Article: Qantas Auckland Lounge Upgrade: The End of an Era

[RichardMEL]

Because EK has a number of trans-tasman flights departing AKL to major international destinations like SYD, MEL, BNE, etc. Sure the bird has a red kangaroo on its tail but it doesn't change the fact it's still an EK flight!

Not really relevant imo. Those QF flights that are codeshared have a lounge. Not a great one, but they have one, and those EK pax of status or in J have access.... Airport services are the responsibility of the operating airline, not the marketing one (to use QF speak). Of course if both carriers have lounges and open at the same time that's a wonderful convenience - one which I have enjoyed many times at AKL prior to EK trans-tasman tags (and QF metal).

It clearly depends on a number of factors. For instance, if you have the Amex Platinum or a card that has lounge access built in, why would you even care how much it costs since you'll get in free? Even if you must pay to get in it really depends on how long you'll be using the lounge for, what facilities you'll use, etc. Certainly if I had a 5 or 6 hour layover (or more) spending $70 to sit in an uncrowded lounge versus sitting out in the concourse struggling to find a power outlet and table can be beneficial.

With respect, I was asking Poochie, who doesn't have (as far as I am aware) an Amex or PP card or other method to get into a 3rd party lounge so I'm not too sure how this is relevant here. Obviously if one has access to lounge(s) via CC's, alliance status or whatever then the question itself as to "value" is irrelevant.

In terms of cost, I would sincerely encourage you to look at the prices for third party lounges out there. Most lounges these days at airports will set you back $30 USD easily (and that's typically for smaller airports too) with most not having showers either! Take a look at SIN, LAX, CDG to name but a few. 70 Kiwi dollars works out to $44 USD which isn't too far from what you see elsewhere.

I'm not arguing the price being charged.. I simply asked if AP felt he got value out of spending that money for what he used the lounge for, the amenity etc.

I believe on those travelling as a Star Gold elite or in Business class on Air New Zealand (or a partner airline) would have access to the lounge. At least this NZ webpage says as much.

And if he had appropriate status he would have used it. So again, it's not really relevant to the point about the 3rd party lounge OR my query regarding if NZ offered paid lounge access to W fares as an option. I have *G so it's never been something I'd considered but many airlines do offer bundled in, or at least the option for day passes to their lounges.

Anyway, having done my own research on the trans tasman and W fares I see they don't offer it. I had thought in the past when the "Works Deluxe" fares were offered they had a lounge access option, but it seems not, or I'm thinking of a different airline. Ah well, perhaps NZ might consider it as an option

 

[Beano]

A

You mean DXB?
Any where where they have bitter like this is ok with me.
QF T1 MEL J lounge.

DBX is an Aston Martin!

 

[Beano]

Not really relevant imo. Those QF flights that are codeshared have a lounge. Not a great one, but they have one, and those EK pax of status or in J have access.... Airport services are the responsibility of the operating airline, not the marketing one (to use QF speak). Of course if both carriers have lounges and open at the same time that's a wonderful convenience - one which I have enjoyed many times at AKL prior to EK trans-tasman tags (and QF metal).


With respect, I was asking Poochie, who doesn't have (as far as I am aware) an Amex or PP card or other method to get into a 3rd party lounge so I'm not too sure how this is relevant here. Obviously if one has access to lounge(s) via CC's, alliance status or whatever then the question itself as to "value" is irrelevant.


I'm not arguing the price being charged.. I simply asked if AP felt he got value out of spending that money for what he used the lounge for, the amenity etc.


And if he had appropriate status he would have used it. So again, it's not really relevant to the point about the 3rd party lounge OR my query regarding if NZ offered paid lounge access to W fares as an option. I have *G so it's never been something I'd considered but many airlines do offer bundled in, or at least the option for day passes to their lounges.

Anyway, having done my own research on the trans tasman and W fares I see they don't offer it. I had thought in the past when the "Works Deluxe" fares were offered they had a lounge access option, but it seems not, or I'm thinking of a different airline. Ah well, perhaps NZ might consider it as an option

AIR NZ did have lounge access with WD but no more.

 

[Beano]

The only time I paid for lounge access was to an Air NZ lounge in Brisbane and worth every penny of A$50.

 

[RichardMEL]

AIR NZ did have lounge access with WD but no more.

oh thank you! I was starting to think I imagined it!!

I shall mark myself as "not crazy" for today at least!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I believe that 99.999% of EK now does not stop in Aust to NZ.
Only SYD - CHC.
They decided AKL - DXB direct us best for them, passing any pax onto QFi Au - NZ.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The only time I paid for lounge access was to an Air NZ lounge in Brisbane and worth every penny of A$50.

