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

[jase05]

Was just in the AKL J and F lounges after some initial pushback (more on that on another thread)
Place is absolutely chockers with no spare seats and food selection was ok but pretty average alcohol selection in both. Left shortly afterwards and headed into the Strata lounge and would be maybe 20-30 people in here. Seats are comfy and very nice shower facilities. Food and beverage selection miles better than the QF lounges. YMMV of course

 

[levelnine]

Was just in the AKL J and F lounges after some initial pushback (more on that on another thread)

Well there's an A380 flying this afternoon's AKL-SYD flight to deal with the backlog of people, so no surprises there.

 

[jase05]

Well there's an A380 flying this afternoon's AKL-SYD flight to deal with the backlog of people, so no surprises there.

I’m aware of the A380 load and understand fully the extent of the delays but I just found the lounge staff to be poorly informed and quite gruff. At check in we were giving Strata lounge passes but I thought I would head into the QF lounge at first. On showing my boarding pass I was told that QR have an arrangement with the Strata lounge and that I would need to head there. I then explained to her the OW policy and she said she would check with the senior staff member. Senior staff member said fine to enter but despite showing my QR Platinum card she said that I wouldn’t have access to the F lounge. After some dialogue she allowed me entry to the F lounge but not before stating that QR flights wouldn’t be announced in the lounge as they are not a “partner”. I did have a slight chuckle to myself and entered the lounge.
I should have just went straight to the Strata lounge as it’s a far better setup and QF are sending some of their overflow passengers over here now

 

[levelnine]

I’m aware of the A380 load and understand fully the extent of the delays

Your initial comment was about the capacity of the lounge, not the staff. Any lounge in the world is going to be full when there are so many people that need to depart that airlines are sending A380s in lieu of 737s/A330s.

 

[jase05]

Your initial comment was about the capacity of the lounge, not the staff. Any lounge in the world is going to be full when there are so many people that need to depart that airlines are sending A380s in lieu of 737s/A330s.

I’m well aware of the issues as I mentioned that the A380 was being used before it was even announced. The capacity wasn’t an issue as we still had seats and we got to the airport earlier as we knew what the airport would be like but I found the quality of food and beverages to be quite poor and that the Strata lounge was superior. The QF lounge upgrade is long overdue and thankfully they are addressing it

 

[levelnine]

Place is absolutely chockers with no spare seats

The capacity wasn’t an issue

 

[Princess Fiona]

I’m well aware of the issues as I mentioned that the A380 was being used before it was even announced. The capacity wasn’t an issue as we still had seats and we got to the airport earlier as we knew what the airport would be like but I found the quality of food and beverages to be quite poor and that the Strata lounge was superior. The QF lounge upgrade is long overdue and thankfully they are addressing it

Did you go into the J lounge at AKL
There is a Barista coffee cart there.
None in Strata
Mind you it’s probably time for something a bit stronger

 

[jase05]

I was purely describing what the lounge was like but it caused no issue for us personally as we just stood for a little while until a couple left and we then were able to be seated. Lounge staff did say on the PA that lounge was at capacity and not to leave as you may not get back in. When we later headed to the Strata there was probably about a dozen others who QF had directed over to the Strata also and I believe they do send them over when at capacity

Post automatically merged: Feb 15, 2023

Did you go into the J lounge at AKL
There is a Barista coffee cart there.
None in Strata
Mind you it’s probably time for something a bit stronger

Had a wander through there but no I didn’t order one. I just wanted to have a look around and see what was on offer

 

[Beano]

In the AKL F lounge (cupboard) next week. I will give it a fond farewell. I usually sit in the "business" section working, so a cupboard within a cupboard.

 

[serfty]

I usually sit in the "business" section working, so a cupboard within a cupboard.

Know it well ... I have spent many an hour there over the decades.

(Aside - it is annoying that Qantas have removed all work benches from the International First lounge in SYD - leaving only the 'office' rooms.)

 

[Beano]

Know it well ... I have spent many an hour there over the decades.

