Bangkok - First Lounge

[scooby]

As the Emirates Partnership has kicked off QF has ceased their partnership with BA which means QF WP no longer have access to the BA/QF First Lounge in BKK.

Its just the Qantas Business Lounge now.

Qantas's presence in Bangkok is getting ever smaller.... piece by piece

 

[ozmille]

That seems weird as a OWE travelling on a OW flight should be granted access to the Flounge prior to a OW flight

 

[Happy Trails]

As the Emirates Partnership has kicked off QF has ceased their partnership with BA which means QF WP no longer have access to the BA/QF First Lounge in BKK.

Its just the Qantas Business Lounge now.

Qantas's presence in Bangkok is getting ever smaller.... piece by piece

Do you have a source for this?
It's certainly not reflected on the QF website.
International First Lounge Bangkok Airport | Qantas

 

[JohnK]

Is BA being sneaky?

 

[Happy Trails]

Is BA being sneaky?

Can't say I'm too fussed really, I've barely used it since they scrapped (the real) QF1&2.

 

[Danger]

As the Emirates Partnership has kicked off QF has ceased their partnership with BA which means QF WP no longer have access to the BA/QF First Lounge in BKK.

Its just the Qantas Business Lounge now.

Qantas's presence in Bangkok is getting ever smaller.... piece by piece

This would be completely against oneworld policy.

Qantas Platinums will still have access to the BA F lounge when travelling on an eligible oneworld flight. The only thing that would be different if the BKK lounge is no longer joint is that Qantas Platinums travelling with Jetstar would no longer have access - which is exactly what is happening at SIN now that Qantas has withdrawn from the co-branded F lounge.

 

[richie9x]

I guess as BA only have a departure at 12:20am then the first lounge would not be open in time for the Qantas Sydney departure.

Of course QF WP now has access to the Emirates lounge at BKK when travelling on QF or EK. Which has much better food. As before they also have access to any other Oneworld lounge at BKK open at the time when they are travelling on a oneworld flight.

 

[JohnK]

Can't say I'm too fussed really, I've barely used it since they scrapped (the real) QF1&2.

I am not fussed either but as a Oneworld Emerald we should have access to most BA lounges unless they want to start playing games and renaming all their lounges to exclude entry for Oneworld Emeralds.

 

[Mal]

I want further information... or rather clarification.

BA cannot exclude an owe from a first lounge. Unless the lounge is closed or it is a special lounge (eg partner) excluded by ow rules.

So what game are they playing at? The bkk f lounge had strange hours previously.

I really want to know more information..

 

[Ben174]

Does anyone have any info on emirates bkk lounge hours and if its suitable for the qf24 flight ?

Also is it a nicer lounge than the first ba/qf lounge which is still running 4.30pm to 11.59 according to website.

 

[scooby]

I guess as BA only have a departure at 12:20am then the first lounge would not be open in time for the Qantas Sydney departure.

Of course QF WP now has access to the Emirates lounge at BKK when travelling on QF or EK. Which has much better food. As before they also have access to any other Oneworld lounge at BKK open at the time when they are travelling on a oneworld flight.

This is correct, the BA lounge is closed.

I asked at the Qantas Business Lounge about access to the Emirates First and they said NO. (this could be teething issues).

Since QF replaced QF1/2 with QF23/24 i have really noticed a major change in the service expected on the route. 3 trips this year i was seated in a middle seat in middle section even though i am WP with a forward window preference. Numerous other issues i have only experienced on this flight and i really am not a fan of the A330. It looks like its time for a change to Thai for my BKK trips.

It also seems i am now the wrong demographic for this flight as it seems to be singlets and thongs only.

 

[ozmille]

Since QF replaced QF1/2 with QF23/24 i have really noticed a major change in the service expected on the route. 3 trips this year i was seated in a middle seat in middle section even though i am WP with a forward window preference. Numerous other issues i have only experienced on this flight and i really am not a fan of the A330. It looks like its time for a change to Thai for my BKK trips.

sorry OT: but why do you not select your seats when you book your travel through MMB? That would avoid being in a middle seat

I asked at the Qantas Business Lounge about access to the Emirates First and they said NO. (this could be teething issues).

Did you go and ask at the EK lounge?

Would love some more info on this as well, luckily I'm not scheduled for another BKK trip till JUL so have time.

 

[ajw373]

The lounges in BKK were always nominally BA with Singapore nominally Qantas, so this really comes as no surprise if ture. Anyone confirmed that they are not opening for the Qantas flights? Though at the end of the day so long as Qantas passengers have access to a lounge what does it really matter if that lounge is an EK one or a BA one?

