EK F MEL-AKL, better to check in in person at 4.30am on day of flight?

[love_the_life]

Enjoy the F experience (not the cough experience - there is a huge difference :mrgreen Poochie. I am envious.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

And only 4/14 occupied F seats at the moment. Enjoy the ride I'm heading to NZ for Christmas and New Year and coming back on EK. Looking forward to some Dom and a suite after hiking in the South Island

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Pushka, if you go to gate 4/6 of MEL int, and you follow the instructions, you go down to the "basement", where the QF J lounge is, also where the soulful now defunct UA lounge used to be.
You can walk around and around and around looking for the QF F lounge, but you will never find it.
Looked and looked I did.
Most likely, you have been down there to the "basement", Jessicatam mentioned it wasn't all that flash, too true.
Should I spill the beans to the way to the F lounge? Yes? Its that walkway, on the right of the QF int J lounge, that leads to a lift, and you have to use that lift up to the MEL QF int F lounge.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thanks again everyone.
Now, Ozbeachbabe is brave for doing that same day turnaround.
I know a certain group would be very interested, if I did it, staying in AKL/CHC/WLG for 2 days and coming back is enough for me with them.
Out of EK (QF flight number) in F and coming back in EK (with a QF flight number) in J, both from and back to MEL.
Have used the AKL QF lounge many times.

 

[serfty]

... Its that walkway, on the right of the QF int J lounge, that leads to a lift, and you have to use that lift up to the MEL QF int F lounge.

Huh?

I normally just take whichever of the two escalators is going up between the seating for gates 9 and 11 from the departures concourse.

If heading to the Qantas First or the Emirates lounge there is no need to head down.

 

[Christoo]

Huh?

I normally just take whichever of the two escalators is going up between the seating for gates 9 and 11 from the departures concourse.

If heading to the Qantas First or the Emirates lounge there is no need to head down.

That's what I do.. Well after I invariably first walk down the wrong side of the row of chairs next to the escalator only to have to back track...
Then I instinctively wander to the left escalator which is going the wrong way like in the USA....
I get there in the end!

I should also add I am not great in the early morning when my flights always seem to be.

 

[RichardMEL]

And only 4/14 occupied F seats at the moment. Enjoy the ride I'm heading to NZ for Christmas and New Year and coming back on EK. Looking forward to some Dom and a suite after hiking in the South Island

Remember allocations do not equal booked.

 

[RichardMEL]

Pushka, if you go to gate 4/6 of MEL int, and you follow the instructions, you go down to the "basement", where the QF J lounge is, also where the soulful now defunct UA lounge used to be.
You can walk around and around and around looking for the QF F lounge, but you will never find it.
Looked and looked I did.
Most likely, you have been down there to the "basement", Jessicatam mentioned it wasn't all that flash, too true.
Should I spill the beans to the way to the F lounge? Yes? Its that walkway, on the right of the QF int J lounge, that leads to a lift, and you have to use that lift up to the MEL QF int F lounge.

*sigh* this is going to confuse everyone.

1. The lounges (bar EK and QF F) are all at "Gate 15" and the signs are clearly marked where you go down the escalators in that central area where the duty free and cafe and computers are.

The QF F lounge (and EK) are up from Gate 9/11 which is on the right hand side (as you come through from immigration/duty free/food court, and up the escalator there. QF F is to the left once at the top. EK to the right.

The signage is not that difficult. I have eyesight trouble and had no issue finding it the first time I needed to.

You do NOT have to use the lift at all. The lift is far more useful though to get down to board from Gates 9/11 from the lounge level, but everyone's mileage varies.

If I was coming into MEL I wouldn't go down to the other lounges at all but straight up to EK or QF.

 

[RichardMEL]

+1 for the boring check in experience at MEL.

EK semi-recently moved counters to the back area behind where NZ is (when you come in from street level) so it's a tad tricker to find, but it's just a normal check in desk like any other. follow the sign for F (and I think Skywards/QF Plat etc) and it's easy but hardly exciting.

(not compared to the F check in at QF let alone something like SQ F/Suites at SIN which I just did the other week, CX at HKG and so on).

There's nothing dedicated about it except that the "new" EK digs are more permanent and less common usage as some of the other check in desks are.

Really 0430 is way too incredibly early. Seriously. get another hours sleep!

Here's what I do for this early flight:

EK406 MEL-AKL in the summer 0810 departure: I check in between 0530 and 0600. Head through security/immigration which (with express pass) takes let's say 10 minutes, maybe 15 if security is clogged with morons in the express lane) then up to the lounge. In QF F lounge 0620 or so, plenty of time for coffee and breakfast and relax. Boarding is usually 0730 or so (BP says 0710 but that's cough).

Of course the evening before I check the inbound 406 has left DXB on time - if it's late I keep an eye on it. If its 5 hours late not much point rocking up at 0530 but that has never happened, but it's a good idea to be prepared - just in case.

0430 you would find the desks would not be open till after 0500 for a 0810 sched departure, so you'd be wandering around yawning. Even if you checked in at 0510 you'd still be around 45min too early for the lounge and have a LOT of time to kill in MEL prior to boarding (~2 hours). Sorry not worth it in my book.

I know you want the "WOW" factor but honestly at that hour of the morning I'd trade more sleep to more enjoy the flight - specially if you don't intend to eat or drink much in the lounge (I think you've previously suggested that though I could be mistaken there).

my 4 cents

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Got confused about the 7.10am and 8.10am. 7.10am is the winter dep from MEL.
And the frosted glass prior to security is 6.20am open, when I was there the last time, it was 03Oct15, prior to daylight savings.
And just had a look at my QF issued e-tix and yes, its an 8.10am dep from MEL.

