How do you perceive JQ's 10 November 2015 move to T4 in MEL?

[Melburnian1]

QF subsidiary JQ is moving to the new T4 in Melbourne on 10 November - only a few days away.

This will mean that its passengers are separated from QF's by some 350 to 400 metres in walking distance between the QF T1 and the JQ/TT/ZL T4.

AFF member jakob01 expressed a view that this would be 'disruptive' for passengers. I suspect that he was referring to how if a JQ flight was cancelled and passengers were suddenly transferred to a QF flight, some may have difficulty (elderly, mothers with young children, the disabled) in quickly walking between the two terminals (although one assumes that buggies will still be available for those who really cannot walk, although whether they will use the public footpath is a moot point.)

Unfortunately jakob01 has not replied to my question about why he said 'disruptive.'

The JQ planes naturally will be on a different part of the tarmac and at different gates. One assumes that the airport and airline alike do modelling to see how this affects point to point flight times, as the distance to the end of each runway is now different and hence may change taxiing times a bit. Perhaps that is only a minor consideration?

Overall, it is a move to a more modern terminal and importantly should give JQ planes more 'room' than they had at what some called the 'alleyway': the basement (ground level) type gates at MEL where a new extension was built in the last two or three years (and always seemed crowded when JQ flights were delayed.)

I haven't been there since T4 opened to TT and ZL but I assume that for TT and JQ aerobridges rather than front stairs are in use for passengers booked in (say) rows one to 16.

How do you perceive the move?

Do you have any concerns about transfer arrangements to T1 should JQ passengers need to be put on QF, or is that easily overcome and just a further part of travelling?

Will it change or (negatively) affect access (including total time spent in them) to QF airport lounges for any of you?

 

[drron]

Just another way to decrease QP access for JQ pax.So on my DPO-MEL-MCY trips no QP access any more unless the move magically improves the bag drop process JQ have at MEL.

 

[under the radar]

passengers 'the world over' in various airports, (even within the same terminal building:shock, manage to transfer(walk) from one plane to another (or from an airline lounge to a gate lounge), over similar or even greater distances, day in and day out during normal and abnormal operations, and those that are listed by the airline as 'assistance required', get the assistance required during such instances. Some people just choose to make a 'storm in a teacup' .

so, personally, I don't have any concerns

 

[Melburnian1]

Since there may at times be even more passengers using the public footpaths (in this case to walk between T1 and T4), it would be good if Melbourne Airport management banned smoking on the footpath and outside all the terminal buildings.

It's an ugly sight to walk past the baggage handlers and other staff who are smoking: this habit is now confined to about 15 per cent of Australians. It looks shocking and that's without even discussing so-called 'passive smoke.'

 

[TheInsider]

Some benefits are:
-More gates for JQ, so no longer waiting for bays to be free.
-Silent Terminal (which T1 should be too)
-New and clean
-All automatic check-in (including bag drop)

Some other changes are (Melbourne Airport - not Jetstar):
-No gate numbers published until -35min before departure
-No seating at gate areas

 

[defurax]

I'm happy JQ is moving out of T1 and especially that JQ flights will disappear from TV screens in the lounges. This way, I'll never have to justify to SWMBO why we are not on a direct flight to our destination and need to transit in SYD or BNE.

 

[RooFlyer]

Airports and airlines 'the world over' in various airports don't give a stuff about passenger comfort or convenience :shock and day in, day out make passengers walk unreasonable distances, sometimes just to get them to walk through or past more shops.

Some people just look at things from airline or airport perspective :roll eyes:

 

[jackthomas]

I had a VA flight leave the new terminal just a week or so after it opened and through it was very open, airy and the shops were of top quality (Even though I don't really shop in airports apart from INTL) It is a little bit of a walk however I think the Jetstar experience will be elevated from this terminal.

