Of the “big three” global airline alliances, I tend to think the most valuable alliance-wide status is oneworld Emerald. The oneworld alliance is the only one with three elite tiers, and oneworld Emerald gives you access to some perks typically associated with first class (unlike oneworld Sapphire, which gets you perks typically associated with business class).
My single favorite thing about oneworld Emerald status is that you get access to oneworld first class lounges, even if you’re traveling in economy. Now, some lounges are excluded from this arrangement, like the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge and British Airways Concorde Room. However, many incredible lounges are eligible, including some of my favorite first class lounges in the world.
In this post I thought it would be fun to share what I consider to be the best oneworld Emerald lounges, roughly ranked in order. Suffice it to say that visiting some of these lounges is almost a rite of passage among oneworld Emeralds.
So below are my favorite oneworld Emerald lounges, and I’m curious to hear how many OMAAT readers have visited all of them. Let’s get into the list, starting with my favorite.
In this post:
Cathay Pacific The Pier First Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong is such an incredible lounge. I pinch myself every time I’m in this lounge as a oneworld Emerald member, because it’s such a nice space.
I love the design of the lounge, the amazing plane views, the a la carte restaurant, the bar with great coffee and cocktails, the private cabanas for relaxing, and even the complimentary massages.
While Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge is also excellent, personally I prefer this lounge, with the exception of the amazing shower suites at The Wing.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney (SYD)
Along with Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge, the Qantas First Lounge Sydney is my other favorite oneworld Emerald lounge.
The lounge has a gorgeous design with amazing apron and runway views, as well as delicious a la carte dining, barista coffee, and even complimentary spa treatments. I could spend hours here and not get bored.
The Qantas First Lounge Melbourne is also excellent, though I’ll only be including one of Qantas’ Australia lounges on the list, since they’re quite similar, and the Sydney lounge does have the edge.
Qantas First Lounge Singapore (SIN)
If there’s one thing that Qantas does a great job with, its the carrier’s oneworld Emerald lounges. They’re not just in Australia, but there are also a couple abroad. I really love the Qantas First Lounge Singapore, which has stunning decor, and almost feels like an exclusive restaurant. The lounge has amazing food, with Qantas classics like the salt & pepper squid, as well as some local specialties, like laksa.
Japan Airlines First Lounge Tokyo (HND)
The Japan Airlines First Lounge Tokyo Haneda is another treat for oneworld Emeralds. The lounge has great views, a variety of sitting areas, some avgeek memorability, a sushi bar, and much more.
Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
In the United States, we’re used to airport lounges with cubed cheese and boxed wine. In that sense, the Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles is a real breath of fresh air, as it’s the best elite lounge in the United States, in my opinion.
Much like the other Qantas First Lounge locations, the lounge is heavily focused on dining, with a restaurant quality selection of food and drinks. What a treat to be able to use this prior to an American Airlines flight!
Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki (HEL)
While Finnair doesn’t have a first class product, the airline has the Finnair Platinum Wing especially for oneworld Emerald members. This has to be one of the coziest lounges out there, as it has lots of comfortable seating, a la carte dining, excellent coffee, and even a sauna! Nothing quite like sauna-ing it up with your fellow oneworld Emeralds, eh?
Cathay Pacific First Lounge London (LHR)
While nothing can compete with Cathay Pacific’s lounge presence in Hong Kong, the carrier also has a great first class lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 3. In addition to having really comfortable seating, the lounge also has a la carte dining, with an impressive food and drink selection.
If you’re flying American out of London and are a oneworld Emerald member, this is so much better than visiting the American International First Lounge.
American & British Airways Soho Lounge New York (JFK)
American & British Airways recently co-located at Terminal 8 at JFK, and we saw the opening of three lounges — the Chelsea Lounge, the Soho Lounge, and the Greenwich Lounge. The Soho Lounge is primarily for oneworld Emerald members, and it’s quite a treat. It has great views, comfortable seating, a solid buffet, and a limited selection of a la carte dining options.
Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
While Malaysia Airlines no longer has first class, the airline does have an exclusive lounge for oneworld Emerald members. To be honest, it’s far from my favorite lounge in the world, but it’s still nice to have a much quieter space than the main lounge. The lounge has plenty of private seating, and otherwise the main point of differentiation is a la carte dining.
