Brisbane Lounge Changes

[mviy]

It does. It's called the First Lounge.

You just have to fly F or achieve WP (and above) or OWE status to get access.

It will be interesting to see what lounge changes happen in MEL eventually. The J lounge definitely needs an upgrade to somewhere with some natural light. The F lounge is fine how it is (well it could be a bit bigger).

The BNE Int lounge is great for J travellers, SG and QANTAS Club. Not so good for F passengers (but QANTAS doesn't fly this out of BNE), WP (and above). Not having a F Lounge encourages those who value one to fly via SYD/MEL if they can. There are pros and cons of having one lounge for all international passengers.

So long as there are two lounges I can't see the J lounge in MEL improving that much, which is a shame as the gap between the J lounge and F lounge in terms of quality is too large imo.

 

[RichardMEL]

While the lounge situation in MEL is OT to this thread I'll make these comments:

MEL has a big plan to (again, seems like they always are!) renovate areas of T2 (International)
(see https://www.ausbt.com.au/luxe-make-over-for-melbourne-airport-s-t2-international-terminal)

but none of it appears to address lounges. I suspect, bar the new EK and EY lounges, most airline customers are more or less happy in the basement (note the NZ lounge refit is to the existing space that's underneath the level where even the QF J dungeon is, but at least it has some (low) ramp views..

T2 is short of space, and I think MEL missed an opportunity with the extensions to handle more 380's (eg: the gate 16-20 pier area) where they could have put more stuff above that departure level.

I'd also suspect that part of this is also airline customers wanting to spend $$$ even if "better" space was available. I mean MEL would charge rental for the lounge space, like any other of the retail outlets, food etc and I'm sure the more "premium" locations would cost more.

There's probably also a factor of some airlines probably being more or less happy if customers spend LESS time in their lounges due to the less than appealing environment.

Honestly when I depart MEL, unless Iam on QF/EK/oneworld flight with appropriate F lounge access, I tend to not put in too much extra time prior to departures given the offerings are ordinary (new NZ lounge may address this somewhat).

and finally not eveyone worries about a view. Some just want a (relatively) quiet place with the expected amenities of reasonable F&B, work space, power, showers/bathrooms etc.

Each to their own.

Anyway back to BNE I'm very much looking forward to the new Dom J lounge (and associated chec in area) opening in March and trying them out

 

[Deleted member]

And now in the new (enhanced) BNE International lounge, no Champagne unless you're WP1 !!

You just have to fly F or achieve WP (and above) or OWE status to get access.

It will be interesting to see what lounge changes happen in MEL eventually. The J lounge definitely needs an upgrade to somewhere with some natural light. The F lounge is fine how it is (well it could be a bit bigger).

The BNE Int lounge is great for J travellers, SG and QANTAS Club. Not so good for F passengers (but QANTAS doesn't fly this out of BNE), WP (and above). Not having a F Lounge encourages those who value one to fly via SYD/MEL if they can. There are pros and cons of having one lounge for all international passengers.

So long as there are two lounges I can't see the J lounge in MEL improving that much, which is a shame as the gap between the J lounge and F lounge in terms of quality is too large imo.

 

[blackcat20]

While the lounge situation in MEL is OT to this thread I'll make these comments:

MEL has a big plan to (again, seems like they always are!) renovate areas of T2 (International)
(see https://www.ausbt.com.au/luxe-make-over-for-melbourne-airport-s-t2-international-terminal)

but none of it appears to address lounges. I suspect, bar the new EK and EY lounges, most airline customers are more or less happy in the basement (note the NZ lounge refit is to the existing space that's underneath the level where even the QF J dungeon is, but at least it has some (low) ramp views..

T2 is short of space, and I think MEL missed an opportunity with the extensions to handle more 380's (eg: the gate 16-20 pier area) where they could have put more stuff above that departure level.

I'd also suspect that part of this is also airline customers wanting to spend $$$ even if "better" space was available. I mean MEL would charge rental for the lounge space, like any other of the retail outlets, food etc and I'm sure the more "premium" locations would cost more.

There's probably also a factor of some airlines probably being more or less happy if customers spend LESS time in their lounges due to the less than appealing environment.

Honestly when I depart MEL, unless Iam on QF/EK/oneworld flight with appropriate F lounge access, I tend to not put in too much extra time prior to departures given the offerings are ordinary (new NZ lounge may address this somewhat).

and finally not eveyone worries about a view. Some just want a (relatively) quiet place with the expected amenities of reasonable F&B, work space, power, showers/bathrooms etc.

Each to their own.

Anyway back to BNE I'm very much looking forward to the new Dom J lounge (and associated chec in area) opening in March and trying them out

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the MEL lounge is meant to move...wonder whats happening with the old EK space upstairs?

 

[njba]

And now in the new (enhanced) BNE International lounge, no Champagne unless you're WP1 !!

This seems like a miserly oversight. A WP probably drinks at most .5 bottle a visit (the average is probably a lot less). A bottle probably costs QF $30-40 wholesale? On a flight fare anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand?

Of course I know little about running a major company and maybe this saves QF a few thousand a year. Which they probably then waste in an appearance fee for some mindless corporation promotion (or probably wasted copy papy at head office).

Mean times.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the MEL lounge is meant to move...wonder whats happening with the old EK space upstairs?

Does the old EK lounge space have the same footprint as the QF MEL J bunker? The MEL J lounge can get pretty chockers as is.

