Cairns Temp Qp

[Bundy Bear]

plus inside info - Qf Club in INTL CNS to close imminently. Tough t*tties if you are travelling CX to HKG or Deathstar to NRT (in Starclass etc)...no lounge for you! ....

I always expected that the international Qantas lounge in Cairns to be closed once Qantas cancelled all the services out of Cairns.

 

[Groundfeeder]

Cairns new QF terminal extensions now open & expect a good workout walking from the (temp) car rental base to the QF check-in, in this lovely tropical weather. THEN repeat the journey to make it into the (temp) Cairns QP!
CIC said they were still unaware when the (permanent) QP would be opening upstairs.
I believe I've earned my neck-oil quota today.

 

[serfty]

New lounge due to re-open late 2009:

Fly - Qantas Club - Interim Lounge Facilities in Cairns

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

From 1 August 2007, eligible customers have been 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 towards the end of 2009 when construction at Cairns airport is complete.

The Qantas International Lounge will be effectively closed for business from Tuesday 24 February 2009. The Qantas Domestic Lounge will continue to provide normal day-to-day operations.

 

[turtlemichael]

The closure of the International lounge from February 24, lurking in amongst the domestic details, is I think new. Platy may know better. It is not at all surprising seeing Qantas International has left Cairns. Tough for the JQ and CX flyers.

 

[Platy]

The closure of the International lounge from February 24, lurking in amongst the domestic details, is I think new. Platy may know better. It is not at all surprising seeing Qantas International has left Cairns. Tough for the JQ and CX flyers.

My understanding is that since the demise of the Qantas flights to Tokyo-Narita on Dec 17th/18th 08 the QF INTL Lounge has been opening with reduced hours of operation for CX and JQ and JAL codeshare folk.

I guess the info on the web site is correct - it was what I was expecting...lounge closing imminently.

The new DOM lounge is way behind schedule due to problems with accessing local skilled labour and supply of materials for the airport re-development.

People I know who had forward bookings on the QF NRT flights were dumped on Jetstar without being notified.

The local rag, Cairns Post, is still falling for the JQ PR machine hook, line and sinker. The latest effort crowing about loadings on the new JQ CNS-NRT flights without pointing out the obvious - they are carrying all of those forward booked pax from two QF 767s onto one Deathstar Scarebus, plus the JAL codeshare poor
wretches.

Met several more tourists recently who had paid for QF servcie and been dumped onto JQ in SIN to get to CNS (stopping in DRW). They were singularly unimpressed with QF. No wonder we have problems with tourism in this town when QF has such an atrociously arrogant attitude to our hard won overseas visitors.

 

[Groundfeeder]

The new CNS dom QF check-in area comprises maybe 4-5 out of perhaps 20-ish check-in counters in the extended terminal. I doubt whether Virgin will be invited to take up occupancy but there were no Deathstar check-ins that I could see. Skyairworld have signs pointing to the new QF terminal??

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Very timely for me that this thread re-surfaced as I am off to Cairns in a fortnight on JQ.

With a 10ish am return flight it looks like breakfast in the club will be a good idea still and not too crowded.

 

[markh]

The new CNS dom QF check-in area comprises maybe 4-5 out of perhaps 20-ish check-in counters in the extended terminal.

And the Business Class check-in is the furthest Qantas counter from the security screening, with the closest counters yet to be used/opened !

 

[bigmal]

It appears now that the Int'l QClub is now only open for codeshare flights to PNG. Seems bad luck if you re on a CX or JQ *class now as you won't get in unless it coincides with the PNG flights.

Might be best idea to check the bags and then head over to the dom lounge, in the event JQ to Japan is delayed, which seems a common occurence these days. If you go through Customs you're stuck there!!

 

[turtlemichael]

It appears now that the Int'l QClub is now only open for codeshare flights to PNG. Seems bad luck if you re on a CX or JQ *class now as you won't get in unless it coincides with the PNG flights.

Might be best idea to check the bags and then head over to the dom lounge, in the event JQ to Japan is delayed, which seems a common occurence these days. If you go through Customs you're stuck there!!