Bottom line
I love having oneworld Emerald status, because it provides access to some amazing lounges that you’d otherwise have to be flying first class to visit. There are some incredible oneworld Emerald lounges out there, and now that the world has fully reopened, it’s once again practical to visit most of these lounges.
To oneworld Emeralds, which lounge is your favorite? How many of the above have you visited?
Oneworld and all the different tiers and lounges that claims to be under umbrella of oneworld , but it is not with so many exceptions that look very descrimatory again paid customers of certain airline ( not blaming the airlines , but their customers are the victims like Sri Lanka airline )
...SRI Lanka airline are accepting tiers from others airline while their customers are left with no access to other airline lounges ??
Oneworld and all the different tiers and lounges that claims to be under umbrella of oneworld , but it is not with so many exceptions that look very descrimatory again paid customers of certain airline ( not blaming the airlines , but their customers are the victims like Sri Lanka airline )
SRI Lanka airline are accepting tiers from others airline while their customers are left with no access to other airline lounges ??
Oneworld has long way to mandate tiers fairness and access to all lounges or take them out of your umbrella of oneworld or provide them with voucher access paid by oneworld ..
Please bloggers and writers
Put your self in others travelers shoes and tiers holders and be fair in your article..
Post COVID the QF SYD lounge has introduced some draconian rules around the serving of alcohol which represent a significant downgrade. It went from one of my favourite lounges to a bit of a disappointment.
The server told us they had an 'incident' where they got somebody too drunk, so now:
- they no longer make any cocktails that are not on the menu (c.5 strange options available, 2 of which are premixed out...
Post COVID the QF SYD lounge has introduced some draconian rules around the serving of alcohol which represent a significant downgrade. It went from one of my favourite lounges to a bit of a disappointment.
The server told us they had an 'incident' where they got somebody too drunk, so now:
- they no longer make any cocktails that are not on the menu (c.5 strange options available, 2 of which are premixed out of a can)
- they have a rule against any drink that is a 'mix of two alcoholic drinks' in the lounge (my partner mixed my champagne her aperol on the rocks, as that was all they would serve, to make a spritz and the drink was promptly taken off her)
- you cannot order a new drink from a server if you already have a drink (even if almost finished, unless they take it off you before they take your order).
We were there a few days ago and found it a very unpleasant with the rules not explained but militantly enforced. And no we are not big drinkers (we were there with our 10 month old child), but a nice cocktail in the lounge is a favourite way to relax at the airport. A real shame.
yeah - I learned that today as well when I tried to order an espresso martini at the Qantas First lounge at LAX. The bartender ended up freestyling a drink for me that only had one type of liquor but it was delicious.
I wonder how messy that "incident person" must have been.. on the flip side, Aussies do love rules :D (and that is coming from a German haha)
Love these suggestions thanks Ben.
As a newbie Emerald what’s the process to access these lounges, do I simply show my card that shows Emerald, or do I have to add my AA number which is how I have Emerald status to the booking no matter what carrier I’m flying?
Depends on the Lounge Dragons.
These days, the Emerald printed on your boarding pass is usually enough.
Bugger, I am going through HKG tomorrow, July 16 so will miss the grand re-opening of the Pier First. So I guess the The Wing First will have to do.
Eh, Soho lounge is not that great. Surprised it’s on a “best of” anything list. Terrible sink design.
In the bathroom? That’s true. Soap dispenser and water dispenser seems backwards. Nice large showers though.
I otherwise find it a great lounge, with surprisingly great staff…assuming it’s AA personnel.
If you want to know the worst one in my opinion, it's the BA one in terminal 5.
The BA F lounge in T5 at Heathrow deserves it just for the fact that it's got the private security checkpoint and the Million Pound Hallway for those originating in London.
This article is absolutely spot-on. With my One World Emeral Status carefully tucked under my arm I have ventured into most of these Lounges in the article. Qantas First in Sydney would be my top Lounge worldwide, not only for the fine cuisine and ambience but because of the excellent staff who somehow always seem to remember me. Cathay's Pier is also superb. Finnair's Helsinki Lounge, I would say, used to be better, especially when...
