Qantas to Close First Class Lounge in Singapore

[codash1099]

But according to AJ they're NOT retreating from SIN. From the QF Media release:

But our Australian business customers want better access to Asia, and so do we.
As you know, we have been looking to address this issue.

Qantas will increase dedicated capacity to Singapore, and re-time flights to
Singapore and Hong Kong to enable many more ‘same day’ connections across
Asia.


Maybe I've answered my own question: QF will ferry Business Passengers to SIN so that they can connect to 3K onto the major business centres of Siem Reap and Haikou.

Regards,

BD

He also said that they were proceeding with the lounge upgrades in SIN. You can't believe what they say.

The silence of Red Roo on this topic indicates the veracity of the original post.

 

[ajca]

Trouble with this is that KUL probably doesn't have the origin/destination traffic that either SIN or HKG have. It's not only about connecting onto other cities in Asia, SIN and HKG are economically significant on a global scale as far as cities go, and have a lot of high value traffic relating to banking and finance, that KL has far less of.

I agree completely. Kuala Lumpur is a great place but hardly a major financial hub like SIN or HKG. No way would QF be silly enough to think that business travellers heading from Australia to SIN would want to fly on QF or MH metal via KL, especially when SQ is flying A380s direct.

Who knows, maybe EK will put 380s on MEL and SYD to SIN and that's what AJ is talking about when he says "more dedicated capacity to Singapore"? Aren't they going to end up with a fleet of 100 of them or something?

 

[ajw373]

I've just reviewed the press conference from 6 September. David Flynn from Australian Business Traveller questioned specifically on this.

[10.43 EST]

Flynn: So you'll still be going ahead with the planned upgrade of lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Joyce: Yes. We're committed- We said Asia's a very important market for us and we believe that these premium lounges are a key part of making our business profitable in the future. It's one of the four pillars that we've announced previously and those investments in Hong Kong, in Singapore and in LA will continue.​

And has already been pointed out:



What do we believe any more?

Don't really see that they have lied. They are going still reburbishing the lounges in Hong Kong and Singapore, exactly as it says above. So where is the lie?

Though will admit I didn't see this closure coming. I would have thought it would have been kept for the premium FF'ers just like other ports without first but with a first lounge.

Thinking logically for a second if BA is going to have an F lounge then maybe this is a carefuly planned thing. BA gets a lounge on it's own, Qantas gets their own and Qantas platinums etc use the BA first lounge. I bet there is some history to this dating back to when the lounge in SIN was a BA lounge.

Also some people have asked about BKK. Think you will find that part of the JSA that Qantas owned and managed the Singapore lounges and BA owned and managed the BKK lounges, hence why the first lounge stays. I wouldn't be surprised if they get rebranded as BA lounges once the JSA ends and Qantas moves into the EK lounge.

 

[BD1959]

Thinking logically for a second if BA is going to have an F lounge then maybe this is a carefuly planned thing. BA gets a lounge on it's own, Qantas gets their own and Qantas platinums etc use the BA first lounge. I bet there is some history to this dating back to when the lounge in SIN was a BA lounge.

Plats get BA Flounge access when connecting onward with 3K/JQ? Don't think so.

Would really only apply if looking to catch QF back to Oz, or BA/CX/AY - hardly an incentive for the premium passenger to maintain their relaionship with QF, other than an opportunity to attract SCs when possibly paying a OW 'rival'.

BD

 

[Danger]

Don't really see that they have lied. They are going still reburbishing the lounges in Hong Kong and Singapore, exactly as it says above. So where is the lie?

No, I don't believe Qantas is refurbishing the lounges in Singapore. It's clear from the article on Australian Business Traveller that Qantas will close its F lounge, that they will soon have nothing to do with it. Clearly, then, Qantas is refurbishing it as clear stated and reiterated by management.

The question put to Joyce at the press conference was whether Qantas was continuining with the planned upgrades to the QF lounges. He said yes. The Australian Business Traveller article says QF has abandoned plans to refurbish the F lounge in Singapore. I think this is where the contradictory information is highlighted. The article specifically says Qantas "will close its First Class [sic] Lounge in Singapore"; I don't believe that 'closing' was ever part of the planned refurb that Joyce confirmed at the press conference.

