Singapore Airlines is finally moving out of Melbourne Airport’s infamous lounge dungeon and into the former Aspire Lounge opposite Emirates.
Passengers departing Melbourne could soon have something to celebrate, with the airline’s brand new SilverKris Lounge now expected to open in September 2026.
While Singapore Airlines has not yet confirmed an exact opening date, recently surfaced design renders suggest the project is progressing well and could open months earlier than originally expected.
And as someone who has spent time in both the current SilverKris Lounge and the space that will soon replace it, I can confidently say this upgrade looks remarkable and is long overdue.
Here’s What We’ll Cover
- Why Singapore Airlines is moving lounges
- What’s wrong with the current SilverKris Lounge
- Why the new location is such a major upgrade
- My experience using both lounges
- What travellers can expect when it opens
- Who will be able to access it
Goodbye To Melbourne Airport’s Lounge Dungeon
For years, whenever I flew Singapore Airlines from Melbourne, I avoided the airline’s own lounge.
That might sound strange given Singapore Airlines’ reputation as one of the world’s best airlines, but anyone familiar with Melbourne Airport’s current SilverKris Lounge will understand why.
Located downstairs on the ground floor (concourse level) of Terminal 2, the lounge sits in what many frequent flyers refer to as Melbourne Airport’s “lounge dungeon”. A collection of lounges hidden away from the main departures area with little or no natural light.
I visited the current SilverKris Lounge once and, while some travellers may not mind it, I personally preferred other options available within the Star Alliance network.
Whenever I flew Singapore Airlines after that, I would usually head to the Air New Zealand Lounge instead. As a Star Alliance passenger, access was available and I found it to be a far more pleasant place to spend time before boarding, thanks largely to its brighter atmosphere and more modern feel.
Natural light makes a huge difference and so do windows with outside views (especially views of the runway).
For an airline renowned for its premium service and world class reputation, the Melbourne lounge always felt like an odd weak link in the experience.
A Familiar Space For Melbourne Frequent Flyers
The interesting thing is that Singapore Airlines isn’t building a completely new lounge.
Instead, it is taking over one of Melbourne Airport’s most desirable lounge locations; the former Aspire Lounge opposite the Emirates Lounge on Level 2.
Many travellers will recognise the space from its previous lives.
It originally opened as Etihad Airways’ premium lounge before later becoming The House and, most recently, the Aspire Lounge.
I’ve actually visited the space twice.
My first visit was when it operated as The House, where I paid for access before a flight. More recently, I returned when it was operating as the Aspire Lounge prior to a China Airlines departure.
The former Etihad Lounge offers natural light, apron views and a much more open atmosphere. It feels like a premium lounge should feel.
By comparison, the current SilverKris Lounge is dark and disconnected from the airport around it.
While Singapore Airlines is moving into Aspire’s former home opposite the Emirates Lounge, Aspire itself has relocated to the concourse level of Melbourne Airport’s international terminal, close to the current SilverKris Lounge.
The History of Singapore Airlines’ New Lounge Home
The location itself has quite a history.
- 2016: Opened as the Etihad Airways Premium Lounge
- Later rebranded as The House
- Most recently operated as the Aspire Lounge
- Expected to reopen as the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in September 2026
For Singapore Airlines, securing this location is arguably just as important as the renovation itself.
First Look At The New SilverKris Lounge
I first came across news of the project a few days ago and went looking for more information. That led me to MODE Design’s project portfolio, where a collection of renders briefly appeared. Having been impressed by what I saw, I saved copies to share with friends. The page was later removed, but the images offer an early look at Singapore Airlines’ upcoming Melbourne lounge.
Based on the renders, Singapore Airlines is giving the space a complete transformation.
The entrance immediately feels more premium than the existing Melbourne lounge, featuring Singapore Airlines’ signature batik inspired design elements, elegant marble finishes and a dedicated First Class entrance.
From what we can see so far, passengers can expect:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Separate Business Class and First Class sections
- A dedicated dining area with an open kitchen
- Productivity pods for solo travellers
- Extensive charging options
- Barista-made coffee
- A staffed cocktail bar
- Multiple seating areas for dining, relaxing and working
At approximately 750 square metres, the lounge will also be around 30% larger than the current SilverKris Lounge.
