Mumbai OW lounges

[meloz]

I'm heading to Mumbai next month and have read how bad the QF lounge is. What other options does an emerald have there?

Cheers

Meloz

 

[NM]

I'm heading to Mumbai next month and have read how bad the QF lounge is. What other options does an emerald have there?

Cheers

Meloz

One option is to buy a ticket on SQ :roll: .

 

[meloz]

touché

However part of a pre May award.

 

[NM]

Have you had a look at this thread?

CX and BA also fly to BOM, but not sure what their lounge options are. I would not be surprised if they all use the same facilities since none has many flight options to/from BOM.

 

[meloz]

NM

I'll try the SQ lounge with payement in hand or check out the bar by the sound of it.

Thanks

Meloz

 

[clifford]

I was in Mumbai twice last month, flying SQ/BD (they operate from different terminals would you believe), and there is no airside link between them. Just as well I had obtained a visa for India.

The Bus Class lounge in the BD terminal (2A as I recall?) was quite reasonable with a basic help-yourself selection of free booze and hot snacks (eg "curry puffs").

However, in the SQ terminal (2C? - I could have the letters the wrong way round) I was ushered into the First Class lounge where everything is waiter service (no self service) and I found it to be a real pain. The service was poor and the waiters also wanted tipping. Further, I had no idea what was available, as everything was hidden from view. Maybe this is how the British liked it during the Raj, but it's not for me.

So my advice is to try and get into the Bus class lounge in terminal 2A (I think this is where QF operates from).

Good luck!

 

[browski]

flight

Ok, In the last 22 days I have flown to BOM on QF via Syd twice as well as SQ to BOM from Brisbane.

Let there be no doubt ever that the SQ flight(s) are FAR superior than anything QF can dish up. TAKE SQ - mainly because of the inflight service, but also because unless you live in Syd, you will have to clear customs in Syd and re-checkin you DOM flight - much better to check the luggage all the way thru from BOM to your final destination on SQ.

But it is the service - the SQ girls work non-stop, even for the most demanding and beligerent Indian passengers on the fullest of loads. The QF staff pass thru the aisle once, and then read Woman's Day mags for the flight remainder.

Finally, Aussie Immigration have stationed some staff in BOM to check who boards this QF flight to Syd. Though the questioning is clinical, you get the feeling that by default, they consider you a threat, and but for the grace of god would love nothing better than to start snapping on the rubber gloves. This does not happen on the SQ flight - at checkin they just steal your passport for five minutes while they fax of to Oz to let them know that you are COMING! (Just so they won't be surprised)

OK, let's move to the lounges.
In the QF terminal, 2A (Clifford, I think it is the other way around) the bar is situated bang outside the Oberoi Clipper One World Lounge. The only difference to the bar and lounge is that you might get a free beer in the lounge.
However if you want wireless access then either in the lounge or in the bar, you will need to purchase the wireless time for a small amount - about 150 Rps for 30 min.
Even the bathrooms are shared between the bar and lounge.
Also the lounges look and smell like something out of a cheap brothel - I don't think they know the term "Scotch Guard" yet in India. I don't want to sit on those lounges.

So SIT at the bar - it is sort of more social - and relax. Even the plane usually gates from right outside the bar - and it will usually be late, so at least you can keep an eye on things from there.

Also the food in the bar is quite good and will not make you projectile vomit before you board your flight - which in some cultures, is considered a good thing.

The SQ flight though far superior, is from the other terminal. There is a SQ lounge and even though you might not be a member you can buy your way into the lounge. This is not worthwhile. Just sit in the general lounge, like a normal customer and WAIT - be resigned to the fact that there is no lounge worth entering and simply await the comfort that the Singapore girls will provide, once aboard.

Now, here is an IMPORTANT tip. If I remember correctly, I could Seat allocate my QF flight from BOM on the internet.

I could not internet check-in on the SQ flight (maybe because SQ Mumbai does not yet have e-ticketing). You want to have your BOM outbound seat confirmed (if possible) because there will be NO JOY if you wait until actual check-in. SQ flights from BOM are notoriously heavily booked and most likely you will be placed in economy in a centre seat, shoulder to shoulder with some some people that the Wright brothers never thought would be allowed to fly.

My 2 cents.

 

[meloz]

Re: flight

Ok, In the last 22 days I have flown to BOM on QF via Syd twice as well as SQ to BOM from Brisbane.

Let there be no doubt ever that the SQ flight(s) are FAR superior than anything QF can dish up. TAKE SQ - mainly because of the inflight service, but also because unless you live in Syd, you will have to clear customs in Syd and re-checkin you DOM flight - much better to check the luggage all the way thru from BOM to your final destination on SQ.

