Lounge options SYD international airport?

[Nathant123]

Hi all,

Thought I’d ask the question here as I can’t find much info online. I’m flying out shortly on a Etihad business ticket from Sydney and it looks like the house lounge at the airport has not reopened. Are there any lounge options as a VA platinum flying out of Sydney at the moment? I know I have to get to the airport earlier than usual for the PCR test but don’t want to get there too early where I can’t check in or relax at a lounge. Apparently turnaround time for the PCR is 90 min as well. Let’s hope it’s not longer than that! Appreciate any information.

 

[hossein_au]

No exactly the information you've asked for, but I flew in late December on Etihad from "Melbourne". Check in opened about 3:30 before the flight. I was the first person to check in (flying J) and went straight through immigration with no other person in sight. I went to the House and I was the first person there for at least 30-40 minutes. The House had opened just a couple of days prior to my travel.

Also, I went to the airport and did the PCR test 'the day before'. I intentionally went to the testing centre around 23 hours before my flight, and as I had anticipated, most passengers for the day had already been and gone. My wait time for the test was around 15 minutes and the results came out about one hour later. If you go there on the day of your flight, you may find the queue quite long and the results may not come out within 90 minutes.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The House/#1 lounge is the only one thats for VFF members with upper status, pity that its not open for your flight.

 

[Nathant123]

Thanks for the replies. Might have to sit at maccas.. Let’s see if the platinum velocity gets me into the first lounge in Abu Dhabi. Let’s hope they pity us velocity members.

 

[SYD]

The SYD airport website says the House is open Tue to Sun (6pm - 10pm). No idea how accurate that is but hopefully someone else who’s recently flown EY J ex-SYD can advise. The fact that you‘re in J could trump VA WP status and alternative lounge arrangements might be offered.

 

[hossein_au]

Thanks for the replies. Might have to sit at maccas.. Let’s see if the platinum velocity gets me into the first lounge in Abu Dhabi. Let’s hope they pity us velocity members.

First class lounge in Abu Dhabi was closed earlier this month when I was there. All eligible passengers were directed to business class lounge (with a section cordoned off for first class passengers). I was flying business so have no idea whether VA status gets you access.

 

[SYD]

First class lounge in Abu Dhabi was closed earlier this month when I was there. All eligible passengers were directed to business class lounge (with a section cordoned off for first class passengers). I was flying business so have no idea whether VA status gets you access.

The OP is flying in J also, so shouldn‘t be an issue getting into the J lounge at AUH. The VA WP card might get them into the reserved section - if the 1st lounge is still closed.

 

[Thibault]

First class lounge in Abu Dhabi was closed earlier this month when I was there. All eligible passengers were directed to business class lounge (with a section cordoned off for first class passengers). I was flying business so have no idea whether VA status gets you access.

First class lounge is open everyday 4AM-10AM.
I had access after flying from Sydney EY455 before connecting to Paris.

Was also upgraded twice - on SYD-AUH and AUH-SYD to J. Am EY plat.

On return - 1st class lounge was closed but was directed to the J lounge with the 1st class area - had my own butler and champagne with unlimited top up.

I left Australia to Paris the 8th of December and the J lounge was closed at SYD. Etihad credited 3000 miles to my account automatically for « compensation ».

I really enjoyed my return ticket with Etihad. Hope this information helps.

 

[Spacetravel]

Apparently turnaround time for the PCR is 90 min as well. Let’s hope it’s not longer than that! Appreciate any information.

I had a PCR test on Dec 29th at Syd, I walked straight in with virtually no wait to take the test, however results took 2 hours. Unfortunately I was positive and had to cancel so I can't give you any info on the lounge situation inside the terminal.

 

[Nathant123]

I had a PCR test on Dec 29th at Syd, I walked straight in with virtually no wait to take the test, however results took 2 hours. Unfortunately I was positive and had to cancel so I can't give you any info on the lounge situation inside the terminal.

Sorry to hear that. I flew out yesterday. Also had no wait and was in and out of the PCR tent within a few minutes and negative result 90 mins after. I can confirm the house lounge is open. Sad to see SYD still pretty dead. Biggest queue I saw was at the TRS.

 

[SYD]

Sorry to hear that. I flew out yesterday. Also had no wait and was in and out of the PCR tent within a few minutes and negative result 90 mins after. I can confirm the house lounge is open. Sad to see SYD still pretty dead. Biggest queue I saw was at the TRS.

So far so good by the sounds. How did you go in AUH for lounge options?

 

[Nathant123]

So far so good by the sounds. How did you go in AUH for lounge options?

I was given arrivals lounge access while I waited for the Etihad coach. The coach was significantly delayed because it was actually raining quite heavily and not something I’ve experienced in the UAE before. Locals seem to forget how to drive in the rain. I will see what lounge options are available at AUH at the end of the trip because I’m actually flying economy as there was no business availability. I’m currently typing this whilst in the emirates first class lounge at DXB. Very impressed!

 

[SYD]

I’m currently typing this whilst in the emirates first class lounge at DXB. Very impressed!

Nice. Although some say “too big” - I found it acceptable on 8 hr layovers . Although never enough showers (same problem as AUH and DOH)…

 

[DC3]

… I’m currently typing this whilst in the emirates first class lounge at DXB. Very impressed!

Of course.

 

[nerdinary]

At SYD right now.
The House is closed, even though the sign outside says it's open. I guess Velocity Platinum isn't what it used to be.
Also have access to the AMEX lounge, but that's closed. Their website says I can access the Plaza Premium Lounge, but that's closed too.

McDonalds tables it is.

 

[TMP]

At SYD right now.
The House is closed, even though the sign outside says it's open. I guess Velocity Platinum isn't what it used to be.
Also have access to the AMEX lounge, but that's closed. Their website says I can access the Plaza Premium Lounge, but that's closed too.

McDonalds tables it is.

Pretty poor to not have a lounge option for an international flight

 

[antycbr]

Pretty poor to not have a lounge option for an international flight

All the airlines should approach the ACCC to get a single lounge instead for the next quarter to reduce costs.

 

[SYD]

At SYD right now.
The House is closed, even though the sign outside says it's open. I guess Velocity Platinum isn't what it used to be.
Also have access to the AMEX lounge, but that's closed. Their website says I can access the Plaza Premium Lounge, but that's closed too.

McDonalds tables it is.

Note to self. Don’t fly out of SYD T1 on a Sunday for the time being. Unless you’re on QFi…

 

[Nathant123]

Returned to SYD last night via AUH. Unfortunately the first lounge was closed and directed to go to business lounge. As a VA Platinum was greeted and taken to a smaller cordoned off section of the lounge with table service. Another QR menu that was nowhere near as elaborate as the Emirates first lounge in Dubai but the food was good and the staff were great. Flew economy back to SYD sat very near to some unruly kids but what can you do? A bit off topic but A week earlier I had taken a Qatar flight from Dubai to Doha and then another from Doha to Muscat. My mistake not realising the connecting flight was an Oman air flight and I didn’t get to use my shiny platinum Qatar status match to sus out the lounge. First world problems I suppose. I won’t get into the fact that I was detained by police for nearly 3 hours on arrival into Oman. That’s a story for another day!