Dear Qantas: It’s Not Me, It’s You (A220s, Lounges, Curry, and Other Adventures)

[Willie]

The offer is typically appalling.
I watched the ‘marketing poppets’ gush over the products the other day … it’s nothing but the same sandwich muck from the buffet put on different bread by someone else… not worth getting excited about!
Sadly It’s a bit of a missed opportunity when there’s so much they could do.

 

[superfaceman]

Premium entry closing at 5pm is way more infuriating than it should be.

QF advertise it as a benefit, implies its open, but to save some precious pennies in staffing they make 1/4 of the days traffic schlep through the construction zone.

Always a terrible way to start a trip.

 

[Aeryn]

Premium entry closing at 5pm is way more infuriating than it should be.

Is this a MEL thing? I've definitely used premium entry after 5pm elsewhere.

 

[elanshin]

Except if there’s a rush for coffee, the bar service at BNE J is usually a lot quicker than SYD J as there’s usually at least two people (one alcohol and one coffee) whereas SYD often only has one (leading to many groans in the queue when someone orders a coffee on Friday afternoon).

I’d say it’s just a local choice. I noticed at MEL if you want juice after breakfast you now have to order it at the bar. I don’t think that’s a responsible service of juice issue…



SYD now has the panini bar

SYD usually has a second coffee station/ barrista. Used to be mobile but now at the Panini bar. Line there is almost always way shorter. Speaking of which i think ill get one now.

 

[pauldab]

Is this a MEL thing? I've definitely used premium entry after 5pm elsewhere.

They were referring to BNE premium entry to the far left of the checkin desks/SLF security.

 

[Basalt]

Premium entry closing at 5pm is way more infuriating than it should be.

Totally agree! Travelling to Bris from Mel for business means maximising time in the Bris office to make the trip worthwhile, which means arriving at BNE after 5pm. Clearly the premium entry is not geared towards the business traveller

 

[justinbrett]

Totally agree! Travelling to Bris from Mel for business means maximising time in the Bris office to make the trip worthwhile, which means arriving at BNE after 5pm. Clearly the premium entry is not geared towards the business traveller

Queensland premium entries are for Queenslanders.

 

[Doddler]

Queensland premium entries are for Queenslanders.

So, normal QLD waking hours: 4am to 5pm?

 

[justinbrett]

So, normal QLD waking hours: 4am to 5pm?

More that the BNE based business traveller is likely to depart in the morning and return in the evening.

 

[Aeryn]

If the separate entry is closed dont they still have a separate line for premium at the normal screening area?

 

[kpro]

If the separate entry is closed dont they still have a separate line for premium at the normal screening area?

Not in BNE. The regular security screening is currently some kind of metal shed with a single long line. Then you walk the long way to the other entrance to the lounges.

 

[justinbrett]

If the separate entry is closed dont they still have a separate line for premium at the normal screening area?

It’s a state of flux at the moment.

For one, it’s currently not much of a premium entry as you practically need a hard hat walking through it. You literally have to walk through the construction zone.

I haven’t used the new general security area but it has been moved upstairs. I am OOL based but for every flight I’ve had out of BNE premium entry has been open. The operating hours do change regularly and are usually extended for peak travel periods.

 

[Aeryn]

Interesting I haven't been through BNE since late January and all was ok then, have another flight out of BNE in mid Sept so guess I have some new navigating to do.

We have lack of escalators at SYDd J, only up escalator at MELd (have to use firestairs to exit lounges) and more construction at BNE. Is QF trying to deter lounge use at its 3 busiest airports?

 

[justinbrett]

Interesting I haven't been through BNE since late January and all was ok then, have another flight out of BNE in mid Sept so guess I have some new navigating to do.

We have lack of escalators at SYDd J, only up escalator at MELd (have to use firestairs to exit lounges) and more construction at BNE. Is QF trying to deter lounge use at its 3 busiest airports?

I’d never criticise QF for doing renovations.

In the case of BNE it’s not the lounge itself under construction but the terminal entry area. Once you get to the sliding doors it’s normal.

 

[Vic]

Been doing the Brisbane–Melbourne shuffle about four times a week lately and I must have angered the Flying Kangaroo gods, because it’s been one long comedy of errors. Here’s my recent QF bingo card:

⸻

1. The Great A220 Overhead Locker Myth
Apparently the A220 business cabin has “more” overhead space. Cute theory — until you’re in Row 1 (Delta Foxtrot) and realise half your bin’s taken up by crew kit. Cue the bag-shuffling tango and passive-aggressive “That’s my space” exchanges. For the record: overhead bins are not crown land above your head.

⸻

Crew luggage blocking restricted overhead areas (exit row, front row economy and business is common on most airlines. Not an A220 only issue.

2. Pre-Takeoff Drinks: The Mind Boggler
Sometimes you get a pre-departure water, sometimes you don’t. How is it that Virgin manages actual drinks before pushback, while Qantas — “premium full-service airline” — is playing hydration roulette? Someone explain this sorcery.

⸻

Yeah, pre-departure drink is nice. Personally have never needed one for hydration purposes. Perhaps if there is a risk of serious de-hydration, like have a water in the lounge?