That went off a few years back now.
PremY with AirNZ also had lounge access up to few years back.
PremY W class with AirNZ, no lounge access.
Can't even buy as bundle.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Getting back to the topic at hand, I would be curious what sort of substantive improvements they could possibly make at that lounge through refurbishment and obviously how long the lounge will remain closed (I'm guessing those two items are inter-related). For instance, QF could go in and replace furniture, and maybe the odd fixture in which case presumably the closing would be limited to a few weeks. On the other hand, if QF intends on tearing everything down and starting from scratch we could very well see the lounge being closed for many months. I suppose part of QF's decision in this regard will depend on what the airport authority provides them for space and facilities. For instance, if AKL provides them with additional space to work with (or perhaps even a new space) I'm more inclined to think the changes will be more substantive.

The other question too will be what arrangements will be made for QF/OW passengers travelling out of AKL? Will they be provided with access to the NZ or partner lounge? Presumably QF wouldn't want to give elites and J travellers nothing given how popular and lucrative the trans-tasman route is, and arguably AKL being a key hub for QF in NZ. The answer to this question I think will ultimately also help to answer what the outlook for the QF lounge at AKL is. If there is a backup option available and that arrangement lasts for many months then you can be certain that they'll have that lounge closed for some time to do a proper refurb. On the other hand, if there is no such backup facility or the arrangement lasts only a short amount of time, then we can expect no more than a furniture swap.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Beano]

I believe that 99.999% of EK now does not stop in Aust to NZ.
Only SYD - CHC.
They decided AKL - DXB direct us best for them, passing any pax onto QFi Au - NZ.

Just what I will be doing in April and June 2023, changing in MEL.

 

[Berlin]

I’m pretty sure Qantas had promised us a substantial re-do of the lounge, I’m imagining something along the lines of Brissy international, albeit smaller. And as it will combine the space of both the existing J and F lounges, they will most likely do it in stages and I somehow recall they’ve specifically said so originally.

Qantas had done those “open heart surgery” type renovations before while keeping parts open and active during the renovation. From memory, that’s how some of the Donestic lounge Upgrades had been done in the past as well so no biggie.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I’m pretty sure Qantas had promised us a substantial re-do of the lounge, I’m imagining something along the lines of Brissy international, albeit smaller. And as it will combine the space of both the existing J and F lounges, they will most likely do it in stages and I somehow recall they’ve specifically said so originally.

Substantial is in the eye of the beholder. I think some folks would view the changing of the furniture to represent a major renovation. I will also point out, and I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this but it's dumb that QF had an F wing to begin with. I'm sorry folks, QF doesn't offer F service across the Tasman so the only people it would be open to are OWEs and quite frankly how large of an audience is that? And again, I haven't visited the QF lounge at AKL but I would reckon that dividing the lounge up 50/50 between the F and J represents poor use of floor space if the lounge is shoebox sized like HBA. Then again, I reckon some HBA QF Club regulars might appreciate having an exclusive wing of the lounge dedicated to them complete with cakes and lollies!

Qantas had done those “open heart surgery” type renovations before while keeping parts open and active during the renovation. From memory, that’s how some of the Donestic lounge Upgrades had been done in the past as well so no biggie.

A key question though is how large the AKL lounge is in comparison to the floor space QF has at their disposal at major hubs like SYD, MEL and BNE. If it's shoebox sized like HBA, I reckon it would be difficult to cordon off a significant portion of the lounge for renovation.

 

[Beano]

Substantial is in the eye of the beholder. I think some folks would view the changing of the furniture to represent a major renovation. I will also point out, and I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this but it's dumb that QF had an F wing to begin with. I'm sorry folks, QF doesn't offer F service across the Tasman so the only people it would be open to are OWEs and quite frankly how large of an audience is that? And again, I haven't visited the QF lounge at AKL but I would reckon that dividing the lounge up 50/50 between the F and J represents poor use of floor space if the lounge is shoebox sized like HBA. Then again, I reckon some HBA QF Club regulars might appreciate having an exclusive wing of the lounge dedicated to them complete with cakes and lollies!

A key question though is how large the AKL lounge is in comparison to the floor space QF has at their disposal at major hubs like SYD, MEL and BNE. If it's shoebox sized like HBA, I reckon it would be difficult to cordon off a significant portion of the lounge for renovation.

 

[Beano]

The current business lounge is quite large about the same space at the BNE business lounge . The F part is about 1/3rd the size of HBA and about the same as the Rockhampton lounge behind the check-in.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

The current business lounge is quite large about the same space at the BNE business lounge . The F part is about 1/3rd the size of HBA and about the same as the Rockhampton lounge behind the check-in.

