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

[serfty]

Was that opened exclusively for VA though?
...

Yes. EK had one flight a day and it was open for four hours to mid afternoon. It would reopen from 5pm exclusively for Virgin Australia PAX. On those days where VA operated a morning departure it would open for that, close, then reopen for the Emirates flight.

As indicated, full Emirates F&B was available.

 

[arrow]

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

Worth noting the EK lounge is solely a J lounge, so QF WPs / F passengers will not have a separate lounge like they currently have in the QF AKL lounge so it could be viewed as step down.

 

[jase05]

so it could be viewed as step down.

Not sure if serious

 

[SYD]

Worth noting the EK lounge is solely a J lounge, so QF WPs / F passengers will not have a separate lounge like they currently have in the QF AKL lounge so it could be viewed as step down.

There’s pages and pages up thread commenting that the EK lounge is better than the F broom cupboard. Those in the know make a beeline to EK when it’s open.

 

[mviy]

The QF AKL FLounge section is missing key things that make a QF FLounge stand out like a la carte dining and spa treatments.

Once Project Sunrise flights to JFK start one wonders if the only QF flights to AKL will be Trans-Tasman again, some of the shortest flights in the QF international network.

 

[justinbrett]

The QF AKL FLounge section is missing key things that make a QF FLounge stand out like a la carte dining and spa treatments.

Once Project Sunrise flights to JFK start one wonders if the only QF flights to AKL will be Trans-Tasman again, some of the shortest flights in the QF international network.

I think QF3/4 is doing rather well with the local (NZ) market from what I've heard.

QF have said they're open to keeping both routes (AKL serving a similar purpose on the JFK route that SIN does for LHR, allows for connections from other cities like BNE in addition to 5th freedom traffic).

 

[mviy]

If they are planning to keep AKL-JFK going hopefully that means they’ll make the lounger nicer than it would need to be for simply Trans-Tasman flights

 

[Berlin]

Worth noting the EK lounge is solely a J lounge, so QF WPs / F passengers will not have a separate lounge like they currently have in the QF AKL lounge so it could be viewed as step down.

Oh, I haven’t laughed that hard in AGES- quite literally spit out some water when reading this.

Not sure if the remark was meant seriously or not but either way, this made my day!

 

[NSun]

Worth noting the EK lounge is solely a J lounge, so QF WPs / F passengers will not have a separate lounge like they currently have in the QF AKL lounge so it could be viewed as step down.

I guess it depends on what's more important to WP/F passengers - having their own space free of SG (even if it is just a cupboard) or having real champagne as EK AKL lounge usually has.

 

[henrus]

Given the email to WP mentioned the EK lounge but the SG didn’t I wonder if it’ll be different tiers like WP gets EK, SG gets Strata and QPub members get a voucher?

 

[Virgin Bart]

Given the email to WP mentioned the EK lounge but the SG didn’t I wonder if it’ll be different tiers like WP gets EK, SG gets Strata and QPub members get a voucher?

Hope not. I've asked David Flynn (Executive Traveller @DavidFlynn ) for help on Facebook on that issue, and also what happens for status pax on JQ.

 

[jase05]

Given the email to WP mentioned the EK lounge but the SG didn’t I wonder if it’ll be different tiers like WP gets EK, SG gets Strata and QPub members get a voucher?

That’s probably not a bad idea.
WP and higher get the EK lounge, Golds to the Strata and not sure about QPub members. Jetstar just miss out altogether

 

[BrianQQ]

Given the email to WP mentioned the EK lounge but the SG didn’t I wonder if it’ll be different tiers like WP gets EK, SG gets Strata and QPub members get a voucher?

Wouldn't this literally go against Emirates-Qantas's partnership as SG and WP both get equal access to Emirates Lounges. The one in Auckland is not split into F and J right?

(Please no, as a dirty SG who is travelling on QF3/4 I don't wish to be sent to a second rate lounge ㅠㅠ)

 

[DejaBrew]

Wouldn't this literally go against Emirates-Qantas's partnership as SG and WP both get equal access to Emirates Lounges. The one in Auckland is not split into F and J right?

(Please no, as a dirty SG who is travelling on QF3/4 I don't wish to be sent to a second rate lounge ㅠㅠ)

I suspect it may come down to being a question of space and capacity. Would be surprised if WP or above are denied entry to the EK Lounge, but during periods of peak capacity (i.e. whenever an EK flight is in play), it's possible that SG/QP may be redirected to the Strata Lounge. Of course all of this is hypothetical until QF make it official. Right here and now, the only thing we know for sure is that WP and above have been explicitly advised that they'll have access to the EK Lounge, whereas it seems SG and below are being told they'll be advised closer to their flight.

 

[henrus]

Wouldn't this literally go against Emirates-Qantas's partnership as SG and WP both get equal access to Emirates Lounges. The one in Auckland is not split into F and J right?

Exceptions can be carved out for example in London one has existed since the beginning of the partnership:
At the EK LHR lounge only QF F and QF CL get access to the EK lounge prior to QF operated flights. Prior to EK flights normal SG/WP and EK F/J rules apply.

 

[arrow]

Oh, I haven’t laughed that hard in AGES- quite literally spit out some water when reading this.

Not sure if the remark was meant seriously or not but either way, this made my day!

I did say it in jest. I typically flee for the refuge of the EK lounge when it opens before the evening flight out of AKL.

However, I do remember when Qantas announced they were refurbishing BNE lounges and removing the old BNE F Lounge (broom closet) many WP’s were cheering only to find the new joint lounge only served champagne to CL / P1.

 

[henrus]

However, I do remember when Qantas announced they were refurbishing BNE lounges and removing the old BNE F Lounge (broom closet) many WP’s were cheering only to find the new joint lounge only served champagne to CL / P1.

BNE lounge serves Champagne to anyone who asks likewise in Singapore had no issues getting a glass in the J lounge.

 

[serfty]

BNE lounge serves Champagne to anyone who asks likewise in Singapore had no issues getting a glass in the J lounge.

And I have been denied Champagne when I made such a request as recently as last month in the BNE international lounge

 

[arrow]

And I have been denied Champagne when I made such a request as recently as last month in the BNE international lounge

Yep, had that issue in 2022 on BNE to LAX and subsequently never booked that route again. Always go via SYD / MEL.

I suspect the new QF AKL lounge will take the same approach

 

[henrus]

And I have been denied Champagne when I made such a request as recently as last month in the BNE international lounge

Odd I’ve been more recently then that, you do specially need to ask for piper though.