MEL QC and J lounge getting much needed overhaul!

[drewbles]

As a frequent visitor to the QF lounges in Melbourne, it's great to see they're getting a long awaited overhaul. Here's hoping they're as awesome as the new BNE J lounge (or PER J lounge for that matter).

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-plans-all-new-melbourne-business-lounge-qantas-club

 

[mviy]

The likely lack of natural light in the new QANTAS Club is a big disappointment, but a larger Domestic Business Lounge with a greater range of food will be very nice.

On the International side I hope they make the First Lounge larger and move the International Business Lounge somewhere where there's natural light (though with the expected changes to the domestic lounges that sounds highly unlikely). Will be interesting to see if they do the international lounges after the domestic ones or leave the international ones as is.

 

[Danger]

I find it interesting that the article states the Qantas spokesperson declines to comment on specifics, yet the website has apparently seen the blueprints.

 

[mviy]

Probably a QANTAS staffer in the know leaked the information.

I don't think they would have posted the article without a credible source.

 

[levelnine]

I'll repeat the comments I made on the AusBT article:

Loss of natural light and fewer seats for the Qantas Club. A massive loss for MEL-based Gold FF members.


Add on to that the windowless International Business Lounge and fewer J seats available for MEL-LHR upgrades (with the A380 becoming the 787), which arguably impacts Gold FF members the most (ie more likely to lose the ability to secure an upgrade than Platinums).


In sum, Qantas has firmly extended its middle finger towards Gold FF MEL-based members.

 

[Pushka]

I'll repeat the comments I made on the AusBT article:

Loss of natural light and fewer seats for the Qantas Club. A massive loss for MEL-based Gold FF members.


Add on to that the windowless International Business Lounge and fewer J seats available for MEL-LHR upgrades (with the A380 becoming the 787), which arguably impacts Gold FF members the most (ie more likely to lose the ability to secure an upgrade than Platinums).


In sum, Qantas has firmly extended its middle finger towards Gold FF MEL-based members.

Then how about WP in Adelaide who don't have any business lounge and no QP lounge at all past immigration?

 

[levelnine]

Then how about WP in Adelaide who don't have any business lounge and no QP lounge at all past immigration?

Qantas can neglect (indeed, degrade) the flying experience of more than one group of frequent flyers at a time. They're skilled like that.

 

[Simo]

Was there a few weeks ago and I was just thinking then it is looking a bit tired and run down. It has looked the same way for many years now

 

[DavidFlynn]

I find it interesting that the article states the Qantas spokesperson declines to comment on specifics, yet the website has apparently seen the blueprints.

We have

 

[mviy]

The lack of a Business Lounge in ADL is disappointing but QF could have had one years ago if they wanted. Maybe eventually they'll do one. The ADL lounge is a lot better than the pitiful offering in HBA.

The reason for no lounge past immigration in ADL is that there are no QF international flights. Until/unless QF decides it's viable to do several international QF flights a day from ADL that's unlikely to change. QF would like ADL customers to connect via MEL or SYD.

WP and above who like to upgrade to F on MEL-LHR are big losers from the scrapping of A380 flights to LHR. Some benefits that were previously for WP have been removed and are now just for P1. SG and WP in MEL are both hurting from changes.

 

[mviy]

We have

I hoped the scrapping of QF A380 flights to LHR from MEL would prove incorrect but sadly that was true, so I've got no reason to doubt this one's true either.

Of course blueprints could be subject to change though with a contract likely already awarded or soon to be to do the work it's unlikely it would change much.

 

[Pushka]

The lack of a Business Lounge in ADL is disappointing but QF could have had one years ago if they wanted. Maybe eventually they'll do one. The ADL lounge is a lot better than the pitiful offering in HBA.

The reason for no lounge past immigration in ADL is that there are no QF international flights. Until/unless QF decides it's viable to do several international QF flights a day from ADL that's unlikely to change. QF would like ADL customers to connect via MEL or SYD.

