Worst Domestic Qantas Lounges & What Can be Done About It?

[kpro]

premades great if it's what you like, but agree with @RichardMEL that DIY would be preference for more lounge lizards than not.

Definitely agree on this too. I like extra cheese and a bit of tomato chutney in mine. Though, I believe QF offered both the pre-made and DIY bar at one point.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

premades great if it's what you like, but agree with @RichardMEL that DIY would be preference for more lounge lizards than not.
Apart from the cheese & cucumber slices etc that placed (thrown) back due to ppl taking too much initially.

I agree that it does offer more flexibility than the pre-made stuff (and also you can really stuff those sandwiches with deli meat and cheese substitute no suitable for human consumption) but still prefer having an expertly made sandwich as I'm no sandwich chef.

I'm not fussed, happy to eat what's on offer & drink what's on offer & get onboard.

Key thing too is how you are travelling. I mean if you are flying QF J, then yeah grabbing a bite to eat at the lounge isn't a huge deal. But today, I'm flying PER > SYD on JQ as part of a return segment for a $36 fare I bought meaning nothing is included in the fare. Hence, I will be loading up a bit at the QF lounge before heading to board this regional flight!

Back on topic, been in Hobart lounge only once & didn't mind it, small like Hobart, yeah packed, but was clean, plentiful F&B & nice staff, that's what I look for, don't need boardroom space to myself. onboard it's mm between next pax.

Now there's a controversial opinion! Also, have you been to the restroom at the QF HBA lounge? What I will say in that lounges defence (and I know it's not worthy of much defending), is that at least they have a restroom! For the longest time the Singapore Air KrisFlyer Gold lounge at Changi did not have a restroom. This is the premier Star Alliance Gold lounge at the hub of a major Star Alliance airline!

Definitely agree on this too. I like extra cheese and a bit of tomato chutney in mine. Though, I believe QF offered both the pre-made and DIY bar at one point.

During pandemic times they exclusively had pre-made sandwiches (i.e. Apr - Dec 2021 when I was travelling aside from DRW which avoided COVID completely) but have since transitioned back to the buffet and bar.

 

[kpro]

During pandemic times they exclusively had pre-made sandwiches (i.e. Apr - Dec 2021 when I was travelling aside from DRW which avoided COVID completely) but have since transitioned back to the buffet and bar.

Nah I'm still referring to pre-COVID. I know there were pre-made sandwiches along with all sorts of other pre-plated meals during COVID, and at one point had to be served by staff too.

I swear I remember that pre-COVID I saw the DIY sandwich bar, plus pre-made sandwiches next to them (that still required you to toast), during breakfast. I could very well be wrong though, this was several years ago after all.

 

[levelnine]

Sydney International Business lounge looks to be the next one to be refurbished.

Details to be announced on Wednesday, but if they remain with their pre-COVID plan of only a 30% increase in capacity, I do wonder if it will still be crowded at peak times. Doesn't seem enough to me.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Sydney International Business lounge looks to be the next one to be refurbished.

Details to be announced on Wednesday, but if they remain with their pre-COVID plan of only a 30% increase in capacity, I do wonder if it will still be crowded at peak times. Doesn't seem enough to me.

There is an entire article up already on ET. Apparently, a HKG QF Lounge is also on the cards - will need to be a very good lounge to make me walk away from the Pier.

 

[jrfsp]

SYD domestic pushed back, again!
I thought domestic needs attention before intl

 

[clifford]

I was in the BNE business lounge (dom) last week and was appalled that they did not have any self-pour wine. In fact, I asked the bartender for a glass of shiraz and she said they didn't have any. Would I like a glass of (poor quality) cab sav instead?

So, after sipping that, I high tailed it to the Q Pub and had a few glasses of quite nice shiraz on self pour.

What's with Brisbane?

 

[jase05]

What's with Brisbane?

You are dealing with folk who genuinely believe daylight savings will fade their curtains

 

[RichardMEL]

I was in the BNE business lounge (dom) last week and was appalled that they did not have any self-pour wine. In fact, I asked the bartender for a glass of shiraz and she said they didn't have any. Would I like a glass of (poor quality) cab sav instead?

