Brisbane Lounge Changes

[Conrad_S]

TBH I would have preferred $40 per passenger than the PP lounge when we went through. Good staff but it is very small.

 

[kermatu]

While undoubtedly it's a disappointment at the time for the J pax, I agree $40 is pretty fair compensation, and preferable to a small and crowded lounge. In the long run it will be a worthwhile investment for QF and for pax. Though I'd have preferred a separate F / OWE lounge (or space) rather than a combined one.

 

[Mule]

At the PP now and there wouldn't be half a dozen people here. It's size doesn't matter with these numbers.
Food, drinks and service are fine.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm surprised people are buying the idea that this is a lounge "merger".
In reality the first class lounge is being closed permanently and it will only be replaced by a new business lounge.
I have used the so-called merged lounges in both HKG & SIN - most recently, I was in Hong Kong on Thursday.
But they are only business class lounges. And like the international business lounges in Australia, they don't even serve champagne.
The barman tried to give me the Salinger sparkling rubbish on Thursday.
There is simply no comparison between the QF lounge in HKG and the CX First Class Lounges - especially my favourite in the Wing.
Just as there is no comparison between the QF F lounge in SYD and the international J lounge in PER, for example.
If they don't want to have an F lounge they should be upfront about it. If they want to offer a merged product they should actually provide some of the features of an F lounge.
I would have thought real champagne was a minimum.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm surprised people are buying the idea that this is a lounge "merger".
In reality the first class lounge is being closed permanently and it will only be replaced by a new business lounge.
I have used the so-called merged lounges in both HKG & SIN - most recently, I was in Hong Kong on Thursday.
But they are only business class lounges. And like the international business lounges in Australia, they don't even serve champagne.
The barman tried to give me the Salinger sparkling rubbish on Thursday.
There is simply no comparison between the QF lounge in HKG and the CX First Class Lounges - especially my favourite in the Wing.
Just as there is no comparison between the QF F lounge in SYD and the international J lounge in PER, for example.
If they don't want to have an F lounge they should be upfront about it. If they want to offer a merged product they should actually provide some of the features of an F lounge.
I would have thought real champagne was a minimum.

Yes and OK to all of that ...but to say ...

There is simply no comparison between the QF lounge in HKG and the CX First Class Lounges - especially my favourite in the Wing.
Just as there is no comparison between the QF F lounge in SYD and the international J lounge in PER, for example.

...is rather stating the bleeding obvious. An airline's First lounge in its home airport should have no comparisons with other airlines' lounges at the same airport. Qantas' First lounge at SYD is widely regarded as one of the best 5 F lounges in the world.

I used the old Flounge at BNE and thought - gee, why would they bother? Qantas have been pretty clear by words and deeds about getting rid of F lounges except for 'Flagship' locations, so the current developments surprise or disappoint me not.

What I do wish they would do (and have said this before) is to offer F quality services on production of a F BP - such as serving proper Champagne, given they have bars with bar[-]men[/-]persons. Finnair is a good example of how to look after premium pax in a generalist lounge.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Yes and OK to all of that ...but to say ...


...is rather stating the bleeding obvious. An airline's First lounge in its home airport should have no comparisons with other airlines' lounges at the same airport. Qantas' First lounge at SYD is widely regarded as one of the best 5 F lounges in the world.

I used the old Flounge at BNE and thought - gee, why would they bother? Qantas have been pretty clear by words and deeds about getting rid of F lounges except for 'Flagship' locations, so the current developments surprise or disappoint me not.

What I do wish they would do (and have said this before) is to offer F quality services on production of a F BP - such as serving proper Champagne, given they have bars with bar[-]men[/-]persons. Finnair is a good example of how to look after premium pax in a generalist lounge.

Hence I said:

If they don't want to have an F lounge they should be upfront about it. If they want to offer a merged product they should actually provide some of the features of an F lounge.

 

[Borisdog]

What used to be the "Fisrt class lounge" at BNE Int was the size of a tent.

Anything else would be an improvement.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

What used to be the "Fisrt class lounge" at BNE Int was the size of a tent.

Anything else would be an improvement.

That may be the case. I'm not saying the overall project is a bad thing. Just that selling these as "merged" lounges is misleading. Why not just come out and say BNE is only big enough for a J lounge?

 

[FRONT ROWER]

What else do you expect? Their lounge is closed...

Access to the contract lounge. This is what a quick google suggested would be the case for business class passengers.

A $30 food and beverage voucher presupposes that I wanted to eat or drink. I actually wanted to have a shower and do some work.

