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

[kermatu]

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.

It's fine, if very predictable, and as I said better than the QF F lounge next door. But I used to regularly get crayfish, scallops, terrines, prawns - small plates but replenished immediately. Haven't seen for a year or so. Now just smoked salmon and standard open sandwiches in the cold section (plus salad and nibbles).

Did enjoy a lovely beef fillet the other day though.

 

[TheRealTMA]

It's fine, if very predictable, and as I said better than the QF F lounge next door. But I used to regularly get crayfish, scallops, terrines, prawns - small plates but replenished immediately. Haven't seen for a year or so. Now just smoked salmon and standard open sandwiches in the cold section (plus salad and nibbles).

Did enjoy a lovely beef fillet the other day though.

Yes, we enjoyed the beef fillet as well.

 

[kermatu]

Their pakoras, empanadas and pies are also super. Fish has always been average, but having been in NZ I guess a lounge is not the best place to have salmon!

 

[NSun]

Visited last week prior to QF146 (as a Qantas Gold in economy) & had a beef fillet and two mini-desserts (forgotten what they were exactly but they were the right size for a glass). I was expecting to find it closed given I arrived 4 hours before Emirates' departures, albeit only 2 hours from mine, but went in and had it nearly all to myself until it was time for me to board. I always default to the Emirates Auckland lounge because of the food, but when Emirates axe their Melbourne & Brisbane flights its possible it'll only be opening in the evenings.

If Qantas want to renovate their Auckland lounge they could do it in stages over a longer period of a year or so (like Melbourne's domestic lounges) or close it completely and it takes only a few months (like Brisbane's international J lounge). I hope they pick the latter and we get the EK lounge; then hopefully they build the QF lounge so it is better than the Emirates lounge. Alan Joyce said himself back in 2015 (Source: AusBT) that they'd love to have the best lounge in Auckland.

 

[QFFHntrGthr]

Well whatever Qantas intends to do with the 1st class lounge in Auckland, I hope it was only playing a joke on me on the 12 Feb - serving a NZ sparkling called "HaHa" with no champagne insight. Sad, for my pallette, even the Lanson Qantas had is nicer than the Moet that Emirates is now offering in their Auckland lounge. As an aside, Emirates was serving Moet 2009 vintage in the J cabin on EK407. Hope this is a permanent J product offering change.

 

[kermatu]

For those interested, new AKL EK lounge hours are 09:20-12:20 (for the Bali flight) and 16:00-20:00 for the Dubai flight. Sadly my QF flight was right in the middle.

 

[Silvia]

Just a quick FYI regarding this. I used QF and EK lounge (6pm departure). I turned up at 4pm when the electric doors were opened and was turned away as according to the staff it was still another 10 minutes and was yelled to "go to Qantas". Then came back at 4 10, was told that food wasn't out there yet, no dramas. Food wasn't out until 4 40pm and it was pretty much the same as what I got when I went last April, still heaps better than QF. I guess just a tiny price to pay which is the attitude of EK staff.

 

[kermatu]

Couple of times last year or early this, i was first person in the lounge. Saw the front desk staff go to the kitchen to get the hot food started. Cold was already out. Hot food maybe 10 minutes.
Half hour is not good. But I guess it was 4(?) hours before the next EK flight so I can understand waiting for pax to actually arrive.

 

[kermatu]

New hours of operation: 10:45 to 14:15 (for Bali flight); and 16:45 to 20:45

 

[bjm76]

Just a quick FYI regarding this. I used QF and EK lounge (6pm departure). I turned up at 4pm when the electric doors were opened and was turned away as according to the staff it was still another 10 minutes and was yelled to "go to Qantas". Then came back at 4 10, was told that food wasn't out there yet, no dramas. Food wasn't out until 4 40pm and it was pretty much the same as what I got when I went last April, still heaps better than QF. I guess just a tiny price to pay which is the attitude of EK staff.

I had the exact same experience last year - being yelled at to 'go to Qantas' and the woman walked with me out of the reception area to make sure I left. I didnt bother trying again - felt really embarassed. At least the staff at the QF lounge are friendly.

 

[kermatu]

So I have never been turned away when flying Qantas, but did get a bit of a telling off from the dragon this time. I had been in the QF F lounge until 10:50. It was fine but I was keen to go back to the EK lounge as I had gotten to know 3 of the staff members there quite well and wanted to see if they were still around (they'd all expected to move on / were looking for other jobs with the demise of the three Oz flights). Sadly I didn't see any of them.

When i got to the desk, the agent said "You are lucky. You will be one of only two Qantas passengers I'm going to let in today". Why? "Because we have limited catering. And just so you know the hot food is not going to be started for a while". That's fine I said, I'm only here for half an hour (My flight was the 12:05 QF flight to Melbourne.) I then had the temerity to ask for a toothbrush kit. Got a death stare and a sigh. But then did get the kit. How lovely.

The bathrooms are much better in the EK lounge which is another reason to attend. And lounge is much quieter than QFs. But I don't think I'll bother with EK again.

As an aside, when I exited at 11:25am there was one other person in the lounge, and the hot food had not yet started.

 

[kiwitripper64]

I walked over for a change of scenery last Wednesday and was refused entry because it was going to be too crowded. Hmmmm, it used to be big enough for 3x A380 flights leaving within 90min of each other. I have to conclude business is good with EK selling all the F+J seats and having lots of EK status passengers visiting NZ

 

[kermatu]

And it has actually been expanded since those days.

 

[Silvia]

This speaks volumes tome on how EK and QF is no real partnership lounge wise, I flew EK F to SYD-CHC and at any time I got a different treatment at the QF F lounge for entering on a EK ticket, whereas going to EK AKL lounge on a QF ticket, you are treated like they are doing you a favour, when it's called reciprocal benefits as part of a partnership.

 

[kermatu]

This speaks volumes tome on how EK and QF is no real partnership lounge wise, I flew EK F to SYD-CHC and at any time I got a different treatment at the QF F lounge for entering on a EK ticket, whereas going to EK AKL lounge on a QF ticket, you are treated like they are doing you a favour, when it's called reciprocal benefits as part of a partnership.

Assume you meant to say you were not treated any differently at the SYD F lounge just because you wee flying EK?

That's certainly been my experience flying EK out of Melbourne. Top service as usual irrespective of airline or class of travel.

 

[Silvia]

Assume you meant to say you were not treated any differently at the SYD F lounge just because you wee flying EK?

That's certainly been my experience flying EK out of Melbourne. Top service as usual irrespective of airline or class of travel.

Yes ooppss sorry!
The attitude of most EK staff in AKL needs to change.

 

[kermatu]

Yes ooppss sorry!
The attitude of most EK staff in AKL needs to change.

It is now a new crew (best I can tell). Took multiple visits with the old team before I fully broke through their poor attitude toward QF passengers. Eventually got very nice welcomes, a few chats, even had them come and find me to advise me of gate changes or delays for QF flights [another sign of non-alliance partnership that EK lounges don't call QF flights].

 

[Silvia]

wow, that's impressive. I travel through AKL a few times a year, so any insights or tips would be very welcomed!

 

[kiwitripper64]

One of the reasons I went there was to say hi, but i didnt recognise anyone from the old days.

 

[jsf]

Traveling from AKL on 6 Nov. QF SG in QF Y cabin. Checked in to QP first because EK lounge wasn't open. Waited until 5 pm. Tried go to EK lounge and got refused entry. Was told QF should go to QF lounge.

Hmmmm back to the pub again for another beer.