I've only recently flown J* last week for the first time in years and don't think QP access would be too high in their minds as I assume that a large percentage of PAX don't hold status or QP membership. QP access was certainly helpful on my recent J* flight but I'd go as far as saying it's not really a large part of the Jetstar 'experience' (or lack thereof)

Yes it is likely to annoy some PAX, and I won't be flying them out of MEL (although I haven't in at least 5 years) but I think this will hugely benefit the majority of PAX. No more underground sheds.

 

[whughes3]

One possible benefit for non-JQ pax: it may well reduce the pressure on the "at terminal" car park, which has been getting very busy in recent times; the large new park near T4 will presumably attract a large portion of the JQ pax make life easier for the rest.

 

[madrooster]

Some other changes are (Melbourne Airport - not Jetstar):
-No gate numbers published until -35min before departure
-No seating at gate areas

Adopting LHR policies to make you shop... argh!!

 

[love_the_life]

Personally I have no problem with people smoking on the footpath if I am walking past. It's not as if I am spending much time there. In the absence of dedicated smoking areas for staff and others, this is where they have to go. I don't find it an issue at all.
As for the shift of the terminal, I suppose we'll all get used to it.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

After my 2 upcoming JQ domestic flights, I will go back to flying QF or VA.
The 2 trips, I will at least get a chance to see MEL domestic T4.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Since there may at times be even more passengers using the public footpaths (in this case to walk between T1 and T4), it would be good if Melbourne Airport management banned smoking on the footpath and outside all the terminal buildings.

It's an ugly sight to walk past the baggage handlers and other staff who are smoking: this habit is now confined to about 15 per cent of Australians. It looks shocking and that's without even discussing so-called 'passive smoke.'

I think the secluded smoking area by MEL international is just fine. Out of sight from children, and i don't notice any smell. Can be copied if they need in this case.

I would much prefer someone smoke outside the terminal than try to have one inside (in the toilets) or try to sneak one on the plane.

 

[robd]

I can't see an issue with the move. It's still easily walkable between terminals. Much rather the Melb. setup than Sydney or Brisbane where you have to drag your luggage onto a bus or train to reach the other terminal.

 

[Bali Belly]

Lucky I checked hopefully travelling to dps on the 5yh Dec j* ticket still stats T2

 

[defurax]

Lucky I checked hopefully travelling to dps on the 5yh Dec j* ticket still stats T2

International departures are still from T2.

 

[serfty]

I can't see an issue with the move. It's still easily walkable between terminals. Much rather the Melb. setup than Sydney or Brisbane where you have to drag your luggage onto a bus or train to reach the other terminal.

That's only relevant for International to/from Domestic connections.

Main issue - if using the Qantas club before the JQ flight, the passenger must exit landside from T1 and reclear security at T4. i.e. Submit to security as least twice if wanting to use the lounge. I doubt there would be priority security available at T4 either.

 

[Airbumps]

Airports and airlines 'the world over' in various airports don't give a stuff about passenger comfort or convenience :shock and day in, day out make passengers walk unreasonable distances, sometimes just to get them to walk through or past more shops.

Some people just look at things from airline or airport perspective :roll eyes:

With 1852161 miles flown over a recorded 940 flights I'm going to hazard a guess you've managed to negotiate BKK, HKG, DFW, LAX and LHR? If so, walking the 300 metres from the old to the new terminal shouldn't present you with any problem.

 

[downtheback]

That's only relevant for International to/from Domestic connections.

Main issue - if using the Qantas club before the JQ flight, the passenger must exit landside from T1 and reclear security at T4. i.e. Submit to security as least twice if wanting to use the lounge. I doubt there would be priority security available at T4 either.

No different at Sydney either. To fly Jetstar + use the QP, you have to clear security and go between terminals 2 and 3.

 

[robd]

That's only relevant for International to/from Domestic connections.

Main issue - if using the Qantas club before the JQ flight, the passenger must exit landside from T1 and reclear security at T4. i.e. Submit to security as least twice if wanting to use the lounge. I doubt there would be priority security available at T4 either.

Time to walk off the QP nibbles and drinks.

Lining up with the general public through security for the JQ flight will be a pain if there is no priority lane.