Business Lounges closed 26 December 2012 to 6 January 2013

[Austman]

I went MEL to CBR on the 25th and CBR to MEL on the 27th.

On the 25th, both MEL and CBR J lounges were quiet. At one point I think that there were only 3 persons in the CBR J lounge (I went there on arrival to wait for my family to collect me). The CBR J lounge still looked in top condition.

On the 27th, the CBR J lounge was closed. It was my first visit to the CBR QP. It was still pretty empty. It does have better views than the J lounge! I noticed some small differences in CBR, like no Molton Brown in the QP restrooms.

Why don't Qantas have Molton Brown in all J lounges (like CBR)?.

 

[straitman]

Having just returned from a trip to Melbourne I can say that the lounge in Melbourne was overrun with squealing children, crying babies and although not totally full it was very busy. I mentioned my disappointment on the closure of the business lounge to the girl on the bar who said that "refurbishment work" was definitely taking place in the business lounge! I said that it seemed unlikely that work was needed in Canberra given the age of the lounge and that I felt it was more a matter of staffing and that I thought it was a bit poor.

The alternate answer re Canberra is that the floor tiles need relaying as they were not done properly the first time.

 

[Austman]

The alternate answer re Canberra is that the floor tiles need relaying as they were not done properly the first time.

Could be. I looked a bit closer than I normally would. They looked pretty much perfect to me...

 

[Pushka]

The lounges during Christmas holidays aren't exactly a haven for travellers.

 

[Austman]

The lounges during Christmas holidays aren't exactly a haven for travellers.

The J lounges most definately are. Or WERE.

 

[nlagalle]

The J lounges most definately are. Or WERE.

Not really, I've been there during the holidays and there were just as many kids there than the QP. it's that time of year.

 

[Foreigner]

Perhaps Qantas Club regulars will see some improvement in food and beverages during closure of business lounges.

 

[Austman]

Not really, I've been there during the holidays and there were just as many kids there than the QP. it's that time of year.

I have done MEL-CBR for at Christmas for years now (and every year since the J lounges opened) and it's always been much quieter in the MEL and CBR J lounges from the 25th onwards. Maybe other J lounges are different?

I can say there were zero kids this time in CBR J lounge on the 25th, while I was there. And a few in the MEL J lounge on the 25th. Both times at lunch/afternoon. I can even post photos!

 

[defurax]

QF closing the domestic J lounge until Jan 7 incited me to book JQ30 and JQ1 on January 4-5. First class lounge here I come...again...and again...

 

[love_the_life]

The alternate answer re Canberra is that the floor tiles need relaying as they were not done properly the first time.

Interesting information - we were there far too early yesterday for anyone to be working as we had a 6.40 am flight. What day/s were they to be working on the floors?
QC was fairly quiet yesterday but Melbourne was a madhouse.

 

[Austman]

I have done MEL-CBR for at Christmas for years now (and every year since the J lounges opened) and it's always been much quieter in the MEL and CBR J lounges from the 25th onwards. Maybe other J lounges are different?

I can say there were zero kids this time in CBR J lounge on the 25th, while I was there. And a few in the MEL J lounge on the 25th. Both times at lunch/afternoon. I can even post photos!

And here they are (the MEL is from last year). Spot even people on the 25th! CBR QP on the 27th this year at noon was similar:


CBR J lounge


MEL J lounge

 

[straitman]

Interesting information - we were there far too early yesterday for anyone to be working as we had a 6.40 am flight. What day/s were they to be working on the floors?

No idea. Just relaying what I was told.

 

[flyingfan]

At BNE QC at the moment and there's a line of people for the pancake machine waiting patiently for their turn. Why couldn't the pancake machine from the J lounge have been brought in here too during the closure?
Unless there wasn't one or it's also being refurbished, maybe to give tastier/thicker/fluffier pancakes to WP1s or something

 

[Sprucegoose]

So when do they close the QP for 'regular maintenance'?

 

[Sprucegoose]

At BNE QC at the moment and there's a line of people for the pancake machine waiting patiently for their turn. Why couldn't the pancake machine from the J lounge have been brought in here too during the closure?
Unless there wasn't one or it's also being refurbished, maybe to give tastier/thicker/fluffier pancakes to WP1s or something

It's having a 100000 service - lol

 

[love_the_life]

So when do they close the QP for 'regular maintenance'?

Love the thinking - perhaps they would send all the QP patrons to CL or J lounge while that happens. (Ha Ha)
Maybe the odd J lounge is having some extra cleaning or such but I still believe the closure has a lot to do with staffing.

 

[docjames]

Perhaps Qantas Club regulars will see some improvement in food and beverages during closure of business lounges.

Nope. Same slop as usual for the QP in SYD on 26th. Nowhere near J lounge food level.

Having said that, it was late in the day and not very busy.

 

[Ewing]

Nope. Same slop as usual for the QP in SYD on 26th. Nowhere near J lounge food level.

Indeed.

I also noticed a lower end drinks selection. Bulmers was replaced with Strongbow for example, and the wines were different.

 

[haggiscat]

Qantas Club in Sydney is the pits, with the exception of the lamps on the long tables by the bar which create a nice mood.

 

[nlagalle]

I have done MEL-CBR for at Christmas for years now (and every year since the J lounges opened) and it's always been much quieter in the MEL and CBR J lounges from the 25th onwards. Maybe other J lounges are different?

I can say there were zero kids this time in CBR J lounge on the 25th, while I was there. And a few in the MEL J lounge on the 25th. Both times at lunch/afternoon. I can even post photos!

25th will be quiet of course, i was referring to after that.. but then different times of the day will be busier or quieter!