 

[Christoo]

I'm surprised people are buying the idea that this is a lounge "merger".
In reality the first class lounge is being closed permanently and it will only be replaced by a new business lounge.
I have used the so-called merged lounges in both HKG & SIN - most recently, I was in Hong Kong on Thursday.
But they are only business class lounges. And like the international business lounges in Australia, they don't even serve champagne.
The barman tried to give me the Salinger sparkling rubbish on Thursday.
There is simply no comparison between the QF lounge in HKG and the CX First Class Lounges - especially my favourite in the Wing.
Just as there is no comparison between the QF F lounge in SYD and the international J lounge in PER, for example.
If they don't want to have an F lounge they should be upfront about it. If they want to offer a merged product they should actually provide some of the features of an F lounge.
I would have thought real champagne was a minimum.

I have seen a lot of positive posts here about the HKG QF lounge and I don't really rate it, the BBQ pork is nice, but it is a very small serve.
It makes sense to me that if you are QF and there are other F lounges in the OW group that your money could be better spent elsewhere.

As far as BNE is concerned, like AKL I would gladly take a lounge that is a half step between a Business and First lounge over their current F offerings.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I have seen a lot of positive posts here about the HKG QF lounge and I don't really rate it, the BBQ pork is nice, but it is a very small serve.
It makes sense to me that if you are QF and there are other F lounges in the OW group that your money could be better spent elsewhere.

As far as BNE is concerned, like AKL I would gladly take a lounge that is a half step between a Business and First lounge over their current F offerings.

I don't have a problem with the concept of a premium lounge which is essentially a J lounge with some F lounge touches.
It does make sense if there isn't enough demand to satisfy separate F & J lounges.
Someone has said Finnair does this concept well.
I do have a problem with replacing separate F & J lounges with a J lounge which is labelled a "merged" premium lounge if that label is just spin.
Champagne isn't even an exclusively F lounge thing - Emirates serve champagne in their J lounges, as do many airlines.
I do think Qantas should be offering champagne in its international and domestic J lounges and in J cabins on all flights.
As for a really merged premium lounge ... it should offer some of the services you would expect in an F lounge.
My suggestions would include - an exclusive area within the lounge for F or equivalent status pax, with (better) champagne.
If policing access would be a problem then service at the bar could require a boarding pass.
Superior shower suites with the magic cupboard pressing service for F or equivalent status pax.
Spa or massage services with one free service for F or equivalent status pax and additional services at a cost, and any service at a cost for J pax.

 

[Christoo]

I don't have a problem with the concept of a premium lounge which is essentially a J lounge with some F lounge touches.
It does make sense if there isn't enough demand to satisfy separate F & J lounges.
Someone has said Finnair does this concept well.
I do have a problem with replacing separate F & J lounges with a J lounge which is labelled a "merged" premium lounge if that label is just spin.
Champagne isn't even an exclusively F lounge thing - Emirates serve champagne in their J lounges, as do many airlines.
I do think Qantas should be offering champagne in its international and domestic J lounges and in J cabins on all flights.
As for a really merged premium lounge ... it should offer some of the services you would expect in an F lounge.
My suggestions would include - an exclusive area within the lounge for F or equivalent status pax, with (better) champagne.
If policing access would be a problem then service at the bar could require a boarding pass.
Superior shower suites with the magic cupboard pressing service for F or equivalent status pax.
Spa or massage services with one free service for F or equivalent status pax and additional services at a cost, and any service at a cost for J pax.

So you want a nice glass of bubbly?
I don't think the QF F and J showers are that different and the HKG J showers are very nice.
As a non-drinker the HKG J lounge is nicer than the old run down F lounge.

In the HKG lounge they have tables reserved for P1, CL & F passengers.

 

[DavidFlynn]

My suggestions would include - an exclusive area within the lounge for F or equivalent status pax, with (better) champagne.
If policing access would be a problem then service at the bar could require a boarding pass.
Superior shower suites with the magic cupboard pressing service for F or equivalent status pax.
Spa or massage services with one free service for F or equivalent status pax and additional services at a cost, and any service at a cost for J pax.

Those are good suggestions and some of this is already offered at the SIN and HKG lounges to CL/P1 (and VIP) travellers, eg the champagne and shirt pressing, also priority for showers (in the early days they even got an upmarket shower amenity pack, not sure if that's still a thing).

'Exclusive bar areas' can indeed be done - BA's Concorde Room is one example – but where there are space constraints it's less wise, ditto for a spa. And in the case of BNE there are no F passengers anyway.

So rather than carve out a certain amount of space (and staffing) just for CL/P1 and perhaps Platinums and their Emirates/Oneworld equivalents, it makes more sense to me that the entire area be available for all passengers with 'service differentiation' via ever-pleasing recognition and personal attention extended to the top tiers.

