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

[Spamam]

More people fly to from SYD so those lounges will be over represented. The discussion is good and I the poll has value, but it’s statistically invalid.
This year the worst lounge I’ve been in is Cairns Q Club. It even ran out of cheese for the toastie machine. LHR Business lounge was surprisingly poor, overcrowded and had a queue of 12 for the toilet. The gin coughtail menu had disappeared. SYD first came in top, and LAX and SIN follow closely behind, they just lack a view. SYD domestic business food has been declining. I was excited to see a pancake machine, but alas it was broken.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

SYD first came in top, and LAX and SIN follow closely behind, they just lack a view.

MEL First is the top on my list. It’s not rammed with passengers in the way SYD F often is. LAX First is fine for dining but limited seating options if you’re trying to work on something on your laptop. Haven’t been to SIN. Then again SIN wouldn’t be my first choice for connecting airports.

SYD domestic business food has been declining. I was excited to see a pancake machine, but alas it was broken.

I have never been impressed by the food selection at the SYD QF Club or the QF business club (if someone is unfortunate enough to use the latter, a downgraded lounge). You’re lucky if you get something more than toasties and salads from the food bar. Contrast that with MEL where there is a selection of foods (including a ramen bar) or Perth with its alleged pizza.

 

[RooFlyer]

On the HBA redevelopment, I happen to know there is currently a tender out for the early works including road realignment and service relocations right now, to start in probably April ahead of a main contractor starting on the main terminal in the latter end of this year. The tender is real and full design a fair way there for the terminal

well, that didn’t exactly happen - quelled surpris!

The first works were to extend the car parks especially sending the cheaper options further away from the terminal.

They have recently started groundworks on what looks like the terminal extension, but I strongly suspect it’ll just be the hire car buildings and not the passenger terminal.

Passenger amenity - as in more space for people in the terminal - will be the absolute last priority after fixing up every other revenue generating part of the place.

 

[Must...Fly!]

SYD T3 J lounge closed today. All directed to QF club. Bit of a zoo. Classic customer experience...the race to the bottom is on...

 

[Daver6]

SYD T3 J lounge closed today. All directed to QF club. Bit of a zoo. Classic customer experience...the race to the bottom is on...

Perhaps reserving it for exclusive use of the King

 

[Must...Fly!]

Perhaps reserving it for exclusive use of the King

I'd like to see his face when he walks in to the bathrooms.

 

[SYD]

SYD T3 J lounge closed today.

Do you know why?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Do you know why?

Sorry, I forgot to ask. Hopefully it's worthwhile, all jokes aside I was in disbelief at the state of the toilets in the QP as well. I honestly don't think they've seen a deep clean since my first visit, circa 2003.

Also had the classic experience of being told off by staff because of the mess at the sandwich presses. Which had nothing to do with me or the two other people standing there waiting, but it's good to know "our job isn't to clean up after you."

At least she wasn't joking. I went through at least 4 coffee cups to find a clean one at the self-service machine, of the 6 stacks of plates at the "buffet", no less than 4 were dirty/marked with food leftovers and I gave up trying to find a clean fork.

The abruptness of Australian service culture is always a shock after returning from Japan.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

SYD T3 J lounge closed today. All directed to QF club. Bit of a zoo. Classic customer experience...the race to the bottom is on...

One could only hope it is part of the long needed renovation.

Sorry, I forgot to ask. Hopefully it's worthwhile, all jokes aside I was in disbelief at the state of the toilets in the QP as well.

Correct there is only one lounge with worse restrooms in the Qantas lounge network, that being Hobart.

I honestly don't think they've seen a deep clean since my first visit, circa 2003.

Indeed, the shower stalls do seem to have Olympic vintage mould. Perhaps Qantas could sell the on marketplace? Bring a bit of the 2000 Sydney Olympics experience home with you!

"our job isn't to clean up after you."

That best sums up Qantas service. And look folks I’d encourage you to visit lounges elsewhere, where they have staff ensuring everything is in tip top shape. A perfect example of that are the LATAM lounges at SCL and GRU

At least she wasn't joking. I went through at least 4 coffee cups to find a clean one at the self-service machine, of the 6 stacks of plates at the "buffet", no less than 4 were dirty/marked with food leftovers and I gave up trying to find a clean fork.

Cleanliness remains an issue for most domestic lounges aside from the First lounges.

 

[Beerman]

My 'gripe' is about the food in the BNE club lounge, hasn't changed in >10years. Toasted ham + cheese + tomato sammich, baked beans, some fruit and muesli, that's it. Most times I just don't bother.

Cleanliness is dubious at most lounges across Aus IMO.

 

[henrus]

SYD T3 J lounge closed today. All directed to QF club. Bit of a zoo. Classic customer experience...the race to the bottom is on...

Closed again today. They said they're doing works over the weekend.

 

[Bugalugz]

It's been a while since I've been in the Sydney Q club, but what a horrid joint that it. By 9am this morning it was ram packed, massive lines for showers and the bathrooms are horrendous..........The business class lounge isn't great but least it has comfortable seating and staff that smile.

 

[exmc]

Lots of easy solutions for QF - go to the nearest Costco and get all the prepackaged daily made food, purchase the rotisserie chicken in bulk and just chuck it in the lounge. Would be miles ahead of the rubbish they are serving now and probably end up saving them money.

 

[astrosly]

SYD T3 J lounge open today. They have moved the rear wall some metres into the footprint of the QPub. Seems to add an extra 15-20% seating space. Added another food station at the back and a third of the new space is dedicated to dining tables. Currently the same food there but spoke to staff who say the intention is to have different food offerings at the second one. Acknowledged MEL does food well.

 

[TY24]

My 'gripe' is about the food in the BNE club lounge, hasn't changed in >10years. Toasted ham + cheese + tomato sammich, baked beans, some fruit and muesli, that's it. Most times I just don't bother.

Is that not the standard menu at all QClubs?
I've never seen anything other than self serve toasties, soup, or make your own week old salad in PER.

 

[jrfsp]

Is that not the standard menu at all QClubs?
I've never seen anything other than self serve toasties, soup, or make your own week old salad in PER.

At locations without a J lounge the bigger clubs have better catering, DRW, ADL etc

 

[MH_fan]

Had to use the QPub for the first time at SYD T3 in something like 13 years on Sunday because the Business lounge was closed. Crikey! What a zoo! Long queues for the food, which did not look great at all, and the food station looked a mess. Glad I only spent about 30 mins in there!

 

[justinbrett]

Is that not the standard menu at all QClubs?
I've never seen anything other than self serve toasties, soup, or make your own week old salad in PER.

BNE and others have hot food like pies, sausage rolls, chicken wings, pasta, pizza etc.

It’s not all the time, more likely late afternoon and early evening.

 

[dylarr]

Experienced the expanded Sydney Domestic J lounge and tried the new sandwich bar today.

Looks like the sandwich concept is now Sydney's "theme"? Talking to the staff - they plan on having one meat option and one veg option which will rotate fortnightly or so. A beast of a toasting oven has also been installed to support this so there has been some investment.

Today's options were an eggplant and ricotta panini or a chicken baguette served with potato chips. I found both really tasty and was pleased to see these additional options. Note, I did get my baguette toasted hence the sad looking greens.

 

[gaz0303]

It is a nice sandwich but has so far been the same on last 5 visits. And not really a good dinner option. Variation has also been limited with the other hot offering. Last week they served the sweet and sour chicken on Thursday, Sunday and again this Monday. It was truly the worst thing they have served. Chicken is nearly absent and overloaded on orange veg and colouring. Extra space and toilets is nice though.