So, after sipping that, I high tailed it to the Q Pub and had a few glasses of quite nice shiraz on self pour.

What's with Brisbane?

That seems so odd as that bar at least appears very well stocked with lots of different stuff. I've not spent a lot of time checking labels or such as I know what I want when I get there, but that is rather surprising indeed.

I thought there maybe used to be self pour to the left side of the bar? Perhaps I'm mistaken on that. It's been awhile since i've been through BNE.

 

[Princess Fiona]

That seems so odd as that bar at least appears very well stocked with lots of different stuff. I've not spent a lot of time checking labels or such as I know what I want when I get there, but that is rather surprising indeed.

I thought there maybe used to be self pour to the left side of the bar? Perhaps I'm mistaken on that. It's been awhile since i've been through BNE.

I haven’t ever seen self pour drinks at BNE J.

 

[flydoc]

today, I'm flying PER > SYD on JQ as part of a return segment for a $36 fare I bought meaning nothing is included in the fare.

Ok, I’ll bite.
Define “PER > SYD on JQ as part of a return segment for a $36 fare”?
And no Max bundle?

 

[RooFlyer]

Sydney International Business lounge looks to be the next one to be refurbished.

From the ET article mentioned by exLXCXFF:

30% extra seating, along with “a new signature dining experience" from Neil Perry.

Oh, God. A pile of green leaves with an olive.

 

[flydoc]

I haven’t ever seen self pour drinks at BNE J.

Agreed. Certainly a thing at SYD J & MEL J though. A cost cutting opportunity missed.
QF: Consistently... @RichardMEL TM

 

[justinbrett]

I was in the BNE business lounge (dom) last week and was appalled that they did not have any self-pour wine. In fact, I asked the bartender for a glass of shiraz and she said they didn't have any. Would I like a glass of (poor quality) cab sav instead?

So, after sipping that, I high tailed it to the Q Pub and had a few glasses of quite nice shiraz on self pour.

What's with Brisbane?

Agreed. Certainly a thing at SYD J & MEL J though. A cost cutting opportunity missed.
QF: Consistently... @RichardMEL TM

On the flip side, I've rarely seen BNE with a solo person behind the bar (except maybe a minute or two), even during quiet periods. So if somebody orders a coffee, the other person can keep the alcoholic drinks flowing.

SYD however I've frequently had to wait for my drink while the one guy makes a coffee for someone else. Yes they expand to two people when it's busy, but that doesn't help waiting during the quieter times.

If that's the rationale of self pour wine (to save on a bartender), then put the wine behind the bar and give us an extra person. This has nothing to do with the choice of beverages, so don't conflate the two issues. I've had excellent wine in the BNE J lounge over the years, although I am usually a spirits person.

 

[RichardMEL]

Oh, God. A pile of green leaves with an olive.

No no no! I already told you all this will be the new DOMESTIC J lounge theme. "Leaves by Neil" with a signature Kale smoothie

International I'm going to go for something "artisan" - maybe a pasta bar with plant based "meat" balls - thus the "slop" can be called Neil's special pasta sauce....

Additionally an indigenous themed option (which will last for six months before being enhanced to "gourmet" mini quiches)

oh and flavored mineral waters.

 

[RooFlyer]

Stuffing the ballot for HBA

Post in thread 'The view from my "office"'
The view from my "office"

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Stuffing the ballot for HBA

Post in thread 'The view from my "office"'
The view from my "office"

Having seen those photos, I would argue that HBA's QF lounge really isn't that bad. Is the lounge a bit on the cozy side? Absolutely! But in terms of the quality of the food it's a cut above the stuff I find at Sydney domestic!

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Having seen those photos, I would argue that HBA's QF lounge really isn't that bad. Is the lounge a bit on the cozy side? Absolutely! But in terms of the quality of the food it's a cut above the stuff I find at Sydney domestic!

They must've seen this thread. Never experienced it stocked anything like that before!

 

[RooFlyer]

My usual alternative to the HBA lounge zoo, the general terminal seating, isn’t today

 

[jpp42]

My usual alternative to the HBA lounge zoo, the general terminal seating, isn’t today

If Gate 6 is open, the international swing gate, it's usually a lot quieter back in that corner.