Japan Airlines business class passengers who transit in Melbourne have access to the Marhaba Lounge. In this case we arrived from a domestic flight and transited in Melbourne for the international Japan Airlines flight which was a breeze. With bags checked through to Tokyo, the transit in Melbourne is low fuss and swift. It helps that Melbourne has the domestic and international terminals under the roof and is well sign posted.
Making your way to the international terminal is easy, 20 minutes after disembarking the domestic flight, and at a casual walking pace, I was standing at customs. 15 minutes from there I was boarding the escalator to the Marhaba lounge, this is the same escalator you would take for the Qantas first class lounge, though you turn right once you’ve reached the top.
JAL Marhaba Lounge, Melbourne
Friendly staff welcome you at reception upon arrival, from there you walk through to the main lounge area, passing groups of tables and chairs on the way. The main lounge area is spacious, with floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the tarmac. Comfortable sofa chairs are positioned throughout with electrical outlets to recharge your devices. The main lounge is separated into two areas with the use of a plant divider towards the end of the main lounge, so there is a more private, cosier lounge at the end of the room.
Lounge area, JAL Marhaba Lounge, Melbourne
Lounge area, JAL Marhaba Lounge, Melbourne
Take a left from there and you enter the dining room, with the Hudson’s coffee bar a welcome sight. Hot and cold foods are served, choices are curry, noodles and fried rice, as well as a small array of a la carte options on offer too. A selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages to choose from.
Hot and cold food and beverage choices.
Plenty of tables to choose from in the Melbourne JAL lounge
Plenty of tables to choose from in the Melbourne JAL lounge
The lounge also has shower suites which we didn't use on this occasion but they appeared clean and tidy and were well looked after.
Marhaba Lounge Bathrooms.
The JAL Marhaba Lounge was an lovely place to relax and refresh before boarding our late night flight to Tokyo, read more about our JAL Business Class flight here.