Auckland Emirates Lounge [Now open approx. 11am-2pm,5pm-9pm]

[Etrust]

What about QF Flight number (EK flight) but in J class?

 

[Deleted member]

I'm flying AKL - BNE in November EK Metal. EK booking. As WP looking forward to trying it out.

 

[juddles]

What about QF Flight number (EK flight) but in J class?

I have the same question. Next month will be flying through (en route to BNE) and my flight is EK metal but sold as QF ticket. Business class. I am WP with QFF. Am assuming (hoping?) I will have entry?

Also, anyone know what the current opening hours are?? And do they have day beds or similar?

 

[kermatu]

I have the same question. Next month will be flying through (en route to BNE) and my flight is EK metal but sold as QF ticket. Business class. I am WP with QFF. Am assuming (hoping?) I will have entry?

Also, anyone know what the current opening hours are?? And do they have day beds or similar?

You will have entry. Shouldn't be a problem as you will have a J EK boarding pass. Small chance you may be warned that if the lounge is crowded you'll be asked to go to the QF lounge. I have been there a dozen time, only once actually flying EK. My most recent visit I was given this warning and I was the first person in the lounge! By the time I left there were maybe 30 people in the lounge in total. First time I've ever been told I may not have access. But that was QF J on QF ticket. I think you will be fine.

Food, while better than the QF lounge, is going downhill in my opinion. Showers and bathrooms good. No day beds as far as I know.

 

[kermatu]

And last time I was there, about 4 weeks ago, it opened at 14:00.

 

[juddles]

And last time I was there, about 4 weeks ago, it opened at 14:00.

Thanks Kermatu - I get in on a flight from Chile at 6am, so will have to find something to do for most of the day - I assume the QF lounge is open early.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks Kermatu - I get in on a flight from Chile at 6am, so will have to find something to do for most of the day - I assume the QF lounge is open early.

Yes, but I sure wouldn't recommend such a long wait in the QF lounges (or any lounge, for that matter)!

 

[juddles]

No choice really. I will be jetlagged and not feel like a day visit in Auckland.

Was hoping for a day bed type thing in a lounge but I am unaware of any - I was in the QF F lounge there last week and cannot remember any such thing.

 

[kermatu]

No choice really. I will be jetlagged and not feel like a day visit in Auckland.

Was hoping for a day bed type thing in a lounge but I am unaware of any - I was in the QF F lounge there last week and cannot remember any such thing.

Definitely no day bed in the QF F lounge. It is quiet though. The Novotel across the road from the International terminal may be your best bet. But it's pricey.

 

[QFFHntrGthr]

An update on this thread.

The EK AKL lounge is now open from 1pm. Accessed several times last year on QF ticketed EK metal in J no problem, last time in December. Knocked back yesterday 10 minutes after 1pm, flying QF in Y as QF WP (in transit from another flight hence being so early). Initial reason given was "We are expecting to be at full capacity". Then she tried to be nice and tried to get us our gate number which wasn't on the BPs. She then said (more to herself), 'now what time is the flight, oh here it is - 4pm'. At this, I chipped in - "and we will be out before you get busy". Without looking up at us, she added - "There's also the problem of consumption and catering". I was under the understanding QF would be charged for our entry.

Maybe, if seeking access to the lounge when flying non EK metal, going too close to opening times flashes a warning of - glutton, drunk, more that they could recoup from Qantas

 

[kermatu]

An update on this thread.

The EK AKL lounge is now open from 1pm. Accessed several times last year on QF ticketed EK metal in J no problem, last time in December. Knocked back yesterday 10 minutes after 1pm, flying QF in Y as QF WP (in transit from another flight hence being so early). Initial reason given was "We are expecting to be at full capacity". Then she tried to be nice and tried to get us our gate number which wasn't on the BPs. She then said (more to herself), 'now what time is the flight, oh here it is - 4pm'. At this, I chipped in - "and we will be out before you get busy". Without looking up at us, she added - "There's also the problem of consumption and catering". I was under the understanding QF would be charged for our entry.

