TomCat's Suite Adventure

[pagingjoan]

Limited experience, but the most I have ever received from the QF F host at LHR is being told where I could get a toothbrush kit.

Not surprising when it's a single person, not pro-actively looking for or trying to identify F passengers (at check-in, or at the lounge desk for example). In some ways also not surprising given it isn't a QF lounge.

Hopefully the new QF lounge will help address. But as it will be a combined status/class lounge I'm not holding my breath for better service even then.

Different experience here - and not denying yours, of course. But I have had excellent service from F Hosts at LHR on a number of occasions, right up to our most recent transfer a couple of weeks ago, with the prospect of a tight transit and transfer to Star Alliance. With the assistance of the F Host team, all went very smoothly.

Which reminds me that I am way overdue in sending feedback to QF. Milly is the latest in a line of great F Hosts - and I've always found her predecessors proactive in welcoming F pax at check in at T3.

 

[boomy]

As usual QF service is inconsistent, both on the ground and in the air.

I've never been contacted by any F hosts. Last year tried twice to book massage upstairs in T3 and twice failed. The girls there seemed to have negative attitude towards non-BA pax who show up without a booking.

 

[Princess Fiona]

As usual QF service is inconsistent, both on the ground and in the air.

I've never been contacted by any F hosts. Last year tried twice to book massage upstairs in T3 and twice failed. The girls there seemed to have negative attitude towards non-BA pax who show up without a booking.

BA passengers don't use that Spa though ?

The Elemis spa has re-opened and I don't think BA ever used No1 Spa for their passengers.

Agree re the F Hosts. I'm the one who has initiated the contact on each occasion.
I've never been on full freight F ex-LHR though, always Awards or upgrades and I suspect there is a difference ex-LHR.

 

[boomy]

BA passengers don't use that Spa though ?

The Elemis spa has re-opened and I don't think BA ever used No1 Spa for their passengers.

Agree re the F Hosts. I'm the one who has initiated the contact on each occasion.
I've never been on full freight F ex-LHR though, always Awards or upgrades and I suspect there is a difference ex-LHR.

One of the comments I received was something like: "you are flying QF not BA, didn't you know your airline should have booked an appointment for you?"
The response was made in quite a rude manner so I assumed that place was more dedicated for BA pax.
I should have wrote something to QF on the spot but after few glasses of champagne and blue label in the F lounge I was probably in cloud 9 and forgot about it

Same as you, I don't buy full fares. Interesting to hear there is a difference in treatment. If it's true I don't think it's correct.

 

[njba]

I hope you weren't put off by the legendary BA dragons. Truly, what a terrible advertisement for the airline.

 

[bwhouse]

I am looking forward to hearing your final thoughts on QF vs SQ vs JL first class product. Shame the LHR lounge experience wasn't up to par

 

[blackcat20]

Things got a bit exciting right before we left the lounge, with an AA plane emitting a tonne of smoke, slides deploying and passengers evacuating.

Meant we sat on the plane for almost an hour before leaving the gate.

 

[TomVexille]

I hope you weren't put off by the legendary BA dragons. Truly, what a terrible advertisement for the airline.

I calmed down after a decent glass of champagne in the EK lounge, since BA don't provide that either now. The last BA agent we spoke to was quite good. It really surprised me that an F lounge didn't have a manned service desk, and that there was only ever one person at the front desk at a time, which meant that quite a queue of people trying to get in built up.

I am looking forward to hearing your final thoughts on QF vs SQ vs JL first class product. Shame the LHR lounge experience wasn't up to par

I will certainly put some of my thoughts together in the next day or two.

 

[mitti]

I will certainly put some of my thoughts together in the next day or two.

Yes! I flew QF F earlier this year and am flying JL F in a few weeks. I want to know what to expect!

Great trip report, by the way!

 

[TonyHancock]

The last BA agent we spoke to was quite good. It really surprised me that an F lounge didn't have a manned service desk, and that there was only ever one person at the front desk at a time, which meant that quite a queue of people trying to get in built up.

It's been almost a year since I have departed T3, but I thought BA might be a little more on the ball since they seem have a few more flights from T3 these days. Seems not.

Have they done away with the champagne bar in the F lounge...and more importantly do they still have JW Blue Label?

I saw an F host once in my departures from T3 with QF, I can't even remember what it was about.

 

[blackcat20]

It's been almost a year since I have departed T3, but I thought BA might be a little more on the ball since they seem have a few more flights from T3 these days. Seems not.

Have they done away with the champagne bar in the F lounge...and more importantly do they still have JW Blue Label?

I saw an F host once in my departures from T3 with QF, I can't even remember what it was about.

The champagne bar now only has the Henriott (in white and pink). And when dining in the restaurant, asking for a glass will see you sent off to get your own....

At least the third woman at the front desk was helpful. And she shut down an impatient man who tried to push in while she was helping us with a comment along the lines of "these people are important too"

 

[blackcat20]

So back to lake Como. Our first full day, we decided to drive up to Bellagio to take a look around. Unfortunately the ferry schedule from our town was rather incomplete so driving made sense. Until we set out on the narrow windy roads. But we made it in one piece.


After a wander around the town we settled on a fancy looking restaurant by the water. Nothing wrong with spoiling yourself.
We had some prosecco to kick off the meal with a mozzarella and smoked salmon stack, and some lovely fresh bread and olive tapenade.



Capped off with some Nebbiolo and some fettuccine with Bellagio goats cheese for me.


We did a little wine tasting after lunch then finished off with gelato. I finally found the holy grail of blood orange gelato and it was yummy!

 

[blackcat20]

After a fancy and rather large lunch, we wanted a simple dinner upon our return to Torno. A quick Google search found us a little supermarket around the corner where we headed for some supplies. We came away with some lovely prosciutto, salami, Brie, bread, tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh peaches. Along with some crackers I had and a little bottle of olive oil from our SQ flight (and a bottle of prosecco), dinner on the back deck was sorted.

 

[love_the_life]

After a fancy and rather large lunch, we wanted a simple dinner upon our return to Torno. A quick Google search found us a little supermarket around the corner where we headed for some supplies. We came away with some lovely prosciutto, salami, Brie, bread, tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh peaches. Along with some crackers I had and a little bottle of olive oil from our SQ flight (and a bottle of prosecco), dinner on the back deck was sorted.

That's my kind of dinner BC! Looks delish

 

[blackcat20]

That's my kind of dinner BC! Looks delish

It was so yum.

 

[PLANT]

Any fish options?
Can you give some hire car, accom time required for Lake Como.... First time visit?

 

[blackcat20]

Any fish options?
Can you give some hire car, accom time required for Lake Como.... First time visit?

As in fish meals?

We had a car from FCO from Hertz, used AirBnB and there is never enough time for Como as its huge.

 

[TomVexille]

It's been almost a year since I have departed T3, but I thought BA might be a little more on the ball since they seem have a few more flights from T3 these days. Seems not.

Have they done away with the champagne bar in the F lounge...and more importantly do they still have JW Blue Label?

I saw an F host once in my departures from T3 with QF, I can't even remember what it was about.

JW Blue is still there. I made sure to test it.

 

[Pushka]

Are you back yet? I've lost track.

 

[love_the_life]

Are you back yet? I've lost track.

If not back, must be in the next day or so as I recall they only had about 2 weeks free. That'll be a shock to the system :shock: