Review: Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne Airport

Rohit

24/09/2022

I recently flew Thai Airways from Melbourne to Bangkok. Before I jumped on the plane, I spent some time checking out the Air New Zealand Lounge.

Location

Air New Zealand Lounge is located in Terminal 2 (T2) of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Unlike places such as Sydney and Brisbane where Domestic & International Terminals are a fair distance apart, Melbourne makes it really convenient for domestic travellers flying in from various cities and connecting on International flights.

On this day, I arrived from Sydney on a Virgin Australia flight landing at Terminal 3, from here it took me less than 10 minutes to walk across to T2 to connect to my Thai Airways flight. Once you clear customs & meander through the duty-free shops, look for signs directing you to the Airline Lounges like you see below.

Lounge Signage – Melbourne Airport

Besides Air New Zealand, Melbourne’s T2 is also home to fellow Star Alliance Member Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge as well as many others. If you are into lounge-hopping, you will be pleased to know that most of these lounges are bunched together in close proximity.

To get to the Air New Zealand lounge, hop on the escalator or take the lift down 2 levels. On the way, you will go past American Express and SilverKris Lounge. Another level down and you will find yourself gazing at the partially frosted door, ie, the entry to the Air New Zealand lounge.

Escalator down to Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

First Impressions

As you come in, there is a small reception area to the right. I presented my Thai Airways boarding pass alongside Star Alliance Gold Membership Card to the staff. After a quick scan of the boarding pass, I was welcomed in by the staff.

I took a few steps towards the main section of the lounge before stopping and standing still, taking it all in. This was a gorgeous facility, open, spacious and beautifully appointed.

Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

The lounge offers multiple seating areas scattered throughout the facility. Most of these have a combination of pink swivel chairs and single-seater leather chairs. The leather chairs are laid out in pairs, some facing, others backing-on to each other.

Seating, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Further in, and nearer to where the showers are located, there is a beautifully appointed section, perfect if you want to slap the headphones and zone out. While most of the lounge is fairly open, this area offers some level of separation, thanks to the blinds that drop-down form the ceiling and create a sense of partition.

Seating, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

A small book stand featuring Air New Zealand magazines is located in the centre of the lounge. Adjacent to this, there is another area with more seating.

Book Stand, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Seating, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Lastly, the back of the lounge features yet more seating. The floor to ceiling windows let-in oodles of natural light, with patrons rewarded with gorgeous views of airport tarmac and parked planes.

Seating, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Food & Beverages

I arrived at the lounge at about 8:00 am in the morning when breakfast was being served. A large buffet station was decked out with all kinds of breakfast goodies.

Breakfast Buffet, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

It was pretty standard stuff. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Breakfast, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Hot and cold beverages were stationed in a narrow galley, a few paces up from the main buffet. There were a couple of DIY coffee machines, a soda fountain, selection of pre-made juices as well as some self-serve alcoholic drinks, the beers were in the coolers underneath.

Hot & Cold Drinks Station, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Coffee Machine, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Alcoholic & Non Alcoholic Drinks, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

If are one of those hard-nosed, tough-to-impress coffee connoisseurs you are not forgotten. Back near the book stand, there is another staffed coffee station where the in-house barista ferociously whips out cups of the good stuff.

Coffee Station, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Whether its the lattes, chai-tea or the humble flat white you covet, you can have it to your hearts content. I took the opportunity to indulge and ordered a strong cappuccino 😉

Cappuccino, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Other Amenities

For travellers about to jump-on or coming off the plane after a long-haul flight, the lounge offers shower facilities to freshen-up. There are half a dozen shower suites located towards back-right of the lounge.

Showers, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Shower Suites, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

Having flown in from Sydney and with a fairly shortish transit time, I did not get a chance to make use of the facility, but it looked well maintained and in pristine condition.

Shower Suite, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

There is a small kids playing area located in a corner overlooking the tarmac. It only had few basic toys but offers clear open space for children to run around and burn some energy.

Play Area, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

If you travelling on work or business, there is lounge-wide fast and free Wi-Fi. Power outlets and charging ports are found throughout the facility, including at the side of the tables in formal sitting areas.

Power Outlet, Air New Zealand Lounge – Melbourne Airport

In Conclusion

Air New Zealand Lounge at Melbourne Airport is the perfect place to stop-by before a flight. It offers numerous seating options over wide open spaces, more than acceptable catering, shower facilities and gorgeous views across airport tarmac.

I have a feeling it tends to fly under the radar a bit, specially with all the publicity neighbouring Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris lounge garners. It is possibly for this reason that of all the times I have visited Air New Zealand lounges in Sydney & Melbourne, I have never really found them to be overly busy.

While Singapore Airlines also offer a pleasant enough lounge experience, I would personally stick with Air New Zealand lounges where they are available.

Have you visited Air New Zealand Lounge at Melbourne Airport? Leave a comment below.

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