Sydney Airport announces overhaul for T2 Domestic

[SYD]

I do think they can probably build and renovate something with the heritage building to connect the two (and possible add some more gates if needed). Although it'd be awkward to serve as QF lounge space given the distance away from the rest of their flights.

I have fond memories of dropping off Uni mates at the airport* and then going to the observation deck to look at the comings and goings.

But as I’ve said in other threads, incorporating the heritage terminal within say a glass atrium and hosting museum, bar and/or eatery would be cool. The tarmac views from that area are still very good.

*pretty sure they had 30 mins free parking back then compared to $50 just to contemplate parking - well, you can’t even do that now as they dismantle the concrete cancer…

Perhaps maybe AMEX or Priority Pass?

There’s actually unused lounge space in T2 already that could be used by them if they thought there was demand. I reckon a connected T2/3 might be the tipping point.

 

[RooFlyer]

I saw it covered in Ch7 news last night. Looks like it’s only the main checkin concourse? Too much to redo the piers?

The departure-gate. piers are okay, aren’t they? The check-in and security areas are the zoo and when you get past those, I think it’s not bad ( relatively speaking).

This from the article in the OP:

T2 Domestic facts:​

• Built in the 1990s to accommodate eight million passengers, today T2 Domestic hosts Virgin Airlines, Jetstar and regional airlines, with more than 17 million passengers every year

Yeah, so not really surprising the check-in and security ( pre 9/11) area is so bad.

I was in the Qantas terminal today and marvelled at the empty space that the check-in area is nowadays with the check in kiosks and bag drop. I wonder what could go in there to raise some coin?

 

[SYD]

The departure-gate. piers are okay, aren’t they?

Not really. They’re those low ceiling, miserable spaces you see in the US and MEL….

It really was chalk and cheese leading up to Sydney 2000. AN just replace a shed with a bigger high ceiling shed (that’s now used by three airlines) and retained the pier. A second, marginally less miserable pier was stuck on around the same time.

Over at T3, that was pretty much a complete knock down, rebuild. The old Flight Deck Lounge, ground floor checkin, mezzanine cafe and ‘Moon Base Alpha’ gate waiting areas all gone. The only throw backs are the miserable Gate 16+ (which were used by Compass and then resumed by QF).

 

[Lynda2475]

Alas, still no plans to connect T2 & T3 airside….

Not needed IMO, if luggage is checked through it is a quick walk across the carpark and through security with hand luggage.

IMO would be more valuable to have airside connectivity T1 (International) to T2 & T3.

I was a regular at T2 when Ansett existed, try to avoid it at all costs now. Not a fan of the LCC experience.

 

[serfty]

Not if they could expand and use the space in front of the heritage terminal. The air space above would make for a great QP/J Lounge. Although the JQ riffraff would be there en masse…

The only throw backs are the miserable Gate 16+ (which were used by Compass and then resumed by QF).

Ha! The area around the curvy window of gate 16 is part of where the QP was before the Olympics ... you can envisage the general outline here:

 

[SYD]

Ha! The area around the curvy window of gate 16 is part of where the QP was before the Olympics ... you can envisage the general outline here:
View attachment 416036

Yes, I’d forgotten the old QP (Flight Deck) was retained! Remember when you went up the escalators and the lounge was last thing on the left and gates off to the right.

It’s the Gate 17+ that was built for Compass.

Not needed IMO, if luggage is checked through it is a quick walk across the carpark and through security with hand luggage.

Fill in the gap in the map above for more proper gates, extra retail (eateries) and it would allow more flexible use of Gates 49+.

 

[Lynda2475]

Does anyone actually shop at the airport? Food outlets (and only if i do not have lounge access) aside, I've never seen any value in paying inflated prices for souvenirs, electronics or perfume that can be bought cheaper during sale at normal retailers and claim tax back via trs.

 

[serfty]

Does anyone actually shop at the airport? Food outlets (and only if i do not have lounge access) aside, I've never seen any value in paying inflated prices for souvenirs, electronics or perfume that can be bought cheaper during sale at normal retailers and claim tax back via trs.

I agree with nothing worth buying. However, as shops have existed "forever", people must buy from them. They wouldn't last long otherwise.

 

[serfty]

Yes, I’d forgotten the old QP (Flight Deck) was retained! Remember when you went up the escalators and the lounge was last thing on the left and gates off to the right.
...

Yep - and upon leaving the lounge, strait ahead there was an uphill trip/ramp/steps to the gates. With gate 1 on the left and gates 2, 3, 4, etc. along to the right.

 

[utaussiefan]

I just jumped on WayBackMachine to the Qantas website back in 2000. It had a page about the new Qantas Terminal just as it opened. It's fascinating to see how sparse it was with minimal shops compared to now and how little the terminal has changed over the 25 years.

The article from the website in 2000.
"We are pleased to advise the $250 million redevelopment of the Qantas Domestic Terminal at Sydney Airport is now fully complete and operational
The two level construction, with separate arrival and departure halls, provides greater ease of movement for passengers and vehicles. The ultra-modern facility covers almost 85,000 square metres and is six times its original size, with an additional seven aircraft parking positions providing a total of 14 gates, two of which are B747 capable.

The new terminal boasts an elevated roadway, a footbridge adjoining the car park to the departures hall, 32 walk through check-in counters leading directly to the security screening area, a new Qantas Club lounge, a retail precinct comprising 12 outlets, a circular satellite building providing seven additional aircraft gates and four refurbished aircraft gates."

 

[docjames]

Can’t believe they aren’t joining T2&T3 airside.

Other than that, long overdue.

 

[docjames]

Does anyone actually shop at the airport? Food outlets (and only if i do not have lounge access) aside, I've never seen any value in paying inflated prices for souvenirs, electronics or perfume that can be bought cheaper during sale at normal retailers and claim tax back via trs.

Agree souvenir wise why bother.

I think a lot of the others do a reasonable trade. Usually for forgotten items and the like.

Eg. I bought a black belt at one of the retailers there as I had departed Melbourne with only a brown one.
Eg2. My father bought cufflinks after travelling for a funeral and forgetting to bring them
Eg3. Work colleague bought iPhone charger (left in Perth)

So I think there is reasonable demand. None of these three examples were outrageously priced, and they all won easily on convenience then trying to do later. Could any of them have been bought cheaper - certainly. But there is a definite market there.

 

[tdimdad]

I'm in the same boat, buying small forgotten items or if I've run out. Eg. charging cables, pain killers, etc.

I used to buy books back in time because I found the bookshops in terminals often had some interesting stuff. These days it's audio/ebooks in my pocket, though.

 

[justinbrett]

Slightly off topic but I went to buy a pen at SYD T1 duty free, guy said they didn’t have any, but offered me his pen for free.

I accepted - I needed a pen!