Maybe, if seeking access to the lounge when flying non EK metal, going too close to opening times flashes a warning of - glutton, drunk, more that they could recoup from Qantas

I've been first or close to first in the EK lounge several times when flying QF (usually in J) and never been denied entry. I once had the warning but was still let in. Lounge is still pretty empty at 4pm so this is a furphy. I will test again in a fortnight - thanks for the warning though.

 

[serfty]

It does not get as bad as it used to with the four flights being more staggered in timing.

SYD departs before 5pm, BNE after 6pm, MEL before 7pm and DXB after 9pm.

 

[kermatu]

Was there again on Friday - entered 1:45pm and left about 2:40pm. Must admit the lounge was getting reasonably full by the time I left. SYD flight was departing just after 4pm I think. But on arrival was greeted so warmly by the front desk staff (and later by the dining staff) there was never any doubt they'd let me in (flying QF J).

 

[QFFHntrGthr]

Was there again on Friday - entered 1:45pm and left about 2:40pm. Must admit the lounge was getting reasonably full by the time I left. SYD flight was departing just after 4pm I think. But on arrival was greeted so warmly by the front desk staff (and later by the dining staff) there was never any doubt they'd let me in (flying QF J).

Thanks for the update kermatu. I guess there's a difference between flying QF J or Y as to the welcome offered, not taking into account the staff member on duty (the one who rejected us is often there, resembles an older 1960s Kaye Ballard (late 60s sitcom The Mothers In Law). Getting stuck in Qantas AKL shoe box 1st lounge not all that exciting.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks for the update kermatu. I guess there's a difference between flying QF J or Y as to the welcome offered, not taking into account the staff member on duty (the one who rejected us is often there, resembles an older 1960s Kaye Ballard (late 60s sitcom The Mothers In Law). Getting stuck in Qantas AKL shoe box 1st lounge not all that exciting.

So the warm greeting I got was well before even showing the BP - so they'd have no way of knowing that I was flying QF or in J. I'm pretty sure I've flown QF Y, J and EK Y out of AKL and been admitted, with only one instance of hesitation and a bit of a comment about lounge being full.

I normally like the QF F shoebox but this day it was absolutely full so not pleasant at all. Still, was only there for 10 minutes to get gate and boarding call so no big deal.

 

[kermatu]

For reference - even though EK 419 ex-AKL is no more, and the first EK flight is at 17:10, the EK lounge continues to open at 1pm in Winter. I've now been the first person in the lounge twice this week at 13:15 with very few people in the lounge by the time the QF flight to Sydney (QF146) starts boarding (around 14:45). A huge plus for any QF flyers.

Staff confirmed likely 2pm opening once NZ daylight saving kicks in as all EK flights will depart an hour later.

 

[kermatu]

Update on this lounge. Ironically the refurb is complete and there are now an extra 30 or so seats. It is spacious.

Ironic though as the cessation of the EK SYD flight and spacing now means the lounge is never full.

Lounge currently opens at 13:30 even though first EK flight is at 18:10. No trouble entering on a QF J ticket. Staff know me so not likely to be an issue for me in any event.

Staff think hours will be severely cut back naturally enough from March. Hopeful of giving me more news for my next visit a few days later.

 

[kermatu]

My days in this lounge may be numbered. Looks like it will only open 3 hours before the only EK flight - currently departing at 21:15. Staff uncertain and some are leaving.

Had lovely chats with a lot of them and received nice hugs from kitchen, service and front desk staff (only a couple of people in the lounge at the time).

But - staff have been told another flight is highly likely. The direct flight is very well utilised, even with the MEL and BNE flights still running, so there is an expectation demand will be there for another flight.

Unlikely to help us QF pax. Might be a temp home if the QF refurb happens. I'm now hoping that does happen!

 

[kermatu]

I entered the EK lounge at 2:10 pm and was the first pax. As I walked past the queue to see the front desk in the QF lounges extended to the sliding doors. Not a good sign.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Food, while better than the QF lounge, is going downhill in my opinion.

Was very happy with food, and particularly wines, in January. Arrived at around 2 pm for 6 pm flight to BNE. Checked out the QF F lounge and just about ran out screaming in horror.