The Qantas Sydney First Lounge reimagines the airport lounge as a place of calm, ceremony and timeless luxury. Designed by Marc Newson, in collaboration with Sébastien Segers and Woods Bagot, the space draws inspiration from the golden era of air travel, translating its glamour and refinement into a contemporary architectural language. Perched above the terminal with sweeping views across runways, city and bay, the lounge establishes a rare sense of elevation and respite within the intensity of international travel.

Spatially, the interior balances openness with intimacy. Sculptural timber elements divide the expansive floor plate into a sequence of softly defined zones for dining, work and quiet repose, allowing guests to inhabit the space at their own pace. These aerodynamically formed structures, crafted in rift‑cut European Oak, echo the curved geometry of the building while introducing warmth, tactility and rhythm throughout the lounge. The timber’s consistent grain and subtle linearity lends material clarity, reinforcing the lounge’s sense of cohesion and craft.

A restrained palette of natural materials further anchors the design. Stone, leather and timber are deployed with precision, creating an atmosphere of understated sophistication that privileges comfort over spectacle. Integrated furniture, bespoke lighting and curated finishes blur the boundaries between architecture, product and interior design, ensuring every element contributes to a seamless and immersive experience.

More than a premium lounge, the Qantas Sydney First Lounge stands as a benchmark for hospitality design; where material selection, spatial strategy and craftsmanship converge to transform transit into an occasion.

Product

Eco Cert European Oak FSC, Rift Cut, Bookmatched

Architect

Sebastian Segers & Woods Bagot

Project

QANTAS First Class Lounge, Sydney International Airport

Photography

Olaf Reuffurth

Design

Marc Newson