HKG new lounge open

[Isochronous]

Sadly I was not very impressed with the QF HKG lounge after my 2nd longer visit in May (1st visit was a 5 min quick walk through).

I was flying from HKG-SYD as a WP, lounge was quite empty when I entered, dining area though was full except for the round table which had a couple of people on it and the P1/F tables were completely empty.

I was seated near to the dining area where the TV's were, went to peruse the menu and noticed Barramundi with grilled eggplant, so I asked a lounge staff member if I could order it, she asked where I was sitting I pointed to the TV area.

She then remarked that I can only be served at the dining area, so I said fine can the 3 of us sit here, (in the empty 'P1/F' dining tables, she said no & pointed us to the now crowded round table however the 3 of us in my travelling party wanted to sit face to face and chat whilst eating.
I questioned her why can't we have 1 empty table out of 5-6 empty tables that were there and as a Platinum surely I can get a table to eat food then leave..after going around in circles for a while, she went to check with the lounge manager.
Lounge Manager came and greeted me whilst nice enough, basically explained that I can't sit there and only option is round shared table, I mentioned that this lounge is a disappointment and devalued for Platinum's, he disagreed and I said that I am heading off the Wing F where at least I get proper F lounge fare and service in a nice way, he then compromised and agreed to allow me to eat at the TV area (there are tables there so not sure why its ok to have buffet food there but not menu food).

I have been to QF SIN lounge many times and think it's great, HKG is definitely well behind, get the feeling unless you are F or P1, you don't feel welcome and are treated accordingly.

Suffice to say I will still frequent my favourite CX F lounges in HKG rather than QF until Platinum's are given some benefits other than what is given to a Qantas Club member.

Wonder what happens to that policy when F service ceases in September?

The lounge does nothing for WPs who get no benefits. QF WPs will continue to rack up lounge charges going to Wing F where champagne is available and clothes can be pressed, both things only offered to WP1 in the QF lounge.

 

[Joshua]

If you want to be treated a little special, you'll need to be a WP1, CL, or flying F.

Can't say I was treated any differently, maybe because they were too busy handing out F boarding passes to everyone?

Honestly, really ex-HKG why would you even bother with the QF lounge unless flying QF (and then because it's close by). AND why would you even bother flying QF instead of CX? The only exception is flying to SYD in F. In the last couple years I've done the route 3 or 4 times in QF F to SYD & MEL; when flying (mostly) to BNE or ADL it is CX all the way.

The lounge, no different to SIN is what I'd consider acceptable. It matches the QF product and supposed branding direction. If I want quality/luxury I'll fly CX or SQ and not make myself miserable enough to complain. I personally preferred the QF old lounge product and think they could done better with less. Concrete floor huh. Both lounges do a relatively poor western interpretation of local culture, but I suppose that's a hard balance to pull off. If they are trying to impress their 3 or 4 daily confirmed F passengers, maybe a phone call or greeting from the invisible F host could help. Things used to be better. MAS are even better on the ground. Like I said though, I don't like to complain and in 2-3 weeks life becomes... 'simpler'.

I shouldn't be so negative. The best thing about the new lounge is definitely the back exit - provides a quicker way out of there..

 

[Princess Fiona]

I had my first visit to the lounge yesterday and despite a shaky start I actually liked it.
The guy scanning boarding passes completely missed the "F" class, waved me into the lounge and looked puzzled when I asked if there was an F section.
Fortunately another AFF'er had messaged a couple of lounge staff he/she knew and after being left like a shag on a rock at the front desk once inside I had a warm welcome, seat at the bar, BBQ Pork and glass of Champagne.
I actually like the lounge, love the layout. I think the buffet selection is good, fab salted caramel cheesecake.
The one thing they should definitely change is the Aussie Sparkling and serve Champagne to all, apart from that I think it's a pretty impressive effort.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I had my first visit to the lounge yesterday and despite a shaky start I actually liked it.
The guy scanning boarding passes completely missed the "F" class, waved me into the lounge and looked puzzled when I asked if there was an F section.
Fortunately another AFF'er had messaged a couple of lounge staff he/she knew and after being left like a shag on a rock at the front desk once inside I had a warm welcome, seat at the bar, BBQ Pork and glass of Champagne.
I actually like the lounge, love the layout. I think the buffet selection is good, fab salted caramel cheesecake.
The one thing they should definitely change is the Aussie Sparkling and serve Champagne to all, apart from that I think it's a pretty impressive effort.

Sounds like you got lucky PF. Try it again next time and we'll see if the trademark consistency is apparent...

 

[Peasant]

I had a chance to visit a couple of weeks ago for the first time as I had a CX flight departing from a nearby gate.

I like it. The decor is minimalist yes, but I like the retro touches throughout and of course good views out across the tarmac. For ambience I actually prefer it over the Wing F as there are more zones which makes it feel a little bit more private.

Service was very spotty. My waitress near the bar couldn't have been better, but at the shared table it was awful and I couldn't help but think the staff didn't really want me there. When I sat down I didn't even know if a la carte was available as no one told me and there weren't any menus I could lay my eyes on. The Wing F doesn't have very good service so there's not a huge amount of competition there, lets be honest.

