Air lounge reopens

Jetstar is opening the former Qantas business lounge at Auckland Airport's domestic terminal on a pay-by-use basis.

Lounge access will initially cost around $10 a person and include food and beverages, business facilities, including workstation areas, complimentary Wi-Fi access and computer terminals.

Jetstar says the lounge will open in February and following the special introductory offer prices will rise to $15 to $20.

The gate area used by the airline and rival Pacific Blue, which is often congested, will also be expanded.

Wellington Airport will on Tuesday open a similar lounge - to passengers from any airline - at an introductory price of $19.

Auckland Airport's new Akarana Lounge will be exclusively available for Jetstar or Qantas international passengers travelling on the airline's domestic network from Auckland or connecting from an international service to the carrier's domestic operations through Auckland.

Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan said the airline was confident the improvements would be popular for holidaymakers and business travellers.

"In particular, Jetstar's New Zealand domestic network is attracting many business flyers who are choosing our airline," he said.

House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said the lounge could be attractive for small or medium-size businesses which had let membership of other lounge schemes go during tough financial times.