HKG lounge crawl 9 June 2024 (the annual Asian lounge crawl)

Arrived in MEL to a text advising my connection to SYD had been cancelled. MEL arrivals was super quick for immigration, but AQIS was slow and also offered some interesting perspectives on the definition of “travelling together”.
 
they were all busy anyway! 😉
Shower was good. :D
Arrived in MEL to a text advising my connection to SYD had been cancelled.
In SYD Domestic J lounge and quite a few "rail" flights have been cancelled today. I guess being a public holiday for many, loads are are light and flights are being consolidated.
 
SYD immigration was the worst I’ve ever experienced. Queues at every ticket machine 15-odd deep, then same at the kiosks. I went through ticketless, which was new for me.
As per @JessicaTam, it was almost empty when coming through. Off Aircraft approx. 9:12 - nice close gate 30. Through immigration/customs/gin restocking and outside 9:24am - no queues. Not being on Qantas I went to the Terminal transfer bus stop across from Rydges for the 9:30am service only to see a sign indicating it had been relocated to "B" arrivals. "Beyond 'B' " arrivals would be more accurate - it is at the far North West end of T1. I got there just in time ...
 
Thanks everyone for a fabulous day of lounge hopping.

I visited:

CX Wing J
CX Wing F
Qantas
The Deck
Plaza Premium at gate 35
Plaza Premium at gate 40
CX Pier J
CX Pier F
Amex Centurion
Chase Sapphire lounge

The best one was CX Pier F. Even managed to book in a massage there before my flight to Taipei departed, and tried the new oneworld coughtail.

A few photos from the day…

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CX Wing F dining:
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IMG_7816.jpeg

CX Pier F:
IMG_7843.jpeg
IMG_7835.jpeg
IMG_7836.jpeg
IMG_7827.jpeg
IMG_7828.jpeg
 
Well done, Ross; the issue is you could get used to it! Any pics?

I presume that was not a regional aircraft?
Not regional; 77W ... Photos in linked post ...

Certainly have flown ... Now in "The Private Room".

I can understand why SQ aficionados decry the reduction of F to/from Oz - Wow!

I had 5 courses and could have had 6 but knocked back dessert!
 
AKL immigration is amongst the best I have experienced in the Western World. So little hassle, so short lines. And re-check-in at the Premium counter was a breeze. I got an express security pass just for having *A Gold even though my Air New Zealand flight back to MEL is in economy.

Back to the grind of paying the mortgage......
 
Arrived in MEL to a text advising my connection to SYD had been cancelled. MEL arrivals was super quick for immigration, but AQIS was slow and also offered some interesting perspectives on the definition of “travelling together”.
Had the Pilot from QF29/30 next to me on QF610 back to BNE this morning.
Mentioned you were on the 29, he said sorry for the delay and hoped you at least enjoyed the flight😊
 
Not regional; 77W ... Photos in linked post ...



77W is the one you want, and avoid the regional J at all costs, unless you're a rake when Y will do in any case.

Good pics. It is a stark reminder of the class of SQ over the glitz of EK.
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Had the Pilot from QF29/30 next to me on QF610 back to BNE this morning.
Mentioned you were on the 29, he said sorry for the delay and hoped you at least enjoyed the flight😊

Pilots dont carry cheque books....any compo?
 
The best one was CX Pier F. Even managed to book in a massage there before my flight to Taipei departed, and tried the new oneworld coughtail.

I couldn't disagree with you. The massage can be great when rundown, and you still have a good day's hard slog in F ahead of you.

From the pics, it didn't seem it was a Weight Watchers convention.
 
Just arrived back into SYD after rescheduling to QF440, a fairly full A332. What was interesting though, was that the Captain was Mark Diamond, whilst the First Officer was Michael Diamond. And yes, turns out they are indeed brothers who were enjoying their first opportunity to fly together in 23 years of service.
 
As per @JessicaTam, it was almost empty when coming through. Off Aircraft approx. 9:12 - nice close gate 30. Through immigration/customs/gin restocking and outside 9:24am - no queues. Not being on Qantas I went to the Terminal transfer bus stop across from Rydges for the 9:30am service only to see a sign indicating it had been relocated to "B" arrivals. "Beyond 'B' " arrivals would be more accurate - it is at the far North West end of T1. I got there just in time ...
Bumped into serfty at QF J lounge in SYD off our J* Lst-Syd flight ...had a nice chat before we headed home :)
 
As per @JessicaTam, it was almost empty when coming through. Off Aircraft approx. 9:12 - nice close gate 30. Through immigration/customs/gin restocking and outside 9:24am - no queues. Not being on Qantas I went to the Terminal transfer bus stop across from Rydges for the 9:30am service only to see a sign indicating it had been relocated to "B" arrivals. "Beyond 'B' " arrivals would be more accurate - it is at the far North West end of T1. I got there just in time ...
It is so far away now that we always opt to pay for the train!
 
Well the NZ lounge in AKL had a disappointing array of refreshments options until 5pm when they finally brought in some proper dinner entree options including pork belly and sauteed mushrooms. The highlight was the mini crayfish plate, but the line resembled one from China.

Anyway on my last leg home now, not a bad economy class dinner, got "upgraded" to an exit row. Back at work tomorrow so I'm really looking forward to bed.
 
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