QF Club vs QF J Lounge @ SYD - What's the difference?

[kangarooflyer88]

There is actually a very swanky Chairman’s Lounge in CBR. I’ve been lucky to visit twice.

It’s like the SYD/MEL first lounges but everything is green instead of red.

Curious where the Chairman’s Club is? Is there a hidden Gold door that opens up as is the case in SYD/MEL or do the MPs wear a secret decoder ring that alerts security who escorts them through tunnels to get there?

Also how are the apron views in the Chairperson’s Club? As good as the pub or are we constrained to hangar views like in SYD?

Huh? That's the most important Chairman's Lounge of all! They're for the politicians!

Yet another reason to vote KangarooFlyer88 to be your local MP is Mascot! No other candidate on the slate will give you detailed lounge reports from the Chairman’s Club (or is it Charperson’s Club?)

If we're now talking about CBR, I've always preferred the QP there to the J lounge. Much more light and spaciousness, runway views and less loud tossers in suits. Whenever I've visited the J lounge it always seems very crowded whereas I've never seen the QP more than half full I reckon, even during sitting weeks. Thankfully the colleague I often travel to CBR with has lost their WP status, so I won't be dragged into the J lounge there any more On the other hand I'll miss the MEL J lounge.

and I agree the QP in CBR is a nicer space, views etc.. the J lounge has (slightly) better food, drink etc but it's just not as nice a location. imo.

So basically CBR domestic shared a lot in common with SYD domestic in terms of lounges? Would be curious what the QF J and F lounges are like at the domestic gates of CBR?

The QP post renovation in Melbourne is pretty dire in my opinion....not Hobart grim (of course) but it's not pleasant.

Many Tasmanians would resent that statement!

In contrast I was recently in the MEL VA lounge, post refresh and really liked it. Thanks to the Switcheroo promotion I might be spending more time in that particular VA lounge, but keep flying QF ex Sydney to avoid the horrendous T2 experience there.

Last time I visited the MEL VA lounge was back in December 2021. Aside from improving the access situation, has there been other improvements?

-RooFlyer88

 

[RichardMEL]

I feel the QP/J lounges in CBR are superior to SYD - mostly because they are some years newer (though still what 15ish years since the new terminal opened? time seems to fly.. but maybe not fly QF )... still nicer in my view in terms of emanity, service etc. a bit smaller (given CBR in general) but not terrible in any way. Though if the prime value is views, then the QP is "better" I guess.. but I prefer the J lounge amenity myself. each to their own.

As for the CL they're not THAT hidden - specially in SYD (just between the QP/J lounge) and in MEL the entry is not terribly secret being directly across from where the escalators dump one (left to J lounge, right to QP, straight ahead more or less to CL) and BNE is a little more subtle being an entry between the J lounge and QP (and is also very nice lounge). They may be a bit subtle but not terribly hidden imo.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I feel the QP/J lounges in CBR are superior to SYD - mostly because they are some years newer (though still what 15ish years since the new terminal opened? time seems to fly.. but maybe not fly QF )... still nicer in my view in terms of emanity, service etc. a bit smaller (given CBR in general) but not terrible in any way. Though if the prime value is views, then the QP is "better" I guess.. but I prefer the J lounge amenity myself. each to their own.

For my money the SYD QP is better than the CBR QP on account to that you get both runway views and hangar views. If you have a GoPro with a wide enough lens you can easy soak in both take off/landings AND ramp action at the hangar.

As for the CL they're not THAT hidden - specially in SYD (just between the QP/J lounge) and in MEL the entry is not terribly secret being directly across from where the escalators dump one (left to J lounge, right to QP, straight ahead more or less to CL) and BNE is a little more subtle being an entry between the J lounge and QP (and is also very nice lounge). They may be a bit subtle but not terribly hidden imo.

Yeah, those ones I figured out, I couldn't figure out the CBR one!

-RooFlyer88

 

[RichardMEL]

For my money the SYD QP is better than the CBR QP on account to that you get both runway views and hangar views. If you have a GoPro with a wide enough lens you can easy soak in both take off/landings AND ramp action at the hangar.