Barramundi was on offer for my visit and I enjoyed it but I thought the savoury buffet selection was pretty mediocre. Chardonnay was decent.

It's a great Business lounge. But like many other people have said, it's no replacement for an F lounge. That's the real shame.

 

[pjm99au]

Slightly OT but does anyone know what the earliest check in time before departure is at HKG - QF128?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Slightly OT but does anyone know what the earliest check in time before departure is at HKG - QF128?

I know city check-in (at the HK airport express stations) is all day. I thought standard check-in otherwise was about 3 hours before departure?

 

[medhead]

Slightly OT but does anyone know what the earliest check in time before departure is at HKG - QF128?

Airport check in opens at 4pm. If you want to check in earlier than that use the town check in at Kowloon station.

Btw if you get to the airport and check in isn't open it takes about 90 minutes to get the train back into town and to return to the airport. Day return on the train costs hkd90

 

[OATEK]

I know city check-in (at the HK airport express stations) is all day. I thought standard check-in otherwise was about 3 hours before departure?

From memory your need your airport express ticket to get in to the check-in area at Kowloon Station, but after that it is plane sailing! I have checked in about 6hrs before on one occasion, when the afternoon storms drove us out of the city.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

From memory your need your airport express ticket to get in to the check-in area at Kowloon Station, but after that it is plane sailing! I have checked in about 6hrs before on one occasion, when the afternoon storms drove us out of the city.

correct - you need a ticket for entry.

but sometimes that is worthwhile if you want lounge access but can't get a boarding pass any other way

 

[Brettmcg]

Airport check in opens at 4pm. If you want to check in earlier than that use the town check in at Kowloon station.

Btw if you get to the airport and check in isn't open it takes about 90 minutes to get the train back into town and to return to the airport. Day return on the train costs hkd90

FYI - Town Check-In is also available from T-24 at Hong Kong Station on the island.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Airport check in opens at 4pm. If you want to check in earlier than that use the town check in at Kowloon station.

Btw if you get to the airport and check in isn't open it takes about 90 minutes to get the train back into town and to return to the airport. Day return on the train costs hkd90

Wonder how you knew about it.

Also, both Hong Kong and Kowloon in town check-in open at 5.30am.

 

[OATEK]

Wonder how you knew about it.

Also, both Hong Kong and Kowloon in town check-in open at 5.30am.

I only found out about it after letting the cabbie taking me to Kowloon, talk me in to an airport run (for much the same as the train). When I got to check-in I discovered there was an hour's wait, although we were able to get a decent coffee to keep us going. Next time I was all over the Airport Express site and have done a number of early check-ins at Kowloon to get rid of the bags.

 

[serfty]

Wonder how you knew about it.

Also, both Hong Kong and Kowloon in town check-in open at 5.30am.

You can even check in the day before with Qantas: In-Town Check-In Counters Information

MTR > Getting Around > Airport Express Services > Free In-town Check-in Service

 

[jojen]

Currently sitting in the new lounge. Mr jojen & I were warmly welcomed by Paul , the lounge manager. Enjoyed the BBQ pork and a glass of sparkling wine before sitting at a table and enjoying some salads with a glass of Koonunga Hill Riesling. Our first visit to the new lounge and we think it is a great improvement on the "dungeon " downstairs. Have yet to sample the dim sum trolley, desserts or coughtails before boarding our flight !!!! And as we used points to upgrade from PE to J even better !!,

jojen

 

[Mr_Orange]

Currently sitting in the new lounge. Mr jojen & I were warmly welcomed by Paul , the lounge manager. Enjoyed the BBQ pork and a glass of sparkling wine before sitting at a table and enjoying some salads with a glass of Koonunga Hill Riesling. Our first visit to the new lounge and we think it is a great improvement on the "dungeon " downstairs. Have yet to sample the dim sum trolley, desserts or coughtails before boarding our flight !!!! And as we used points to upgrade from PE to J even better !!,

jojen

Lucky you. That is not the experience I had or indeed many others. It appears to be a very mixed bag of service. QF - consistent in its inconsistency!.

 

[yohy?!]

the best part of the QF lounge is the proximity to the "Express Lane"* that leads directly to The Wing



*ie the path behind the food court shops that allows one to rapidly proceed to the F lounge

 

[Princess Fiona]

the best part of the QF lounge is the proximity to the "Express Lane"* that leads directly to The Wing

View attachment 30401

*ie the path behind the food court shops that allows one to rapidly proceed to the F lounge

I got totally lost travelling in the opposite direction and ended up stuck in the food court :shock: :!:

 

[yohy?!]

I got totally lost travelling in the opposite direction and ended up stuck in the food court :shock: :!:

you have to keep your nerve and stare down the F&B trolleys so they let you pass!

Either that or pull a DYKWIA and book a buggy!

 

[RooFlyer]

I got totally lost travelling in the opposite direction and ended up stuck in the food court :shock: :!:

Why would you be travelling in the opposite direction?