Article: Qantas Auckland Lounge Upgrade: The End of an Era

[ms1]

If your PPT flight has a QF (marketed) flight number then you should have access.

It was marked qf but I was still denied and told to go to the strata lounge.

 

[SYD]

It was marked qf but I was still denied and told to go to the strata lounge.

That was probably consistent with the interim arrangements ie a WP might have got into the EK lounge.

 

[justinbrett]

If your PPT flight has a QF (marketed) flight number then you should have access.

The wording says pax on QF operated flights will be re-accommodated. The allowance for QF marketed flights is only for QF lounges, and currently, there are none in AKL.

Air Tahiti Nui has its own re-accommodation policy (they usually use the QF lounge for their own pax) and are sending everyone to the Strata lounge (Airports and Lounges)

It does raise the question what AA will do when they come back for the summer.

 

[henrus]

The wording says pax on QF operated flights will be re-accommodated. The allowance for QF marketed flights is only for QF lounges, and currently, there are none in AKL.

I still don't know if we've seen a confirmed what this means on JQ code and JQ metal?

 

[johndoe]

I still don't know if we've seen a confirmed what this means on JQ code and JQ metal?

shout me a coughstar flight and I'll let ya know!

 

[ozflier]

shout me a coughstar flight and I'll let ya know!

Tried out the Auckland Emirates Lounge today.
Travelling in paid J to Melbourne as a Platinum.
A bit underwhelming to say the least.
Sure it was a bit busy but no where near enough power points for the people sitting here.
Food was ok but restricted ie halal (fair enough) so no bacon in the Caesar Salad , no pork. In fact , the only meat on offer was chicken!
All the reviews for the reopened EK lounge ( eg https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/emirates-opens-auckland-lounge) trumpeted the availability of real ( ie French Champagne ) on offer . Sadly not - I checked both bar areas- none there and asked the manager ( who was a Qantas employee) where was the good stuff was . He responded that what was in the bar area was all that was available !
I find it hard to believe that Emirates offers its international First Class and Premium passengers local sparkling wine! Maybe I am being cynical but maybe the Moet etc is offered once the Qantas hordes have left and the EK pax arrive for their later departures. Hopefully Executive Traveller and the other travel writers will alter their reviews!
What was in the bar was Otago Quartz Reef sparkling wine - just drinkable but thats it - NZ brilliant with pinor noir and sauvignon blanc but less so with their imitation French Champagnes.
Only one red wine on offer at the bar area. Interesting that when I went for a top-up, there was only about a third of a glass worth remaining in the bottle-I asked one of the attendants was there any more coming- only to be told that the bottle had to be empty before a full one could be brought out!
I have been sent to the Strata Lounge at AKL in the past by QF when its lounge was full- a really pleasant experience. Maybe , Premium travellers should have this option if the EK Lounge continues to underperform.

 

[jase05]

I would absolutely expect EK to put up better offering for their own passengers and perhaps it comes down to whatever financial arrangements are in place whilst this temporary situation is in place.

 

[QFFHntrGthr]

Yes they do, the normal Emirates hours sees the French champagne replace the cheap qantas offering. Same with the food.

 

[ozflier]

Yes they do, the normal Emirates hours sees the French champagne replace the cheap qantas offering. Same with the food.

Sad, but I guess with Qantas, its all about the money!

 

[chooms]

I would absolutely expect EK to put up better offering for their own passengers and perhaps it comes down to whatever financial arrangements are in place whilst this temporary situation is in place.

Yep correct. Same as when normal operating hours outside this agreement. It would seem a bespoke arrangement for qantas flights.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Yep correct. Same as when normal operating hours outside this agreement. It would seem a bespoke arrangement for qantas flights.

We were on an evening QF flight, both WP and went to the EK lounge. We had met a friend at the airport so we tried to get her into the EK lounge with us. The QF gatekeepers were sympathetic but it was a definite no to us guesting her in because she wasn’t on a oneworld flight.
There is a definite improvement in food and drink during the only EK flight

 

[serfty]

I would absolutely expect EK to put up better offering for their own passengers and perhaps it comes down to whatever financial arrangements are in place whilst this temporary situation is in place.

That does.

Today around 2pm:

 

[serfty]

2pm cold selection:

 

[serfty]

I have been watching the swapover ... hapens after QF4 to JFK boards.

4:30pm:

 

[serfty]

More

 

[serfty]

Change in Lavatories ... (paper towels are available...)

Before 4pm:


After

 

[henrus]

Anyone know if JQ flights as WP are allowed access. I’d asked before but I don’t think anyone’s confirmed it.

 

[Malus]

2pm cold selection:

View attachment 452194
View attachment 452195
View attachment 452196
View attachment 452197

Even though QF passengers are still in the AKL lounge at that time, it looks much nicer / tastier than what is provided in the QF international lounges in AU. The salads look really fresh and appetizing.

 

[serfty]

Even though QF passengers are still in the AKL lounge at that time, it looks much nicer / tastier than what is provided in the QF international lounges in AU. The salads look really fresh and appetizing.

I guess EK have a minimum standard.

When VAi used the LAX EK lounge it was full on catering.

 

[justinbrett]

Change in Lavatories ... (paper towels are available...)

Before 4pm:

View attachment 452267
After
View attachment 452268

They had cloth towels when I was there prior to QF4 around 6am (lounge in QF mode at that time).

I have been watching the swapover ... hapens after QF4 to JFK boards.

You mean QF3