Has there been "Real" lounge improvement under AJ?

[flyer89]

Actually that won’t happen, ‘cos AJ hasn’t ordered any aircraft for QF.

Think of all the those pretty lounges though....

 

[serfty]

Actually that won’t happen, ‘cos AJ hasn’t ordered any aircraft for QF.

Think of all the those pretty lounges though....

Which ones? There have been NO lounges built new and/or significantly better than a lounge being replaced other than for capacity (LAX First) or financial reasons (LHR) that were not already planned since AJ took the helm at the end of November 2008.

Any lounge new builds have been forced (capacity, financial) and generally not for the better.

 

[Franky]

Which ones? There have been NO lounges built new and/or significantly better than a lounge being replaced other than for capacity (LAX First) or financial reasons (LHR) that were not already planned since AJ took the helm at the end of November 2008.

J Class lounge in Perth QF Terminal perhaps?

 

[serfty]

J Class lounge in Perth QF Terminal perhaps?

Capacity ...

 

[AIRwin]

New F lounge in SIN?

 

[serfty]

New F lounge in SIN?

Capacity ...

 

[justinbrett]

Why on earth would you build a lounge if not for financial or capacity reasons?

 

[serfty]

Why on earth would you build a lounge if not for financial or capacity reasons?

The initial post referred to "pretty".

I immediately thought this related to the MEL and SYD First lounges and the Domestic Business Lounges which in the scheme of things could be considered 'pretty' - but they were opened in 2007.

From my WP perspective, under AJ's leadership, lounges have generally been 'enhanced' in the true Qantas meaning ... and not in a 'pretty' way ... worst case is BNE international.

 

[RooFlyer]

At HBA we got a sandwich toaster!

Don't laugh, they actually mentioned it in a press release ...

 

[kamchatsky]

I have to say that I am disappointed with MEL Domestic Qantas Club. Feels like a cheap cafeteria in IKEA.

I am about to try SYD International Business lounge tonight, I know that they are undergoing renovation but I am keeping my expectation low.

 

[RooFlyer]

I know that they are undergoing renovation but I am keeping my expectation low.

No sign of that that I could see a few days ago. I don't mind it - its a hellavalot better than many 'business' lounges o/s,.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The former MEL QFd QP was nice...
Ideal in fact for a lazy pooch to watch airport operations.

 

[sxc]

Which ones? There have been NO lounges built new and/or significantly better than a lounge being replaced other than for capacity (LAX First) or financial reasons (LHR) that were not already planned since AJ took the helm at the end of November 2008.

Not quite sure I understand this perspective. The MEL domestic lounges are a replacement, but I think are significantly better than what they replaced? The alternative was for them to do nothing?

As said upthread, if not for capacity or financial reasons, why would you have a new/replacement lounge? Even if for supposedly financial reasons (LHR) they did a pretty good job of it?

 

[serfty]

As said upthread, if not for capacity or financial reasons, why would you have a new/replacement lounge? Even if for supposedly financial reasons (LHR) they did a pretty good job of it?

Let's put it another way ... around 2007 the 'pretty' MEL and SYD First lounges and the Domestic Business Lounges were opened when there were existing adequate facilities.

Since AJ took over, the First lounges at at BNE, HKG and SIN have been closed and replaced with glorified QP's with AKL slated for the same.

 

[mviy]

Well they did stop flying F to HKG and SIN, though they have started flying to LHR via SIN again recently and surprise, surprise find they need a FLounge again.

BNE doesn't have any QF F flights nor does AKL.

Maybe if Project Sunrise has F and if BNE has Project Sunrise flights then that'll provide a reason to add a FLounge to BNE again (we can only hope).

As for HKG with the excellent CX FLounges I think having a QF FLounge in HKG wouldn't be very profitable unless QF starts selling a heap of F seats on multiple flights a day (considering only the A380 currently has F seats that limits it to just A380 flights to Sydney).

 

[cory]

J Class lounge in Perth QF Terminal perhaps?

The Western Australian state government at the time paid for the majority of that, not Qantas.

 

[RichardMEL]

No, the former MEL QFd QP (and J) was tired.

Yes I understand the new QP is now less than it was with the internal lighting situation and no tarmac views, but the new J lounge is a vast improvement!

I would also say the London Lounge is a new lounge effort under AJ and I think LAX F could also have been under his pervue as it came after MEL and SYD

 

[Happy Trails]

Things might be different if Jetstar did lounges?

 

[serfty]

No, the former MEL QFd QP (and J) was tired.

Yes I understand the new QP is now less than it was with the internal lighting situation and no tarmac views, but the new J lounge is a vast improvement!

I would also say the London Lounge is a new lounge effort under AJ and I think LAX F could also have been under his pervue as it came after MEL and SYD

The MEL domestic refurbishment increased overall capacity so caveat number 1.

The london lounge is a QP built to reduce the fidicuary bleeding where QP members were being sent to the Admirals Club and then Cathay Bisiness. I do not rate it .. nor do I waste time using it.

TBIT had been a problem for over a decade with the never ending rebuilding. The first incarnation was a failure with insufficient capacity. I belive it was more than Qantas forking out for the TBIT eefurbishment. The current set up is a step up from before, but I have to say last month I had better F&B in the EK lounge preceding my VA flight than I had the night before in the QF First lounge. Again capacity.

 

[serfty]

Things might be different if Jetstar did lounges?

They did once. OOL