Sydney International Airport is pretty good, as airports go. But no matter how good an airport it is, sometimes you want to get away from the hard plastic seats in Departures and the South American backpackers screaming at one another in Portuguese over missed flights.
Enter, for the lucky ones, the Qantas Club. Given that Qantas is our national airline, and Sydney international our biggest airport, it makes sense that this is the flagship Qantas Club - it's certainly the best I've been fortunate enough to visit.
Complimentary food and drink suited to all tastebuds certainly take the sting out of the eight-hour stopover or nine pm departure, and ensure that you don't spend your life savings in the expansive food court. The food is generally pretty good, and changes according to the time of day - but if it feels like breakfast to you because of the time difference with Peru, you can always request some bacon and eggs or toasted museli. The free wifi and computers provide a great Facebook check-in opportunity, while the various international magazines and newspapers provide a more low-tech way of passing time before your connection to Melbourne. The on-site showers are an absolute godsend - enough said.
For all these positives, however, there are some negatives - you need to be with someone with a Qantas Club Membership and guest pass to get it. Unconditionally; there is absolutely no bending of the rules on that one. Also, the type of people that have Membership cards are the type that travel on business frequently - and thus have no issue in SHOUTING down their phones at all hours to Hong Kong. There's a real attitude in the Club, that's for sure. But hey - for free food and a shower after a 20 hour flight, I can probably deal with that! read more