BNE Int'l lounge: J vs F?

[ish]

Hi all,

Travelling on QF8 in the morning and curious as to best lounge my newly acquired WP status can permit? Haven't heard great things about the QF BNE Int'l Flounge... is it better than the J lounge, or should I just stick with the J?

Given the OMG hour (check-in closing at 0530) and travelling my young daughter, just looking for somewhere to relax and grab a basic breakfast. Thoughts?

 

[Mal]

Not a great deal of difference in BNE. J lounge will be much busier, but has a good "people watching" aspect of looking over the terminal. F lounge has no view of interest. Food won't be much different at that time of the morning, and although the F lounge has better alcohol - not really sure if that's important at that time of the morning.

 

[TonyHancock]

.....and although the F lounge has better alcohol - not really sure if that's important at that time of the morning.

:shock: ye gods!

I have a lunchtime/early afternoon lounge visit in August. I might try both out.

 

[here2go]

Not a great deal of difference in BNE. J lounge will be much busier, but has a good "people watching" aspect of looking over the terminal. F lounge has no view of interest. Food won't be much different at that time of the morning, and although the F lounge has better alcohol - not really sure if that's important at that time of the morning.

Champagne for breakfast prior to any long distance flight is an important thing!

 

[Mal]

Champagne for breakfast prior to any long distance flight is an important thing!

BNE-SYD is a very long haul flight

My comment was basically "May not be important to you", not "ooh, drinking at 5am in the morning is bad" (Just in case anyone took my comment the wrong way).

 

[mannej]

Champagne for breakfast prior to any long distance flight is an important thing!

The flight in question is only 90 minutes long!

 

[ish]

Thanks for that. Yes, agreed - not too worried about the range of alcohol served at 5am!

Admittedly it isn't exactly 'long haul' (LOL), but dragging a 5 yr old around at 5am, anything that makes it easier will be much appreciated!!

 

[Timba-Jet]

The F lounge felt very enclosed and boxy. forgot the J lounge was open with better views

The flight in question is only 90 minutes long!

But it's on 747!

 

[richie9x]

I spend a fair amount of time in both. Usually go with the F lounge when flying Qantas. But often I fly other carriers who use the Qantas lounge as their contract lounge, so end up in the J lounge as well. There is not a whole lot of difference between the two. Sometimes F lounge can be quiet once i was the only person. But sometimes it can be very busy.

I would go for the F lounge, maybe if it is busy try the J lounge.

 

[JohnK]

I would try both lounges out so you then have your own opinion on which is best. Personally I would take the Business Lounge over the First Lounge in BNE.

BNE-SYD is a very long haul flight

My comment was basically "May not be important to you", not "ooh, drinking at 5am in the morning is bad" (Just in case anyone took my comment the wrong way).

Most understood your comment. If you are going to have 1 alcoholic drink that early in the morning does it really matter what you are drinking?

 

[Katie]

I'd go the F lounge. Fine, it's not SYD or MEL, and it can be crowded, but so is the J lounge, esp before QF15 to LAX. Before QF8 to SYD it shouldn't be too busy, but of course that may depend on the number of transiting OWEs.
The food is very similar, but the F lounge has a slight edge. For me personally a crucial point, even for QF8, is that there is no Champagne in the J lounge. Only sparkling. You may not care.

The desk staff should let you check both out, especially if you tell them you're a new OWE (and if you haven't been in the J lounge before). If you have been in the J lounge, gove the F a burl, and go to the J if you're disappointed/missing something. Or the staff in F will bring you something from J lounge - on Mother's day, some other people on the F lounge were getting coffees from the J lounge via the staff as the machine was playing up. As I recall, one particular staff member was being very obliging in getting coffees.

 

[Fifa]

some other people on the F lounge were getting coffees from the J lounge via the staff as the machine was playing up. As I recall, one particular staff member was being very obliging in getting coffees.

Do they have a barista in the J lounge or is it also self-serve from a coffee machine?

 

[Katie]

Do they have a barista in the J lounge or is it also self-serve from a coffee machine?

No barista, there's not much space for one. Self-serve machine, but I think it was working and the F one was mucking up a bit that morning.

 

[elbarto]

My comment was basically "May not be important to you", not "ooh, drinking at 5am in the morning is bad" (Just in case anyone took my comment the wrong way).

There's nothing wrong with drinking at 5am. It's usually about the time of day I'm being thrown out of the pub.

 

[ish]

Can happily report a pleasant breakfast in the F lounge this morning... not too busy, but not empty either. Yes, coffee is self-service auto machine, but a nice breaky selection. No view, but a comfortable lounge nonetheless!

Thanks to all for the tips!

 

[Fifa]

No barista, there's not much space for one. Self-serve machine, but I think it was working and the F one was mucking up a bit that morning.

Thanks - at least the self-serve coffee is better than no coffee!

 

[Deleted member]

Finally was guested into Flounge in BNE, ( going to AKL) I thought it was great, quieter and the view wasn't an issue, the J lounge has been quite busy when I fly of late and the quieter pace and champagne breakfast was a pleasant Change.

 

[TonyHancock]

Here I am sitting in the BNE QF F Lounge at the moment, along with 16 other pax. It is certainly "cosy", perhaps even bijou.

I'm riddled with cold/man flu and have not touched a drop of alcohol. (I know when I am unwell because not wanting to drink is the classic symptom.)

Excellent display of DYKWIA'ness by the chap on the adjacent table. CL card on the table, just in case nobody saw the bag tags. If I was feeling better I'd shake his hand, he has out DYKWIA'd me by a country mile. Perhaps another reason I am feeling a little subdued. (...it gets better, he and his wife are on the same flight as me so I'll get out DYKWIA'd on my flight too.)

I have just worked out I will be boarding a QF long haul international flight in a state of sobriety for the first time in many years. :shock: At this rate I may be sober before I board the reconfigured A380 tonight....even after almost 4 hours in the lounge. (My brain is telling me to man up, but my body is failing me! Time to drink a bottle of Robotussin.)

 

[Sprucegoose]

I hate being outflanked on home soil when so prostrated.

Go on have a black robotussin, hold the ice.

 

[Deleted member]

Here I am sitting in the BNE QF F Lounge at the moment, along with 16 other pax. It is certainly "cosy", perhaps even bijou.

I'm riddled with cold/man flu and have not touched a drop of alcohol. (I know when I am unwell because not wanting to drink is the classic symptom.)

Excellent display of DYKWIA'ness by the chap on the adjacent table. CL card on the table, just in case nobody saw the bag tags. If I was feeling better I'd shake his hand, he has out DYKWIA'd me by a country mile. Perhaps another reason I am feeling a little subdued. (...it gets better, he and his wife are on the same flight as me so I'll get out DYKWIA'd on my flight too.)

I have just worked out I will be boarding a QF long haul international flight in a state of sobriety for the first time in many years. :shock: At this rate I may be sober before I board the reconfigured A380 tonight....even after almost 4 hours in the lounge. (My brain is telling me to man up, but my body is failing me! Time to drink a bottle of Robotussin.)

Just so long as you are sitting in the pointy end