Cairns Temp Qp

[Groundfeeder]

Anyone advise me on whether the temporary Cairns QP is worth visiting now?

I've avoided flying from CNS in preference to TSV as the old CNS QP got chokka very quickly for the last southern flights and understood the temp one is even smaller.

 

[littl_flier]

Unfortunately the new/temp one does seem to be a little smaller with less seats than the old QP. It does get quite cramped and I've seen people (mainly kids) sitting on the floor, particularly around lunchtime when there's the QF flights to SYD, BNE, ASP, AYQ & MEL not to mention JQ flights.

IMO, it's not as nice as the old one and there seems to be less food available. There aren't as many computers available and nowhere near as much space in the toilets and I've seen a line on occassions.

At the end of the day though, I find it much better than sitting outside in the zoo at that time of the day anyway and a few Rum and Cokes fixed it.

 

[straitman]

Whilst on this topic. (and save me looking up)

Is there a QP at Cairns International and if so what is it like?

 

[serfty]

J lounge - Quite spacious IIRC - there used to be a First Class annexe but this has been absorbed I believe.

 

[straitman]

J lounge - Quite spacious IIRC - there used to be a First Class annexe but this has been absorbed I believe.

Thanks serfty.

 

[NM]

Whilst on this topic. (and save me looking up)

Is there a QP at Cairns International and if so what is it like?

Its just to the right as you go through security screening. There are showers available (might only be one, not sure). Typical Qantas Club fair. Quite acceptable.

 

[nlagalle]

I'll be there on Saturday morning. Hope it isn't too busy!

 

[ANstar]

Even though it gets crowded I actually prefer the new lounge and it's decor.

 

[straitman]

Its just to the right as you go through security screening. There are showers available (might only be one, not sure). Typical Qantas Club fair. Quite acceptable.

NM.

Not really a big issue with showers (thanks) as the flight is QF60 at 0650 to SYD. I'll probably shower at the hotel thanks.

 

[turtlemichael]

Its just to the right as you go through security screening. There are showers available (might only be one, not sure). Typical Qantas Club fair. Quite acceptable.

The lounge has two PCs and one shower in the gent's loo. Presumably the ladies side has one too. The lounge is spacious and you can usually get a seat, unlike the domestic lounge where its often standing room only. Food, however, in my experience is the worst of any Australian lounge though I haven't been to them all. It's usually a couple of tired dips, turned up sandwiches and cheese. Breakfast is toast and cereals. The booze selection is standard. The domestic lounge food, though not great, is superior. The first class side does not appear to be now used - maybe for VIPs?

 

[Groundfeeder]

Thanks for the update.

I've found the TSV QP very good with hot food and good decor, although it gets totally crammed like all others at peak times. One gets the feeling that those packed inside most QP's could fill their own 737 - memo to QF??

I'll still give the CNS QP a little longer to be repaired and then try again later.

 

[Platy]

The new QP in CNS domestic isn't due to be ready for business for another TWO YEARS as part of ther $200 million airport terminal expansion and refit.

At lunchtime, when passengers for the wide body jets for SYD and MEL converge, the QP in dom is a crowded zoo - I tend to forget it and grab a quiet beer at the cafe outlet.

Best option is to try to grab the early morning international flights (CNS-BNE 0550 and CNS-SYD 0650) where the lounge is hardly used for the BNE flight and sparsely used for the SYD flight. I have been the only one in the lounge around 0515 on recent visits. The queues through customers/security at that time are usually 5-10 minutes or less since we lost the early morning Australian Airlines flights (eg CNS-OOL), although you can get caught out if there is a charter (Korean sometimes bring a 777 in). At least you get an INTL config 767-300 that way so J is slightly more conmfortable too.

Incidentally you can take a Deathstar 330-200 CNS-SYD weekly from the INTL terminal (Saturday I think), but no starclass operates.

 

[turtlemichael]

The new QP in CNS domestic isn't due to be ready for business for another TWO YEARS as part of ther $200 million airport terminal expansion and refit.

Platy, isn't the lounge due to open at the end of this year? Emphasis on the word "due", of course.

 

[Platy]

Platy, isn't the lounge due to open at the end of this year? Emphasis on the word "due", of course.

I was told two years when I asked a local QP staff member in mid December - even if that meant two years in total, given the work started mid 2007, it would suggest a re-opening in mid-2009 and that assuming the project stays on schedule (and if my information is correct).

I spoke socially with the head of the Cairns Port Authority (CPA) at a conference and one of the CPA directors on a CNS-MEL flight a couple of months ago about the re-development project and it is far more extensive than I first realised - we didn't discuss the QP timelines specifically...

 

[turtlemichael]

The QF website says end 2008 for the lounge but history says that you treat that cautiously . The total redevelopment is very extensive and we have the chance of ending up with a very decent airport.

 

[serfty]

Flying with Us - Qantas Club - The Qantas Club News

Interim Lounge Facilities in Cairns
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Qantas is developing a new domestic Qantas Club lounge at Cairns Airport.

From 1 August 2007, eligible customers will be invited to use an interim lounge located next to Gate 16 in the domestic terminal. The interim lounge offers business facilities, lounge seating, plasma-screen TVs and complimentary light snacks and refreshments.

The new lounge is due to open at the end of 2008 when construction at Cairns airport is complete.

I guess mid '09 could be both "at the end of 2008" and "when construction is complete".

 

[Groundfeeder]

Best option is to try to grab the early morning international flights (CNS-BNE 0550 and CNS-SYD 0650)

Platy, this timing is severely against the principles of the QP as the dom. bar is still way shut.

 

[serfty]

Platy, this timing is severely against the principles of the QP as the dom. bar is still way shut.

But the bar in the Int one is definitely NOT shut!

 

[turtlemichael]

But the bar in the Int one is definitely NOT shut!

I'm trying to work out a way to have the CNS Dom breakfast food :shock: with the Int bar offering and still be in Sydney by 11am

It's sad when the QF breakfast is your highlight meal of the day lol

 

[Platy]

But the bar in the Int one is definitely NOT shut!

Yes, indeed. I have in fact been known to partake of a glass of bubbly at such times (when not travelling directly to a meeting that day)...especially the retun leg BNE-CNS which is at a slightly more respectable hour and allows visitation to the first QP at BNE INTL and access to the Moet Chandon Imperial plus respectable nibblies...I carry some extra nosh just in case I don't get an upgrade!!!