 

[blackcat20]

+1 for the boring check in experience at MEL.

EK semi-recently moved counters to the back area behind where NZ is (when you come in from street level) so it's a tad tricker to find, but it's just a normal check in desk like any other. follow the sign for F (and I think Skywards/QF Plat etc) and it's easy but hardly exciting.

(not compared to the F check in at QF let alone something like SQ F/Suites at SIN which I just did the other week, CX at HKG and so on).

There's nothing dedicated about it except that the "new" EK digs are more permanent and less common usage as some of the other check in desks are.

Really 0430 is way too incredibly early. Seriously. get another hours sleep!

Here's what I do for this early flight:

EK406 MEL-AKL in the summer 0810 departure: I check in between 0530 and 0600. Head through security/immigration which (with express pass) takes let's say 10 minutes, maybe 15 if security is clogged with morons in the express lane) then up to the lounge. In QF F lounge 0620 or so, plenty of time for coffee and breakfast and relax. Boarding is usually 0730 or so (BP says 0710 but that's cough).

Of course the evening before I check the inbound 406 has left DXB on time - if it's late I keep an eye on it. If its 5 hours late not much point rocking up at 0530 but that has never happened, but it's a good idea to be prepared - just in case.

0430 you would find the desks would not be open till after 0500 for a 0810 sched departure, so you'd be wandering around yawning. Even if you checked in at 0510 you'd still be around 45min too early for the lounge and have a LOT of time to kill in MEL prior to boarding (~2 hours). Sorry not worth it in my book.

I know you want the "WOW" factor but honestly at that hour of the morning I'd trade more sleep to more enjoy the flight - specially if you don't intend to eat or drink much in the lounge (I think you've previously suggested that though I could be mistaken there).

my 4 cents

We're doing this flight next weekend (in J) so good info, thanks. Staying at the Holiday Inn as there is no public transport option to get there early enough...

 

[RichardMEL]

We're doing this flight next weekend (in J) so good info, thanks. Staying at the Holiday Inn as there is no public transport option to get there early enough...

yes. I tend to stay at the ParkRoyal but I've also stayed in the city up near spencer (eg: the HI there or CP) if prices are better and walked to the bus.

note for post Jan 1 that on Friday and Sat there will be "night" services through the night on a few tram lines and busses and all trains which will improve access for those flying on early Sat and Sun morning flights.

Enjoy the J flights. I did that back in November and I have another on 28th and it's pleasant crossing over. Given the hour the service is fine for a breakfast flight. Almost nobody goes to the bar (in my experience) and it's quite relaxing 3ish hour flight to watch a movie and take it easy or even have a nap. the J seats are fine for this

I usually go over in J and enjoy F back (ex-NZ sale fares) as the ex-AKL catering is better and the evening flights are much more condusive to enjoying that bit better experience. Everyone's mileage varies, of course.

 

[TomVexille]

yes. I tend to stay at the ParkRoyal but I've also stayed in the city up near spencer (eg: the HI there or CP) if prices are better and walked to the bus.

note for post Jan 1 that on Friday and Sat there will be "night" services through the night on a few tram lines and busses and all trains which will improve access for those flying on early Sat and Sun morning flights.

Enjoy the J flights. I did that back in November and I have another on 28th and it's pleasant crossing over. Given the hour the service is fine for a breakfast flight. Almost nobody goes to the bar (in my experience) and it's quite relaxing 3ish hour flight to watch a movie and take it easy or even have a nap. the J seats are fine for this

I usually go over in J and enjoy F back (ex-NZ sale fares) as the ex-AKL catering is better and the evening flights are much more condusive to enjoying that bit better experience. Everyone's mileage varies, of course.

Park Royal was double the HI

 

[RichardMEL]

Park Royal was double the HI

yeah it's often pretty expensive but I have got it for decent rates at times. I pick my targets

besides at 0dark30 with lack of sleep sometimes the convenience is worth some more $$$.. for me anyway

 

[TomVexille]

yeah it's often pretty expensive but I have got it for decent rates at times. I pick my targets

besides at 0dark30 with lack of sleep sometimes the convenience is worth some more $$$.. for me anyway

Usually I'd agree, but not for double.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I could have slum it at the ibis "budget" which is good in that they don't take credit card deposits/pre authorisations, but I decided to upscale it.
Via Qantas Hotels, I am down Aud$230 (!!!!!!) for that few hours of the night of the 24 to 25/12/15, but hey, its a once in a lifetime for me.
Next will be SYD QF F lounge maybe Jul 16, then calling it quits. Back to the J lounges after that.

 

[kermatu]

Hope you enjoy the experience AP. Do try for an afternoon flight/lounge experience if you ever can.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I could have slum it at the ibis "budget" which is good in that they don't take credit card deposits/pre authorisations, but I decided to upscale it.
Via Qantas Hotels, I am down Aud$230 (!!!!!!) for that few hours of the night of the 24 to 25/12/15, but hey, its a once in a lifetime for me.
Next will be SYD QF F lounge maybe Jul 16, then calling it quits. Back to the J lounges after that.

Enjoy every minute of it Poochie - new experiences are always exciting!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

On the way back from AKL - MEL, (I will have the early evening flight), with some time at AKL airport, go through to the EK J lounge, spend some time in there, and get the 18.50 flight out, getting to MEL about 20.00.
Gives me the chance to get some dinner.
Thanks to you who have done it, and to those of you who will do it, hope to do it, ...

 

[kermatu]

EK lounge in AKL currently opens at 14:30. Plenty of time to enjoy.