You won’t find Michael Clarke or Mark McInnes hanging out in the regular airport lounges. 

The Virgin Australia Beyond lounge is the newest super-secret ultra-exclusive lounge, carefully hidden in the depths of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane’s international.

But your business or first-class ticket won’t get you entry. To compete with Qantas’ exclusive invite-only Chairman’s Lounge, Virgin’s VIP lounge will only be available to influential members of government, A-listers, high-ranking business leaders and owners, and extremely loyal frequent flyers. 

The airline is tight-lipped about who it will offer the invitation to, but it’s understood that those chosen by Virgin will get a 12-month membership with an option to nominate a plus-one, and memberships are reviewed every year. 

Qantas will not reveal its Chairman Lounge members, but it’s understood that Prime Minister Scott Morrison is part of the super-secret club, as are Labor leader Anthony Albanese, Tanya Plibersek, Linda Burney and Bill Shorten.

So, if the chances of you scoring an invite are low, here’s your peek into some of the most exclusive airport lounges around the world. 

Virgin Beyond Lounge

Where is it? Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Travellers follow an unmarked corridor to a set of electronic glass doors with the word Private stamped across the front. Only those with a personal card can open these doors. 

Once inside, the warm and woody lounge feels elegant and contemporary. The lounge has special privacy pods with built-in charging stations; the bathrooms have private shower facilities, towel service and high-end local amenities by Appelles Apothecary and Lab; and the food is designed around Australian ingredients – a pistachio pavlova is on the menu and you’ll find an Australian cheese platter with Milawa brie. 

Other perks of being in this super-secret club? Members can access a dedicated phone concierge service to assist with booking updates, four complimentary business class upgrades per year, and one complimentary Velocity Gold membership for the primary member’s executive assistant.

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British Airways Concorde Room

Where is it? London’s Heathrow Airport

Adorned with chandeliers and freshly cut flowers, the British Airways Concorde Room had a spruce up before it reopened to travellers last year. The lounge is only available to First and Business class travellers or if you’re a Silver or Gold Member of the British Airways Executive Club. 

As you walk through the plush new seating area, British Airways has given a nod to the Concorde and visitors will find the nose of the plane on the terrace. 

While British Airways has removed the cabanas and the spa, they have been replaced with a new Forty Winks nap lounge equipped with special snoozing pods. 

The lounge has introduced a new range of cocktails designed by Ryan Chetiyawardana, the world-renowned mixologist behind top London bar Dandelyan. The signature cocktail, the Barton, blends Tanqueray gin, elderflower cordial, dandelion and burdock bitters, soda and rosemary – an ode to classic British flavours.  

The menu includes lighter offerings like ham and pea terrine or hot-smoked salmon salad. For something heavier, guests can indulge in a Coney Island hotdog or a mushroom and red wine pie. 

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge

Where is it? Doha

The entrance to the Al Safwa Lounge looks like a museum. In fact, the walls are adorned with Islamic fine art installations and artefacts on loan from the Museum of Islamic Art and the hallways lined with sculptures from local and international artists. The high ceilings, intricate water features and minimalist aesthetic is calming and soothing – and as it’s only available to a limited number of travellers, it’s quiet. 

The dining area can accommodate 200 diners where travellers can choose from an a la carte menu. The restaurant serves Arabic dishes such as chicken machboos alongside more Western dishes like herb-crusted lamb chops. 

Designed to mimic a resort experience, the 10,000-square-metre lounge offers spacious shower and restroom facilities stocked with luxury amenities and fine linen, a garden resort area and quiet rooms for relaxation, as well as a games room and a children’s nursery. 

The lounge is open to Qatar Airways First and Business Class and One World First and Business Class passengers. 

Swiss Air First Class Lounge

Where is it? Zurich

As travellers enter the double sliding doors into the Swiss Air First Class Lounge they see the wall-to-wall wine humidor, which holds 1000 bottles of wine and champagne from around the world. Then straight ahead, you’ll find the specialty champagne bar, which serves the finest bubbles at any time of day. 

The Swiss First Class Lounge is decorated with clean pine tabletops and wall fittings and there are plenty of lounge areas which look out onto the airport’s tarmac so you can watch the planes take off. 

The five-star à la carte restaurant can cater to your every craving any time of the day, or you can enjoy US-style meals and treats in the American Diner.

But what makes the lounge so sumptuous are the two complimentary hotel rooms. They’re available on a first-come-first-served basis, but the lucky travellers will enjoy double beds, en-suite bathrooms and panoramic views of the Alps. 

Emirates First Class Lounge

Where is it? Dubai

It’s the first stop before stepping into your Emirates first or business class suite. Guests who fly in the pointy end of the plane will be escorted to the coveted Emirates First Class Lounge. Since the lounge has reopened, menus are available via QR codes and the staff will bring you fresh-cooked meals, or a glass of bubbles from the impressive Moet & Chandon wall.     

The lounge is equipped with spa-like shower facilities that include towels, luxury toiletries and hairdryers. There is ample seating – whether guests are looking to dine in the restaurant area or find a private nook in the Quiet Room, designed for travellers looking to catch some shut-eye. 

The First Class Lounge also offers 15 minutes of free entry into the day spa, a complimentary shoeshine service, and a private in-lounge duty-free shopping boutique so you don’t have to mix with the hoi polloi at all.