8. Brisbane Lounge Access Control: Optional
Business lounge desk often unattended. Seen plenty of people wander up the premium escalator without a boarding pass check. With construction pushing everyone through the same entrance, it’s basically “Come one, come all” right now.

⸻

Everytime I've come through the premium security and up that "premium" escalator, I've been checked at the desk before security screening.

9.A220 Bathroom Chat Room
No curtain at the front of the A220 means the loo queue forms in the business cabin. Add a couple of chatty types and suddenly you’ve got a standing-room social club in your aisle. Virgin solves this with a rope. Rope. Genius.

⸻

Rope is disappearing on Virgin. Both flights last week with virgin in business there was no rope with the new business cabin VH-YIE originally delivered to VA in 2011 = refit, and VH-IJU delivered in 2021 from Silkair (apparently).
On both flights people heading to the front toilet were directed to the back.
On a side note, value in business on virgin cannot be turned down 90% of the time when the alternative is booking flexible economy, IME.

I think lack of self-service alcoholic drinks in BNE is probably a licence thing in QLD. It is in WA.

Which brings me more generally to QF Business Lounge. In response to your critiques of BNE and TUL, as a frequent Perth traveller, I almost feel like piping up like Monty Python Yorkshireman, "Spice bar? Tacos? You were lucky! " Why is the Perth lounge so abysmal? I was in Adelaide the other week - now that lounge is good!

Anyway, I do find it annoying and puzzling that food offerings at the Melbourne lounge are shut down so early, but to be fair the whole airport does. I don't know why. Even Perth airport has far more life to it than the post-8pm ghost town that Melbourne Airport is. No reason for Qantas to give in to that trend though.

The pizza in PER is pretty damn good compared to the 'flagship' in Sydney or Brisbane. Not sure about the spice bar in MEL - had it a couple of times - it's different, unique and unusual. Had a quick look in the new ADL lounge can't remember the food offerings - I feel like it might be pizza.

BTW in context, I guess you mean MELbourne not TULsa

 

[Doddler]

Crew luggage blocking restricted overhead areas (exit row, front row economy and business is common on most airlines. Not an A220 only issue.

Yeah, pre-departure drink is nice. Personally have never needed one for hydration purposes. Perhaps if there is a risk of serious de-hydration, like have a water in the lounge?

Everytime I've come through the premium security and up that "premium" escalator, I've been checked at the desk before security screening.

Rope is disappearing on Virgin. Both flights last week with virgin in business there was no rope with the new business cabin VH-YIE originally delivered to VA in 2011 = refit, and VH-IJU delivered in 2021 from Silkair (apparently).
On both flights people heading to the front toilet were directed to the back.
On a side note, value in business on virgin cannot be turned down 90% of the time when the alternative is booking flexible economy, IME.



The pizza in PER is pretty damn good compared to the 'flagship' in Sydney or Brisbane. Not sure about the spice bar in MEL - had it a couple of times - it's different, unique and unusual. Had a quick look in the new ADL lounge can't remember the food offerings - I feel like it might be pizza.

BTW in context, I guess you mean MELbourne not TULsa

Oops yes, not TULsa (embarrassing on a FF forum).

The Adelaide business lounge has a freshly made pasta bar. When I was there recently the choice was between a prawn marinara (and yes, the prawns were cooked on the spot) or a really nice pesto fetta number which I had. Was excellent.

 

[Vic]

Oops yes, not TULsa (embarrassing on a FF forum).

The Adelaide business lounge has a freshly made pasta bar. When I was there recently the choice was between a prawn marinara (and yes, the prawns were cooked on the spot) or a really nice pesto fetta number which I had. Was excellent.

not really that embarrassing, I've made much worse mistakes... still here.

Thanks for the info about Adelaide. I must say i do tend to like basic, no frills pizza pesto fetta, margaherita for example. Adelaide sounds better than the perth pizza i remember. thanks

 

[Aeryn]

I’d never criticise QF for doing renovations.

Me either but elevator replacements aren't really renos; just maintenance that is taking an abnormally long time.

Lots of people who over stuffed their hand luggage were complaining when they had to carry it down 3 flights of stairs to exit MELd QPub/J Lounge; at least in SYD you can walk over to the QPub escalators or use the lift.

 

[justinbrett]

Me either by elevator replacements aren't really renos; just maintenance that is taking an abnormally long time.

Lots of people who over stuffed their hand luggage were complaining when they had to carry it down 3 flights of stairs to exit MELd QPub/J Lounge; at least in SYD you can walk over to the QPub escalators or use the lift.

It's a complete replacement, not just maintenance.

You can use the lift in MEL too, not just SYD.

 

[Beano]

I've done a handful of sectors on the A220 and not experienced anything markedly worse than the 737 in terms of Wi-Fi performance - to me, it's all a bit of a coughshoot. I've given up streaming on a full flight/busier sectors regardless of type.

I'd rather they didn't encourage every man and his dog to hammer a 10-20mbit Foxtel/Netflix stream, or at least deprioritise it when I'm trying to load a website/Salesforce, however eliminating IFE will push people towards the familiar...


Regarding premium security in BNE, had it reopened? I thought the airport refurbishment works had closed that entire precinct and relocated it to the adjoining shed.

Premium security was open last week, but I went through late-afternoon for a 4 pm flight. Doing my first BNE-MEL next week on a 220. Hope it's better than a EM190!