This article is absolutely spot-on. With my One World Emeral Status carefully tucked under my arm I have ventured into most of these Lounges in the article. Qantas First in Sydney would be my top Lounge worldwide, not only for the fine cuisine and ambience but because of the excellent staff who somehow always seem to remember me. Cathay's Pier is also superb. Finnair's Helsinki Lounge, I would say, used to be better, especially when it allowed access to an incredible spa. Compared to Star Alliance Lounges One World Emerald is considerably a better deal. Only big disappointment is lack of access to Qatar Airways top Lounge in Doha, and actually throughout their network.
One World Emerald cannot be compared with Star Alliance because the highest tier is only Gold. Although some Star Alliance carriers may have lounges above Gold equivalent, it is only accessible to its own highest tier members. That said, Star Alliance is therefore the weaker of the two as far as reciprocal lounge access is concerned.
Although I would say the Qantas First lounge in Singapore has an edge over Sydney with the food. The chilli-prawn Wonton for instance are so addictive. I don't know how crack feels, but I imagine its like eating those wontons :D
Why is there a picture of an MEA plane?
I would say that that is the view from the Cathay Lounge at Heathrow.
The Pier First is my favorite lounge, I always spend hours there whenever I'm flying out of HKG. I'm all about the food and champagne and this lounge delivers both with flying colors. Qantas First Lounge in LAX is nice but not my top choice. Excited to visit the CX First Lounge in LHR later this year, I've heard great things about it.
Qatar? In lounge now and it's spectacular
Have been in many of the others but this is the best by far
The Qatar lounges available to Oneworld Emeralds are weak. The excellent Al Mourjon and Al Safwa lounges are not available to Emeralds as a perk, as they can only access when flying in biz or first, respectively.
Hi there! I agree with your list, and can't think of any others that come to mind. I suppose a few things:
1) the QF First lounge carpeting used in all of their lounges is quite honestly ugly. Otherwise they are excellent with great service on top of it. SYD tops MEL only because of its expansive views, though otherwise have the same design/services as you say. At LAX, I actually prefer AA's Flagship to...
Hi there! I agree with your list, and can't think of any others that come to mind. I suppose a few things:
1) the QF First lounge carpeting used in all of their lounges is quite honestly ugly. Otherwise they are excellent with great service on top of it. SYD tops MEL only because of its expansive views, though otherwise have the same design/services as you say. At LAX, I actually prefer AA's Flagship to QF's First, as QF's feels too sterile and zero views.
2) love JL's NRT First in the pier (as opposed to the main terminal area), a it's always SO quiet, peaceful and has great views. They don't have the freshly made sushi as they offer in the main F lounge, but it has all of the other offerings, and the extra quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the pier F lounge makes it better to me.
...and after wracking my brain, I still can't think of any other oneworld F lounges worthy of your list!!
Qantas LAX - thumbs down. Industrial ambiance.
Completely agree!!!
Managed to visit everything except the Qantas Melbourne lounge, have plans for that next month however!
I’m surprised neither JAL lounge made the list, especially the Haneda one. The Narita lounge also looks ages better after its recent refresh
@ Willem -- Shame on me, I knew I was missing a great one! Updating post shortly to add the JAL HND lounge, thanks!
Re: JAL HND lounge - I love sitting in the Red Suite drinking a glass of champagne with my feet up on an ottoman. Great way to chill out.
Ben - have you ever ranked the best "credit card" lounges? I am thinking about lounges accessible by a credit card (airline, bank, whatever) and accessible for both domestic and international flights. I would include United, American, Delta and Alaska clubs, Centurion Lounges, Capital One clubs, Chase Clubs, Priority Pass Lounges, The Club, etc...
@ Anthony -- That's a great idea, thanks! Let me see what I can come up with.
Nothing in Doha Ben?
@ dn10 -- Nope! Those with oneworld Emerald are sent to the carrier's elite lounges, which are less nice than the carrier's business class lounges, so I don't think Qatar Airways deserves a spot on the list. By the way, I'll be reviewing those elite lounges shortly, so stay tuned.