Sydney Is About to Sell Lounge Access to Anyone With AU$29

Sydney Airport is adding a new domestic lounge that does not ask for status, a business-class ticket or a membership. Operated by Plaza Premium, the lounge is due to open in Terminal 2 in early December, and travelers can simply pay at the door, with entry starting from AU$29.

Terminal 2 is the home of Jetstar and Virgin Australia domestic flights, which means the space targets passengers who rarely qualify for airline-run lounges. The new room has 113 seats, a modest number for one of Australia’s busiest airports, so how well it copes at peak times will be the thing to watch.

The pay-per-visit model has become familiar in Asia and Europe, where independent operators sell short stays to anyone willing to buy a pass. In Sydney it follows other moves to monetize the airport experience, including a paid option introduced in July to skip the international security queue for AU$20.

Whether AU$29 is good value will depend on what it includes and how long a visit lasts, details travelers should check once the lounge is open. For flyers facing a long delay before a domestic flight, though, a guaranteed seat away from the gate area may be an easy purchase to justify.

Sources: 2PAXfly, 2PAXfly (security queue)