Dragonair flight - OW lounge access?

[2muchplastic]

OK, so later this month I'm flying BNE-HKG on QF connecting to a KA HKG-PVG flight.

It's a flight I've not done for a couple of months, and this time was determined to try out the CX Wing lounge rather than the fairly average Dragonair lounge whilst waiting for the connection (as I didn't know before joining here and FT that I was able to use a lounge other than that of the airline I was flying on next). Now I know that Dragonair are a oneworld member as an affiliate of Cathay Pacific rather than a full member in their own right, but does this have any bearing on lounge access?

The reason for the question was that I finally got around to filling in a bit more of my ba97 flight diary, including my next flight, when it seemed to insist that I had no access either by status (I'm a QF SG) or by class of travel (I'm going QF & KA J class) to the CX or QF lounges.
So is ba97 out of date (which is my hope) or am I going to look a bit of a pilchard when I turn up to the CX lounge with my guest and get refused entry?
I've done a search on here, but the entries that it turned up were rather old.

 

[simongr]

You can access the Wing or Pier or the QF lounge - enjoy

 

[2muchplastic]

Many thanks for the swift reply. It's was exactly the answer I was hoping for!
I'm going to be avoiding the QF/BA lounge too if I can, I've been in there enough times when it's standing room only on a Friday night, with a lousy food selection, a broken coffee machine and a wi-fi connection that has all the speed of a slug on valium.

CX lounge here we come!

 

[drron]

KA is a member of OW so of course you can access the lounge you wish.At PVG the KA lounge is a conjoint lounge with CX and reasonably pleasant with good views of the airport and surrounds(smog permitting).

 

[Evan]

Note that the reason you will be allowed to use the CX lounge is because your QF SG, not because your flying J
If you on a QF flight for example with no status and flying J, you would only be allowed to use the QF lounge, not the CX one.
E

 

[NM]

Note that the reason you will be allowed to use the CX lounge is because your QF SG, not because your flying J
If you on a QF flight for example with no status and flying J, you would only be allowed to use the QF lounge, not the CX one.
E

Accoding to the OneWorld web site, class of travel does in fact entitle you to use any OneWorld lounge.

Eligibility

In all cases, lounge access eligibility is based on:

• Departing carrier - you must be flying on your next onward segment, on the same day, on a flight marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline AND
• Frequent flyer tier status - you must also hold a frequent flyer card equivalent to oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status, OR
• Class of travel - you must produce a First or Business Class boarding pass for the journey's international segment on the same day.

note the last two points are linked with an "or". So long as you meet the first point criteria and one of the last two points, lounge access should be available. CX in Hong Kong are very good at recognising this and providing access based on class of travel.

I used the HKG CX F Lounge during the trip that earned my AA Platinum status based on a QF F boarding pass. My Boarding Pass showed a no-status AA membership, but the QF F boarding pass was never questioned for access to the CX FLounge.

 

[Evan]

Opps, my bad !
What was i thinking....

 

[docjames]

I'm looking at RTW next year and one possibility is sidetrip ex-HKG into China. Does any one have any feedback on Dragonair (esp in Y-class!)?

In particular - safety, comfort, on-time performance?

I do realise they're owned by Cathay, so presumably relate to CX as JQ does to QF?

 

[2muchplastic]

I'm looking at RTW next year and one possibility is sidetrip ex-HKG into China. Does any one have any feedback on Dragonair (esp in Y-class!)?

In particular - safety, comfort, on-time performance?

I do realise they're owned by Cathay, so presumably relate to CX as JQ does to QF?

I'm afraid that I've only flown J or F on Dragonair, but the impression that I have is that their planes are older than CX, but service and everything else is comparable. It's always left on time, provided good food, lounges been tidy and clean. It's a stage above no-frills, and still provides blankets and stuff FOC.
If it was a choice of JQ or KA, it would be KA EVERY time.

 

[2muchplastic]

Thanks to you guys for providing the answers you have. I was fairly sure that I was OK to get into the CX lounge until I saw the message on BA97.

 

[Cynicor]

I flew KA in XMN in October, only short flights but they were great. Nothing much to comment on apart from the food- as a 'snack' i was expecting something really basic but we actually got a cheeseburger each way and some biscuits. More than enough for a 1.5hr flight. All in all a pretty good experience.

 

[docjames]

Thanks for the opinions so far.

In the context of a RTW, would you go Dragonair becuase the timing worked better (better connection to LHR flight in HK), or would you go earlier and have to wait longer (6hrs or so) at HK and go Cathay (assuming pricing equal)?

 

[Shano]

I'm looking at RTW next year and one possibility is sidetrip ex-HKG into China. Does any one have any feedback on Dragonair (esp in Y-class!)?In particular - safety, comfort, on-time performance?

I do realise they're owned by Cathay, so presumably relate to CX as JQ does to QF?

I have always had great service on KA in Y, although being OWE probably helps to a small extent.

Although the planes do not have the "comforts" of the CX aircraft, they are still more than adequate for short haul flights. I could not fault any of the three criteria you mention above.

 

[2muchplastic]

Thanks for the opinions so far.

In the context of a RTW, would you go Dragonair becuase the timing worked better (better connection to LHR flight in HK), or would you go earlier and have to wait longer (6hrs or so) at HK and go Cathay (assuming pricing equal)?

