Qantas First Lounge in Singapore

[moa999]

The AF and both BA flights are about 11pm departures so you wouldn't expect many passengers before 8pm unless transit. Should really only impact QF1 pax (and the late MEL QF38).

From the posts the crowding issues seem earlier 6-8pm - which is when the bulk of the Australia bound QF flights depart.

Possibly they need to try and suggest that any BA, AF or QF1, QF38 passengers arriving in the 6-8pm window not eat until after 8.

Eligible flights (other than 3K)
1915 QF2 SYD
1915 QF72 PER
1930 MH616 KUL
1940 QF36 MEL
1950 UL309 CMB
2010 QF52 BNE
2010 BA15 SYD
2025 QE947 DOH
2030 QF82 SYD
2120 MH610 KUL (T2)
2205 AF257 CDG
2225 JL36 HND
2255 BA16 LHR
2325 BA12 LHR
2340 QF38 MEL
2355 QF1 LHR

(Edited to add below and MH, QR and UL)

 

[Kangol]

If the crowding affects QF F pax, they should at least rope off a section for them and probably CL.

Surely they would have expected some BA OWE to be there..

 

[DavidFlynn]

If the crowding affects QF F pax, they should at least rope off a section for them and probably CL.

This was something citied by David Caon in Feb 20190 during a VR walkthrough session of the lounge: I got to that area down the back which has the banquette seating, just after where those solo seats are ranked along the left side (if you're facing this end of the lounge, facing away from the dining room) and he said the idea was that it could be turned into a VIP area for F and CL. Pic of concept art attached for reference, although the nook now sports a bit more seating and a table, I think?

Anyway, this wouldn't be an ideal place to sit and eat, I think this needs to be more a section of the dining room proper, and maybe this area as well so that post-dining once can decamp with a coughtail etc, but that could simply be too much of an ask given space constraints.

 

[DavidFlynn]

From the posts the crowding issues seem earlier 6-8pm - which is when the bulk of the Australia bound QF flights depart.
Eligible flights (other than 3K)
1915 QF2 SYD
1915 QF72 PER
1940 QF36 MEL
2010 QF52 BNE
2030 QF82 SYD
2205 AF257 CDG
2255 BA16 LHR
2325 BA12 LHR
2340 QF38 MEL
2355 QF1 LHR

Quite spot-on, I guess you'd allow 90-120mins before QF72 for passengers to be in the lounge, so we're looking at 1715+, and QF82 passengers would be well and truly gone by 2000, so you could probably consider 1700-2000 as your peak evening window where the numbers climb from near-zero to maximum and then down again.

 

[Kangol]

This was something citied by David Caon in Feb 20190 during a VR walkthrough session of the lounge: I got to that area down the back which has the banquette seating, just after where those solo seats are ranked along the left side (if you're facing this end of the lounge, facing away from the dining room) and he said the idea was that it could be turned into a VIP area for F and CL. Pic of concept art attached for reference, although the nook now sports a bit more seating and a table, I think?

Anyway, this wouldn't be an ideal place to sit and eat, I think this needs to be more a section of the dining room proper, and maybe this area as well so that post-dining once can decamp with a coughtail etc, but that could simply be too much of an ask given space constraints.

The sitting and eating part probably isn't a major issue given that in the normal SIN lounge they have the reserved signs on the low tables for F pax and a similar section for CL (white/black). Nothing for P1s which is understandable.

Whether it's in this region or another part, they should do at least the same, especially if QF1 gets busy because of the BA pax or non-F pax.

I wonder if you will be able to get a response on this at the official opening.

Nothing worse as an F pax missing out on a seat. That would be a huge deterrence and lead to F pax either: not flying QF at all and bypassing SIN completely, or going to the normal lounge where they will have a seat guaranteed - to which the staff will ask, "do you know you can use the First lounge?" to which the answer would be, "Yes, but I'm not because I will have to stand".
Redefines the meaning of the word lounge unfortunately.

 

[JessicaTam]

The AF and both BA flights are about 11pm departures so you wouldn't expect many passengers before 8pm unless transit. Should really only impact QF1 pax (and the late MEL QF38).

From the posts the crowding issues seem earlier 6-8pm - which is when the bulk of the Australia bound QF flights depart.

Possibly they need to try and suggest that any BA, AF or QF1, QF38 passengers arriving in the 6-8pm window not eat until after 8.

Eligible flights (other than 3K)
1915 QF2 SYD
1915 QF72 PER
1940 QF36 MEL
2010 QF52 BNE
2030 QF82 SYD
2205 AF257 CDG
2255 BA16 LHR
2325 BA12 LHR
2340 QF38 MEL
2355 QF1 LHR

And BA15 SYD at 2010.

