In this Cairns Airport lounges guide, we will overview every single lounge available to passengers at the airport – from airline and alliance lounges to independent paid-entry lounges.
Cairns Airport (IATA code: CNS, ICAO: YBCS) is the primary international gateway to Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Located just 7km north of Cairns CBD, it serves as a key hub for mainly domestic flights and a few international flights around the region.
Cairns recently completed a A$55m international terminal upgrade.
Cairns Airport Lounges – Quick Summary
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The access rules for each Cairns lounge is explained. Lounges are marked by airline/alliance or whether entry is possible by payment, via the Priority Pass or DragonPass annual lounge access programs or directly by American Express Platinum or Centurion cards.
Cairns Airport Lounges
- Qantas Club Cairns (Domestic)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic) – opens early 2027
Qantas Club Cairns
ONEWORLD – Qantas has a spacious Qantas Club at Cairns airport serving domestic passengers.The Cairns Qantas Club offers the following facilities: comfy lounge seating, cafe-style seating with tables, buffet area with light bites, barista coffee, children’s play area, charging points, showers and free WiFi. Large windows offer superb views of the runway and the forested area around the airport.
Access is granted to the following passengers:
- Business Class passengers flying Qantas or QantasLink
- Those connecting to same-day international services in Business or First on Qantas/Emirates/Oneworld
- Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold/Platinum/Platinum One/Chairman’s Lounge members or Qantas Club members flying on Qantas, QantasLink or Jetstar.
- Oneworld Emerald/Sapphire flying Qantas or QantasLink.
- Emirates Skyward Gold/Platinum/iO flying Qantas or QantasLink
- Air New Zealand Airpoints Elite/Gold flying Air New Zealand.
- Alaska Lounge members and Alaska MVP Gold/Gold 75K members or those with access to American Airlines Admirals Club flying Qantas or QantasLink.
The Qantas Club is located on the second level, accessible via escalators.
For aviation enthusiasts there is an Aviation Pioneers Display near the Qantas Club entrance.
It is open 1 hour before first Qantas departure until last departure.
Plaza Premium Lounge Cairns (Domestic)
PAIDPRIORITY PASSDRAGONPASSAMEX – Plaza Premium is set to open a domestic lounge at Cairns in early 2027. The lounge will be located in the space vacated by Virgin Australia in 2020.Expect the lounge to have seating for 180-200 guests with bar-buffet facilities, free WiFi and ample charging points. Large windows will offer natural light and good runway/apron views.
Here is a render from Plaza Premium of the new lounge:
Entry prices will be given when lounge access goes on sale.
Access should also available to Priority Pass/DragonPass holders and American Express Platuinum/Centurion cardholders.
It is likely that Plaza Premium will also open an international Cairns lounge in 2027 – given that the Escape Lounge at Cairns closed in July 2026 – located between gate 2 and 3 at the International Terminal T1 which was the former Reef Lounge and before that the Qantas Club.
Cairns Airport Lounges Summary
Cairns Airport Lounges By Numbers: 1 Cairns airport lounge 1 airside lounge 1 airline lounge 0 DragonPass lounges 0 Priority Pass lounges 0 open access lounges
See here for official maps of the Cairns airport terminals.
Which Cairns airport lounges can be accessed with Priority Pass?
None currently – however the Plaza Premium domestic lounge is opening in early 2027 and should allow access.
Purchase a Priority Pass membership at a 10%-30% discount here
Which Cairns airport lounges can be accessed with DragonPass?
None currently – likewise, the Plaza Premium domestic lounge (open early 2027) should allow access.
Is there an American Express Lounge at Cairns airport?
There are no American Express lounges at Cairns Airport. In Australia you will only find Amex Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne.
American Express Platinum cardholders will get direct access to the Plaza Premium lounge when open in 2027.
Also see our series on Australian airport lounges:
Adelaide Airport Lounges: The Complete Guide
Brisbane Airport Lounges: The Complete Guide
Perth Airport Lounges: The Complete Guide
Melbourne Airport Lounges: The Complete Guide
Sydney Airport Lounges: The Complete Guide
- Last checked/updated 3 November 2026.
- First published in 2025.
- Links at AirTravelGenius.com may pay an affiliate commission. Lounge opening times can change, always check with the operator.
