Auckland QF J lounge is disgustingly filthy, worn out, and with s*^t food. Get it remodelled now Qantas!

[GoldCanyon340]

Starters, you have that huge walk down to the left - rather than walking straight ahead - only to have to walk back past all the new shops past security that takes a good minute to get down there.

True but time is saved now by not having departure cards.

 

[gaz0303]

Flew out of AKL tonight. Security took less than a few minutes and QF J lounge offered a good range of food and drink for the pre-dinner timeslot. The food appeared to look like it came from the same contractor as the supplier to the NZ domestic lounges (regional and main). Those lounges made QF domestic lounges look excellent and under utilised.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I have had the exact opposite experience. I am flying out of Auckland every week at the moment and I think the new security scanning machines are excellent. Each machine gives about 5 separate people their own space to load up trays (nice big trays - take not some other airports!) and proceed at their own pace without having to wait for the person ahead who has to ask whether each of their various 1 gallon bottles of toiletries is acceptable, thereby avoiding the hold-ups that are typical at many other airports.

I also have frequent international travel out of AKL. Security is very hit and miss. Some of the staff are not very good at keeping track as to who as gone through the WTMD. Result is sometimes get through WTMD very quickly only to wait as several to dozens of bags go through before yours finally appear on the other side.

 

[kermatu]

The trick is to get to a bay near the scanner, preferably the last one before it

I've been closest to the scanner twice and had to wait 3 minutes to get my tray on because trays from the 4 bays to your right (or left) get on and the staff are so clueless they push them ahead without seeing the pax in bay 1. Since then I've taken the last or 2nd last bay and breezed through every time.

 

[kermatu]

Yes, that is one tired lounge. However I cannot help to feel that its upgrade is forced in timeline with all the renovations that Auckland Airport is doing. Maybe that is wrong, and the QF lounge isn't moving anywhere soon and up to QF to sort out doing it themselves.

When it comes to anything at Auckland Airport, what I have seen over the past 10 years - progress is slow. And you never know what is going to be new the next time you land.

Since QF announced its refurb, AKL has managed to completely re-do departures security, duty-free, establish multiple (useless) shops, and create a whole new area around gate 16. The EK lounge also expanded despite its flights being cut in half. I think QF is responsible here.

 

[Berlin]

Since QF announced its refurb, AKL has managed to completely re-do departures security, duty-free, establish multiple (useless) shops, and create a whole new area around gate 16. The EK lounge also expanded despite its flights being cut in half. I think QF is responsible here.

Yep but security is worse than it was before and those shops are totally useless, I agree with that!

Am in the so-called “First” lounge as we speak and one of the kitchen/cleaning staff was looking into the hot food not realising I was right behind her. She said “This looks like cough!” to her colleague and was then very embarrassed when she noticed me.

So even the staff agrees- not good enough!

 

[Rugby]

@Berlin they must be listening to you, champagne was in the F AKL cupboard today. I’ve enjoyed The Grand Master Pinot Noir the last few times we’ve been there.

 

[Berlin]

@Berlin they must be listening to you, champagne was in the F AKL cupboard today. I’ve enjoyed The Grand Master Pinot Noir the last few times we’ve been there.

Haha, yes- the Lanson has been back for a few weeks now. It was really strange: It used to ALWAYS be Lanson for many years (close to a decade, from memory). Then, suddenly, late last year, they had different champagne brands but ran out of it all the time. And then, for a month or two there was none. But staff swore teeth and nails that there had never been "French champagne" in that lounge while it always always used to be available.

My suspicion is that for whatever reason, they couldn't source the Lanson at the price point they wanted and any replacements turned out to also not be cost efficient. Or they just trialed what they could get away with and realized that it was not worth the complaints? I obviously have no clue as I don't work there but something was clearly off for a few months.

 

[justinbrett]

So, I’m transiting through AKL in a few weeks to SCL (QF metal to AKL then LA to SCL)

I’ve just noticed the app is now saying “Relax in the International Business Lounge” for the AKL stop, where I’m sure a few months ago it said International First Lounge. SYD is still showing First so it’s not like it’s mixed up my status.

Last time I was in AKL I was only SG. Is there any tangible difference with the FLounge? What’s the shower situation?

 

[pjm99au]

The F lounge area shower (male atleast) has been out of order for a long time. There is really no tangible difference between the lounges. Both are pretty coughpy.

 

[serfty]

The F lounge area shower (male atleast) has been out of order for a long time. There is really no tangible difference between the lounges. Both are pretty coughpy.

There is stall a shower available, just head a little to the left rather than turning right toward the mens.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

So, I’m transiting through AKL in a few weeks to SCL (QF metal to AKL then LA to SCL)

I’ve just noticed the app is now saying “Relax in the International Business Lounge” for the AKL stop, where I’m sure a few months ago it said International First Lounge. SYD is still showing First so it’s not like it’s mixed up my status.

Last time I was in AKL I was only SG. Is there any tangible difference with the FLounge? What’s the shower situation?

Oh that’s interesting. I saw this and checked the app for my next AKL departure in a few weeks. Lo and behold : Business Lounge. I may well give the Strata Lounge a go rather than endure the depths of Hell that is AKL J. At least I’ll get decent food.

 

[Berlin]

I’ve just noticed the app is now saying “Relax in the International Business Lounge” for the AKL stop, where I’m sure a few months ago it said International First Lounge. SYD is still showing First so it’s not like it’s mixed up my status.

The app has said this for a couple of weeks now, I got the same. But when you get there, they still invite you into the same old tired "First" lounge. I first thought "Oh wow, the renovation must have finally begun" but alas, no sight of this yet. I suspect it's simply a bug!

 

[UP4014]

Wow, they are throw out chairs for sure.

 

[Strikes]

Eeek - looks pretty grubby, the Qantas lounges really are hit and miss! Haven't been in Auckland for many years but have enjoyed the Emirates lounge a couple of times which was great at the time.

 

[Berlin]

Eeek - looks pretty grubby, the Qantas lounges really are hit and miss! Haven't been in Auckland for many years but have enjoyed the Emirates lounge a couple of times which was great at the time.

The EK lounge is still way better than the Qantas dungeon which I assure you hasn't changed the slightest since you've last been over here. "Pretty grubby" is a vast understatement for this horrible "lounge".

 

[Zanzara]

Last time I was in the QF lounge in AKL, some time ago, I have to admit, frankly, it looked like a bomb had gone off in the windowless dungeon that it is. Food debris and scraps everywhere. All the dishes and platters scraped bare. Furniture tired and worn. There was one solitary staff member on duty, running ragged, who was really cheesed off. She was miserable and complained loudly to me that the staff get paid minimum wages and treated appallingly.

Since then I've been through AKL a few times and used the NZ, EK and also a third partly lounge which I used when travelling with VA to RAR. Looks like nothing has changed and regrettably, all put the QF lounge to shame.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Last time I was in the AKL lounge (a few weeks ago) staff said they didn't expect the refurbishment to start anytime soon.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Last time I was in the AKL lounge (a few weeks ago) staff said they didn't expect the refurbishment to start anytime soon.

I've given up asking that. Might start suggesting I pay for the shower repair instead.

 

[Berlin]

I've given up asking that. Might start suggesting I pay for the shower repair instead.

So so bad.