I imagine you are in a minority here (in terms of GoPro action). Each to their own of course. Others value other aspects of lounges - not so beat up seats.. or being able to get a seat at all, food service(or cough offerings), showers(as discussed already) and so on.

not being critical just noting that this whole thread is, of course, very subjective.

 

[kookaburra75]

Yeah, those ones I figured out, I couldn't figure out the CBR one!

When you get to the top of the escalators in Canberra, the Chairman's Lounge is immediately on the left - the door marked 'Private'.

 

[Sprucegoose]

This topic has more controversial bandwidth capacity and slightly OT drifting interstate.

Let's view QF lounges as reflecting their various cities' ability to culinary nourish the masses. Let's just say right....

then QF J dom MELB wins the OZ event and CBR would not be far behind .......sadly no HBA or Mascot would be close (as some have chosen to refer to)

 

[Rangalad]

For my money the SYD QP is better than the CBR QP on account to that you get both runway views and hangar views. If you have a GoPro with a wide enough lens you can easy soak in both take off/landings AND ramp action at the hangar.

Yeah, those ones I figured out, I couldn't figure out the CBR one!

-RooFlyer88

Like to know how many people try and get in, only to be told yeah/nah.

 

[RooFlyer]

On the other hand I'll miss the MEL J lounge. The QP post renovation in Melbourne is pretty dire in my opinion....not Hobart grim (of course) but it's not pleasant.

Many Tasmanians would resent that statement!

Who? Lets face it, I know most of them and no-one has anything good to say about the QP in Hobart.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Who? Lets face it, I know most of them and no-one has anything good to say about the QP in Hobart.

Certainly amongst the Qantas lounges in Tasmania, it's the best. Unlike the QP in Launceston, the lounge is located air-side post security meaning you can maximize your use of the QP, only leaving the lounge when boarding has nearly completed. Does it have the same level of food and amenities as say the QP in TSV or CNS? No, but given the fact that the lounge is targeting a relatively small audience (those who fly QF out of HBA) it gets the job done.

-RooFlyer88

 

[RooFlyer]

Certainly amongst the Qantas lounges in Tasmania, it's the best. Unlike the QP in Launceston, the lounge is located air-side post security meaning you can maximize your use of the QP, only leaving the lounge when boarding has nearly completed. Does it have the same level of food and amenities as say the QP in TSV or CNS? No, but given the fact that the lounge is targeting a relatively small audience (those who fly QF out of HBA) it gets the job done.

-RooFlyer88

Also Jetstar; and including tourists. Main issue for me with HBA is the over-crowding. Flights out of Hobart tend to be clumped together and if one - or two!! - are delayed, it becomes a zoo. In most of my Trip Reports, which inevitably begin in Hobart, I've reported that I sat in the concourse, with its wooden seats, rather than suffer the overcrowded lounge.

Amenities - the gents loo is worse than dire. Again, concourse facilities for me.

Sorry, it does not 'get the job done' unless you are a lounge sitter for the sake of sitting in a lounge.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Just saw a snippet pop up, your airport is having an uplift, and SYD is mentioned, so something must be well planned to get done sooner or later.

 

[SYD]

Just saw a snippet pop up, your airport is having an uplift, and SYD is mentioned, so something must be well planned to get done sooner or later.

Where did you see this snippet?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

T1 Arrivals Forecourt

International passengers are now greeted with a vibrant new arrivals forecourt, which showcases the natural beauty Sydney is known for. The redevelopment of the T1 international terminal forecourt is part of Sydney Airport’s 2039 Masterplan, which is

www.sydneyairport.com.au

Lots of mention about T1 side, and master planning, and having to get approval if anyone wants to do works.
Thought it was something big about T3, but not so.
Looks like its old news too.
No wow stuff.

 

[jase05]

but given the fact that the lounge is targeting a relatively small audience (those who fly QF out of HBA) it gets the job done.

