Christchurch international?

[k_sheep]

Hi all ... on the qantas club site it shows that there is an international associated lounge at Christchurch. Does anyone know which airline it is for? I'm trying to figure out opening hours to see if we need a hotel with early breakfast for our OMGo'clock departure in November.

Cheers!

 

[moa999]

The 'real' Qantas lounge closed on 31-Aug.

New lounge is to be operated by their ground handler who presently operates the Emirates associated lounge as well.
Unsure if this will be in the old lounge area or if they will effectively takeover the Qantas club.

Air NZ has a separate Koru lounge.

 

[k_sheep]

Hmm it's left of gate 26 if that helps. I don't know where the old club was (only joined a few months ago).

 

[moa999]

Would suggest they are using the Manaia Lounge (nearer Gates 24/25).
Is quite small (only 1/3 size of the old Qantas and Air NZ lounges)

http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/content/467/New-Terminal-Layout-10.06.0.jpg

Some pics of the lounge here
New Zealand + Emirates - Sydney — Trip Reports Forum | Airliners.net

 

[Mwenenzi]

The 'real' Qantas lounge closed on 31-Aug.

New lounge is to be operated by their ground handler who presently operates the Emirates associated lounge as well.
Unsure if this will be in the old lounge area or if they will effectively takeover the Qantas club.

Air NZ has a separate Koru lounge.

There were 2 QC lounges at CHC
* Domestic - closed 31-Aug
* International - still open ?

International lounge used to open only for QF interntional flights I recall
QF still have flights ex CHC (but how long before Jetrats takes over all TT flights?)

 

[moa999]

Is the International one that closed.

NZ Domestic lounges close in Dec-09

From 1 September 2009, Qantas will be moving to an Associated lounge in Christchurch. The Associated lounge is a shared lounge available for Qantas Club members, and Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers when travelling on a Qantas or Jetstar flight#.
You will also be able to access to the lounge if you are travelling on a Qantas flight in Business.* The Manaia Lounge is located at Christchurch International Airport located on the first floor.
* Christchurch Associated lounge access is a stand alone agreement between Qantas and Jetstar. Associated lounge access in other ports is subject to standard Associated lounges conditions of entry.

Fly - The Qantas Club - The Qantas Club News

^ Following the transition of domestic services from Qantas to Jetstar, effective 4 December 2009, domestic Qantas Clubs in New Zealand will close. Jetstar will announce plans for lounges in New Zealand shortly.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/qantas-club-lounge-locations-new-zealand/global/en#jump0

 

[k_sheep]

Ah excellent. Thanks all!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Is the International one that closed.
NZ Domestic lounges close in Dec-09

For some resaon I thought is was the other way round.
How to p**s off customers in a fast way
I doubt if Jetrats NZ has picked up lot of the former QF NZ pax. Many will have defected to Air NZ

 

[k_sheep]

Hmm now the website is showing this.



Port Lounge location Hours Incoming phone/fax Christchurch^

Airside, Level 1,
left of Gate 26 180 minutes before Qantas
departure Ph: 64 (3) 357 3886
* Associated lounges are operated by, or on behalf of, other airlines in selected ports to which Qantas operates.
^The Christchurch lounge will be available for Qantas Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers, and Qantas Club members travelling on a Qantas or Jetstar operated flight, along with customers travelling in Business Class on Qantas. Christchurch Associated lounge access is a stand alone agreement between Qantas and Jetstar. Associated lounge access in other ports is subject to standard Associated lounges conditions of entry.

 

[2muchplastic]

If you're still interested in knowing the opening hours of the Manaia lounge, it was definitely open at 4.55 this morning for our return to BNE.

Not a bad lounge, though the brekkie spread was a little thin on the ground compared to standard QC fare, but it was deathly quiet in there.

 

[ANDREW]

For some resaon I thought is was the other way round.
How to p**s off customers in a fast way
I doubt if Jetrats NZ has picked up lot of the former QF NZ pax. Many will have defected to Air NZ

- Yes firmly agree have joined oposition club, yet I'm qf l/time.

 

[Mal]

^The Christchurch lounge will be available for Qantas Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers, and Qantas Club members travelling on a Qantas or Jetstar operated flight, along with customers travelling in Business Class on Qantas.

And I presume that such a lounge isn't accessible via "anytime" platinum access as it isn't a Qantas lounge, but is an independent lounge.

The joys of enhancements.

 

[2muchplastic]

And I presume that such a lounge isn't accessible via "anytime" platinum access as it isn't a Qantas lounge, but is an independent lounge.

The joys of enhancements.

Mal, I'm not so sure. When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I was waved through by the lounge dragon after showing my WP card before she'd even seen the Deathstar boarding passes.

 

[Aus ATC]

Mal,

Quite correct. Attempted to access the lounge recently - as a WP (although I only had my SG card with me) travelling with Virgin Blue. No access - had to be travelling with QFA or JST.

 

[k_sheep]

Just confirming the maniaia (I can't spell) lounge is indeed available for QP members flying jetstar. It's pretty small, but similar to domestic QPs I've been to in the past in terms of food. It was empty save for myself, my partner and one other person which made it very pleasant

Food for breakfast was the usual toast/crumpets/muffins, with fruit and a bunch of cereals. Plenty of juice (orange, apple and tomato) and coffee available.

 

[RrabbitohOne]

My wife and I flew out of Christchurch Intl earlier this week, and I thought the lounge was pretty good. Definitely better than a domestic Qantas Club. The food was reasonable, and the drink selection was good (although there was no bar, just self-serve fridges). The lounge is quite small, and was comfortably full at 3pm, but the food and drinks were refilled regularly.

 

[ms1]

I'll be flying back to Sydney from Christchurch early next year on a very early flight (0635)... Does anyone know if this lounge will be open that early in the morning ie around 5am? And can I confirm that it is still open to Qantas Club members flying jetstar? Thanks.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'll be flying back to Sydney from Christchurch early next year on a very early flight (0635)... Does anyone know if this lounge will be open that early in the morning ie around 5am? And can I confirm that it is still open to Qantas Club members flying jetstar? Thanks.

Welcome to AFF ms1!

It would appear from this section of the QF site that overall you're out of luck. Yes, QC members have access when flying Jetstar, but apparently the lounge does not open until 1130.

I hope that's wrong, and you find the lounge open, but I have no recent experience flying out of CHC internationally.

 

[dk4]

Manaia Lounge - Christchurch International

Pacific Blue uses this lounge Velocity - Gold Lounge Access, and they have early morning departures from CHC.

According to the Qantas Website link from tuapekastar above, their phone number is +64 (3) 357 3886, why not give them a call to ask when they open? [and post back with your answer]