But it is the service - the SQ girls work non-stop, even for the most demanding and beligerent Indian passengers on the fullest of loads. The QF staff pass thru the aisle once, and then read Woman's Day mags for the flight remainder.

Finally, Aussie Immigration have stationed some staff in BOM to check who boards this QF flight to Syd. Though the questioning is clinical, you get the feeling that by default, they consider you a threat, and but for the grace of god would love nothing better than to start snapping on the rubber gloves. This does not happen on the SQ flight - at checkin they just steal your passport for five minutes while they fax of to Oz to let them know that you are COMING! (Just so they won't be surprised)

OK, let's move to the lounges.
In the QF terminal, 2A (Clifford, I think it is the other way around) the bar is situated bang outside the Oberoi Clipper One World Lounge. The only difference to the bar and lounge is that you might get a free beer in the lounge.
However if you want wireless access then either in the lounge or in the bar, you will need to purchase the wireless time for a small amount - about 150 Rps for 30 min.
Even the bathrooms are shared between the bar and lounge.
Also the lounges look and smell like something out of a cheap brothel - I don't think they know the term "Scotch Guard" yet in India. I don't want to sit on those lounges.

So SIT at the bar - it is sort of more social - and relax. Even the plane usually gates from right outside the bar - and it will usually be late, so at least you can keep an eye on things from there.

Also the food in the bar is quite good and will not make you projectile vomit before you board your flight - which in some cultures, is considered a good thing.

The SQ flight though far superior, is from the other terminal. There is a SQ lounge and even though you might not be a member you can buy your way into the lounge. This is not worthwhile. Just sit in the general lounge, like a normal customer and WAIT - be resigned to the fact that there is no lounge worth entering and simply await the comfort that the Singapore girls will provide, once aboard.

Now, here is an IMPORTANT tip. If I remember correctly, I could Seat allocate my QF flight from BOM on the internet.

I could not internet check-in on the SQ flight (maybe because SQ Mumbai does not yet have e-ticketing). You want to have your BOM outbound seat confirmed (if possible) because there will be NO JOY if you wait until actual check-in. SQ flights from BOM are notoriously heavily booked and most likely you will be placed in economy in a centre seat, shoulder to shoulder with some some people that the Wright brothers never thought would be allowed to fly.

My 2 cents.

Brownski

Thanks for your comments.

Unfortunately this is a QF award flight so no SQ option.

I have flown SQ and agree the service is superior to QF, as is CX and possibly Aeroflot of late. It is my understanding SQ security bans all knives, firearms and Woman's Day magazines. It makes me laugh when the QF unions tried to fight the iniation of the self serve bar in J, now they just tell you to get up and help yourself. Shame QF shame! The bar may be down the back but BIZ is still up front, and that noise you may hear occassionaly is the FA call button trying to drag you out of the galley after an hour of not seeing you. We are not being demanding BIZ pax, we are just concerned for your welfare and checking you have not come to some sort of misfortune.

Allocated seats are already sorted through the kind people at the premium desk (the people that give QF a good name with their fantastic service). If only they were FA's.

As for the lounge, it sounds like I may hang out at the bar or the carpark.

What does a cheap brothel look and smell like and is there such a thing?

Thanks

Meloz

 

[JohnK]

Re: flight

...What does a cheap brothel look and smell like and is there such a thing? ...

Yes there is and that is on another thread in a different discussion board.

We don't want to go off topic on aff board do we?

 

[NM]

Further, I had no idea what was available, as everything was hidden from view. Maybe this is how the British liked it during the Raj, but it's not for me.

For the menu, just think about being British during the Raj period ...

• Gin and Tonic
• Claret
• Black Tea
• Cucumber sandwiches

and probably little else.

 

[clifford]

Further, I had no idea what was available, as everything was hidden from view. Maybe this is how the British liked it during the Raj, but it's not for me.

For the menu, just think about being British during the Raj period ...

• Gin and Tonic
• Claret
• Black Tea
• Cucumber sandwiches

and probably little else.

Thanks for the insight, NM. I could probably handle the claret, but not at 9 in the morning (when my flight was boarding).

And for Meloz, don't worry about the smell of cheap brothels (whatever that is), the overwhelming aroma of India is that of cheap currys (which you will no doubt find out). Have a great trip to the sub-continent.

 

[aus_flyer]

I can't believe that cucumber sandwiches are not extinct. They should not have survived past the 50s.

 

[NM]

I can't believe that cucumber sandwiches are not extinct. They should not have survived past the 50s.

Its the same sandwitch - nobody has ordered it. Stick with the cheap curries .