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Here’s What Travellers Need to Know
If you are flying into or out of Auckland International Airport in the next year or two, there is some genuinely exciting news worth knowing about before you go. Air New Zealand has announced a full rebuild of its international Koru Lounge, and the transformation is significant.
Construction is already underway, and the finished product is expected to be complete by the end of 2027.
Photo Credits: Air New Zealand
The current Koru Lounge at Auckland has long been a popular pre-departure destination, but at peak times it can feel stretched. Air New Zealand has acknowledged this directly, noting that the rebuild was shaped by customer feedback about capacity and comfort. The response is bold: two completely new lounges that together nearly double the existing space.
The first of the two is the Koru Premier Lounge, reserved exclusively for Business Premier customers and top-tier Koru members, including Koru Platinum and Koru Black. The second is the expanded Koru Lounge, which will serve a broader range of eligible members, from Koru Gold and Koru Silver with vouchers through to Star Alliance Gold cardholders and Koru Club members.
For travellers who qualify for lounge access, this is a meaningful upgrade. More seats, more zones, and more room to settle in before a long-haul flight.
Photo Credits: Air New Zealand
Beyond the additional square footage, the redesign takes a distinct creative direction. According to Air New Zealand, the new spaces will draw on the landscapes and character of Aotearoa, with natural textures, rich colours, bespoke furnishings, and curated lighting and art throughout. The goal is a lounge that feels genuinely New Zealand, warm and unhurried rather than generic airport architecture.
Whether you are arriving early to work, looking for a quiet corner, or simply wanting a good meal before departure, the new layout will include dedicated zones designed around different needs.
Because the rebuild takes place in two phases, lounge access does continue throughout. During phase one, the existing Koru Lounge stays open at reduced capacity while the new Koru Premier Lounge is built. Once that opens, phase two begins, and the current lounge is redeveloped into the new Koru Lounge, with completion expected by late 2027.
In addition, Air New Zealand has opened a secondary space called The Lookout Lounge on Level 2 of the international terminal, situated directly on the way to the departure gates. This lounge offers the same food and beverage service as the Koru Lounge, including a full buffet, made-to-order dishes at breakfast and dinner, barista coffee from Coffee Supreme, and a full bar with New Zealand beer, wine, and spirits. It is open by invitation only, and eligible travellers are directed there via the Air NZ app or a text message at check-in.
Note that bathrooms at The Lookout Lounge are located just outside, roughly a minute’s walk within the terminal. If you are travelling with heavier carry-on, Air New Zealand recommends using the lifts from Level 1 near the food court, or Level 2A at the top of the escalators.
For travellers flying internationally through Auckland, lounge access is one of those details that can genuinely shape how you feel at the start or end of a long journey. The new spaces, once complete, will offer a considerably better pre-departure experience, and even during construction the options remain solid.
If you are planning a trip to New Zealand and want advice on how to make the most of your time from the moment you land, our team has been arranging bespoke New Zealand travel since 1990. We know the logistics as well as we know the landscapes.
Source: Air New Zealand — Auckland International Lounge Upgrade
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