Qantas has signed a new seven-year agreement with Accor to continue management of Qantas lounges in Australia and overseas.

The agreement is an extension of the 14-year partnership with Accor, with their team of hospitality professionals offering Qantas customers world-class service across the airline’s network of domestic and international lounges.

The move comes as Qantas re-opens its First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne as well as its International Lounge in Brisbane, a year after they closed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While normally reserved for Platinum Frequent Flyers, Qantas said the carrier would extend an invitation to Gold and Qantas Club members to visit the First Lounge until the neighbouring Business lounges reopen.

Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, said the renewed agreement highlights the airline’s commitment to maintaining a premium travel experience for its customers across every part of their journey.

“Service remains a top priority in this new travel climate, so we are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with one of the best operators in hospitality,” he said.

“Many of our Frequent Flyers who travel through the lounges every week are like family to the Qantas and Accor team members who take great pride in knowing our customers’ coffee or wine preferences, family members names, birthdays and anniversaries.”

Accor Pacific CEO, Simon McGrath, said the continued partnership between Accor and Qantas would bring significant benefits for customers.

“Customers will enjoy an unrivalled standard of service from our two much-loved brands,” he said. “

In Qantas we have an innovative tourism leader at our side; together we share a commitment to creating exceptional and memorable travel experiences on land and in the air.”

Accor began managing the Qantas lounges in 2007 when the airline opened its flagship International First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, followed by the Domestic Business Lounges, Chairmans Lounges and Qantas Clubs in 2013.

First Lounge customers will be offered an a la carte dining experience designed by Neil Perry featuring some of the most popular menu items from the First Lounge such as salt and pepper squid with green chilli dipping sauce, healthy bircher muesli for breakfast and the signature pavlova, as well as menu highlights from other Qantas lounges.

Joyce said reopening three of its flagship international lounges was a very welcome milestone in the national carrier’s recovery.

“Our lounges are a second home for frequent flyers when they’re on the road and we know their re-opening will be well received,” he said.

“If you’re making a comeback, you should do it in style. That’s why we’ve decided to open our First lounges from the start and invite all eligible travellers to enjoy it until international travel demand increases,” Joyce said.

Qantas has reopened nearly all of its 35 Qantas Club and Business lounges across Australia as well as its Chairmans lounges.

Joyce said Qantas open the remainder of its international lounges in Australia and overseas in line with the broader reopening of international borders and recommencement of Qantas’ international services, anticipated for October 2021.

With Qantas’ lounges in New Zealand currently closed, Joyce said the carrier would also offer Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members access to Air New Zealand lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.