(Aside - it is annoying that Qantas have removed all work benches from the International First lounge in SYD - leaving only the 'office' rooms.)

I haven't been down the far end of the QF lounge for a while. i thought there were work areas there? Are they gone now?

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Syd f lounge has 3 work desks by the entrance to bathrooms and showers. There are also 3(?) suites. At times both are difficult to get - strictly first come first served. Used to be able to book the suites in advance but not since covid.

 

[Beano]

Syd f lounge has 3 work desks by the entrance to bathrooms and showers. There are also 3(?) suites. At times both are difficult to get - strictly first come first served. Used to be able to book the suites in advance but not since covid.

I've been quite successful in booking a suite recently.

 

[serfty]

Syd f lounge has 3 work desks by the entrance to bathrooms and showers.

Oh - I rarely have gone to the North End ... will have a closer look next time ...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I see that Executive Traveller has an article on new BusinessFirst QF lounge to open at Auckland later this year (including mock ups of what it is supposed to look like):

It certainly looks much nicer than the current AKL lounge which looks like a slightly nicer QF Club. It's also interesting to note that QF is renovating two UK lounges, namely the London First class lounge and more importantly the Hong Kong lounge which was "permanently closed" due to you know what.

In the AKL F lounge (cupboard) next week. I will give it a fond farewell. I usually sit in the "business" section working, so a cupboard within a cupboard.

Hopefully you bring some fruit and flowers as an offering to the lounge gods! I would hold a candle light vigil too for good measure!

 

[Beano]

I see that Executive Traveller has an article on new BusinessFirst QF lounge to open at Auckland later this year (including mock ups of what it is supposed to look like):

It certainly looks much nicer than the current AKL lounge which looks like a slightly nicer QF Club. It's also interesting to note that QF is renovating two UK lounges, namely the London First class lounge and more importantly the Hong Kong lounge which was "permanently closed" due to you know what.


Hopefully you bring some fruit and flowers as an offering to the lounge gods! I would hold a candle light vigil too for good measure!

Flowers are a good idea. I would have to leave them there anyway as flying to MEL.

 

[RichardMEL]

It's also interesting to note that QF is renovating two UK lounges, namely the London First class lounge

Actually no. The current lounge does not appear to be getting any renovation, but it will be rebranded as a J lounge when F (which is all new, nothing to renovate, except the space they have not yet acquired) opens in 2025. IIRC QF have never had aF lounge at LHR - Indeed the London Lounge as it currently is is relatively new itself (maybe 5-6 years old?). Prior to that, iirc, QF pax used BA lounges (and status/CoS used CX, EK etc).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Actually no. The current lounge does not appear to be getting any renovation, but it will be rebranded as a J lounge when F (which is all new, nothing to renovate, except the space they have not yet acquired) opens in 2025. IIRC QF have never had aF lounge at LHR - Indeed the London Lounge as it currently is is relatively new itself (maybe 5-6 years old?). Prior to that, iirc, QF pax used BA lounges (and status/CoS used CX, EK etc).

Correct.
I was at the event today at the Flounge.
This is my understanding.

 

[SYD]

Actually no. The current lounge does not appear to be getting any renovation, but it will be rebranded as a J lounge when F (which is all new, nothing to renovate, except the space they have not yet acquired) opens in 2025. IIRC QF have never had aF lounge at LHR - Indeed the London Lounge as it currently is is relatively new itself (maybe 5-6 years old?). Prior to that, iirc, QF pax used BA lounges (and status/CoS used CX, EK etc).

The current QF LHR lounge was the former Swiss Lounge before they and the rest of the starry alliance moved to the “Queens Terminal”. I was relegated there on a F redemption because Thai delayed relocating…

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

The current QF LHR lounge was the former Swiss Lounge before they and the rest of the starry alliance moved to the “Queens Terminal”. I was relegated there on a F redemption because Thai delayed relocating…

Close. It was a joint AC/SK lounge. Used it many times.