Etihad Airways’ new premium lounge opens at Melbourne airport

A natural light filled space with floor-to-ceiling glass, it offers expansive views across the runway. At more than 800m2 with seating capacity for up to 133 guests, it is the airline’s largest Premium Lounge outside Abu Dhabi.

A centrepiece of the new lounge is the intimate 26-seat dining area. Here guests will enjoy the airline’s signature hospitality with restaurant-style a la carte dining and an international buffet.

The kitchen prides itself on making everything in-house. Professional chefs prepare each dish on site using the freshest, locally sourced, seasonal produce. This includes bread – fresh-baked twice daily – grissini breadsticks; dips such as hummus, baba ghanoush and muhammara; pickles; labneh; cookies; and even ice-cream.

Cheeses, fruits and vegetables are sourced from Victorian suppliers and coffee is from a Melbourne-based roaster.

Another striking feature is the sculptural showcase bar. Here guests can enjoy a selection of refreshments with names like Flight Path Spritzer, Controlled Airspace, Winglet and Nacelle. Like the food on the lounge menu, these one-of-a-kind, bespoke beverages are all handmade by specially trained mixologists, using syrups and garnishes that are made in-house.

From an interior design perspective, the principles of style, space and serenity are complemented by Etihad Airways’ distinctive ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ branding.  With its geometric patterns and colour palette inspired by the UAE landscape, it is the ultimate expression of 21st century Abu Dhabi modernism.

Custom furnishings – by Boss – offer lounge guests a choice of seating styles, each designed for maximum comfort while dining, working and relaxing.

With the commencement of A380 services from 1 June, guests in The Residence will enjoy the exclusivity of a private lounge – discreetly located adjacent to the main lounge entry.  With custom-made arm chairs upholstered in Poltrona Frau Italian leather, plush soft furnishings, its own restroom and separate entry, The Residence Lounge embodies the bespoke luxury and personalised service that is synonymous with the airline’s most exclusive hospitality experience.

Other amenities in the main lounge include separate male and female restrooms with shower facilities and Scaramouche + Fandago products, dedicated male and female ablution and prayer rooms, a children’s playroom, and a luggage room.

High-speed Wi-Fi connectivity is complimentary and multi-zone electric and USB power outlets are conveniently located throughout the lounge.

Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Marketing, who cut the ceremonial ribbon with Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi at today’s official opening said:

“The new Premium Lounge at Melbourne Airport is in a class of its own – it is the airport lounge as it is commonly known, totally reimagined.

“Blending the best of a fine dining restaurant and a chic city cocktail bar, this lounge is a showcase of intelligent design and sophistication where guests will enjoy the highest levels of comfort and luxury, complemented by our world-class hospitality, culinary innovation and cutting-edge beverage technology.

“At the same time, it has a strong local feel with the freshest produce, cheeses and wines – sourced from growers, makers and suppliers throughout the state of Victoria – offering our guests a tantalising taste of the state’s renowned culinary culture.

“The opening of this remarkable new facility and the launch of our flagship A380 services on 1 June, offer travellers on the Melbourne-Abu Dhabi route our most compelling guest experience proposition ever.”

Guests in The Residence, First Apartments and Business Studios will be invited to visit the lounge pre-flight. Platinum, Gold and Silver members of Etihad Guest and eligible members of Etihad Airways Partners and partner airline loyalty programs will also be able to use the lounge when travelling in Economy Class. Guests must be booked on an Etihad Airways-operated flight on the same day.

Located in Terminal 2 adjacent to gate 10, the lounge will open approximately three hours prior to the departure of Etihad Airways twice daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights.

The new facility adds to the airline’s expanding portfolio of premium lounges in Sydney, Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris, Washington DC and New York. A new First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport and a new First and Business Class Lounge at Los Angeles will follow in the coming months.

Etihad Airways commenced daily flights to Melbourne in March 2009. Today, it operates double daily, non-stop flights to Abu Dhabi and beyond to the GCC, Africa and Europe. It is the only airline offering double daily non-stop flights between Melbourne and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE flag carrier will introduce its flagship Airbus A380 to Melbourne from 1 June 2016 bringing to the route The Residence, the world’s only private three-room cabin on a commercial aircraft.

In addition to double daily services to Melbourne, Etihad Airways operates daily flights to Brisbane and to Perth and 11 weekly services to Sydney. Its equity partner airline, Virgin Australia operates an additional three weekly services between Sydney and Abu Dhabi.

Image: Etihad Airways Twitter page