A lie is a strong word. If I used it (and I may well have done), in hindsight I'd say it's more a complete about-face and totally contadictory to the very clear statement Joyce made on 6 September.

Plats get BA Flounge access when connecting onward with 3K/JQ? Don't think so.

Would really only apply if looking to catch QF back to Oz, or BA/CX/AY - hardly an incentive for the premium passenger to maintain their relaionship with QF, other than an opportunity to attract SCs when possibly paying a OW 'rival'.

BD

I agree. There's no way BA will allow QF Platinums flying Jetstar to access the F lounge, further adding to the loss for premium passengers out of Singapore.

 

[ajw373]

I was under the impression that the business class lounge in Singapore was ALSO getting refurbuished.

 

[Danger]

I was under the impression that the business class lounge in Singapore was ALSO getting refurbuished.

I believe that's correct and also believe that hasn't changed . . . for now.

 

[JohnK]

I knew it was going to happen but did not think it was going to be announced so soon especially since Joyce specifically mentioned that Qantas would still be heavily involved in SE Asia.

Not good but I am lucky that I have not trusted Qantas for a long, long time....

 

[samh004]

I knew it was going to happen but did not think it was going to be announced so soon especially since Joyce specifically mentioned that Qantas would still be heavily involved in SE Asia.

Not good but I am lucky that I have not trusted Qantas for a long, long time....

As a OneWorld Emerald, who noticeably refuses to fly Jetstar, there's no change to you. When flying a OneWorld airline such as CX you'll still get access to what is suggested to be a BA F lounge.

If you flew JQ, whole other story, but there's still the J lounge for that, and as you don't fly them, no change to you.




 

[KitKat]

Is there still going to be QF F MEL-SIN? sad if this is gone as well

 

[Sprucegoose]

Not a clever move qantas. Don't treat us as idiots please

A promise is a promise


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Sprucegoose]

Write to the ACCC. Don't they need to approve the merger ? With EK.

A statement is a statement mr Joyce


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Sprucegoose]

Expect to see JQ 787's flying to Singpore from Australia

Hence no need for a First lounge.......

CX here we come!


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[JohnK]

As a OneWorld Emerald, who noticeably refuses to fly Jetstar, there's no change to you. When flying a OneWorld airline such as CX you'll still get access to what is suggested to be a BA F lounge.

You are missing the whole point young Sam.

There will not be a Qantas option to SE Asia very, very soon which leaves me with my only viable option disappearing....

 

[amaroo]

You are missing the whole point young Sam.

There will not be a Qantas option to SE Asia very, very soon which leaves me with my only viable option disappearing....

Better hurry up & get that LTG........soon, you might need to land in the bunker before arriving in BKK

 

[JohnK]

Better hurry up & get that LTG........soon, you might need to land in the bunker before arriving in BKK

Lifetime Gold means nothing if Jetstar will be the only Qantas option to get to SE Asia.

Not too keen on CX long haul economy if short haul is any indication. Don't know about MH at this stage.

 

[jetlagger]

Lifetime Gold means nothing if Jetstar will be the only Qantas option to get to SE Asia.

Not too keen on CX long haul economy if short haul is any indication. Don't know about MH at this stage.

'Slingshot" & it's partner 'Shoestring" airlines may be the next offerings in the Australian market soon.. :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

I am now starting to worry about my AAdvantage miles I bought recently. Enough for 2 business class returns to SE Asia but may not get a chance to use them at the rate Qantas is dropping mainline flights....

 

[amaroo]

Lifetime Gold means nothing if Jetstar will be the only Qantas option to get to SE Asia.

Not too keen on CX long haul economy if short haul is any indication. Don't know about MH at this stage.

CX is a great airline....prefer them to QF and all other OW partners.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I am now starting to worry about my AAdvantage miles I bought recently. Enough for 2 business class returns to SE Asia but may not get a chance to use them at the rate Qantas is dropping mainline flights....

yet Melbourne as of April next year has more international direct destinations than we have now! SIN, HKG, LAX, DXB, AKL, WLG. It's an extra 7 international 747s a week for us. seems to be more capacity!