• Qantas-Emirates-A380-Sydney-Stunt-Getty
    Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SYD/YSSY
    Country:
    Australia
    CEO:
    Geoff Culbert
    Passenger Count :
    44,446,838 (2019)
    Runways :
    07/25 - 2,530m (8,300ft) | 16L/34R - 2,438m (8,000ft) | 16R/34L - 3,962m (13,000ft)
    Terminals:
    Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3

With passenger demand rapidly returning to pre-pandemic levels, premium lounges around the world are reopening, often with fresh designs and upgraded amenities. Yesterday airline alliance SkyTeam unveiled its new look premium lounge at Australia's gateway airport in Sydney.

Australia's aviation recovery has been swift, with domestic travel now more than 90% of pre-COVID levels. International has lagged, mainly due to travel restrictions, but is now steadily climbing and is 60% of 2019 levels. Located airside in the International Terminal of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), SkyTeam's revamped lounge caters to its Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers traveling with a partner airline on the day. Currently, that includes eligible passengers on China Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Air.

Relaxation in a sustainable way

Sky Team Sydney Airport redesigned premium lounge
Sky Team has redesigned its premium Sydney Airport lounge as a bright, airy oasis for long-haul passengers. Photo: Sky Team

The Sydney SkyTeam lounge has been completely redesigned, strongly focusing on sustainability, well-being and passenger amenity. It is a calming space, with an abundance of greenery, natural timber and soft hues, making it ideal for relaxing before a long-haul flight, be that across the Pacific Ocean or up to Asia and beyond. The lounge offers 149 seats and ottomans to enjoy the floor-to-ceiling views of the main runway, which are upholstered using GREENGUARD-certified material to reduce landfill waste. For those not yet ready to put their feet up, there is a dedicated business area for those last-minute emails and catch-ups before boarding.

SkyTeam has 18 member airlines giving its passengers access to vast networks and seamless connections from Sydney to all parts of the globe. Apart from the six airlines currently serving Sydney, some other alliance members include Air France, China Eastern Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Saudia, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico and ITA Airways. The sustainability focus in Sydney is not new, as the SkyTeam lounge at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) won the 2021 YVR Green Excellence Award for its environmental contributions.

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Some of the steps taken in Sydney include eliminating single-use items such as straws and stirrers, installing water-saving cisterns and shower heads, and energy-saving movement sensors. It uses locally and sustainably sourced produce to reduce food miles, with procedures in place to minimize food waste. An in-house chef with a live-cooking station offers à la carte meals, with a self-service buffet also available. SkyTeam's chief experience officer Christian Oberlé said the new lounge is a great way to welcome back international travelers back to Sydney because it:

"not only cares for them today but helps look after tomorrow's travelers. It's exciting to unveil a fresh look for SkyTeam Lounges that embodies our alliance's commitment to greater sustainability on the ground and in the air."

Welcome to the Santiago Sky Team Lounge

Sky Team Santiago Airport (SCL) Lounge
Photo: Sky Team

SkyTeam opened its latest branded lounge in May at Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL). The new lounge is on the first floor of Terminal 2, looking out across the Andes, and is designed to pay homage to the country's cultural heritage. Part of that local experience comes with the food available in the lounge, including a selection of freshly prepared empanadas. The five SkyTeam airlines operating at the airport are Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The lounge is open from three hours before the first flight until the last SkyTeam flight of the day departs.