Speculation: QF to axe MEL First lounge?

[Pushka]

When was the 380 axed from MEL? Still shows as 380 for us in July. Ok. Next year.

 

[DavidFlynn]

When was the 380 axed from MEL? Still shows as 380 for us in July.

As of March 24 2018, the day that QF9 becomes MEL-PER-LHR on the Boeing 787

 

[RichardMEL]

And if droves leave QF for other carriers (which I doubt given business contracts and the like) then that's something QF will have to wear and respond to.

These are business decisions. It's fine to look at it only from one or two points of view, specially as passengers wanting the best "bang for buck" and so on, but that's not the only perspective.

Why are QF downgrading the QF95 from a 744 to a 789 when they can? soft demand. Why a 737 on PER-SIN? Same

these are all business decisions - some may be insane (this move of QF9 seems to be a real potential line in the sand for many - not that this move hasn't been flagged for months now of course) ... and just as QF is making their business decisions we as customers also have choices. Self funded types or those with a flexible business travel policy can sure move over to EK or EY or SQ or whoever. Others may be locked into QF until the next contract comes up.

And remember potentially one group's annoyance is potentially another groups fantastic opportunity, for example how about an upguage on MEL-HKG from a 330 to 380 (along with the 127/128 from SYD)? How about peak period to SIN possible an upguage on QF35 and that 330 moves to say MEL-BKK or something?

Yes, we'd all like F seats, we'd like easy upgrades,we'd like it all... but remember the reasons we can GET J or F upgrades or reward seats are that QF can't sell them.. so what is their response? Put them where they *can* potentially sell them.
IMHO

 

[trippin_the_rift]

There are multiple factors in play here. How much revenue the lounge generates, and how many QF F flights operate ex-MEL now and over the coming years.
Qatar, Malaysia and Sri Lankan all send revenue to F Lounge through Emerald access. Cathay too but with their own lounge being upgraded I suspect more pax will go to CX.

I think QF will hold onto it for a while. The other factor is if they let it go, would they lose the rights to use the space and, what is the opportunity cost.

 

[mviy]

these are all business decisions - some may be insane (this move of QF9 seems to be a real potential line in the sand for many - not that this move hasn't been flagged for months now of course) ... and just as QF is making their business decisions we as customers also have choices. Self funded types or those with a flexible business travel policy can sure move over to EK or EY or SQ or whoever. Others may be locked into QF until the next contract comes up.

And remember potentially one group's annoyance is potentially another groups fantastic opportunity, for example how about an upguage on MEL-HKG from a 330 to 380 (along with the 127/128 from SYD)? How about peak period to SIN possible an upguage on QF35 and that 330 moves to say MEL-BKK or something?

I'd like it if QF put all MEL-HKG services onto the A380 all year round and codeshared from their to Europe and LHR if they won't fly their own plane from there to LHR. In fact I think I'd much prefer that over flying via DXB. However the EK deal could prohibit codesharing with other airlines onto LHR for all we know and QANTAS has indicated that they'll move the A380s around between flying to SIN and HKG rather than making an all year round commitment which presumably would make a deal to do codeshares onto Europe and LHR very problematic.

With the problem with getting baggage checked through with separate booking references (e.g. booking MEL-HKG on QF then HKG-LHR on CX) that does limit the practicality of changing carriers in HKG unless willing to just take carry on and take the risk that the QF flight may be majorly delayed leading to a missed connection.

 

[RichardMEL]

I'd like it if QF put all MEL-HKG services onto the A380 all year round and codeshared from their to Europe and LHR if they won't fly their own plane from there to LHR. In fact I think I'd much prefer that over flying via DXB. However the EK deal could prohibit codesharing with other airlines onto LHR for all we know and QANTAS has indicated that they'll move the A380s around between flying to SIN and HKG rather than making an all year round commitment which presumably would make a deal to do codeshares onto Europe and LHR very problematic.

With respect, and I do not mean the following comment in a personal way, this is your preference. That's you. one person. There are some people who would refuse to connect via China, just as there are people who are likely rapt that QF9 will bypass the MEA totally. I know someone who refuses to even connect via SIN or KUL due to their countries leadership and policies.

Point being we all have our "pet" wants, preferences and so on. eg: I hate the new arrival time of QF9 and I'd refuse to book it on those grounds alone let alone 17+ hours in a tin can and going via PER. That's just me. Others see this as a vast improvement.

What's that old saying about you can't please all the people all of the time...?

With the problem with getting baggage checked through with separate booking references (e.g. booking MEL-HKG on QF then HKG-LHR on CX) that does limit the practicality of changing carriers in HKG unless willing to just take carry on and take the risk that the QF flight may be majorly delayed leading to a missed connection.

 

[RichardMEL]

Something that does occur to me is...

with the new QF9 having zero EK codeshare due to the bilateral and such... will QF still offer Chauffeur Drive for this flight??!

ponder away.....

 

[mviy]

Hopefully, but if you can afford to fly J then the cost of a few taxis (especially if there's more than one passenger sharing the taxi) shouldn't be a big issue. Still if Chauffeur Drive is removed that does affect the value proposition vs flying via SYD.

