Catalina Lounge
The Darwin Airport Catalina Lounge International, often operating as the Darwin Qantas Transit Lounge, is in Qantas colours when Qantas uses it as the new 'pop up' international lounge at Darwin Airport for passengers in transit on the QF1/QF2 Kangaroo Route flights to & from London to Sydney.
There is a fully staffed bar, and catering.
The airline has revealed it will take over Darwin Airport's Catalina Lounge for the next six months, during which time the top-end city will stand in for both Singapore and Perth as the stopover on these direct Boeing 787 flights between Australia and the UK.
Catalina Lounge review
The Darwin Qantas international Transit Lounge is in effect the usual Darwin Catalina Lounge, in the international part of the terminal, but with some temporary branding to mark it as Qantas.
Once off the QF1 or QF2, depending on which direction you travel, Business Class passengers and those others eligible, are waved to the left of the terminal, and then past the giant banner, proclaiming the flights from Darwin direct to London, before queuing to have credentials checked twice before being allowed entry to the small Qantas Darwin pop up lounge. Of course, in normal times, when operating in Catalina lounge mode, you are just checked on entry to the lounge.
A smallish lounge, there are only seats for around 100 passengers, and a staff of five to look after you in the hour and a half you have in Darwin. There is one large room, and then a smaller room at the far end, with a view out of the window and over the runway.
Beside the entrance there is a staffed bar, and next to this the food service area, where you can see the food being served for you, and order from the menu on top of the fridge.
Right beside the bar there is a high white table, and this area can get quite lively at times. In the middle of the lounge there is a long lower table, and a round conference table. A bench seat for 2+2 with tables is on the right, and at the far end there is a kind of desk area with power sockets. However, most people gravitate to the far area of the lounge, where there is at least a view, even if not much of a view.
Bathrooms are behind the bar, with a couple of showers.
The air conditioning in the lounge keeps it quite comfortable, despite the heat of Darwin.
As you enter, you are also offered a signature welcome mocktail dubbed 'Top End Lemonade': in effect lemon and lime juice. That, and the welcoming atmosphere, is very refreshing.
Food
The food is surprising good, considering the short stop over time.
There is typically a soup, which comes with hot rolls and butter. Hot rolls with chicken and salad, plus hot meat pies, are also on offer. There is also a salad, which can be very good, crudites with dips, and biscuits, brownies or fruit salad for desert.
All the food is served for you, and as the lounge opens there is often a large queue snaking through the lounge: this quickly reduces, so the best food ordering time is about 20 minutes after the Qantas flights arrive.
Bar
The bar is quite remarkably good, considering the short opening time of the lounge, however you have to ask at the bar for all drinks.There are usually a couple of good whites, a sparkling wine, and a red in the fridge behind the bar.
Also on offer is 5 seeds cider, Boags, 50 lashes, and Hanh beer, plus Heineken and Iron Jack.
Spirits include the usual gin (Beefeater) vodka, and Jack Daniels.
Business Facilities
There is just one small desk areas, with no PCs, however it has a couple of power sockets.Bathrooms
There are five cubicles, all unisex, in the corridor behind the bar. Two of the cubicals have showers, however the lounge has now towels or other amenitites.Access
When operating as the Darwin Qantas pop up lounge, there is access to Qantas Business class passengers, Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members, and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members. However, at busy times, Qantas lounge invites are rarely accepted.Video: Catalina Lounge
View photos of Catalina Lounge
Darwin Airport Guide
| Catalina Lounge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating |
Video walkthrough and Image gallery by Loungeindex.com
| |
| Pros | Nice bar Showers Serviced food |
|
| Cons | Quite small Little outside view |
|
| Location | Airside, international gate | |
| Opening hours | 1130-1400 2130-2300 | |
| Lounge for: | Qantas | |
| Access | Qantas Business Class, Platinum, Gold, and Frequent Flyer | |