QF Premium Economy Lounge Access in JNB

[ctrunfree]

Hi guys

Can anyone confirm that Premium Economy passengers on QF63 flying Sydney-Cape Town will have access to a lounge or somewhere else where we can get some food at Jo'Burb? It looks like the offerings on QF63 are pretty light, particularly for passengers who are going on to Cape Town, and then heading directly to the Winelands. By my calculations that's otherwise a lunch and light refreshment to get you through about 20 hours of travelling!

 

[moa999]

PE has no entitlement to lounge access, unless you have elite status

 

[dajop]

In any event you will be flying on a domestic carrier from JNB to CPT as QF63 only goes to JNB.

There's probably food available for purchase somewhere around the domestic gates.

 

[tgh]

The Menzies lounge in JNB is very pleasant, with plenty to eat and drink.
I think.. it was $20 ??? usd a few years back .

 

[docjames]

JNB is a major airport and there's a ton of food options, most better than the lounge offering. You will need to clear immigration/customs then proceed to the domestic terminal (think similar to Melbourne - shortish walk all indoors).

As others have stated, no lounge access for Y+ unless Qantas Club or Qantas Gold or above.

 

[ctrunfree]

Thanks for the responses folks. I recall from my last trip (7 years ago) that we did clear Immigration in JNB on the way in, but can't remember what happened going home, presumably the same. I suppose its a good idea to leave a little fudge factor in flight times to ensure a big line at Immigration won't make you miss a connecting flight.

Edit- Actually I think now I recall last time I did this that we missed the connecting flight to CPT. There were no QF staff to be found in the airport, and everyone was left to their own devices to try and get themselves onto a later flight.

And things have obviously changed since FlyingFan reported getting access to Shongololo and Boab lounges in 2013 on the basis of being a Premium Economy ticket holder on QF63.

 

[vetrade]

As others have pointed out, PE doesn't cut it for lounge access and the JNB - CPT flight will be with a domestic carrier - Comair (BA), Kulula, Mango or SAA. There are so many flights on that route that there's really no reason at all to book yourself too tight a connection. If you really need food to sustain you for the 2 hr flight to CPT then just book a connection with an extra hour to spare.

 

[ctrunfree]

As others have pointed out, PE doesn't cut it for lounge access and the JNB - CPT flight will be with a domestic carrier - Comair (BA), Kulula, Mango or SAA. There are so many flights on that route that there's really no reason at all to book yourself too tight a connection. If you really need food to sustain you for the 2 hr flight to CPT then just book a connection with an extra hour to spare.

Thanks.Might do that to avoid any drama with immigration queues. Otherwise its a long stretch between the QF "snack" and breakfast the next morning in Franschhoek.

 

[under the radar]

QF63 SYD-JNB (approx 14hr flight) provides Lunch and Dinner +refreshments/snacks between the main meals...fairly consistent with any other 14hr flight... maybe pack extra food in your carry-on if that isn't sufficient for you

 

[dajop]

Also there may be some food available on the JNB-CPT flight as well?

 

[ctrunfree]

Also there may be some food available on the JNB-CPT flight as well?

Can't recall- might do depending on the carrier. In any case we might get the landlord to put a pizza in the fridge for our arrival in Franschhoek.

 

[Daver6]

Been a while since I last flew PE, but can't PE pax order snacks that are available to J. Ie the focaccia etc?

 

[pyffii]

Huge array of food going through the terminal to Domestic including the wonderful Woolworths which has a huge offering of hot and cold takeaways.

 

[sanne]

We have flown JNB to CPT several times on Comair and SAA in the few years and always got offered a snack whatever time of day. Seem to remember on SAA we had a small hot meal on the ? 6pm flight. These days we overnight at the Intercontinental or the City Lodge, both attached to the airport and then take a flight about 10am the next morning. But we are retired so tend to do things a bit more slowly these days!!

there are lots of good cafes in JNB airport…a very good seafood one comes to mind and so inexpensive. I believe Woolworths is part of the English M&S group which would explain why the food there is so good.

Happy to answer any questions, we fly to CPT in a week or so. Off on another safari trip. The best!!!!

 

[ctrunfree]

We have flown JNB to CPT several times on Comair and SAA in the few years and always got offered a snack whatever time of day. Seem to remember on SAA we had a small hot meal on the ? 6pm flight. These days we overnight at the Intercontinental or the City Lodge, both attached to the airport and then take a flight about 10am the next morning. But we are retired so tend to do things a bit more slowly these days!!

there are lots of good cafes in JNB airport…a very good seafood one comes to mind and so inexpensive. I believe Woolworths is part of the English M&S group which would explain why the food there is so good.

