Coolangatta airport and Jetstar

[Mal]

They could have the lounge available for use prior to immigration. Makes it a bit tricky if you then stay in the lounge too long and can't get through immigration in time. Seems a little odd.

But no different to Darwin Airport's Qantas lounge (for International), or to some degree Singapore/Bangkok lounges (lounge is after passport control, but before security screening). I doubt International outbound immigration would take long at OOL - especially with it only handling a few flights per day. Plus the Jetstar Lounge ppls would quite effectively round people up early enough for them to go through immigration.

 

[medhead]

An interesting to know re Coolangatta airport: its part owned by a man called Alan Moss. Some of you may know him as the top dog who ran MacBank. This guy knows a little or two about airports...

Do you mean to say he knows very little about airports?

He does know a lot about bundling up infrastructure with heaps of debt to make it look profitable and hence earn a massive bonus. But I suggest he knows next to nothing in practical terms about anything like airports or toll roads or wind mills.

 

[samh004]

Sleuthing around tonight I found this blurb:

“We have remained confident that we will continue to grow our business with the Qantas Group through the successful Jetstar operation at the Gold Coast Airport,” said Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer, Paul Donovan. This has been reinforced with Jetstar’s commitment to our local residents for choice by commencing 12 flights a week to Japan in 2008. Gold Coast Airport is also currently investigating options for a membership based lounge for our local frequent flyers in lieu of the Qantas Club.

Emphasis mine. This might be old news, and certainly doesn't seem to fit exactly with recent photos of the area, but it's something similar.

 

[coco50]

I would hope that the fastidious Japanese would get sick of the Surfers strip with endless shops filled with toy koalas and head to the beauty of northern NSW. There are even some good golf courses there.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Having been through OOL a number of times recently, I have to say that it is good to see part of the new concourse area finally open as this airport has been a shambles for far too long.

The JQ Lounge is the old Qantas Club but does anyone know when it will open:?:

 

[samh004]

Your guess is as good as anyone else's.

 

[Saab34]

Having been through OOL a number of times recently, I have to say that it is good to see part of the new concourse area finally open as this airport has been a shambles for far too long.

If they make the announcements speakers a bit clearer/louder it would be even better. Plenty of food outlets there now, as there is Red Rooster, Hungry Jacks, Sumo Salad etc... Be good if they could put in a Gloria Jeans and Krispy Creme

I had a look through the new proposed "JQ Lounge", and looks like a graveyard in there, not much has been done, so I wouldn't expect it to open for a while yet...Might actually ask a JQ staff member next time about it..

 

[pauly7]

If they make the announcements speakers a bit clearer/louder it would be even better. Plenty of food outlets there now, as there is Red Rooster, Hungry Jacks, Sumo Salad etc... Be good if they could put in a Gloria Jeans and Krispy Creme
..

You are joking right... as if we need more bad coffee from GJ's and sugar dunked in saturated fat multinational 'food' outlets. Gruesome...

 

[moa999]

I had a look through the new proposed "JQ Lounge", and looks like a graveyard in there, not much has been done, so I wouldn't expect it to open for a while yet...Might actually ask a JQ staff member next time about it..

Weird to put up identifying signs on the outside of the lounge before they complete work then...

My folks flying SYD-OOL-KIX next wk so interested in any updates

 

[medhead]

You are joking right... as if we need more bad coffee from GJ's and sugar dunked in saturated fat multinational 'food' outlets. Gruesome...

GJ ain't that bad, at least it is australian. It could be worse, it could be *bucks.

But I can't agree more about the outlets offering corn syrup infused food

 

[anat0l]

I think the more bottom line is that airport food can't be good - full stop.

So...just put what "works" and be done with. Unless you had a moral or patriotic conscience, I think there's not much to be cared for as far as deciding what kind of retailers or food outlets should or should not be in an airport.

The only real about-face solution to this would be to put a proper restaurant or the like; for example, a small pub or sit down restaurant. Few airports in AU (viz. more so international airports) have such places, so fat (no pun intended) chance OOL is gonna get one.

 

[samh004]

GJ ain't that bad, at least it is australian. It could be worse, it could be *bucks.

But I can't agree more about the outlets offering corn syrup infused food

Zaraffas would be nice, their coffee isn't bad.

 

[gilby08]

Jetstar will shortly be releasing the use of the OOL lounge soon.
I think it could end up being a pay-per-use lounge.

 

[k_sheep]

GJ ain't that bad, at least it is australian. It could be worse, it could be *bucks.

Barely - started in the USA, and gives money to freakish cults!

Anyway, looking forward to getting a lounge back at OOL.

 

[samh004]

Jetstar will shortly be releasing the use of the OOL lounge soon.
I think it could end up being a pay-per-use lounge.

I wonder if that'll be a trial for some time. Hope QC membership/QFSG+ still gets you entry though.

 

[Evan]

*bucks is as good as you get in some of Asia, that or coffee bean and tea leaf.

The cynical me thinks some how QC and OWS/OWE will not have free access... but you never know, we can only hope.
Should they choose not to allow access, we should all write to QF/JQ and express our anger and maybe they will think about it again... but who know what may happen yet.

 

[samh004]

The cynical me thinks some how QC and OWS/OWE will not have free access... but you never know, we can only hope.

I would think if access is given, it'll be for QF SG/WP/CL/QP, not OWS/OWE from other airlines, just like how QF SG/WP/CL/QP can access the QP when flying Jetstar, but other FFP from OW airlines cannot.

 

[Evan]

I would think if access is given, it'll be for QF SG/WP/CL/QP, not OWS/OWE from other airlines, just like how QF SG/WP/CL/QP can access the QP when flying Jetstar, but other FFP from OW airlines cannot.

Yes, thats true, but thats also ok with me, i am QF WP, decided 2 years ago to not try for my AA, 2 hard to have both. and i dont fly high enough fare classes etc to make AA really work for me.

 

[samh004]

Yes, thats true, but thats also ok with me, i am QF WP, decided 2 years ago to not try for my AA, 2 hard to have both. and i dont fly high enough fare classes etc to make AA really work for me.

It seems to be the case when anyone makes LTG they then go for a different FF program, like AA.

If it was available to QP members then I'd probably fly out of the Gold Coast a lot more, but for a saving of $10-20 right now with no lounge access, it doesn't make much sense to me, especially seeing as I wont earn any points/SC.

 

[medhead]

Barely - started in the USA, and gives money to freakish cults!

Anyway, looking forward to getting a lounge back at OOL.

Opps, I thought SWMBO told me they were from Oz. She says she never said that.

I then told here they are actually from US and give money to freakish cults.

She thought freakish cults was ok, because the coffee still tastes alright.