A benefit of holding a Business Class ticket when flying Singapore Airlines is access to KrisFlyer lounges. On my recent trip to Singapore, I took a swing past the KrisFlyer lounge in Brisbane. The lounge is definitely beginning to spring back to life from the past 2-year travel hiatus caused by the pandemic.
Singapore Airlines is one of few airlines to have its own lounges at most Australian international airports, including Brisbane. The SilverKris lounge has a fresh ambience and all the amenities you’d expect. But it is rather small and does fill to capacity quite quickly during peak periods.
Location
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge is located next to the Plaza Premium lounge and Air New Zealand lounges. Turn right after immigration and security and go up the escalators located opposite Gate 82.
At the top of the escalators, you’ll find the Air New Zealand Lounge on your left and the Plaza Premium Lounge on your right. Ignore these and keep walking straight towards the hallway that leads to the SilverKris Lounge and Plaza Premium Wellness Spa.
Lounge layout and seating
A beautiful Signature Screen artwork flanks the entrance to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge. The artwork depicts the colours of the sarong kebaya that the cabin crew wear.
Near the entrance is a small coffee station for the morning bank of flights. There is also additional seating for busier periods throughout the day. You’ll pass the bathrooms and main buffet area before entering the lounge proper.
The lounge is in effect one single rectangular room. As you enter the main seating area, you can’t help but appreciate the natural light that flows from the glass at the far end of the lounge. The lounge overlooks the runway, where I can see my Singapore Airlines A350 getting ready to whisk me away to Singapore.
The main buffet area is located to the right – just before entering the main dining area. Here, you’ll find dining tables designed for groups of two located to your right.
The rest of the lounge is taken up by Singapore Airlines’ latest line of seating, including solo working lounges and booths, along with the centrepiece high-backed chairs that are found in its Sydney First Class Lounge.
Power ports are easily accessible between the consoles for the sofas, and underneath the benches. These are equipped with standard Australian plugs and dual USB outlets.
Food and beverage
The focus is on a variety of smaller finger-food-sized bites, and there are plenty of choices to tempt travellers. There are still some more filling dishes such as fried rice to go with stir-fried garlic greens or vegan curry. BBQ pork buns were also on offer.
The drinks are all self-serve, including coffee. The usual assortment of mid-tier spirits and mixers are available. There is also a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and sparkling.
The beer and cider range was less extensive, with Hahn Corona and James Boags Light on offer.
The non-alcoholic drink selection is extensive and includes a range of soft drinks and mixers, plus a variety of juices, teas and coffee from a machine.
The food options in the SilverKris Lounge are quite good for a buffet. And while the neighbouring Plaza Premium Lounge is currently only offering a buffet option while flights are still picking up, the pre-COVID a la carte menu in that lounge, when it again makes its return, is the superior food option.
So if you also have access to the Plaza Premium Lounge courtesy of such cards as the American Express Platinum Card, then you may wish to start your lounge journey there first. But only when the food offering returns to normal. For now, I’d rate the buffet in the KrisFlyer Lounge above the Plaza Premium Lounge offering.
Lounge amenities
The shower rooms are equipped with everything a traveller needs. After getting a towel pack from reception, you’ll find communal pump dispensers of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.
For light reading, there’s a selection of newspapers and magazines found on a table opposite the food buffet area.
The Wi-Fi in this lounge is usable but not especially fast. It clocks in at 10.0 Mbps download and 6.45 Mbps upload, roughly equivalent to the lowest-available NBN speed tier.
Accessing the Brisbane SilverKris Lounge
- By class of travel: Business Class with Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance partner airlines.
- By frequent flyer status: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS Club or Star Alliance Gold members before a Star Alliance flight. Velocity Gold and Platinum members travelling in any class on Singapore Airlines flights only.
Summing up
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in Brisbane is one of the better ones in its Australian network. I would rate it second after Sydney, but above its counterpart in Melbourne.
As the default lounge for Singapore Airlines passengers, it does get a bit busy just prior to Singapore Airlines flights. But not to the point where you’re struggling for seating.
If you have complimentary access to the neighbouring Plaza Premium Lounge, I would recommend starting there for some freshly-made food off the menu. But only once the a la carte menu returns to that lounge. For now, the battle of the buffets goes to Singapore Airlines.
What was great
- Variety of food at the buffet.
- Modern seating with lots of power points.
- Quieter ambience than other lounges.
What was not great
- The lounge can get a bit crowded during busier times.
Originally written by Evin Tan Khiew.
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