Qantas is using virtual reality (VR) technology to fine-tuning the design details of its new First Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport.
To develop the airline’s new Singapore lounge, which will accommodate about 240 guests, industrial designer David Caon is working with Australian interior design company Akin Atelier.
The new lounge’s features include “premium a la carte dining” with an open kitchen, a cocktail bar and “plenty” of stations for charging electronic devices.
The airline expects construction of the lounge to begin in April, with the facility opening at the end of 2019.
“Being able to immerse ourselves in a virtual lounge gives us a more accurate sense of space and an understanding of how it will look to scale,” said Qantas International CEO, Alison Webster.
“We know Qantas customers like to dine in the lounge to maximise sleep onboard, so the layout will offer generous and comfortable seating options, ideal for eating, working or relaxing.”
Caon has offered a few insights into how the new First Lounge at Changi will be designed, stating that it will feature a neutral colour palette, premium materials and “leafy green highlights”.
“The interiors achieve a synergy with other Qantas First Lounges on the network, using key materials like marble and oak from the Sydney flagship lounge, combined with finishes reflecting the lively culture of Singapore,” said Caon.
“With a continued focus on wellness, we’ll be looking at including the latest advances in light technology, allowing passengers to better synchronise their body clocks with future time zones.”
To get an idea of what the new Changi Lounge may feature, take a look at Business Traveller Asia-Pacific’s recent review of the Qantas First Lounge at Sydney Airport.
[embed]https://www.businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/lounge-review-qantas-first-lounge-sydney/[/embed]Qantas announced its plans to open the new lounge in October last year, which will also be accompanied by an expansion of the airline’s existing Business Lounge by about 60 per cent. Combined, the two lounges would be able to accommodate up to 800 visitors.
Chef Neil Perry, who is behind a number of Qantas’s inflight and lounge menus, will be behind the food and beverage offerings at the new Changi lounge. The a la carte menu will feature Singapore-inspired dishes.
Qantas’s double-decker A380, which features a first class cabin located at the front of the main deck, returned to Singapore last March following the airline’s decision to reroute its previous Sydney-Dubai-London service via the Lion City instead. Qantas is also utilising VR to help with the upgrade of its Airbus A380 cabins.
Business Traveller recently reviewed Qantas’s first class seat and service on board its A380 flying from Sydney to Hong Kong.