I care much more about lounges such as the FLounge than Chauffeur drive.

 

[JohnK]

Don't confuse the (relatively small) subset of FFers such as many here who seek and make effort to attain status with the majority of QF customers.

Oh no! AFF is not the centre of civilisation as we know it?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Oh no! AFF is not the centre of civilisation as we know it?

I don't think it ever was
Much as we like to think so

 

[RichardMEL]

Hopefully, but if you can afford to fly J then the cost of a few taxis (especially if there's more than one passenger sharing the taxi) shouldn't be a big issue. Still if Chauffeur Drive is removed that does affect the value proposition vs flying via SYD.

I care much more about lounges such as the FLounge than Chauffeur drive.

That's great for you.

you're seemingly ignoring the point - that this is another potential point where QF could reduce cost sand piss people off. Currently on all LHR (and DXB) flights with EK codeshares CD is offered for J and F pax. You suddenly change and the PER-LHR has no EK codeshare, QF could possibly justify not offering it if you're on QF9 rather than a codeshare.. now imagine how much more that would piss people off?

And do you know the cost of taxis/transport in LHR? lol. Say I saved up my points and redeemed a J award and what was included isn't if on a certain itin? crazy.

yes lounges etc (and this thread is about the F lounge) affect nore people, but it was just something that could well happen.

each to their own.

 

[njba]

There are even some out there who have no idea what the dark grey card affords them even if they have it.

Or scarily, don't care!

I hope they don't close it, but I hope keeping it open doesn't come at the expense of giving the J lounge a good, expensive refurb.

 

[equus]

With the problem with getting baggage checked through with separate booking references (e.g. booking MEL-HKG on QF then HKG-LHR on CX) that does limit the practicality of changing carriers in HKG unless willing to just take carry on and take the risk that the QF flight may be majorly delayed leading to a missed connection.

Or you move away from DIY bookings directly with the carriers and get a TA to book these on the one PNR. Problem solved. (and again, something that will suit some people, but not others).

 

[PineappleSkip]

I think the MEL F lounge will close, for sure.

I also think the sky is falling :shock:

Cheers skip

 

[Ansett]

I am not convinced they will clsoe the F lounge but never say never. One option as stated could be to combine the F and J lounge removing the J from the Dungeon. Does any one know what is happening tho the space that was the EK lounge. Maybe and just maybe they could build a combined J/F Lounge using all that space and give up the Dungeon.

Just putting it out there.

 

[mviy]

And do you know the cost of taxis/transport in LHR? lol. Say I saved up my points and redeemed a J award and what was included isn't if on a certain itin? crazy.

I get that point and that is very valid. The traffic is so bad though that I'd tend to use the Heathrow Express rather than get a taxi all the way from Heathrow.

It's certainly an interesting situation.


The big question is whether QF plans to have F seats when it flies direct from MEL & SYD to LHR once it gets aircraft that can do that. If it doesn't then how long will there be any QF flights with F seats and will QF continue to see the value in having a premium lounge offering for high status travellers and CL?

If the PER flight stopgap only lasts as little as 4 years (there is talk that QF may get planes as soon as 2022 that can fly direct from MEL & SYD though I think it'll probably be longer) would it be worth their while to close the lounge only to need to open it again? When you consider that the A380 still flies to LAX from MEL the period of time with no QF F flights anywhere in the world from MEL could be much less even than four years if any time at all.

 

[Basalt]

I can't see QF ever getting rid of Flounge in MEL, unless they get rid of it everywhere as part of a global removal of all F. Honestly though QF is just going to have to invest more in MEL - Melbourne is growing at over 100,000 people per year and is realistically unlikely to slow down for decades. Talk about low hanging fruit for any airline flying direct and wanting to grow. Personally as a MEL inhabitant, I'd like to see the 380s go back and forth between MEL and DUB or (better yet) MEL and HKG and then codeshare to mainland Europe. Sick and bl#!*y tired of our flagship carrier not flying direct to mainland Europe!

 

[mviy]

I can't see QF ever getting rid of Flounge in MEL, unless they get rid of it everywhere as part of a global removal of all F.

I agree

Honestly though QF is just going to have to invest more in MEL - Melbourne is growing at over 100,000 people per year and is realistically unlikely to slow down for decades.!

Yes. Companies should think of the longer term. Loyalty of MEL customers is important to QF's long term profitability and they should value it more.

Personally as a MEL inhabitant, I'd like to see the 380s go back and forth between MEL and DUB

I think you mean DXB. DUB is Dublin International Airport, Ireland. DXB is Dubai International Airport. The DUB airport code had already been taken by Dublin.

or (better yet) MEL and HKG and then codeshare to mainland Europe.

Yes, that would be fantastic.

 

[nlagalle]

That's true, but do you think that was a factor in QF deciding to merge the lounges in LHR and HKG?

The HKG lounge was a joint like like SIN with BA, they never had two lounges on their own. QF now has the old F lounge and BA used to have the old J one.

In London QF uses the BA and AA lounges.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Sick and bl#!*y tired of our flagship carrier not flying direct to mainland Europe!

And the flagship carrier was sick and bl#!*y tired of routes to CDG and FRA being an economic drain on the company because they were running at a loss!