Air New Zealand Opens The Lookout Lounge at Auckland Airport Ahead of Major Redevelopment
Just ahead of the busy summer travel season, Air New Zealand has unveiled The Lookout Lounge, a new dedicated space at Auckland International Airport (AKL). Opening its doors on Friday, 12 December 2025, this addition is designed to alleviate capacity constraints before the airline commences a comprehensive redevelopment of its flagship Koru Lounges next year.
Located on Level 2 of the international terminal, The Lookout Lounge provides an additional 200 seats for eligible travellers. While the existing Koru Lounge remains operational, this new facility will serve as a vital release valve during peak departure waves, ensuring that the Air New Zealand ground experience remains comfortable.
While The Lookout Lounge is technically an interim solution to bridge the gap during upcoming construction works, Air New Zealand has ensured the space retains a premium feel. General Manager Customer, Alisha Armstrong, notes that the lounge draws on the very best of Aotearoa. Drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s Great Walks, the design incorporates natural materials and an aesthetic that encourages travellers to pause and enjoy the view before their flight.
Travellers familiar with Air New Zealand’s hospitality will find the core offerings intact here. The Lookout Lounge is not just a seating area; it features a full food and beverage offering designed to mirror the flagship experience (e.g. a full buffet, chef station, barista station, and a fully serviced bar). Unlike the main Koru Lounge which operates throughout the day, The Lookout Lounge is a peak-hour facility. It will open daily during the morning and evening banks when the airport is at its busiest. Customers will be directed to either the main Koru Lounge or The Lookout Lounge depending on availability upon arrival at the airport.
The opening of The Lookout Lounge signals the beginning of a significant transformation for Air New Zealand's ground services at Auckland International. Construction on the new permanent lounges is scheduled to commence in 2026 and will be executed in two distinct phases to minimise disruption:
Phase One (2027 Opening): A new Koru Premier Lounge will be constructed. This ultra-premium space is designated for Koru Platinum (currently known as Airpoints Elite), Koru Black, and Business Premier™ passengers.
Phase Two (Late 2027 Opening): Once the Premier Lounge is operational, the current lounge space will undergo a complete redevelopment, emerging as a refreshed Koru Lounge.
It is worth noting that Air New Zealand recently announced a refresh of its loyalty programme branding. From April 2026, the Airpoints programme will be rebranded simply as Koru, aligning the loyalty tier names with the lounge products. For now, travellers passing through Auckland this summer can look forward to a little more breathing room and a fresh coffee at The Lookout Lounge.
Air New Zealand is set to open The Lookout Lounge at Auckland International Airport on 12 December 2025. Located on Level 2, this new space offers relief during peak travel hours with a chef station, barista-made coffee, and 200 additional seats. This opening precedes a major redevelopment of the flagship Koru Lounges scheduled to begin in 2026.