WP and above who like to upgrade to F on MEL-LHR are big losers from the scrapping of A380 flights to LHR. Some benefits that were previously for WP have been removed and are now just for P1. SG and WP in MEL are both hurting from changes.

There are EK, MH and CX flights with Q code shares. And JQ.

 

[DavidFlynn]

There are EK, MH and CX flights with Q code shares. And JQ.

I doubt Qantas would consider it viable to build an all-new lounge for the sake of a handful of flights from partner airlines, or even Jetstar. Indeed, if it was viable they'd have done so already. In instances like this it'd make more sense for the airport to build & run (albeit likely via a third-party) its own premium lounge for any and all airlines wishing to use it.

 

[GSP]

Then how about WP in Adelaide who don't have any business lounge and no QP lounge at all past immigration?

Adelaide lounge is a lot better than Melbourne lounge but slightly less than Melbourne Business lounge. Ironically I'm stuck here right now due to delayed flight. (Side note, only 4 beers to choose from (1 being light) is a drawback but OK as they have the one I like).

 

[Pushka]

Adelaide lounge is a lot better than Melbourne lounge but slightly less than Melbourne Business lounge. Ironically I'm stuck here right now due to delayed flight. (Side note, only 4 beers to choose from (1 being light) is a drawback but OK as they have the one I like).

It's not too bad but the pre immigration only access sucks.

I doubt Qantas would consider it viable to build an all-new lounge for the sake of a handful of flights from partner airlines, or even Jetstar. Indeed, if it was viable they'd have done so already. In instances like this it'd make more sense for the airport to build & run (albeit likely via a third-party) its own premium lounge for any and all airlines wishing to use it.

Agree. So why haven't they at least done that! There is space 'downstairs'. I don't need 'dedicated' but anything would be better than the rubbish that is post immigration than current. Which is basically a tiny deli selling water and sandwiches. Duty free. There's always a duty free.

 

[Altair]

Great I am flying out of MEL to SYD just after the New Year, so I bet the Business Lounge will either be closed or next to useless, this on top of the fact QF cancelled my A330 flight in Business Class suites to put us on a later 737. Not happy with the Roo right now and does not bode well for the New Year.

 

[Pushka]

Great I am flying out of MEL to SYD just after the New Year, so I bet the Business Lounge will either be closed or next to useless, this on top of the fact QF cancelled my A330 flight in Business Class suites to put us on a later 737. Not happy with the Roo right now and does not bode well for the New Year.

Reckon many of us will have more than 1 flight impacted
They say both lounges will be partly open but given they are often calling for people to take bags off seats to free them up I can't see it working well.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Agree. So why haven't they at least done that!

Perhaps that's a question you should pose to Adelaide Airport?

 

[kermatu]

The likely lack of natural light in the new QANTAS Club is a big disappointment, but a larger Domestic Business Lounge with a greater range of food will be very nice.

On the International side I hope they make the First Lounge larger and move the International Business Lounge somewhere where there's natural light (though with the expected changes to the domestic lounges that sounds highly unlikely). Will be interesting to see if they do the international lounges after the domestic ones or leave the international ones as is.

More seats and better lighting for the J lounge is a huge plus. Agree though that QP seems to be a bit shafted.

I for one hope they do not touch the MEL F lounge. I dread the day that becomes a combined International lounge a la SIN or BNE.

 

[kermatu]

I'll repeat the comments I made on the AusBT article:

Loss of natural light and fewer seats for the Qantas Club. A massive loss for MEL-based Gold FF members.


Add on to that the windowless International Business Lounge and fewer J seats available for MEL-LHR upgrades (with the A380 becoming the 787), which arguably impacts Gold FF members the most (ie more likely to lose the ability to secure an upgrade than Platinums).


In sum, Qantas has firmly extended its middle finger towards Gold FF MEL-based members.

Inevitable consequence of all the double status credit promos that just drive up higher status pax.

But the J lounges have been in desperate need of space upgrades (decor doesn't worry me much). Many, many times in MEL and previously in BNE I would sit in the regular lounge as it was far more peaceful than the J one.