Etihad lounge in Sydney

[titfilou]

I will be flying F SYD-CDG in April and was reading that Etihad is due to open a lounge in Sydney in the first half of 2014.

I cannot find a date anywhere. I don't think I will be lucky enough for the lounge to be opened prior to my flight. Anyone here knows when it is due to open?

Air New-Zealand lounge certainly does not have the same feel as the Etihad lounge in Paris!

 

[IrishPete]

An article in the Age in January says it will be Business and First Class only. So much for Etihad Guest Silver status giving access to all the lounges, eh? Dublin's Etihad lounge is small but a superb way to start the flight.

 

[defurax]

An article in the Age in January says it will be Business and First Class only. So much for Etihad Guest Silver status giving access to all the lounges, eh? Dublin's Etihad lounge is small but a superb way to start the flight.

It might be true, but I wouldn't give too much importance to lounge access rules published in the Age travel section :mrgreen:

 

[bullerdude]

An article in the Age in January says it will be Business and First Class only. So much for Etihad Guest Silver status giving access to all the lounges, eh? Dublin's Etihad lounge is small but a superb way to start the flight.

That supports the rumour that these lounges are being done to support VA's premium customers in Melb/Syd - where VA doesn't provide complimentary international lounge access to silver members.

 

[smit0847]

I would be extremely surprised if it is completed by June 30 this year. I'm guessing they will be lining up the opening with the first EY A380 flights to Australia so I'd be monitoring when those routes/dates are announced.

 

[CamDownUnder]

An article in the Age in January says it will be Business and First Class only.

I can't see that happening. Etihad's 'business' lounges are always open to Guest Silver & Guest Gold and by extension VA Velocity Gold and Platinum. The 'X factor' is what access VA Velocity members will have apart from flights to Abu Dhabi.

Will they also be allowed in for VA flights to LAX? Maybe 'yes' for that route but if you are going to NZ you might be shunted off to Air New Zealand's Koru lounge?

 

[darraghk]

The latest update is the end of May - Etihad to open Sydney airport lounge in May - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Currently hiring - SEEK - Food and Beverage Attendants | Etihad Lounge Job in Sydney

 

[Demonoid]

The latest update is the end of May - Etihad to open Sydney airport lounge in May - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Currently hiring - SEEK - Food and Beverage Attendants | Etihad Lounge Job in Sydney

As a Virgin Gold - I am seriously hoping that the last line in that AusBT article comes to fruition:

"Lounge access for Etihad's local partner Virgin Australia, including Velocity Gold and Platinum cardholders, has yet to be finalised."

 

[peterk]

Etihad I have been told will open its new lounge at Sydney Airport third week of May

and will only be available to Pax F/J

 

[IrishPete]

Etihad I have been told will open its new lounge at Sydney Airport third week of May

and will only be available to Pax F/J

Well, that directly contradicts the statement at end of the newspaper article.

If you are right, will Etihad Silvers and Golds still be allowed into the AirNZ lounge? If not, and effectively I am not allowed in any lounges at Sydney Airport, that will be the removal of another of the points of difference between Etihad and the other airlines. (The restrictions on lounge access at Abu Dhabi being the other one that comes to mind.)

I am sticking with Etihad for now for my annual trip to Ireland, but Emirates now offer one-stop flights to Dublin, and generally cheaper, so my loyalty can't be counted on forever if Etihad continue to chip away at their side of the bargain.

 

[Chefben]

It's been open for a few weeks now. Great lounge. Very similar to first / business class lounge in Abu Dhabi

 

[tinkybelle]

Has anyone tried to access the EY SYD lounge with an elite G or Plat VA when flying to NZ?
I called VA yesterday who said I have to use the AIRNZ lounge which I hate more than no access.

 

[tinkybelle]

Anyone that was flying VA short haul got into the EY lounge yet
last time I sat in the chairs rather than access the NZ lounge
have the torn it down yet?
what access when flying to bali?