Happy to answer any questions, we fly to CPT in a week or so. Off on another safari trip. The best!!!!

I think this is the way to go. The Intercontinental is a bit too pricey for us, but overnighting at the City Lodge would take the worry out of the connecting flight, and allow us to go back to the Terminal to eat. Then a leisurely flight to Cape Town and transfer to the Winelands the next morning. Brilliant!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I believe Woolworths is part of the English M&S group which would explain why the food there is so good.
. !!!!

Your quite close.
Woolworths South Africa ( SA) is actually a South African publicly Listed company & whilst it is not owned by Marks & Spencer (M&S) of the UK.... Certainly Woolworths SA appear very much like a M&S store, with similar high quality Company owned exclusive brands, similar product range & almost identical store layout, particularly the Food hall which looks & feels like a M&S Foodhall.
In fact the relationship between the two companies I'm lead to believe goes back many decades & both companies do occasionally stock each other's selected lines in their respective stores ( I saw M&S branded biscuits in the food hall of Woolies (SA) V&A waterfront store in Cape Town last year.

Woolworths SA actually also own some well known retailer identities here in Australia, namely Country Road & of course their most recent acquisition of David Jones ( July 2014).

Maybe Woolies might one day bring their Food Halls to David Jones ?
( I think they would be on a winner if did

 

[nickfromeastryde]

We did QF63 to JNB with Comair connection to CPT a couple of weeks ago though flying J. Plenty of food on QF63 but with only 2 hour connection for Comair there was really no time to visit a lounge anyway. From CPT airport should only be just over an hour to Franschhoek but I don't think much will be open at either location when you arrive so best to fill up at Joburg if you can.

The worst part of our trip was QF63. Old 3 class with old seating, the trip was awful, my IFE did not work and it was exhausting. The Comair flight was better. We have since flown JBG to DOH on the Dreamliner and DOH to CDG on the 380 with Qatar. Better planes, better food, better drinks (Krug included), better everything.

We we may never fly Qantas again.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Hi guys

Can anyone confirm that Premium Economy passengers on QF63 flying Sydney-Cape Town will have access to a lounge or somewhere else where we can get some food at Jo'Burb? It looks like the offerings on QF63 are pretty light, particularly for passengers who are going on to Cape Town, and then heading directly to the Winelands. By my calculations that's otherwise a lunch and light refreshment to get you through about 20 hours of travelling!

I did the exact same trip last year on QF63 in PE & absolutely loved the trip.... In fact raved about it!

Red Roo got a few PM's from myself about some of the amazing crew

In PE you will get a decent sized lunch & Dinner & the crew will come by offering snacks & drinks in between as well.

QF63 is an entire all day flight.... Complete daylight all the way ( unless the flight is running very late departing SYD) & by the time you arrive in JNB it will be pretty much 1am AEST, so naturally you'll be tired.

If you hold gold status & above with QFF ( or OW sapphire) you will have access to Comair's SLOW lounge in the domestic wing on JNB airport & IMHO this is an outstanding lounge for any airline that fly's domestic routes, let alone Africa.

The food Range & presentation is top notch in the SLOW lounge & the bar is second to none as well. The SLOW lounge even offers spa treatments ( haven't had one myself) & really nice shower suites.
If you have enough lay over time & hold Status the SLOW lounge won't disappoint.

Failing that purchasing a business class ticket on BA comair will of course come with lounge access & is a very flexible ( I was able to get a full refund on one segment I booked due to a Vehicle transfer failing to get to the airport in time last year on a flight to Windoek & was refunded the entire cash fare refunded back on the CC).

Purchasing a J fare on BA comair can in some situations land some quite good SC v $ spent too.

BA comair offer pretty much a drink & a sandwich for most daytime flights in Y, although the evening flights will offer a hot meal in Economy.
No IFE if memory serves me correctly either

BA comair Business class certainly isn't on par with QF domestic J but when it comes to the Food offering, BA comair really excels.... Three options will presented to you prepared & the passenger chooses .
I had an amazing steak on a two hour flight between JNB > CPT last year when travelling in J... I wasn't expecting that on a domestic flight I must say.



Anyway hope my input helps & trust you have an amazing time in & around Stellenbosch & Western Cape .... A spectacular part of the world

 

[ctrunfree]

Thanks everyone for the input. I think we'll break in Sydney and Jo'burg on the outward journey (we are retired and also not in a hurry). Great info for anyone else contemplating this trip. Hopefully Qantas will get some new aircraft on this route one day.