Qantas said today it would introduce new, dedicated domestic Business class lounges at its key business airports – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – by mid-2008.

Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said the new domestic Business lounges would offer a superior range of services to Business class travellers as well as top tier Qantas and oneworld Frequent Flyers.

“They will offer a range of services unmatched by competitors in the domestic market, with a more spacious layout, more private seating arrangements, a wider selection of hot food and enhanced business services such as more private work suites and complimentary wireless internet access,” Mr Borghetti said.

He said Qantas would also create separate conference facilities for business travellers within its domestic terminals in Melbourne and Sydney (T3).

“These new state-of-the-art conference facilities will be purpose built to provide full teleconferencing equipment, digital display and projector equipment and dedicated break-out areas.”

“The facilities will be available to all customers, regardless of class of travel, at very competitive hire rates, with Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer members receiving a significant discount.”

Mr Borghetti said Qantas also planned improvements to its existing domestic Qantas Club network to enable business travellers to maximise use of their time at the airport.

“We have already introduced complimentary wireless internet access, giving customers the flexibility to work wherever they choose within the lounge and are working on integrating the existing work areas into the main area of the lounge. and we also plan to increase the number of PCs available,” he said.

Qantas also today revealed a new look interior for its fleet of B767-300, B737-800 and B737-400 aircraft operating domestic services in Australia and New Zealand, with Mr Borghetti saying a fresh colour scheme had been selected for the domestic fleet – grey and blue for Business and deep purple for Economy – along with new seat fabrics, curtains and carpets, all specially designed for Qantas by Marc Newson.

“Qantas has been working with Marc since he created the award-winning international Skybed sleeper seat in 2003 but this is the first time we have introduced any of his designs to our domestic fleet.”

“Marc has created a contemporary look in keeping with Qantas’ position as Australia’s premium full service airline and new pillows, blankets, headrest covers, and tableware in all cabins will complement the interiors, with extra cushioning in Business seats ensuring the most comfortable flight of any domestic carrier in the world.”

Mr Borghetti said the first of the refitted Qantas’ B767 aircraft was already in the air with the remainder of the fleet to be completed by April 2008 and Qantas’ B737 aircraft to be completed by June 2008.

He said that as a result of listening to customer feedback, Qantas was also continuing to invest in technology to ensure domestic customers spent less time getting through airport formalities leaving them more time to relax or work.

“We are continuing to expand the number of QuickCheck kiosks we offer in domestic airports around Australia, as well as increasingly promoting online and off-site check-in,” he said.

“This month Qantas introduced Qantas Connect, a series of internet workbenches and wireless hotspots in high traffic areas of the airport that allow customers to stay connected for longer when travelling.”

“Qantas is also currently evaluating technology on one its domestic B767 aircraft that allows customers to use their mobile phone or BlackBerry to send and receive SMS and email while inflight.”

Report by The Mole

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