FWIW: I well recall the wailing and gnashing of teeth when AusBT broke the news that the former BA/QF F/J lounges at SIN would be split up in the 'divorce' to become a single lounge each and that QF SIN would be a single 'integrated' lounge – but that was because people were using the then-J lounge as their frame of reference. The new SIN lounge was very impressive (bar, cooking station with daily plates, great buffet too, good shower suites) and while I know some travellers aren't fans of it, I don't know anybody who would have preferred the 'old' lounge. HKG is the same.

 

[Christoo]

FWIW: I well recall the wailing and gnashing of teeth when AusBT broke the news that the former BA/QF F/J lounges at SIN would be split up in the 'divorce' to become a single lounge each and that QF SIN would be a single 'integrated' lounge – but that was because people were using the then-J lounge as their frame of reference. The new SIN lounge was very impressive (bar, cooking station with daily plates, great buffet too, good shower suites) and while I know some travellers aren't fans of it, I don't know anybody who would have preferred the 'old' lounge. HKG is the same.

I think you hit the nail on the head, as long as it is an improved experience for all involved there will be few complaints.

 

[samh004]

I do have a problem with replacing separate F & J lounges with a J lounge which is labelled a "merged" premium lounge if that label is just spin.

It's all been said already, but the old F-lounge space was a shoe box that overlooked a car park. I appreciate there were slightly nicer danishes in there, and Taittinger of course... but a complete refit with refreshed interiors and more space will easily beat the old F-shoe-box.

 

[kermatu]

I haven't flown out of Brisbane international so can't comment specifically on the old lounges. Sounds like they weren't much to write home about.

I also acknowledge I am very spoilt by access to some great lounges and am quite picky in terms of what I would like from lounges at different times -- good food served fresh/directly or at an orderly buffet , good drinks (with a real step up in quality for F or high tier pax), quiet space to relax or work, good business services, premium services such as a spa or private suite etc.

A merged lounge won't deliver all of these effectively, but sounds like it will be an improvement for the majority of pax so it is an understandable approach.

I'm probably one of the few people who like the Auckland lounge setup (F provides a quieter zone) - so I'm not looking forward to that revamp (though I tend to eat in the EK lounge first now). In SIN and HKG there are alternative OW / EK lounges to offer something different. I guess the same will apply in London. But I assume there's nothing else really in Brisbane other than EK (with restricted hours) which is why I am still a bit disappointed in the fact it will be a merged lounge. I hope some of the suggestions for making an effort to offer some additional services to CLs / P1s are taken up.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I haven't flown out of Brisbane international so can't comment specifically on the old lounges. Sounds like they weren't much to write home about.

I also acknowledge I am very spoilt by access to some great lounges and am quite picky in terms of what I would like from lounges at different times -- good food served fresh/directly or at an orderly buffet , good drinks (with a real step up in quality for F or high tier pax), quiet space to relax or work, good business services, premium services such as a spa or private suite etc.

A merged lounge won't deliver all of these effectively, but sounds like it will be an improvement for the majority of pax so it is an understandable approach.

I'm probably one of the few people who like the Auckland lounge setup (F provides a quieter zone) - so I'm not looking forward to that revamp (though I tend to eat in the EK lounge first now). In SIN and HKG there are alternative OW / EK lounges to offer something different. I guess the same will apply in London. But I assume there's nothing else really in Brisbane other than EK (with restricted hours) which is why I am still a bit disappointed in the fact it will be a merged lounge. I hope some of the suggestions for making an effort to offer some additional services to CLs / P1s are taken up.

Agree generally but why should the additional services be restricted to CL/P1? Surely for WP and above who could have had access to an F lounge?

 

[kermatu]

Agree generally but why should the additional services be restricted to CL/P1? Surely for WP and above who could have had access to an F lounge?

Don't disagree but can't see it happening. Too many OWEs. If an additional service is to be offered in a merged lounge it would only be to a select few I reckon. (I will drop back to WP before too long so this isn't a 'just for me' suggestion!).

 

[samh004]

I hope some of the suggestions for making an effort to offer some additional services to CLs / P1s are taken up.

While not possessing any insider knowledge, I can't imagine why the new lounge wouldn't adopt the same benefits offered to top-tier/top-class members that SIN and HKG have.

Agree generally but why should the additional services be restricted to CL/P1? Surely for WP and above who could have had access to an F lounge?

In the current merged lounges, premium services are offered to top-tier/top-class, that's P1/CL and First class respectively. You're asking for far too much if you expect every OWE in the lounge to also get that premium treatment, as it diminishes the benefit for the real top-tier/top-class patrons.

So I'm sorry, but you're dreaming if you think WP status means you should get a separate (shoe-box) space with Champagne... in BNE!

 

[kermatu]

While not possessing any insider knowledge, I can't imagine why the new lounge wouldn't adopt the same benefits offered to top-tier/top-class members that SIN and HKG have.

You expect consistency!?!