Auckland F lounge choice?

[Scriber]

Hi Trans Tasman hoppers! I am flying the EK A380 AKL-MEL in F on Sunday evening; what are my lounge choices and any favourites please?
My understanding is EK offer a combined Business and First Lounge; is the new QF one open yet?
Cheers

 

[NZflygirl]

From AKL just EK.

QF still has the old lounge. I'm sure you could poke your head in to the QF first and business lounges but doubt you will want to stay. QF and EK lounges are just a few metres from each other at AKL.

 

[RichardMEL]

The EK lounge is combined, and is a rather nice lounge *BUT* it gets so insane with all those 380's departing in the early evening hours that it can be better out of it.

(specially as the MEL flight usually departs after SYD and BNE, but well before the later DXB nonstop)

my usual strategy is to go to EK if I am there before say 4-4:30 have some food while it's there and there is choice of seats etc then I will head over to QF F - it's small, not very interesting, but quiet (and they do have the ice cream which is tasty ). I value that space because it's not very busy. Sometimes the odd family with kids have been in there but usually it's fairly quiet even with a couple of flights leaving around 17000-1800 (depending on timezone)

if it's just for the best lounge choic, then EK hands down but beware how busy it gets.

Also don't bother to O.D. on the verve Brut in the lounge if bubbles are your thing - wait for the Dom on board

enjoy the flight. I'll be doing it again in about 6 weeks.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

If possible, time your airport arrival for when EK check in opens (far left of the terminal downstairs) and get up to the EK lounge to get a good seat. It's a large lounge but can get VERY full. The food options are good and you can indulge a little, considering it's not the full F meal experience across the ditch. However, as mentioned, if you're a wine drinker then pass up the lounge options and wait until you get on board as the full F wine list is offered and there are some beauties on there.

 

[opusman]

EK has better F&B but once you've eaten, the QF F lounge can be quieter.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The AKL Emirates combo F and J lounge is very good for early dinner.
I did as you are doing in Dec last year.
Didnt do the AKL QFi cupboard tour though.
**Edit: in the middle of the AKL EK combo F and J lounge, they have this round island sort of thing, help yourself to as many mini servings as you want of anything there.
Sandwiches etc.
But the best thing about EK is the onboard bar at the rear of J on the 380.
Prawn and mango sliders, yumo!
I think if I remember correctly, the hostie told me its pronounced "vevue" or was it verve as on here.
My first glass of red wine ever!
Some say try the shower onboard, I didn't as I wear glasses and while the onboard shower room has space to put them down, personally, I think the onboard shower are not for me.
I did the walk around the upper deck though.
If you have access to a small digital camera, take one along.
I took my old ipod, when I plugged it into my laptop, all the 380 pixs just disappeared.
If you have done the 380 before, enjoy.
If its your first, hope this will the first of many.

 

[RichardMEL]

If possible, time your airport arrival for when EK check in opens (far left of the terminal downstairs) and get up to the EK lounge to get a good seat. It's a large lounge but can get VERY full. The food options are good and you can indulge a little, considering it's not the full F meal experience across the ditch. However, as mentioned, if you're a wine drinker then pass up the lounge options and wait until you get on board as the full F wine list is offered and there are some beauties on there.

EK checkin has moved further in from the far left where it used to be - just FYI

 

[Aussie_flyer]

It was far left when I was there 2 weeks ago

 

[RichardMEL]

It was far left when I was there 2 weeks ago

man, they must have moved back since earlier this year! LOL
I stand corrected!

 

[opusman]

Some say try the shower onboard, I didn't as I wear glasses and while the onboard shower room has space to put them down, personally, I think the onboard shower are not for me.

Well, that makes perfect sense.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Somewhere too I read that AKL airport is doing some major works.
Read at www.corporate.aucklandairport.co.nz
That was Jan 16.
Don't know when it will be finished.
I have plans to go through there again this Dec, another 4 day long weekend.

 

[RichardMEL]

But the best thing about EK is the onboard bar at the rear of J on the 380.
Prawn and mango sliders, yumo!
I think if I remember correctly, the hostie told me its pronounced "vevue" or was it verve as on here.
My first glass of red wine ever!
Some say try the shower onboard, I didn't as I wear glasses and while the onboard shower room has space to put them down, personally, I think the onboard shower are not for me.
I did the walk around the upper deck though.
If you have access to a small digital camera, take one along.
I took my old ipod, when I plugged it into my laptop, all the 380 pixs just disappeared.
If you have done the 380 before, enjoy.
If its your first, hope this will the first of many.

This is all a bit OT to the thread question about lounges but really

Veuve Clicquot (Brut) is the lounge French Champagne, and is not related to any on board red wine. EK in J serve Moet and in F it's Dom.
The shower suites are massive and there is plenty of space to put clothes, glasses(which I wear) etc when enjoying the shower experience. Not a reason I would personally use to not try the shower!!
the rest is really personal opinion. Yes the 380 bar is a fun area with the snacks and stuff, but it's not for everyone. I've spent entire flights sitting in F and not bothering to go back there. Each to their own.

Back on topic...

Re AKL changes QF is going to redo their lounge and turn it into a combined lounge along the lines of HKG and SIN, which are very nice:

It seems uncertain when this will actually happen though - certainly not in the next few months

Qantas to upgrade Auckland international business class lounge - Australian Business Traveller

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hostie gave me Vevue on board though.
Even corrected my pronounciation.

 

[RichardMEL]

Hostie gave me Vevue on board though.
Even corrected my pronounciation.

If you were in F on EK then you were ripped off and I find it hard to believe.

but anyway, Off topic.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

If you were in F on EK then you were ripped off and I find it hard to believe.

but anyway, Off topic.

And its changed from champagne to red wine. Hahaha

 

[Ewing]

EK in J serve Moet and in F it's Dom.

EK also serve Veuve in J. Not sure what defines which one is served, but some routes are definitely Veuve.

My flight in 2 weeks from DXB-CDG has Dom 2006 & Dom P2 1998 in First, and Veuve in Business.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Veuve in J yesterday

 

[RichardMEL]

My apologies. I stand corrected. Perhaps they have changed.. or like QF F it's a mix and match. I've previously only ever had Moet in EK J.

anyway apologies on that score.

 

[Ewing]

My apologies. I stand corrected. Perhaps they have changed.. or like QF F it's a mix and match. I've previously only ever had Moet in EK J.

anyway apologies on that score.

Easy mistake to make... I've only ever seen Moet on Australian routes

 

[GoldCanyon340]

My flight in 2 weeks from DXB-CDG has Dom 2006 & Dom P2 1998 in First, and Veuve in Business.

I had the Dom Perignon P2 on an OSL-DXB at the end of August. It is a cracker.