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

[sudoer]

Anyone wanting to put money on that date?

Given its only a month away I would put money on it...

 

[RB001]

Given its only a month away I would put money on it...

The closing date is the easy part...

 

[Captain Halliday]

Bummer. I’m there on the 20th and was hoping for EK.

 

[justinbrett]

Is the EK lounge actually big enough to accommodate all QF pax? I haven't been for almost a decade and the photos make it look quite small.

 

[Ansett]

I do believe they are comparable. The current Qantas Lounge has capacity for 244 seats whereas the EK lounge has 220 seats. This was before the EK lounge Update so there may be more now. The new lounge for QF will have an increased capacity of 340.

 

[justinbrett]

I do believe they are comparable. The current Qantas Lounge has capacity for 244 seats whereas the EK lounge has 220 seats. This was before the EK lounge Update so there may be more now. The new lounge for QF will have an increased capacity of 340.

That's good - but might be an issue in the afternoons when both airlines are using the lounge.

 

[shaun_b]

Hmm, I also got an email but it didn't specifically mention reaccommodating to the EK lounge, it just says they'll keep us updated closer to the flight:

From 23 April 2025, we'll be temporarily closing our Auckland lounge as we begin construction on an exciting new lounge, due for completion in 2026. If you are travelling from Auckland over the construction period, we'll keep you up to date on alternate arrangements closer to your flight.

 

[Berlin]

Yea, also got that email. Using the EK lounge during renovation is actually much better than doing one of those awful drawn out part open part closed renovations. Not to mention the way better food and beverage options.

It will be packed at certain times. Almost a reminder of the good days when EK had three A380s leaving from AKL in one evening and the lounge was buzzing!

 

[sudoer]

Hmm, I also got an email but it didn't specifically mention reaccommodating to the EK lounge, it just says they'll keep us updated closer to the flight:

That's interesting, perhaps they have sent differing messaging based on status. What status do you hold?

 

[SYD]

Hmm, I also got an email but it didn't specifically mention reaccommodating to the EK lounge, it just says they'll keep us updated closer to the flight:

What status Level do you have? As WP, my email was the same as @sudoer

Maybe only certain levels will get sent to EK and others elsewhere? (I’m only speculating - but that would help with crowd control).

 

[jase05]

That's good - but might be an issue in the afternoons when both airlines are using the lounge.

I guess they might get a bit more strict at peak times ie no guests for example.

 

[DejaBrew]

Maybe only certain levels will get sent to EK and others elsewhere? (I’m only speculating - but that would help with crowd control).

That would make sense. Or perhaps during high load periods (e.g. whenever EK pax would otherwise use the lounge), SG and below will be ushered elsewhere.

 

[RealtimeY]

Maybe Strata, if anything.

 

[shaun_b]

That's interesting, perhaps they have sent differing messaging based on status. What status do you hold?

Gold. Have 2 longish layovers in AKL in May, so hopefully they'll accommodate us somewhere at least.

 

[Rich]

I was advised that the Qantas lounge in Auckland does not accept Qantas lounge pass bookings due to capacity restrictions and that access to the Auckland lounge is limited to Business Class and Qantas Club passengers only.

I used 5 no problems late January. Booked to use them a month or so earlier. The lounge was almost empty and it was a Sunday.

 

[mviy]

Look forward to hearing what the new lounge is like. I won’t be back to New Zealand for a while.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Anyone know what happens to QF Plat flying JQ?

 

[TeaKozy]

Anyone know what happens to QF Plat flying JQ?

Likely come down to whether or not JQ negotiate access to the associated lounge (EK or elsewhere) for their pax. Imagine that status alone won't help as per https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/lounge-access-for-business-max-passengers

 

[serfty]

I wonder if it will be wet lease style, QF F&B in the EK lounge (in periods where the EK lounge would normally be closed), or regular EK catering?

Ie, will Veuve be on offer?

From late 2017 until COVID, Virgin Australia contracted to use the LAX emirates lounge. It was full Emirates service. (Indications were that EK would not provide "less".)

Thread 'LAX Lounge Update - Nov 2017 - Emirates lounge for all'

Nov 9, 2017

LAX Update: EK Lounge for WP; EY lounge for Business & SG - from March 21

EY lounge no longer a LAX option from November 12th.

International Lounge Access | Virgin Australia

VA6 PAX still stuck with "International Lounge".

• serfty
• airline lounges
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Virgin Australia | Velocity

• 

 

[justinbrett]

From late 2017 until COVID, Virgin Australia contracted to use the LAX emirates lounge. It was full Emirates service. (Indications were that EK would not provide "less".)

Thread 'LAX Lounge Update - Nov 2017 - Emirates lounge for all'

Nov 9, 2017

LAX Update: EK Lounge for WP; EY lounge for Business & SG - from March 21

EY lounge no longer a LAX option from November 12th.

International Lounge Access | Virgin Australia

VA6 PAX still stuck with "International Lounge".

• serfty
• airline lounges
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Virgin Australia | Velocity

• 

Was that opened exclusively for VA though?

That's my point, if operating to serve both airlines (ie in the afternoons) fair enough, but in QF only mode, do they put away the good stuff? I'm guessing probably not.