Review : Plaza Premium Lounge Adelaide Airport

Rohit

12/04/2023

International travellers flying out of Adelaide have been without a dedicated lounge for quite some time, that changed recently when Plaza Premium sprung open its doors inviting Business Class passengers from some airlines as well as those with cards that offer access to Plaza Premium Lounges.

I recently flew out of Adelaide and spent some time checking out the new facility.

Access Rules

There are no airline lounges in the International Departures at Adelaide airport, so chances are that most airlines will increasingly send their Business Class passengers and elites to Plaza Premium Lounge, Singapore Airlines already do.

As well as that, if you have a card that allows entry into Plaza Premium Lounge such as The Amex Platinum Card, you can access the facility regardless of which class you are flying. As the proud owner of The Amex Platinum Card, you are also able to bring up to two guests with you into the lounge for no charge.

Get Complimentary entry to Plaza Premium Lounge with Amex Platinum Card

Note that Plaza Premium does not accept Priority Pass, also, the Adelaide lounge has limited opening hours which may fall outside your flight schedule. If that happens to you, you may still be able to access Virgin Australia Lounge or Qantas Club if you hold high enough status with those two airlines, although in that case its important that you leave plenty of time for Immigration and Security clearance.

Lastly, this is also a Pay per Use lounge so if you do not have complimentary entry you can pay to access the lounge. Prices start from $39 per person for up to 3 hours of lounge time.

Location

All departures out of Adelaide Airport are from the common terminal, so at first you got to pass through the same security area as the domestic flights. Luckily, Business & First-Class passengers can beat the queue by taking the priority screening lane.

Premium Security Lane, Adelaide Airport

Once through, turn left and follow the signs directing you to the lounge. Take the escalators down, clear customs and then you will see the Plaza Premium Lounge on the right.

Lounge Signage, Adelaide Airport

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Plaza Premium Lounge Adelaide

As you enter, there is a small reception area on your left. I presented my Singapore Airlines boarding pass to the staff who scanned it and welcomed me in.

Reception, Plaza Premium Lounge Adelaide Airport

Coming further in, there is a small sitting area with padded chairs as well as some individual booths behind it. Then you have the bench style seating on the opposite side, by the wall.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

A few steps down, there is more seating as well as a gorgeous bar with high-top seating to the right.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Sadly, the bar is not fully operational yet as the lounge hasn’t procured the license. For now, it serves tea, coffee as well as all kinds of non-alcoholic beverages. It is understood that Plaza Premium have applied for the license, but there is no indication as to the approval timeline.

From this point, the lounge opens up into one big rectangular hall with end to end seating on both sides.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Although there are no defined seating/dining zones, the space on the left with café style tables and chairs are more conducive to dining.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Meanwhile, the rows of plush leather chairs and window seating overlooking the terminal surrounds, to the right is more suited to relaxing. The floor to ceiling glass windows offer delightful views and let plenty of natural light stream into the lounge.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

The lounge offers DIY style dining with the food and beverages section located right at the end of the hallway on the left.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Breakfast was being served at the time I visited the lounge. I had already had my breakfast at the hotel so I did not partake in the proceedings, but from what I observed the offerings were somewhat superior to what is generally expected from a Pay per Use facility.

There were pastries, cold cuts, all kinds of cereal and yogurt, sliced and whole fruits and a variety of juices. Then you had the typical hot breakfast items such as bacon, eggs, sausage, bakes beans, grilled mushroom etc.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Then on another buffet stand, you had the soft drinks fountain, a pancake maker as well as an average looking coffee machine where patrons can help themselves to their favourite cuppa.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

That said, I also noticed the staff bringing out tea and coffee from behind the bar and serving it to guests on the table. Little things like that can often make a big difference to your overall lounge experience, so that was really good to see.

The lounge offers Male and Female toilets as well as showering facilities which are located nearer to the entrance. Everything looked spick and span but given the limited opening hours, I don’t believe this part of the facility sees much traffic.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

Lastly, if you are travelling for Business, you will appreciate the lounge-wide Wi-Fi as well as numerous power outlets dotted across the facility.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Adelaide Airport

In Conclusion

Travellers flying out of the International Departures at Adelaide Airport once again have access to a dedicated lounge where they can spend some time before jumping on the plane.

As Plaza Premium Lounges go, the Adelaide facility is possibly amongst the best in Australia. It offers loads of space to relax as well as decent food and drinks offering. There’s no tarmac views, but the large glass windows help fill the lounge with lots of natural light which is great. At the time of writing the lounge operates with limited opening hours, however this may expand as travel picks up and more airlines contract the lounge for their elites and Business Class passengers.

If you are planning to take an International flight out of Adelaide, it’s worth setting aside up to an hour to spend at the lounge, so long as the flight schedule aligns with the opening hours of the facility.

Have you visited the Plaza Premium Lounge at Adelaide Airport? Leave a comment below.

Get Free Hilton Gold and Fast Track to Diamond

Get half-price Accor Plus Explorer Membership (Save $200)