Western Sydney Airport reveals its first luxury lounge - and it could rival Kingsford Smith

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) is officially opening its doors - and its first lounge could give Sydney Kingsford Smith a serious run for its money.

Only days out from WSI's maiden commercial flight, first-look images of the brand-new Rayleigh Lounge showcase a bright, airy space elevated above the terminal floor.

Designed with natural timber accents, warm stone textures, an open kitchen and sweeping floor-to-ceiling vistas of the nearby Blue Mountains, it offers travellers a polished taste of contemporary Australian luxury.

Jetstar will make history when it operates the airport's first domestic service on Sunday, October 25. International carriers will follow closely behind, starting with Air New Zealand on Monday, October 26, and Singapore Airlines in November.

It is to align with Singapore Airlines' long-haul launch that the swanky Rayleigh Lounge will officially welcome its first guests - though entry will initially be limited to a select few.

The Rayleigh Lounge will open in November to coincide with the peak holiday travel period.

It will welcome eligible passengers from Singapore Airlines.

WSI says it will also welcome customers of other international airlines flying out of WSI.

But Brandon Loo, Editor-in-Chief at Point Hacks Australia, says only Singapore Airlines has confirmed access for its business class, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold passengers.

"If you're Star Alliance Gold with another carrier, you'll also enjoy access when flying with Singapore Airlines," he tells Explore.

"At this stage, the lounge hasn't revealed whether it'll accept other forms of entry such as paid access or lounge memberships. But if they do sign on with a program such as Priority Pass, you could be able to use your credit card lounge passes here one day."

The lounge will be a bit different to airline-specific lounges like the Qantas International Business Lounge and Singapore Airlines' SilverKris Lounge in that it will be operated by a third party, dnata.

That's the same organisation that runs the Marhaba Lounge in Melbourne.

Sydney Kingsford Smith has two third-party lounges: Plaza Premium Lounge and The House, run by separate organisations.

But Loo says the new lounge at Western Sydney might be better than the offerings at Sydney Kingsford Smith.

He says the Rayleigh Lounge "looks to have a beautiful fit out and I reckon it could best the third-party lounges at Sydney Kingsford Smith".

Loo tells Explore it looks like a "beautifully-designed space" that ticks all the boxes for travellers including shower facilities".

"If the food and beverage offering is up to scratch, then the lounge will be very competitive compared to similar ones in Australia."

Travel writer and frequent flyer Matt Graham says the lounge looks "excellent", and its design, which takes in the surrounding landscape, will give it an edge on other "cookie cutter" lounges around the world.

"I think a key difference compared to the lounges at Kingsford Smith Airport will be that the Rayleigh Lounge will be much quieter, with more personalised service, as it will be servicing far fewer passengers," Graham says.

"The views over the runway and the Blue Mountains are a great bonus too - assuming your flight leaves during the daytime."

Graham particularly likes the live kitchen and staffed bar, which he says shows the lounge will have "a focus on dining".

Passengers boarding the Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore at around midnight will be able to enjoy a nice meal in the lounge before their flight and go straight to sleep once on board.

"It's great that the lounge has showers too, although I wonder if there could be a bit of a wait at peak times as there are only three shower suites," Graham says.

Point Hacks' Loo says with a starting capacity of 80 passengers and a planned expansion to 130, the Rayleigh Lounge will be enough for the first phase of WSI.

However, it will "quickly run out of space once more international airlines start flying with overlapping departure times" - though this might be quite some time away.

"I would love to see a domestic lounge open up, given the Rayleigh Lounge is international only," Loo says.

"But with Qantas only launching eight flights a week across Brisbane and Melbourne, I think it'll be quite some time before we hear about a new Qantas Club lounge opening up.

"Also on my wishlist are additional non-airline lounges such as an Amex Centurion or Plaza Premium. But that might be many years away as well!"

WSI CEO Simon Hickey says travellers using the Rayleigh Lounge should get ready for a "premium airport experience".

The Rayleigh Lounge will give travellers a welcoming place to dine, work or unwind before their flight, with thoughtful design, top-tier hospitality and views across the World-Heritage listed Blue Mountains," he says.

The name "Rayleigh" refers to Rayleigh scattering, the physical phenomenon responsible for the famous blue haze over the nearby Blue Mountains, which the lounge overlooks from its mezzanine window layout.

The lounge's design draws inspiration from the mountains and the nearby Cumberland Plain, with the interior colour palette - earthy browns, creams, pinks and blues - built around the view from the windows.

The lounge will operate 24 hours a day and offer different spaces suitable for solo travellers, groups and families, including lounge and dining areas, an open kitchen and feature bar.

Fast Wi-Fi, integrated charging and three private shower suites complete the offering.

WSI says as the airport grows, there is space for additional international and domestic lounge offerings which will be considered with demand.