One feature that immediately stands out is the amount of natural light. After years of using the downstairs lounge, simply being able to sit beside a window before a flight will be a welcome change. Something I have ever only had the pleasure of doing in the Melbourne Emirates Lounge.
Why This Matters
Melbourne has always felt like an odd exception within Singapore Airlines’ network.
The airline operates up to five daily flights between Melbourne and Singapore, carrying large numbers of passengers connecting through Changi Airport to destinations throughout Asia and Europe. For passengers who want to avoid flying through the Middle East while travelling to Europe, Singapore Airlines is a great choice.
Yet despite the route’s importance, the lounge experience has never reflected the quality of the airline itself.
That disconnect is finally about to disappear.
The new lounge brings Melbourne much closer to the standard already seen at Singapore Airlines’ overseas lounges, as well as the airline’s flagship facilities at Changi Airport.
Could This Become Melbourne’s Best Business Class Lounge?
That’s a big claim, but it may not be far from reality.
The former Aspire Lounge was already one of the better lounge spaces in the terminal thanks to its size, layout and airfield views.
Combine that with Singapore Airlines’ reputation for food, service and lounge design, and the result could be one of the strongest Business Class lounge offerings at Melbourne Airport.
The dedicated dining area, open kitchen and cocktail bar alone place it in a different category to many competing lounges.
We’ll reserve final judgement until the doors officially open, but the signs are certainly promising.
Fingers Crossed for September 2026
The timing is particularly interesting for me because I already am planning a Singapore Airlines flight booked in the first week of September.
Whether the new lounge opens before then remains to be seen, but I’m certainly hoping I won’t have to make one last visit to the dungeon before departure.
If construction stays on track, Melbourne travellers may soon have a lounge that finally matches the quality of the airline flying them there.
Who Will Have Access?
Eligible Singapore Airlines Suites, First Class and Business Class passengers will have access, along with PPS Club members, KrisFlyer Elite Gold members and Star Alliance Gold members travelling on eligible flights.
What makes this particularly interesting is that the new lounge won’t just benefit Singapore Airlines passengers.
The lounge will also be available to many travellers flying other Star Alliance airlines from Melbourne, including Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India and United Airlines.
Eligible Virgin Australia Velocity Gold and Platinum members travelling on Singapore Airlines will also continue to enjoy access under the airlines’ partnership agreement.
As always, guest access rules will depend on your ticket type and frequent flyer status.
For years, many Star Alliance travellers have gravitated towards the Air New Zealand Lounge when departing Melbourne. Once the new SilverKris Lounge opens, that could change.
If the finished product is anything like the renders suggest, Singapore Airlines may soon have the most desirable Star Alliance lounge in Melbourne Airport.
Final Thoughts
For years, Singapore Airlines’ Melbourne lounge has been one of the weakest parts of an otherwise exceptional travel experience.
The move from Melbourne Airport’s lounge dungeon to the former Aspire Lounge is far more than a simple renovation. It represents a complete transformation of the pre-flight experience for Melbourne passengers.
Having spent time in both locations, I can already see why travellers are excited.
Now all that’s left is to hope the doors open before my September flight.
Image credit: The renders used in this article were originally published by MODE Design as part of its Melbourne SilverKris Lounge project portfolio. Full credit for the renders belongs to MODE Design.
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✍️ About The Author
From building a thriving company to mastering the frequent flyer game, Cranky Boss has learned that in both business and travel, the journey teaches more than the destination. A Melbourne Business Awards finalist with a knack for building strong teams and keeping things real, Cranky Boss shares the wins, the mishaps, and the occasional “OMG” moments along the way.
Today, Cranky Boss brings real stories, sharp insights, and a grounded perspective from the boardroom to the boarding gate.
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Miles flown: Closing in on one million | Hidden talent: Turning frequent flyer points into first class tickets | Coffee strength: Dangerously high | Office pet peeve: Speakerphone calls | Business mantra: Culture first, profit follows | Superpower: Understanding people before they speak.