So if I read that correctly 99% of the lounge is J and 1% is F given a third of a HBA lounge equates to a rounding error if my maths are correct. In which case who knows, we may very well see a proper lounge closure to revitalize the lounge. It will be interesting to see what comes of AKL as that should tell us what we can expect for future lounge refurbs at major airports post-COVID checking my list it seems like the lounges at MEL Int, SYD Dom, ADL and potentially HBA are up for renewal soon.

All of that said, I would be curious aside from it being a dated lounge, what specifically could be improved at the lounge? Is it too crowded? Is the seating threadbare? What about the showers is there a good quantity and do they have an adequate steam to ventilation ratio? Put differently, if you were Uncle Alan and had access to the Qantas chequebook, what items would you prioritize at that lounge?

-RooFlyer88

 

[Beano]

So if I read that correctly 99% of the lounge is J and 1% is F given a third of a HBA lounge equates to a rounding error if my maths are correct. In which case who knows, we may very well see a proper lounge closure to revitalize the lounge. It will be interesting to see what comes of AKL as that should tell us what we can expect for future lounge refurbs at major airports post-COVID checking my list it seems like the lounges at MEL Int, SYD Dom, ADL and potentially HBA are up for renewal soon.

All of that said, I would be curious aside from it being a dated lounge, what specifically could be improved at the lounge? Is it too crowded? Is the seating threadbare? What about the showers is there a good quantity and do they have an adequate steam to ventilation ratio? Put differently, if you were Uncle Alan and had access to the Qantas chequebook, what items would you prioritize at that lounge?

-RooFlyer88

I asked at HBA earlier this month and they said reno in middle of 2023.

 

[Berlin]

All of that said, I would be curious aside from it being a dated lounge, what specifically could be improved at the lounge? Is it too crowded? Is the seating threadbare? What about the showers is there a good quantity and do they have an adequate steam to ventilation ratio? Put differently, if you were Uncle Alan and had access to the Qantas chequebook, what items would you prioritize at that lounge?

A new carpet won’t be fixing this!

I think you’d know if you had actually ever been there. I’m currently staying at the Hyatt Regency in Perth and the vibe this hotel gives is pretty spot on the same as the Qantas lounge in Auckland (the old pre-reno Nadi lounge was similar from memory, actually): It feels like you’re walking into the 80ies (or is it earlier even?). As much as I hate it, even the dodgy Sydney Dom lounge does not have SUCH an old feel to it.

And yes, the J size is actually okay and F is more of a little nook to the side. So I can very well imagine it becoming quite a nice combined space once it’s done and that’s what I had always taken from the never ending announcements.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

A new carpet won’t be fixing this!

I think you’d know if you had actually ever been there. I’m currently staying at the Hyatt Regency in Perth and the vibe this hotel gives is pretty spot on the same as the Qantas lounge in Auckland (the old pre-reno Nadi lounge was similar from memory, actually): It feels like you’re walking into the 80ies (or is it earlier even?).

Okay so it's dated but facility wise how bad is it really? Can you get a steamy shower and a bite to eat and a place to sit and a decent view of the apron/runway?

As much as I hate it, even the dodgy Sydney Dom lounge does not have SUCH an old feel to it.

I think many QF Gold and Club members would resent such a statement as this is the only lounge I'm aware of in the QF network that treats the QF Gold/Club members better than the dime a dozen QF J and OWE travellers with its runway views!

 

[serfty]

Brissy international, albeit smaller.

Yuk!

As a mere QF WP, I have issues with the "international lounge" concept. Secret Squirrel Champagne is but one of them.

I have been using the AKL First cupboard for over 25 years going back to the days when Gold was top level and will be sad to see its demise.

 

[serfty]

I will also point out, and I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this but it's dumb that QF had an F wing to begin with. I'm sorry folks, QF doesn't offer F service across the Tasman so the only people it would be open to are OWEs and quite frankly how large of an audience is that

Seriously? You need some education!

When this First lounge was built, Qantas indeed had first class service trans Tasman.and also to USA via AKL.

Also, you seem to have no real appreciation of the number of oneworld Emeralds that use Auckland.

A bit more history, the last First Class oneworld services through AKL were the Lan Chile SCL-AKL-SYD services, and they were indeed this Century.

 

[Beano]

Yuk!

As a mere QF WP, I have issues I have with the "international lounge" concept. Secret Squirrel Champagne is but one of them.

I have been using the AKL First cupboard for over 25 years going back to the days when Gold was top level and will be sad to see its demise.

I don't have such a history but concur with the sentiments. (I graduated from Air NZ lounge, which used to be just across the hall. before going to Qantas so lost some time.)