Flight: Qantas | HBA → MEL
Aircraft: Airbus A320 (under 1 year old)
Cabin: Economy
Seat: 2-3 configuration
Redeemed with: Japan Airlines (JAL) miles
I wasn’t expecting much from this one. A short economy hop from Hobart — the small capital of Tasmania — up to Melbourne, redeemed using JAL miles through the oneworld partnership. One hour in economy doesn’t usually make for much of a story. But Hobart had other plans.
THE LOUNGE
Hobart Airport is tiny. And I mean genuinely tiny — no airbridge, you walk across the tarmac to board. So I was genuinely surprised to find a Qantas lounge here at all. It’s small, like the airport itself, but the staff were warm and welcoming in a way that immediately put me at ease.
The drinks selection was a highlight. Two red wines on offer, both local Australian labels. The Shiraz on the left was exceptionally smooth — I lost count of how many glasses I had. There were also white wines, a Tasmanian lager (the water quality here really does make a difference), apple cider, and a few beers. Good range for a lounge this size.
The food looked modest at first glance — bread, some meat, cheese, a few fillings. But then I spotted the hot press grill on the counter and realised what was going on. You build your own toasted sandwich and press it yourself. I hadn’t skipped lunch on purpose, but between the slight chill in the air and the smell of melting cheese on warm chicken coming off that grill, I couldn’t resist. Crunchy bread, hot filling, cheese just starting to bubble — it was one of the best things I ate all trip, and it came out of a lounge toastie machine. I went back and made a second one with pickles.
There were also dumplings and a large dessert option. The Qantas lounge in Hobart punches well above its weight, and I’d heard it’s set to expand. I’m already looking forward to returning.
THE FLIGHT
The A320 was nearly brand new — under a year old — and it showed. The seats had a softness to the fabric that you don’t find on older aircraft, and everything felt clean and fresh. The cabin layout is 2-3 in economy, which is rarer than you’d think and genuinely makes a difference to how spacious the row feels. The seat pocket in front can hold a phone upright, and the tray table is wider than average. A small adjustable headrest pillow rounds it out — actually useful for a nap without waking up with a stiff neck.
For a flight just over an hour, Qantas still came through with a snack and drinks service. I just had water — bottled, which was a nice touch — but there was also a Mexican-flavoured snack on offer that was better than it had any right to be.
ARRIVAL
Melbourne airport is well connected but the bus into the city costs 25 Australian dollars one way. Worth knowing in advance — it adds up.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I boarded this flight with zero expectations and landed pleasantly surprised. The Hobart lounge alone made the stop worthwhile — genuinely charming, great drinks, and that DIY toastie situation is something I think about more than I should. The aircraft was fresh, the seat comfortable, and the service thoughtful for such a short hop.
Hobart itself, from what I saw, feels like the kind of place you’d happily disappear to for a long while. But that’s a story for another article.
======================================================================