I’m sorry but QF’s attitude must be similar to yours as the lounge is woeful and doesn’t get the job done IMO. It’s far too small for starters and plenty of times I’ve been in there and turned around and walked straight out as there is no seating. The issue seems to be that several JQ flights depart around the QF flights so I guess one option that would make it better is to put a cap on entry for JQ flights at those times. The toilets are a third world type setup and I’m amazed that the relevant health departments haven’t shut it down as I don’t think it ever gets cleaned by the state of it. I think QF are playing the good folk of HBA like fools and I actually find it disrespectful that they would have such a poor lounge at a regional airport let alone a capital city.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Currently in the QF J lounge awaiting to board my flight up to OOL and the lounge is filled with business people who are talking random business terms like they mean business. I’ve been to enough QF Clubs to recall this rarely happens. The worse I’ve seen are folks in hi-vis saying, “look ma a first class lounge” at the QF Pub in PER

 

[JohnK]

I've been to the BNE lounges more times than I care to remember. I would not say the business lounge is much better than the Qantas lounge.

Life changes. If there was a way I could get to airport at T-31 minutes and make boarding time that's what I would do.

If domestic lounge access is one of the main reasons to strive for Platinum it's a waste of money.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I've been to the BNE lounges more times than I care to remember. I would not say the business lounge is much better than the Qantas lounge.

Better views is the key benefit I call from the BNE lounge. Again, not a big deal if you don't do plane spotting. But for those of us enthusiasts, this is an important consideration. Otherwise, I would argue food and catering are close to identical, at least domestically. Internationally, QF Gold and Platinum are treated the same in the eyes of EK which arguably has the best lounges in AU.

Life changes. If there was a way I could get to airport at T-31 minutes and make boarding time that's what I would do.

That's a big IF. You are assuming that there aren't queues at airports be it at checkin, security or emmigration. That assumes that QF runs a tight operation and you don't end up having one or two hour delays. That assumes you have the ability to fly non-stop to where you need to go.

If domestic lounge access is one of the main reasons to strive for Platinum it's a waste of money.

Completely agree with you here. However, there are other benefits from QF Platinum status that people may value such as selecting whatever seat you want, better upgrade priority, and potentially better customer service to say nothing of GlobalFirst check-in at QF and OneWorld partners when travelling internationally. How much value you place into that would of course depend on how often you travel QF and OneWorld. If you attain status through a quick trip to NZ, then maybe not a huge deal. But if you are flying week in and week out on QF then these perks can add up!

 

[Lynda2475]

Was in HBA Qantas Pub yesterday, worst Qantas lounge ive been to. We snagged seats after arriving earlier than expected but I then watched as more and more people came in to find no seats and then leave for the next hour. No barista coffee, only 1 toilet. If it wasnt equally packed in the terminal (also no seats there, as lots of flights scheduled to depart around that time and a few delayed arrivals/departures) I would not have bothered.

 

[RooFlyer]

Was in HBA qantas Pub yesterday, worst Qantas lounge ive been too. We snagged seats after arriving earlier than expected but I then watched people come in find no seats and leave for the next hour. No barista coffee, only 1 toilet. If it wasnt equally packed in the terminal (also no seats there, as lots of flights scheduled to deparat aroundthat time and a few delayed arrivals/departures) I would not have bothered.

"Welcome" to the HBA QP and my experience for the past 20 years or so. I'm one of those who puts their head in, gets a hardcopy of my BP, then departs for the concourse and its wooden seats (there are always seats around the corner from the QP and its often even quiet!!) and barista coffee (of airport quality, but still ...)

The gents in the QP is what you might expect from a public concourse in a very small airport in some third world county.

The QP at HBA is one reason why I'm not missing anything in flying VA these days (they don't have a lounge at HBA).

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So for that QFd HBA to anywhere route it's better (cheapest) just buy an exit row seat or phone up for a comfort seat booking.
Or buy J just for the extra J space on the plane assuming it's a 737 or 717 with a J cabin.
OffT Dash8 can quite exciting as it flies lower.OnT.
Ta for the info.