Certainly a good idea when the new lounge opens assuming it is half decent and not as overcrowded at peak times as either the old domestic lounge or its temporary replacement. It would be a 5 or so minute walk and, of course, don't expect international flight calls Interesting to see if an international J or F ticket gets those without QF/OW status in. I imagine they'll allow it.

 

[markh]

Was on a flight CNS-HKG on Wednesday and spoke to the CX ground staff who said that Cathay are taking over the old Cairns Qantas International Lounge and will be operating it in a couple of weeks once they sort out the liquor license / etc. We got a $20 voucher in the interim at the airside cafe...

 

[markh]

Spoke to the QP staff in Cairns Dom today and they said that the old Cairns International Qantas Club is now exclusively run by Cathay Pacific but as it is not classified as a full CX lounge it is called the "Reef Lounge" open to CX J & OWE passengers before their flights.

Someone was asking about it at the time of the AFF website meltdown a few weeks ago ...

 

[samh004]

Spoke to the QP staff in Cairns Dom today and they said that the old Cairns International Qantas Club is now exclusively run by Cathay Pacific but as it is not classified as a full CX lounge it is called the "Reef Lounge" open to CX J & OWE passengers before their flights.

Someone was asking about it at the time of the AFF website meltdown a few weeks ago ...

I wonder if they'll let Marco Polo Club Silver members and above in, as they advertise that in their program. And the lounge can certainly handle the demand, I've been in there several times as a Marco Polo Silver member.

The Cathay website hasn't been updated naturally, so it still notes the Cairns lounge as being a Qantas Club. The Qantas website has removed it from their Australian international lounges.

 

[JohnK]

Sitting in the Cairns Qantas Lounge now waiting for my DJ flight to BNE in less than an hour. I also used the Qantas Lounge a couple of days ago arriving on a DJ flight from BNE. It is not too bad as far as Qantas Lounges go and the hassle for me today was the long walk from DJ check-in back outside then through security to the departure area. One would hope these renovations will be finished soon.

By the way Cairns has looked dead for the last 3 days especially at nights. Tourism must have taken a huge hit....

 

[Groundfeeder]

By the way Cairns has looked dead for the last 3 days especially at nights. Tourism must have taken a huge hit....

Yes, you can get great accommodation bargains now. Last week I got a one b/r Sebel Harbour Lights 3 nites for $99 p/nite!! THEN, they charged me $10 p/nite for car parking!!:evil:

 

[BiziBB]

Sitting in the Cairns Qantas Lounge now waiting for my DJ flight to BNE in less than an hour. I also used the Qantas Lounge a couple of days ago arriving on a DJ flight from BNE. It is not too bad as far as Qantas Lounges go and the hassle for me today was the long walk from DJ check-in back outside then through security to the departure area. One would hope these renovations will be finished soon.

By the way Cairns has looked dead for the last 3 days especially at nights. Tourism must have taken a huge hit....

Don't forget the Qantas sale SYD-CNS John, $149 each way, outside holidays.

 

[oz_mark]

By the way Cairns has looked dead for the last 3 days especially at nights. Tourism must have taken a huge hit....

I thought this too....Explains some of the flight cuts...

 

[Groundfeeder]

I was just imbibing my first chardy after the 2pm temperance barrier was lifted in the Cairns QP when I noticed a sign that stated that the QP was closing from 19 Oct to late Dec when the new QP was to open.

This will be a tragedy as I will be working thru Cairns during this period and won't have a haven!!

 

[turtlemichael]

I suppose we locals should be grateful we are still to get the new lounge. I must admit I had my doubts for a while.

I only have a couple of trips through the airport in that period so I guess I'll cope. Both are pre-booze hours anyway.

They certainly seem to be getting on with the renovations now. We had a new route march from plane to luggage hall last night that took almost as long as the flight after arriving from BNE. It looks like it will be a very good regional terminal when finished so I hope QF keep coming

 

[markh]

So does that mean that you won't be able to request on departure upgrades as there is no club open during this time ??? :shock: :evil: :?::?::?: