Why are there no/few 3rd party lounges in Australia

[Duffa]

This is a question, not a whinge.
Just wondered if anyone had some industry knowledge as to why almost none of the lounges in Oz accept Priority Pass or Veloce.
Is it size? ------ Bristol (population 500k) has a lounge! Ditto many other UK cities so that argument doesn't hold up.
Have the Priority Pass people tried hard enough with our big two.
Is there enough volume for an independent lounge to open in say MEL or SYD
Would love to hear peoples' thoughts.

p.s. I know about Cairns and the Amex Sydney lounge - I'm thinking more about domestic and the other cities.

 

[Dr Ralph]

It's purely based on population/patronage numbers.

 

[Mattg]

I would love to know the answer to this too. My guess is that Qantas and Virgin already have domestic lounges pretty well covered.

But I think that there would definitely be demand for more third-party lounges here if they were to open.

 

[jb747]

I presume that you can't put a 3rd party lounge into a terminal that is leased/owned by an individual airline.

 

[Duffa]

I presume that you can't put a 3rd party lounge into a terminal that is leased/owned by an individual airline.

Never thought of that!! That could be the reason.
But what about Hudsons and Macca's etc? They are third party too. I'm sure Qantas could charge a tidy rent to the lounge provider.

 

[Duffa]

It's purely based on population/patronage numbers.

Like I said, (IMHO) that argument doesn't stack up for Belfast City - who have a BA lounge and an independent lounge. With only a handful of airlines.
It just seems like there could be a market in Australia.
Of course, airline hospitality is not my business at all, so I could be talking out my a@@@

 

[opusman]

But what about Hudsons and Macca's etc? They are third party too. I'm sure Qantas could charge a tidy rent to the lounge provider.

Qantas don't have a hamburger business that Macca's is competing with.

 

[Cynicor]

PP used to have a tie-up with Virgin but that died a quick death. Osaka (I think) and Sapporo do not have PP lounges and they are quite large.

Mostly seem to be associated with CCs and airlines.

 

[Sdtravel]

Outside of QF and VA domestically is there enough demand for independent lounges?
Its only that i have QP access i arrive early to the airport now. Previously i would try to get there as close to 45min before departure as i could.
My theory being last in first out for bags and less waiting.

 

[moa999]

Privately owned airports with expensive rentals. High wages for casual employees. High consumption of expensive consumables (ie alcohol).

Suspect the maths doesn't work for the flat fee crowd (eg. Priority Pass et al)

 

[JessicaTam]

The old EK lounge in MEL is due to be a Priority Pass lounge.

 

[scubabe]

They're about to open a new pay-per-use lounge at BNE International (FINALLY!!!!). Will be awesome for those VA BNE-LAX flights where you can't get Air NZ lounge access.

Plaza Premium

It's going to be expensive though. And despite their website stating it will open Q1 2016, I have emailed them to clarify the exact opening date (as I fly ex BNE on 13 April) and it won't be open by then... so much for Q1 then! LOL

 

[UP4014]

Privately owned airports with expensive rentals. High wages for casual employees. High consumption of expensive consumables (ie alcohol).

Suspect the maths doesn't work for the flat fee crowd (eg. Priority Pass et al)

I suspect that the problem, the dollars don't add up.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

The old EK lounge in MEL is due to be a Priority Pass lounge.

Interesting development.

I hope AMEX comes to MEL too one day .

 

[juddles]

Just my two cents worth - I feel that people go to a "lounge" for one of two reasons - to sink lots of grog, or to escape the horrible conditions in the general waiting areas.

Australian airports, on a world scale, are actually not bad places in those general waiting areas. There are enough seats, toilets are reasonably clean, food and drinks are available, etc. Yes, a pie may cost $5, but that doesn't warrant purchasing a lounge entry.

 

[Melburnian1]

Just my two cents worth - I feel that people go to a "lounge" for one of two reasons - to sink lots of grog, or to escape the horrible conditions in the general waiting areas.

Australian airports, on a world scale, are actually not bad places in those general waiting areas. There are enough seats, toilets are reasonably clean, food and drinks are available, etc. Yes, a pie may cost $5, but that doesn't warrant purchasing a lounge entry.

You may not yet have been to JQ's T4 at Melbourne Airport. Lack of seating generally and especially at the gates - 16 seats at each last time I counted for say 180 passengers. Zero ambience. A long walk from various other airport areas (not that a pay per use lounge would solve the latter.)

 

[Quickstatus]

the maths dont add up.

A pub which charges a flat fee for all you can drink will not survive.
Even pubs with pokies wont charge a flat fee for entrance for all you can drink. Now there is a revenue source - pokies in an airport lounge.

 

[awkwardpaws]

Now there is a revenue source - pokies in an airport lounge.

McCarran Airport has that sorted

 

[williamsf1]

They're about to open a new pay-per-use lounge at BNE International (FINALLY!!!!). Will be awesome for those VA BNE-LAX flights where you can't get Air NZ lounge access.

Why cannot you get access to the NZ lounge when travelling on a VA flight ? Gold and Plat members + business class all get access in BNE to the NZ lounge

 

[scubabe]

Why cannot you get access to the NZ lounge when travelling on a VA flight ? Gold and Plat members + business class all get access in BNE to the NZ lounge

I thought I read somewhere that VA customers can only use the Koru lounge at BNE Int when they're on a VA trans-tasman flight? Not on the VA LAX flight?
Regardless, I won't be Gold for this trip, so it doesn't matter for me anyway. I get nada Bring on May when I get status!! lol