Etihad opens new premium lounge at Melbourne International Airport

The Etihad Premium Lounge at Melbourne International Airport.

How do you create a space worthy of a city renowned for its dining, bars and hospitality? Match it on all fronts – and then some. That's how Etihad Airways has approached its "totally reimagined" Premium Lounge at Melbourne International Airport, making its offering an extension of the sophisticated city's own.


The natural light filled 800-square-metre space with floor-to-ceiling glass and expansive views across the runway has seating capacity for up to 133 guests, the airline's largest Premium Lounge outside Abu Dhabi.

At the heart of the facility is an "intimate' 26-seat dining area offering a la carte menus as well as an international buffet. 

In a nod to Melbourne and Victoria's top restaurants such as Attica and Brae, there is an emphasis here on making everything in-house using produce from Victorian suppliers. This includes bread – baked twice daily –  dips such as hummus, baba ghanoush and muhammara. Even pickles and ice cream are created in the lounge kitchen, while coffee is sourced from a Victorian roaster.

For those after something a little stronger, Etihad employed the services of drinks consultancy company, Fluid Movement to create a remarkable menu for imbibement at the lounge's new sculptural bar feature.

Victorian wines, more than 70 premium spirits, Champagne and aperitifs accompany a huge range of cocktails with flight and travel-themed names using syrups and garnishes such as candy floss and dehydrated rhubarb that are also made in-house. 

There's a thoughtful range of mocktails to cater for the UAE airline's compatriot travellers.  
With the commencement of A380 services June 1, The Residence guests will have access to a private lounge with custom furnishings, its own restroom and separate entry.

Other amenities in the main lounge include prayer rooms, a children's playroom, and a luggage room, high-speed Wi-Fi and lots of power outlets throughout. 

The lounge is open to guests in The Residence, First Apartments and Business Studios, as well as Platinum, Gold and Silver members of Etihad Guest and eligible members of Etihad Airways Partners. Located in Terminal 2 adjacent to gate 10, the lounge will open approximately three hours prior to the departure of Etihad Airways' twice daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights.

The new facility adds to the airline's expanding portfolio of premium lounges in Sydney, Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris, Washington DC and New York. A new First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport and a new First and Business Class Lounge at Los Angeles will open soon.