BNE QF J Lounge Redevelpopment (Int.and Dom.)

[Mr_Orange]

Looks like the BNE J Lounge is going to be expanded. The following text quoted from the BAC web site:

[h=2]Qantas Terminal Lounge[/h]

• Timing: Mid 2015- mid-2016
• Investment: $20 million

This project will deliver a new and expanded Qantas Business Lounge, as well as a new Qantas Valet Service. It is part of a bigger expansion of the Domestic Northern precinct, which will result in additional aircraft apron, an expanded terminal concourse as well as a regional satellite.

 

[wooley]

Very exciting

 

[Mr_Orange]

In case it is not clear, this applies to the Domestic Lounge not the International Lounge.

 

[michaele]

In case it is not clear, this applies to the Domestic Lounge not the International Lounge.

... the International J lounge desperately needs some TLC.. its terrible. Stuck in the corner, it's cramped, old and tired. One of the few lounges where you may as well be in the terminal. Not as bad as Bordeaux though..

I vaguely remember they were talking about an upgrade a while back in line with the current airport refurb?

 

[cambriamarsh]

... the International J lounge desperately needs some TLC.. its terrible. Stuck in the corner, it's cramped, old and tired. One of the few lounges where you may as well be in the terminal. Not as bad as Bordeaux though..

I vaguely remember they were talking about an upgrade a while back in line with the current airport refurb?

It's not that bad, I've used it a number of times and it's quiet, comfortable and convenient. It could do with an update tho.

 

[Mr_Orange]

... the International J lounge desperately needs some TLC.. its terrible. Stuck in the corner, it's cramped, old and tired. One of the few lounges where you may as well be in the terminal. Not as bad as Bordeaux though..

I vaguely remember they were talking about an upgrade a while back in line with the current airport refurb?

Agree that it needs an update, but not sure it is worse than being in the terminal. Yes, there was some prior talk of something happening.

The obvious update to me is to expand the J lounge to incorporate the current F lounge and move the F lounge to the, apparently, unused space upstairs.

 

[Buzzard]

At least you have a JLounge in BNE unlike ADL :evil:

 

[boomy]

Excellent news!
I visit this lounge often and actually don't mind it as it is now but any improvements are always welcomed.

 

[Spongbob]

At least you have a JLounge in BNE unlike ADL :evil:

My evaluation of the ADL QP is it is better (i.e. more relaxing) than the QFd business lounge in BNE.

 

[OzEire]

My evaluation of the ADL QP is it better (i.e. more relaxing) than the QFd business lounge in BNE.

I will be in both in the next 24 hrs and will do a comparison

 

[11sjw]

Extra showers in that lounge would be a good thing. Small detail, but it would beat having to leave the J Lounge to get a shower in.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Edit: as the QP and the BNE QFd J lounge are separate, I have edited out my waffle.

 

[Groundfeeder]

My evaluation of the ADL QP is it is better (i.e. more relaxing) than the QFd business lounge in BNE.

Agree. I was ADL QP last week for the first time since airport redev and found it excellent. Appears to be much larger than BNE or MEL and well laid out.
If you check out http://www.bne.com.au/sites/all/files/content/files/BAC_DTNRS Draft MDP_141128.pdf, you can see the proposals for new regional satellite which may swing off the existing QF satellite for gates 19-21 etc. To expand the QP J lounge it would appear that they would have to extend over the tarmac access road to the north. Maybe they can just convert the ground level Qantaslink departure lounge to J lounge and give us QP's back the J lounge area taken away many years ago ...

 

[JohnK]

Will be interesting to see the new layout.

 

[samh004]

Glad to hear the lounge expansion is finally moving along, though would love to see a concept/plans for how it will be done.

Not sure about the Northern Regional Satellite as it seems the current plan is an elevated walkway connecting to an apron walkway... great idea in the sun, and so long as you're not late for your flight, but not such a good idea in the wet. Seems very pedestrian, pardon the pun. Perhaps the walkway is covered, but from the plans they have travelators, so it's not like it needs to be ground level at that stage, it could slope down at the end.

While I understand that there is a large focus on regional, smaller planes in Brisbane, I still think continuing the existing design of the main terminal around the corner (continuing the curve) with satellite terminals that look the same (round drops) would be a cleaner, nicer design. This design will just end up looking like a mix of different terminals, mashed together...



Page 66 shows the extension to the QP area (broadly) and hints of expansion beyond VA's lounge.

 

[RichardMEL]

+1 re the ADL QP.

The only real reason for a separate J lounge at ADL would be more for the international premium pax on OW partners (since QF doesn't do ADL-SIN anymore) and for the turn left brigade. I find the ADL QP really nice. it's large, never had an issue finding a seat, the food is decent enough, bar staff good and everyone is friendly. Never had an issue there myself.

The failing of the current BNE J lounge is, like MEL (and to a far lesser extent, SYD) is that it was created by eating into the existing QP's to create them back in the day. SYD you don't notice it quite so much due to the relatively large size of the original SYD QP but you totally feel it in MEL and BNE due to the space limitations imposed.

BNE J lounge (dom) can be crowded at times, and while the food is better on that side, and the staff are great, it can definitely do with more space more than anything so a new dedicated lounge as part of an expansion is a great idea - and the current QP can duly return to using that whole space as it did in the past, so the QP members and golds will be happy too win/win.

bring it

 

[ReLoad]

The biggest fail is the MEL dom J lounge, it's roughly the same size as BNE and almost impossible to find a seat in peak times.

Although the food etc I've found to be better in MEL.

 

[RichardMEL]

Yep, often more seats in the QP side than the MEL J side due to size. Personally I prefer the BNE J food, but each to their own

 

[OzEire]

ok, so my report on the BNE J lounge is not going to surprise anyone. Very limited seating, I took a 2 seater as it was being vacated by a couple. Soon another single traveller joined me and we battled over the tiny table for space to have a plate , cutlery and a glass.

Long line at the bar/coffee point with one staff serving both.

One hot food option and the usual cold buffet.

Quite loud background noise with so many pax in a small space, not conducive to business (J !) phone calls or peaceful lounge bliss.

Not a stellar example of a J lounge.

 

[boomy]

BNE QF J Lounge

Recently most of my flights ex BNE are morning departures and I never ever had any issues finding a table. Reading some of the reports here I can see it's a different scenario in the evening.