First Class A380 Boarding

[Scott Brown]

Board with Y-class - half the fun of F-class is the lining up with the rest and the special treatment at the cabin door.

 

[kevrosmith]

At MEL, I recall getting the lift down from the F Lounge and seeing long lines of people waiting to board. However, while I can't remember exactly, was pretty sure there was a priority line for scanning our boarding pass that kept us moving forward fairly quickly. I think a few of us in First just walked down past the economy pax along the aerobridge... I certainly don't recall waiting in line for any length of time. This was boarding QF9 to DXB-LHR.

 

[marki]

Mind you. Being in F is just just like having more lounge time. And if you board with everyone else and then turn left. You will be the envy of those turning right

Ah the joys of life are but simple pleasures

 

[burrco]

Normally end up getting stuck with the Y crowd. Tried leaving just before the boarding call is made and also well after it - but have never managed to avoid the scrum. Dubai can be particularly frustrating as the elevators heading down to the gate are often already full with J/SG types.

 

[ejd711]

At MEL, I recall getting the lift down from the F Lounge and seeing long lines of people waiting to board. However, while I can't remember exactly, was pretty sure there was a priority line for scanning our boarding pass that kept us moving forward fairly quickly. I think a few of us in First just walked down past the economy pax along the aerobridge... I certainly don't recall waiting in line for any length of time. This was boarding QF9 to DXB-LHR.

I had the same experience - quick to get boarding pass checked but then joined the line on the aerobridge on QF 9. Mind you I found it an oddly exhilirating experience to queue up and then pull the boarding pass out again to turn left much to the envy of the passengers I'd lined up in front of. I enjoyed it because who knows when it will happen again!

 

[JohnPhelan]

At MEL, I recall getting the lift down from the F Lounge and seeing long lines of people waiting to board. However, while I can't remember exactly, was pretty sure there was a priority line for scanning our boarding pass that kept us moving forward fairly quickly. I think a few of us in First just walked down past the economy pax along the aerobridge... I certainly don't recall waiting in line for any length of time. This was boarding QF9 to DXB-LHR.

Yes, there is a special lane for F pax at MEL, but it's not signed particularly well. They seem to assume you will just know that it's there. I've seen F pax mistakenly join the J/PE (upper deck) line, thinking that's for "premium" pax.

 

[Kangol]

When we flew out of Lax we just ended up in a giant mess with Y passengers - took forever to board. However once aboard the scrum was quickly forgotten.

Is there an F host/escort at LAX for QF12/94? To avoid what you've just described?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Is there an F host/escort at LAX for QF12/94? To avoid what you've just described?

Probably - never been contacted by one overseas, only in Australia - I've always assumed this sort of treatment is for "special" people - CLs and the like not "ordinary" F like us.....I thought it was a bit ordinary but it didn't really worry us. Was just a bit surprised as you whizz through the priority boarding to get your docs checked and then end up in a melee. I might ask next time we go through Lax but probably not.....

 

[Kangol]

Probably - never been contacted by one overseas, only in Australia - I've always assumed this sort of treatment is for "special" people - CLs and the like not "ordinary" F like us.....I thought it was a bit ordinary but it didn't really worry us. Was just a bit surprised as you whizz through the priority boarding to get your docs checked and then end up in a melee. I might ask next time we go through Lax but probably not.....

Thanks, I have 2x F QF12s later this year so I'll find out. I was wondering if the QF F ground service was similar to that of TG F at BKK - golf cart transfers and the like. Then again you don't see that at QF mainland hubs (SYD/MEL) so it's probably not likely it'd be seen offshore....

 

[legroom]

Is there an F host/escort at LAX for QF12/94? To avoid what you've just described?

What host ?

What escort ?

I lined up for the priority security line with 30-40 others after walking from the T4 lounge.

You motored yourself from the QF lounge to the gate.

Priority boarding, yes.

Got to turn left !

No special treatment in LAX for QF12 F that I had come across.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Thanks, I have 2x F QF12s later this year so I'll find out. I was wondering if the QF F ground service was similar to that of TG F at BKK - golf cart transfers and the like. Then again you don't see that at QF mainland hubs (SYD/MEL) so it's probably not likely it'd be seen offshore....

Yes I think Qantas promises a lot for F passengers, but not so much in delivery. . Mind you as I've said we are not ones to ask so maybe you have to do that. We travelled F with Etihad in 2009 and although I had some things I didn't like they did do some good things. In London we were picked up from our accommodation, the chauffeur phoned ahead so when we got to Heathrow a First host was waiting at the curb, escorted us to check in and even offered to accompany us to where we needed to get our tax back! ( we declined of course) .

 

[tuapekastar]

ISTR the airbridge splitting - left for F, right for Y. Cannot recall if this was at MEL or SIN or both.

Definitely ran into the US 'problem' when travelling to LAX (though in J that time rather than F) where the line extended up the escalator and past. Anyone know if you can take the elevator down from the lounge and avoid this? Or are they 'onto it'?

 

[Kefci2000]

ISTR the airbridge splitting - left for F, right for Y. Cannot recall if this was at MEL or SIN or both.

Definitely ran into the US 'problem' when travelling to LAX (though in J that time rather than F) where the line extended up the escalator and past. Anyone know if you can take the elevator down from the lounge and avoid this? Or are they 'onto it'?

Yes take the elevator from F Lounge down to gate level

no issue when I flew in Sept last year

have even ducked back to lounge when saw queue on escalator after popping down for last minute shop

 

[Fokker]

Traveling F from MEL, had to line in aerobridge with the great unwashed. Only poor aspect of QF A380 F

 

[dfcatch]

ISTR the airbridge splitting - left for F, right for Y. Cannot recall if this was at MEL or SIN or both.

Definitely ran into the US 'problem' when travelling to LAX (though in J that time rather than F) where the line extended up the escalator and past. Anyone know if you can take the elevator down from the lounge and avoid this? Or are they 'onto it'?

I have observed them specifically directing non-F pax down the escalator - and F pax down the lift.

YMMV

 

[FrustratedQP]

Sorry to revive an old thread, can somebody tell me the situation regarding boarding for First pax on the A380 ex Sydney.

 

[mikejr]

Last month was straight out of the FLounge, separate queue at the gate for F (no one there) and then separate airbridge for F only - very nice, no waiting, Flounge to Seat in under 5mins with another glass of champagne.

 

[DC3]

Sorry to revive an old thread, can somebody tell me the situation regarding boarding for First pax on the A380 ex Sydney.

Keep your eye out for the F aerobridge. You could walk straight past it and continue into Economy if you follow the others.

 

[FrustratedQP]

Last month was straight out of the FLounge, separate queue at the gate for F (no one there) and then separate airbridge for F only - very nice, no waiting, Flounge to Seat in under 5mins with another glass of champagne.

Thank you mikejr and DC3 this is exactly the info I wanted. I appreciate it.

 

[serfty]

Sorry to revive an old thread, can somebody tell me the situation regarding boarding for First pax on the A380 ex Sydney.

LHR/DXB or LAX/DFW?

With the latter destinations to the USA you need to pass an additional security check. Some get bag searched - even F PAX.