 

[sudoer]

Eligible flights (other than 3K

Also JL36 at 2225 which is a very OWE heavy flight from experience. The flight has no F cabin, but JL offer OWE boarding before OWS/J and there have consistently been 20-30 pax in the queue.

 

[Austman]

Reserved areas for F pax already exist at MEL and LAX. Not sure about SYD.

I've been to the SIN lounges at around 18:30 about 100 times. I've not found the older QF lounge to be usually so busy at that time. EK has usually been almost empty and BA too.

Later on is a different story. Then it gets empty again. Regular QF38 flyer here.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I wonder if you will be able to get a response on this at the official opening.

It's at the top of my list of questions

 

[jase05]

Just a quick question on the lounge access rules and we are looking next year at SYD-SIN on QF or BA F then later in the day SIN-DOH on QR J. My understanding of the rules is that we wouldn’t have access to the SIN F lounge is that correct?

 

[dajop]

Also JL36 at 2225 which is a very OWE heavy flight from experience.

And there’s also EK355 at 2100 , QR 947 at 2025 and AY132 at 2345 and some EK and JL flights after midnight.

 

[moa999]

I guess also when the QR lounge opens (depending on how good it is - it certainly appears to be of decent size) that may attract some OWEs travelling J/F

 

[Austman]

I guess also when the QR lounge opens (depending on how good it is - it certainly appears to be of decent size) that may attract some OWEs travelling J/F

I was thinking the same. Also of course any OW pax in J or F gets in (probably). It might have been a factor in the QF SIN F-lounge planning. QR's LHR lounge, IMO, equals or exceeds QF F-lounges.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I guess also when the QR lounge opens (depending on how good it is - it certainly appears to be of decent size) that may attract some OWEs travelling J/F

I'd expect so, especially if you're in transit at the C gates wing, as the QR lounge – which is next to the EK and Plaza Premium lounges – will be closer than the QF/BA J lounges and much closer than the QF F lounge. One thing is for sure, it's going to make for some interesting SIN T1 Oneworld lounge comparos!

 

[serfty]

Just a quick question on the lounge access rules and we are looking next year at SYD-SIN on QF or BA F then later in the day SIN-DOH on QR J. My understanding of the rules is that we wouldn’t have access to the SIN F lounge is that correct?

I believe you're are correct as both flights are of five hours or more. With that the one world connecting flights rule is not applicable.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The sitting and eating part probably isn't a major issue given that in the normal SIN lounge they have the reserved signs on the low tables for F pax and a similar section for CL (white/black). Nothing for P1s which is understandable.

Nothing worse as an F pax missing out on a seat. That would be a huge deterrence and lead to F pax either: not flying QF at all and bypassing SIN completely, or going to the normal lounge where they will have a seat guaranteed - to which the staff will ask, "do you know you can use the First lounge?" to which the answer would be, "Yes, but I'm not because I will have to stand".
Redefines the meaning of the word lounge unfortunately.

They definitely did have reserved seating for P1 in the main lounge, it’s the same area as CL. Used it a few times myself when not flying F.

 

[jase05]

I believe you're are correct as both flights are of five hours or more. With that the one world connecting flights rule is not applicable.

That was my take too. No big problem and hopefully the new QR lounge is open by then

 

[kermatu]

They definitely did have reserved seating for P1 in the main lounge, it’s the same area as CL. Used it a few times myself when not flying F.

Me too but I understand that has been wound back. If the regular lounge is now quieter I wouldn't mind P1s being granted an exclusive space and table service here rather than the F lounge during peak periods.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Me too but I understand that has been wound back. If the regular lounge is now quieter I wouldn't mind P1s being granted an exclusive space and table service here rather than the F lounge during peak periods.

My understanding is that yes, the reserved seating at the J lounge is being scrapped (or maybe just a few tables kept ‘just in case’) now that the F lounge is open, but the ‘special Champagne’ is being kept under the counter as they expect some of those ‘premium’ passengers on QF1/QF2 transits will still favour the J lounge, especially if those flights come into the C gates and now that the J lounge is going to be noticeably less crowded.

 

[pagingjoan]

My understanding is that yes, the reserved seating at the J lounge is being scrapped (or maybe just a few tables kept ‘just in case’) now that the F lounge is open, but the ‘special Champagne’ is being kept under the counter as they expect some of those ‘premium’ passengers on QF1/QF2 transits will still favour the J lounge, especially if those flights come into the C gates and now that the J lounge is going to be noticeably less crowded.

Good to have your contributions, David.
Thank you for the insights.
Will have a chance to check the situation next week, and will report back if anything of interest.