HNL lounge

[Libertyscott]

It's been a while since there was a thread on this, so I thought I'd post on my experience a couple of days ago. I and my better half were flying out on QF4 (I'm OWE) and the QF lounge at HNL was an overcrowded zoo, with people standing to eat. It was warm and claustrophobic, I knew it would be a small lounge, but it clearly is far too small for what is needed there. The JQ flight to MEL had already boarded and it was final call for the JQ flight to SYD, so the lounge was really only full of QF4 pax (J had plenty of spare seats 24 hours out, so it must have been a mix of QFFs/QC holders). The lounge host kindly sought to find a pair of seats for us, but we decided to go to the JAL Sakura lounge and what a difference.

At that time, there was a JAL flight to NRT, but it was above terminal level with views, it was cool, there were plenty of seats (must have been about 20 people total in a lounge with over 10x that capacity. The food selection was not great, but there was an espresso coffee machine, juices, croissants, fruit salad (a wide selection of booze for those so inclined at 0800), decent wifi and a pleasant relaxing atmosphere. The lesson being that you might go to the QF lounge if you want a reasonably substantial breakfast (we ate in the hotel before leaving), but for a relaxing place to rest before QF4 (OW status wont get you in on JQ flights), the JAL Sakura lounge at HNL is like a haven compared to the QF one.

 

[SYD]

Yes, that lounge has past its Use By Date. I had a similar experience back in Feb. I don’t recall JQ operating that day but QF4 was a 747. Standing room not long after we arrived.

I have a vague recollection of QF having a different lounge somewhere upstairs that we went to flying to/from Canada back in the late 90s and early 00s when the flights used to operate around midnight.

Another work trip in the early 90s coming back from the LOTFAP, I was vectored off to the Sakura Lounge. My first experience of a JL lounges with all the seats facing the same direction. Fortunately looking out the window!

 

[blackcat20]

We use and prefer the AA/JAL lounge too. The after lounge is too small and basic.

 

[Dr Ralph]

That lounge has been a disaster for more than a decade.

I was there one time and sat next to Steve Price (Steve Price (broadcaster) - Wikipedia) who wouldn't stop complaining about it to everyone that would listen.

 

[robtemt]

We look forward to using the FS Lanai Lounge when flying in and out of Honolulu in March. I cant remember what lounge we were in when flying in 2015, but we were beyond disappointed.