airways (QF) has officially cancelled plans for a dedicated First Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), ending a project first announced in 2023 as part of the airline’s premium lounge expansion strategy.
The airline could not secure suitable terminal space after years of searching. Instead, Qantas Airways will upgrade its existing lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), adding seating and a dedicated dining space for oneworld First Class passengers and oneworld Emerald members ahead of future Project Sunrise operations from Sydney Airport (SYD).
Qantas Abandons Heathrow First Lounge Project
In early 2023, Qantas (QF) announced plans to open a dedicated First Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) by late 2025.
The project formed part of a broader investment in the airline’s premium ground experience and was widely viewed as one of the most significant elements of that strategy.
The proposed lounge was intended to provide a more exclusive option for oneworld First Class passengers and oneworld Emerald members.
Currently, Qantas operates a single lounge at Heathrow that serves First Class passengers, Business Class passengers, oneworld Emerald members, and oneworld Sapphire members.
Unlike the existing facility, the planned First Lounge would have operated as a completely separate space, creating additional premium capacity at one of the airline’s most important international gateways.
Had the project moved forward, London would have become the fifth location with a dedicated Qantas First Lounge, joining Sydney Airport (SYD), Melbourne Airport (MEL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
As reported by OMAAT, Qantas has abandoned the project after failing to secure suitable space within Heathrow Terminal 3.
The airline stated that it spent several years searching for an appropriate location but was ultimately unable to find space capable of supporting the proposed lounge concept.
As a result, the project will not proceed despite being publicly promoted for more than two years.
Securing premium real estate remains difficult at Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest and most space-constrained international hubs.
Questions Raised By Earlier Promises
The decision has attracted attention because of the level of detail Qantas previously provided about the proposed facility.
When announcing the project, the airline stated that the lounge was expected to offer direct access to boarding gates, expansive airfield views, wellness-focused facilities, and an elevated dining experience.
Those details created the impression that a specific location or development plan had already been identified. The direct boarding access claim drew particular interest because Heathrow Terminal 3 offers very limited opportunities for such a feature.
The Emirates Lounge is currently the only lounge in the terminal that offers direct boarding access from the lounge itself. That capability required significant airport coordination and infrastructure planning, and no other airline in the terminal has replicated it.
As a result, some industry observers questioned how such specific features were promoted before suitable space had been secured.
Connection To Project Sunrise
The Heathrow First Lounge was expected to play an important role in Qantas’ broader premium travel strategy surrounding Project Sunrise.
Project Sunrise will introduce nonstop flights between Sydney Airport (SYD) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), creating one of the world’s longest commercial air routes. These services are expected to feature a new First Class suite designed specifically for ultra-long-haul travel.
Qantas currently operates flights between Perth Airport (PER) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) using Boeing 787 aircraft.
The airline also serves London from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) using Airbus A380 aircraft. Both routes are expected to remain part of the airline’s network after Project Sunrise services begin.
Existing Heathrow Lounge
Although the standalone First Lounge has been cancelled, Qantas plans to invest in its existing Heathrow Terminal 3 lounge.
The renovation will focus on increasing capacity and improving the experience for premium travelers, with the airline expecting to add between 40 and 60 additional seats through a series of internal modifications.
Part of this expansion will involve reducing the footprint of the downstairs bar area, which currently occupies a significant amount of space.
Changes will also be made to the staircase and other sections of the lounge to create a more efficient layout. The project aims to accommodate growing passenger demand without physically expanding the lounge footprint.
New First Lounge
One of the most notable improvements will be the introduction of a dedicated dining section within the existing lounge.
Access to this area will follow the same eligibility criteria associated with a Qantas First Lounge, making it available to oneworld First Class passengers and oneworld Emerald members.
The concept is based on a similar premium dining offering introduced at the recently refreshed Qantas Lounge at Auckland Airport (AKL).
The current Heathrow lounge already includes a dining area on its lower level that is accessible to all lounge guests and offers a more limited menu.
Qantas has not confirmed whether both dining concepts will operate together or whether the existing arrangement will be replaced, though the lower-level option appears most likely to be cut.
Work on the renovation is expected to begin within the next 6 months, with completion targeted for late 2027. The timeline broadly aligns with the anticipated launch of Project Sunrise services.
Premium Oneworld Travelers
Despite the cancellation, Heathrow Terminal 3 continues to offer one of the strongest premium lounge selections within the oneworld alliance network.
In addition to the Qantas Lounge, eligible travelers can access the Cathay Pacific Business Lounge and Cathay Pacific First Lounge, both of which are highly regarded among frequent international travelers.
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