 

[RooFlyer]

The lounges in BKK were always nominally BA with Singapore nominally Qantas, so this really comes as no surprise if ture. Anyone confirmed that they are not opening for the Qantas flights? Though at the end of the day so long as Qantas passengers have access to a lounge what does it really matter if that lounge is an EK one or a BA one?

What matters to me is that QF and 1W clearly tell their customers of ALL statuses what their rights and privileges are. Airports are stressful enough. Lounges are meant to make the experience better, especially for frequent flyers.

Going through the embarrassment of being refused entry to a lounge, or the hassle of not being able to use a Lounge you are used to using, then figuring out 'where next' isn't OK for me.

 

[scooby]

The lounges in BKK were always nominally BA with Singapore nominally Qantas, so this really comes as no surprise if ture. Anyone confirmed that they are not opening for the Qantas flights? Though at the end of the day so long as Qantas passengers have access to a lounge what does it really matter if that lounge is an EK one or a BA one?

I can confirm that the BA lounge was closed yesterday. opens at 8:20pm whilst QF24 departs at 6:30pm

 

[JohnPhelan]

I can confirm that the BA lounge was closed yesterday. opens at 8:20pm whilst QF24 departs at 6:30pm

Yes, the timing will be the issue. QF WPs certainly are entitled to access the BA lounge - if it's open at the time. If it's not open at the time of the QF departure - no access!

 

[oz_mark]

I asked at the Qantas Business Lounge about access to the Emirates First and they said NO. (this could be teething issues).

Outside Dubai, Emirates run with a single lounge proposition. So, Emirates First likely doesn't exists and there is only an Emirates lounge.

 

[scooby]

Outside Dubai, Emirates run with a single lounge proposition. So, Emirates First likely doesn't exists and there is only an Emirates lounge.

That would explain it.

Either way, the types of service levels i would expect from Qantas in an Asian Hub like Bangkok no longer exist.

I am quite confused about Qantas's "Asia Strategy". So far it seems to be replace nice aircraft like the A380 & 747 with A330 (not my preference), Scale down offsure presence (except maybe Singapore?)

The positive change in the medium term seems to be a new first lounge in Singapore but the short term is standing room only.

 

[ajw373]

What matters to me is that QF and 1W clearly tell their customers of ALL statuses what their rights and privileges are. Airports are stressful enough. Lounges are meant to make the experience better, especially for frequent flyers.

Going through the embarrassment of being refused entry to a lounge, or the hassle of not being able to use a Lounge you are used to using, then figuring out 'where next' isn't OK for me.

In this case it is not a matter of embarrassment by being REFUSED entry, but the lounge is closed because the operator of the lounge, BA in this case doesn't need it open when the QF flight leaves. There is nothing in the 1W rules that says a lounge must be open 24x7.

Qantas is clearly looking after it's passengers by offering them an alternative, which is the EK lounge and 1W rules say you can use any of the other 1W lounges if you wish provided of course they are open, so really don't see the issue.

PS The Qantas/BA First longe in BKK was never much chop anyway. Probably one of the worst First lounges I have ever used.

 

[ajw373]

That would explain it.

Either way, the types of service levels i would expect from Qantas in an Asian Hub like Bangkok no longer exist.

I am quite confused about Qantas's "Asia Strategy". So far it seems to be replace nice aircraft like the A380 & 747 with A330 (not my preference), Scale down offsure presence (except maybe Singapore?)

The positive change in the medium term seems to be a new first lounge in Singapore but the short term is standing room only.

If you want a first lounge flying Qantas there is nothing stopping you using the Cathay Lounge which I beleive has a first section, there is also the MH lounge, though not sure if that has a first class section. The only killer would be tif you were flying on the EK codeshare later in the night where the EK lounge would be the only option.

Also we have no idea if this change is one forced on Qantas by BA, who as mentioned have always nominally run the Bangkok lounge (despite it being shared as part of the JSA) or if Qantas has just decided to deal with Emirates. My guess is a bit of both, and really it makes no sense for Qantas to pay BA to open the lounge from say 4pm when BA doesn't need it until 9-10pm.

As for the change of a/c as you mention that is a matter of preference. My preference is the A330 when travelling down the back due to the 2-4-2 layout, but never flown up fron on an A330 though. But really cannot be too much different to the old Skybed MKI 747's that Qantas used to fly to BKK.