LAX Oneworld Lounge access after Qantas First Lounge closure
The Oneworld Lounge at LAX has expanded its emerald section capacity following the closure of the Qantas First Lounge, offering refreshed amenities across
The Qantas First Lounge closure has temporarily expanded the Oneworld Lounge's emerald section near the bar, increasing seating availability for oneworld members. The lounge, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, operates daily from 6:30 a.m. Until the last Qantas departure, currently at 10:30 p.m. This follows a flood that shuttered the Qantas First Class Lounge, with part of the Oneworld Lounge now serving as a temporary first class and oneworld emerald area.
Lounge capacity and layout
The lounge spans 42,000 square feet and can accommodate 600 passengers. It is intended as the primary business class and oneworld sapphire lounge for travelers departing on oneworld carriers at LAX beyond American Airlines. Evening flights for British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific draw larger crowds, though ample seating reduces the struggle to find a spot. During afternoon visits, occupancy remains manageable. The layout includes recliners, chairs facing one another, a large seating area with tables, a curtained-off overflow room, and a seating area with a fire pit.
The reviewer notes the furniture, which was threadbare and crying out for refurbishment by 2025, has since been gently refurnished and feels much fresher and nicer. Plugs and USB charging ports are plentiful throughout the lounge.
Amenities and services
The lounge features a work area with desks, chairs, and a printing station. It also has 14 shower suites, each with its own toilet. The full-service bar offers soft drinks, juice, water, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and spirits. The barista-run coffee station is supplied by Vittoria Coffee, an Australian brand.
Food options include daily buffets with vegetarian selections and occasional taco carts. The lunch and dinner buffet typically includes salads such as rocket, coleslaw, and green varieties, soup, chicken and chorizo cassoulet, jasmine rice, roasted eggplant, potato cauliflower chickpea curry with coriander, a cheese board with Swiss, pepper jack, and cheddar, and desserts like tiramisu, chocolate brownie, and pecan pie. The reviewer said: "I really like the food and particularly the salads."
Access and conditions
Access is reserved for oneworld sapphire or emerald members traveling on any itinerary, or for international passengers traveling on a same-day oneworld airline from LAX in business or first class. Specific conditions apply for those who earned status via American Airlines or Alaska Airlines; they must be traveling on a flight outside of North America, with Mexico City no longer an exception. Domestic North American flights are excluded from lounge access. Qantas operates the lounge and allows its paid lounge members access when flying on Qantas.
Travelers arriving from Terminal 4 should follow signs past security and the Qantas First Lounge to reach the entrance on level 5. The reviewer states the lounge remains one of their favorite business class lounges in the nation, rating it higher than the Star Alliance Lounge due to barista coffee service and higher perceived quality of food and drink. However, they mention poor cell phone reception in the lounge, at least when they had T-Mobile. The lounge remains open daily until the last Qantas flight at 10:30 p.m., with the temporary emerald section serving as the primary first class and oneworld emerald area.