 

[RichardMEL]

Does the old EK lounge space have the same footprint as the QF MEL J bunker? The MEL J lounge can get pretty chockers as is.

Well, they could always do a SQ type deal (if they wanted) and make the "bunker" (lol) for QC members and OW sapphires, and create a new "Business Class Lounge" for those in J and QFF Gold. Of course that would get consuing but it's one idea I guess. reduce crowding and provide the ability to offer a more tailored J lounge product (note United is also doing the same with it's Polaris lounges, though I think they are only J pax, not any elite tier, but same general idea). if they used the EK space it's close to the F lounge for possibly some measure of sharing. IIRC it's not a huge footprint though I've onlu been in it once before I hit WP so I could be wrong.

Back to BNE Int J and French Bubbles for P1/C - I've already commented (despite beingP1) I think this policy is stupid and a PITA. It probably would be more fair (and simpler !!!) to provide a cheaper french bubbly for all

While it's nice that QF want to provide something extra for P1/CL members in lounges like this and HKG/SIN) I think maybe there are other ways they could recognise the status but still provide a premium product on par with comparable offerings elsewhere (though hasn't BA taken bubbles out of their J lounges too?)

 

[DavidFlynn]

Yep, United Polaris is J-only, regardless of frequent flyer status.

A third lounge would be a creative approach to lack of space but in the end I suspect prohibitively expensive because of all the duplication of kitchens, staff, back of house etc.

Agree that for an integrated lounge, or as QF calls it a 'premium' lounge, status-based service differentiation is a must.

 

[RichardMEL]

Re cost yes

BUT

what if they took a LAX approach and consolidated oneworld lounges - CX, MH(still there? I'm not sure) etc go away, contribute to a OW lounge, operated by QF and that could recoup some of the cost, and carriers like CX would have less overall operating cost.

Of course I don't think it would happen at all, but it was a thought

 

[mviy]

The lounge is the same whether you're on a cheap economy ticket going to NZ or Indonesia or flying to London or New York with a paid business class ticket. The lounge offering could certainly be better for those with paid J tickets for long haul international.

 

[DavidFlynn]

What if they took a LAX approach and consolidated oneworld lounges - CX, MH(still there? I'm not sure) etc go away, contribute to a OW lounge, operated by QF and that could recoup some of the cost, and carriers like CX would have less overall operating cost. Of course I don't think it would happen at all, but it was a thought

I reckon CX is there only until their lease expires, then they'll pull the plug.

I think 'lounge consolidation' can work if there's room, and that's often the challenge – a single contiguous space with enough room for the many passengers, facilities (eg many showers) and a large-enough kitchen.

 

[boomy]

Back to BNE Int J and French Bubbles for P1/C - I've already commented (despite beingP1) I think this policy is stupid and a PITA. It probably would be more fair (and simpler !!!) to provide a cheaper french bubbly for all

Two things about the champagne in BNE Int J:

I agree the policy is stupid but it's only on paper. In reality I've seen pax with lower status on their BPs who asked nicely and got it but since it's "hidden" in the bar fridge most pax don't even know about it, like the Dom Perignon bottle kept hidden in EK A380 J bar

The champagne served is Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut which is not that expensive to begin with (EK serve Veuve in their J lounge) so hopefully QF don't go too cheap and start serving the cough they offer on Dom J flights...

 

[QF WP]

Does any colleague know for sure, seen/heard/read when the QF BNEd J lounge (after fully "refreshed/renovated") will reopen.

I'm due to talk to the BNE Customer Experience Manager tomorrow, so will try to get a definite answer from her.

 

[TomVexille]

The champagne served is Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut which is not that expensive to begin with (EK serve Veuve in their J lounge) so hopefully QF don't go too cheap and start serving the cough they offer on Dom J flights...

Or the cough they serve in the SIN J lounge...

 

[blackcat20]

The champagne served is Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut which is not that expensive to begin with (EK serve Veuve in their J lounge) so hopefully QF don't go too cheap and start serving the cough they offer on Dom J flights...

PJ and Veuve sit in the same price bracket.

 

[boomy]

PJ and Veuve sit in the same price bracket.

Exactly my point. EK offer self serve Veuve while QF hide the champagne...
The fact that EK offer similar quality in their J lounges to what QF offer in their flagship F lounges (and even there it's not self serve) is not a good look.

 

[TomVexille]

Exactly my point. EK offer self serve Veuve while QF hide the champagne...
The fact that EK offer similar quality in their J lounges to what QF offer in their flagship F lounges (and even there it's not self serve) is not a good look.

Although you could argue that QF serve better champagne in F

 

[boomy]

Although you could argue that QF serve better champagne in F

To my personal taste, absolutely! But they both serve premium brands and you could also argue that many pax will be more impressed by the iconic Dom label.

 

[blackcat20]

Exactly my point. EK offer self serve Veuve while QF hide the champagne...
The fact that EK offer similar quality in their J lounges to what QF offer in their flagship F lounges (and even there it's not self serve) is not a good look.

Sorry I thought you were trying to say that the QF champagne was of lower quality. But yes, hiding something that isnt 'fancy' is a bit silly. And the QF F lounge champagnes have been going strongly downhill the last few year. I miss the Bolly.

 

[Deleted member]

im a Fan of the PJ, so If and when im next in the BNE Intl J lounge, I shall be cheeky and ask