Qantas First Lounges to Reopen

[henrus]

I personally find Air NZ's lounges very meh- fancy looks but no substance

I'm very easy to please but that's one of the things I like about the Air NZ lounges, they're all the same, they've always got good kiwi beers plus cheese/biscuits (even the smallest of regional lounges match this standard).

Sure this could be not considered up to international standards however at least all of them have a standard.

Some Qantas pubs especially those in regional areas pass off great northern or iron jack and packet nuts as the best offering.

 

[Berlin]

I'm very easy to please but that's one of the things I like about the Air NZ lounges, they're all the same, they've always got good kiwi beers plus cheese/biscuits (even the smallest of regional lounges match this standard).

Sure this could be not considered up to international standards however at least all of them have a standard.

Some Qantas pubs especially those in regional areas pass off great northern or iron jack and packet nuts as the best offering.

Admittedly, I am talking only about the bigger cities- no idea about those smaller places. The most 'provincial' destinations I usually frequent are OOL or ZQN.

 

[Beano]

QF Auckland International --- Tuatara Aotearoa Pale Ale (aka Kapai). Must be an exception. But Australian Qantas lounges don't know good beer, even in first lounges. On the part of Koru Club -- Auckland domestic, SRO. (Standing room only). Never seen any Australian lounge like it. But v good food and good choice of beer.

 

[Beano]

So it'll be a Business class mess in the space of the former First lounge which is alright in the case of SYD but VERY tiny in MEL. Well- tbh, I wouldn't have expected any better at first. I actually feared that Qantas would quietly sit out this topic for a few more months to save a buck or two so better than nothing.

What about the awful old Auckland trash heap- will they also just open the J part and keep the janitor's booth called "First lounge" next door closed?

How unkind. "Bijou" would be better. Better food than J. Only been there in the afternoon and never full.

 

[nige_perth]

From Qantas Newsroom:
Today, Qantas announced its international First lounges in Sydney and Melbourne along with its Premium Lounge in Brisbane will reopen from 19 April 2021 to coincide with the trans-Tasman travel bubble. These lounges have been closed for more than a year.

Platinum One, Platinum and Gold frequent flyers along with Business customers and Qantas Club members flying on the Tasman will be invited to visit these two First lounges until the airline’s other international lounges reopen

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-recovery-gathers-speed/

 

[henrus]

From Qantas Newsroom:

There's a lot to unpack in there!

No mention of the NZ lounges though.

 

[PineappleSkip]

its Premium Lounge in Brisbane

Wondering what this means. Not sure which part of the triple decker BNE QF lounge they'll reopen, if that's what they refer to. I'd guess the middle level where the entrance is. Or are they referring to sending punters to a reopened Plaza Premium lounge? This seems implausible.

Also be interested to see what happens to the repurposed JQ 787s. Will they pull the J seats out, or would JQ J be an option on SYD-MEL? An interesting idea with Rex battling along on that route.

cheers skip

 

[nige_perth]

There's a lot to unpack in there!

No mention of the NZ lounges though.

While Qantas' lounges in New Zealand will remain closed for the time being, Qantas will offer access to Air New Zealand international lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown to Platinum and Gold-grade frequent flyers and Qantas Club members.

 

[henrus]

While Qantas' lounges in New Zealand will remain closed for the time being, Qantas will offer access to Air New Zealand international lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown to Platinum and Gold-grade frequent flyers and Qantas Club members.

Wow, I'd say that's an upgrade from the NZ QF lounges!

 

[Berlin]

How unkind. "Bijou" would be better. Better food than J. Only been there in the afternoon and never full.

Must have been very different afternoons then. I've spent every second Friday afternoon in there prior to COVID and sometimes had to sit at the "office" desks in the back because I couldn't find any normal seats. Maybe that was a Friday phenomenon? But a 'Bijou' it certainly wasn't at those times...

 

[Princess Fiona]

Have seen the pics from the presser this morning. There was salt and pepper squid and the corn fritters!!! Hopefully they will be on the menu from Monday

 

[Berlin]

Have seen the pics from the presser this morning. There was salt and pepper squid and the corn fritters!!! Hopefully they will be on the menu from Monday

Do you think they will REALLY offer a full Flounge experience to everyone with Business lounge access? I'd be super happy about it but simply cannot fathom such generosity. Maybe I am doing Qantas unjust?

Post automatically merged: Apr 15, 2021

While Qantas' lounges in New Zealand will remain closed for the time being, Qantas will offer access to Air New Zealand international lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown to Platinum and Gold-grade frequent flyers and Qantas Club members.

Where is this info coming from- didn't see it mentioned in Qantas' official statement. Nice, if true.

 

[Beano]

Wow, I'd say that's an upgrade from the NZ QF lounges!

I always thought the QF lounge was better than the Air NZ lounge in Wellington, but welcome news that Qantas FFs can use a lounge. At least not the Virgin lounge.

 

[Beano]

Must have been very different afternoons then. I've spent every second Friday afternoon in there prior to COVID and sometimes had to sit at the "office" desks in the back because I couldn't find any normal seats. Maybe that was a Friday phenomenon? But a 'Bijou' it certainly wasn't at those times...

Understand. Mostly early in the week; mondays and Tuesdays. Friday must be all those Ozzies going home. PS I spend my time at the office desks and I have used the office desks in J as they seem less used, but got my food and drink from F lounge.

 

[Beano]

Do you think they will REALLY offer a full Flounge experience to everyone with Business lounge access? I'd be super happy about it but simply cannot fathom such generosity. Maybe I am doing Qantas unjust?

Post automatically merged: Apr 15, 2021

Where is this info coming from- didn't see it mentioned in Qantas' official statement. Nice, if true.

Where was this notified?

Post automatically merged: Apr 15, 2021

Do you think they will REALLY offer a full Flounge experience to everyone with Business lounge access? I'd be super happy about it but simply cannot fathom such generosity. Maybe I am doing Qantas unjust?

Post automatically merged: Apr 15, 2021

Where is this info coming from- didn't see it mentioned in Qantas' official statement. Nice, if true.

Found it. In the same press release.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-says-bonjour-to-accor-re-opens-international-lounges/

"With Qantas’ lounges in New Zealand currently closed, Qantas will also offer Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members access to Air New Zealand lounges in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown."

 

[jakeseven7]

Wow, I'd say that's an upgrade from the NZ QF lounges!

Better looking fit outs (not super comfortable though) but the food in the NZ lounges isn't as good in my opinion.

 

[Beano]

Better looking fit outs (not super comfortable though) but the food in the NZ lounges isn't as good in my opinion.

The business suite is also a bit pokey.

 

[jakeseven7]

The business suite is also a bit pokey.

Which NZ city are you referring to?

 

[Beano]

Have seen the pics from the presser this morning. There was salt and pepper squid and the corn fritters!!! Hopefully they will be on the menu from Monday

Quoute from Qantas press release.
"First Lounge customers will be offered an a la carte dining experience..... "

So there will be a high table and low table, dividing the F lounge into two?

 

[Berlin]

Better looking fit outs (not super comfortable though) but the food in the NZ lounges isn't as good in my opinion.

Especially if they take away all the hot food in the early afternoon. Never quite understood why (besides of course saving a pretty penny on food and staff)- almost always just missed the hot stuff prior to my flight back to AU on Friday afternoons.