Assuming equal pricing, I would take the convenience of KA, as there is not enough difference between the two on the short flights into mainland China, though I'd give the KA A321 a miss if it could fit in with your schedule.

When are you going, and where?

 

[docjames]

Thanks all for replies. Interesting about the A321 - i usally like to go the smaller a/c on short haul as faster boarding/deplaning (@6'5" less time sitting in 31" the better.) But will stick to A330 presuming timings equal.


All still in genesis. Looking ATW - still playing with options, but trying variations of

BNE-HK (mrsdoc shopping)
-Shanghai (as above, plus i want to go there too!)
-Dubai (as above again, plus friends living in Abu Dhabi, but would have to go via amman to get into Abudhabi vs CX nonstop HK-DXB)
- London (friends)
- Spain (want to visit, prob barcelona and/or madrid)
- ? Canada (just been to US) or maybe drive down west coast USA
then home via NZ (or maybe direct depending on timing)
- ? Brazil instead of canada (dont want to go east coast USA as just been to NYC)

Have only tried oneworld so far - prob need to have a look at *A too.
Sorry to thread hijak - mods plaese put into new thread if this is too much hijak!

 

[2muchplastic]

Thanks all for replies. Interesting about the A321 - i usally like to go the smaller a/c on short haul as faster boarding/deplaning (@6'5" less time sitting in 31" the better.) But will stick to A330 presuming timings equal.

A321s seem to be a fair bit older than the A333s. I found the A333s more comfortable seating wise (but that was up front!) and at 3'6" and a half I know what you mean about legroom...

BNE-HK (mrsdoc shopping)

Not quite so good now the exchange rate has dropped like a stone. My first couple of trips to HK the F/X rate was HK$7 to AU$1. Last trip a couple of weeks ago it was below HK$5 to AU$1. Not quite the shopper's paradise it was.

-Shanghai (as above, plus i want to go there too!)

Good as an experience, shopping good so long as you don't mind brand named goods of uncertain authenticity.

-Dubai (as above again, plus friends living in Abu Dhabi, but would have to go via amman to get into Abudhabi vs CX nonstop HK-DXB)

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only an hour apart by road though aren't they?

- London (friends)

Poor people. I lived there for several years. Was glad to leave.

- Spain (want to visit, prob barcelona and/or madrid)

Barcelona nice, but rather touristy. I preferred the "real" Spain, out in the sticks away from the cities and the slightly tacky southern coasts (not been to Madrid)

- ? Canada (just been to US) or maybe drive down west coast USA
then home via NZ (or maybe direct depending on timing)
- ? Brazil instead of canada (dont want to go east coast USA as just been to NYC)

Never been that side of the Atlantic/Pacific. Maybe in years to come...

 

[docjames]

A321s seem to be a fair bit older than the A333s. I found the A333s more comfortable seating wise (but that was up front!) and at 3'6" and a half I know what you mean about legroom...

@ 3'6" there's be plenty of legroom! hehe, i know what you meant!

Not quite so good now the exchange rate has dropped like a stone. My first couple of trips to HK the F/X rate was HK$7 to AU$1. Last trip a couple of weeks ago it was below HK$5 to AU$1. Not quite the shopper's paradise it was.

wont stop mrsdoc, just has to bargain harder.

Good as an experience, shopping good so long as you don't mind brand named goods of uncertain authenticity.

no worries, may end up giving it a miss and going another time if cant get enough leave etc.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only an hour apart by road though aren't they?

correct - no biggie, i just added the info for completeness. Would be easier, but 1hr drive better than extra 7hrs flying and transit

Poor people. I lived there for several years. Was glad to leave.

well, some have just moved there, others are Poms out here going back (i agree what are they thinking?)

Barcelona nice, but rather touristy. I preferred the "real" Spain, out in the sticks away from the cities and the slightly tacky southern coasts (not been to Madrid)

Open to suggestions, we'd prefer "real" too, maybe just transit in/out one day stays in Barcelona and/or madrid.

Never been that side of the Atlantic/Pacific. Maybe in years to come...

Definately do it - we LOVE central and south america.

 

[2muchplastic]

Open to suggestions, we'd prefer "real" too, maybe just transit in/out one day stays in Barcelona and/or madrid.

We did a 5 day tour of western Andalucia when some rellies were living in Gibraltar (another place i liked). Included some tours around wineries (haven't drunk sherry since then). From Gilbraltar, we started off in Cadiz, and went north west from there, ending up in Hulva I think the place was called. North from there through lots of small villages and towns to Badajoz, south east to Cordoba, south to Malaga, and back to Gibraltar to sit in the queue to get across the border.

Of course my misty-eyed recollections of 10 years ago might have been blighted by huge amounts of development, but I'm sure the little white villages nestling in the hills (and caves in some cases) are still there and untouched.

 

[Evan]

A few people here discussing KA vs CX, for me i fly to the mainland via HKG if i have a choice, KA or CX, for the short flights i do not mind which one i choose, whatever time works best for me and is available.

E

 

[docjames]

A few people here discussing KA vs CX, for me i fly to the mainland via HKG if i have a choice, KA or CX, for the short flights i do not mind which one i choose, whatever time works best for me and is available.

E

Thanks - can now look at either option without hesitation.