LAX: Qantas’ sleek first-class lounge is newest at Bradley terminal

At the new Qantas first-class lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, you can relax, eat, work, freshen up with a shower -- all in remarkable style.

Qantas opened its First Lounge last month at the airport‘s Tom Bradley International Terminal. It’s for first-class passengers and top-tier Qantas and Oneworld club members.

It’s the third premium lounge to open at the redesigned terminal.

Air New Zealand and Korean Air operate premium lounges at the Bradley terminal. Two more, an Emirates lounge and an international lounge airlines can choose to join, are under construction. There’s also room for a sixth lounge that’s in negotiation, according to airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles.

So what’s the new Qantas lounge like?

The frosted-glass and marble entryway is identical to lounges in Melbourne and Sydney. Marc Newsom designed the space, which has a honeycomb pattern -- at the entrance, behind the bar, in the carpet -- that repeats throughout the 17,500-square-foot lounge.

The accent here is on comfort and service.

For starters, staff members are trained by hotelier Sofitel. And for the comfort part, there are many different kinds of seats to choose from: straight-backed leather couches, burgundy velvet Womb Chairs designed by architect Eero Saarinen (perfect for a nap) and desk-style chairs for those who want to work.

Australian chef Neil Perry drives some of the menu items at a restaurant that seats 74 people. Guests order meals a la carte, which are freshly made at the nearby open kitchen. Servers also offer small plates at the restaurant and bar too.

And then there’s the bar, a 48-foot slice of Italian marble where guests can sip California and Australian wines (or anything else they desire). Seven spacious showers serve those who need to freshen up after a long flight.

The only thing missing is a full-on spa.

Qantas also operates a Business Lounge with Cathay Pacific and British Airways passengers. In spring, plans are to add seating and connect the two lounges through the kitchen area.