Flying from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, I was initially handed an invitation to the Plaza Premium Lounge. But on arrival, I was told I’d actually been upgraded next door to the SkyTeam Lounge — and that small change made a big difference.

Although Malaysia Airlines isn’t a SkyTeam member, eligible premium passengers are granted access here. If you’re flying SkyTeam carriers such as China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Delta Air Lines or XiamenAir, this is typically where you’ll be directed.

First Impressions & Views

The lounge is midsize, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere and views.

Floor-to-ceiling windows look directly out over the apron and runway. During my visit, a magnificent Qantas A380 was parked right in front of us at the gate - always an impressive sight. In the distance, I could also spot aircraft from American Airlines, Asiana and Singapore Airlines.

If you enjoy a bit of plane-spotting before departure, this lounge delivers.

Food & Drink: A Standout Laksa

There’s a small kitchen-style setup where staff prepare fresh laksa-style soup — available with seafood or chicken. It’s not just "good for a lounge," it’s genuinely excellent. Rich, flavourful and freshly assembled, it easily outshines the standard buffet fare you often find elsewhere (although perhaps not as good at the Qantas First Laksa!)

Breakfast was standard fare, but well executed, with:

• Fresh pastries and a toast station

• Fresh fruit

• Yoghurt and chia seed dish

• Hot items including scrambled eggs, chicken sausages and baked beans

• Fresh juices

Coffee was another pleasant surprise. I ordered an oat milk flat white and it was properly made — smooth, well-balanced and far better than the typical self-serve machine situation.

There’s also a small bar area with local beer on tap, adding to the relaxed pre-flight feel.

Seating & Atmosphere

Despite not being a huge lounge, there are plenty of places to sit. The layout includes:

• Dining tables near the food area

• Comfortable lounge seating

• Bar seating by the drinks area

It feels intimate rather than cramped. The space is calm, well-lit and easy to settle into, whether you’re eating, working or just watching aircraft movements outside.

Service That Makes a Difference

What really elevated the experience was the service.

Staff were proactive and genuinely attentive, regularly checking in to see if I needed water, a beer or anything else. It felt warm and personal rather than transactional — a noticeable step up compared to other third-party lounges at Sydney.

Final Thoughts

The SkyTeam Lounge at Sydney International isn’t a sprawling flagship space, but it doesn’t need to be.

It excels where it counts:

• Excellent apron views

• Super tasty laksa station

• Proper barista-made coffee

• Friendly, attentive service

• A solid and fresh breakfast spread

If you’re eligible for access, this is a great pre-flight spot at T1. I went in expecting a standard contract lounge experience and left genuinely impressed.