How good is the Qantas First Class lounge in Sydney?

[Robert K]

Agreed, I don't think the F Lounge really costs QF much at all.

Apart from the initial outlay, and rent? Anyone know when it was built?

 

[Brettmcg]

Considering the cost of an F seat, I don't think it's unreasonable to provide such amenities.

Also, QF will happily charge a not unsubstantial amount of cash to OW partners who's elites use the lounge. I don't think the F lounge would actually be that much of a drain on QF's bank balance (and they only have MEL and SYD of that standard, the rest are most definitely nothing to write home about, until LAX opens).

AFAIK it's around $80USD per pax for OW partners for the F Lounge.

 

[amaroo]

Apart from the initial outlay, and rent? Anyone know when it was built?

IIRC the current F lounge opened 07 ? The Flounge before this one wasn't much chop on todays standard - but it was still exclusive.

 

[ketsuzei]

Qantas unveils new first-class lounge - Travel - smh.com.au

Cost of Sydney lounge given as $20 million.

 

[amaroo]

Apart from the initial outlay, and rent? Anyone know when it was built?

IIRC the current F lounge opened 07 ? The Flounge before this one wasn't much chop on todays standard - but it was still exclusive.

23 May 2007 Qantas unveils first-class lounge

WHAT'S a stray $20 million amid the wreckage of the $11 billion bid to buy out Qantas? That's the figure the airline has spent on its new first-class lounge at Sydney International Airport, giving Marc Newson carte blanche to work his celebrated design magic.
Opening for business on May 23, the lounge is being promoted by Qantas as the best first-class on-ground experience in the world.

 

[TomVexille]

23 May 2007 Qantas unveils first-class lounge

WHAT'S a stray $20 million amid the wreckage of the $11 billion bid to buy out Qantas? That's the figure the airline has spent on its new first-class lounge at Sydney International Airport, giving Marc Newson carte blanche to work his celebrated design magic.
Opening for business on May 23, the lounge is being promoted by Qantas as the best first-class on-ground experience in the world.

That's the thing. In a market where the competition is ever increasing and improving, an airline needs something to set themselves apart when people are willing to spend $20k on a round trip ticket.

The fact that the SYD F Lounge is consistently referred to as either the best, or one of the best in numerous publications means that QF have a good thing going.

 

[Kangol]

I would imagine that the cost of all tickets would include a portion that is set towards the running of lounges.. actually, I would be surprised if there wasn't.

 

[Flying mermaid]

IIRC the current F lounge opened 07 ? The Flounge before this one wasn't much chop on todays standard - but it was still exclusive.

I went to the new F lounge in July 2007 and it had only been open a short while. I actually liked the old F lounge - didn't have the glitz or spa but it was never as busy as the new lounge seems to be these days. It felt more like a quiet oasis where you could have a nice snack and a drink before boarding.

 

[Flying mermaid]

That's the thing. In a market where the competition is ever increasing and improving, an airline needs something to set themselves apart when people are willing to spend $20k on a round trip ticket..

Realistically only a tiny % of the people using the F lounge are travelling first. I think it is more that Qantas has decided it's WP passengers are where the money is and they provide an extravagant F lounge to keep them loyal and flying Qantas.

 

[amaroo]

I went to the new F lounge in July 2007 and it had only been open a short while. I actually liked the old F lounge - didn't have the glitz or spa but it was never as busy as the new lounge seems to be these days. It felt more like a quiet oasis where you could have a nice snack and a drink before boarding.

I liked it. Much better than veering right and riding the escalators down into the dungeon.

 

[TomVexille]

Realistically only a tiny % of the people using the F lounge are travelling first. I think it is more that Qantas has decided it's WP passengers are where the money is and they provide an extravagant F lounge to keep them loyal and flying Qantas.

Also a very good point. I'd think to make WP one has to spend a fair amount of money (either their own or their employers). Even with DSC promos it's a decent chunk of flying. Those are the people that QF should be trying to keep and the F lounge is part of that selling point.

 

[drewbles]

I liked it. Much better than veering right and riding the escalators down into the dungeon.

But the one in SYD is just next to the J lounge, both upstairs, just at the top of the escalator, you walk straight in rather than turning left

(QF Dungeon in MEL is depressing IMHO, but so is the NZ and SQ lounges down there)

 

[amaroo]

But the one in SYD is just next to the J lounge, both upstairs, just at the top of the escalator, you walk straight in rather than turning left

(QF Dungeon in MEL is depressing IMHO, but so is the NZ and SQ lounges down there)

Flying mermaid and I were posting about the old SYD F and J/QP lounges that operated in a different location 8 odd years ago.

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Originally Posted by amaroo
IIRC the current F lounge opened 07 ? The Flounge before this one wasn't much chop on todays standard - but it was still exclusive.

"" Originally Posted by Flying mermaid
I went to the new F lounge in July 2007 and it had only been open a short while. I actually liked the old F lounge - didn't have the glitz or spa but it was never as busy as the new lounge seems to be these days. It felt more like a quiet oasis where you could have a nice snack and a drink before boarding.​

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[drewbles]

Flying mermaid and I were posting about the old SYD F and J/QP lounges that operated in a different location 8 odd years ago.

==================================

Originally Posted by amaroo
IIRC the current F lounge opened 07 ? The Flounge before this one wasn't much chop on todays standard - but it was still exclusive.

"" Originally Posted by Flying mermaid
I went to the new F lounge in July 2007 and it had only been open a short while. I actually liked the old F lounge - didn't have the glitz or spa but it was never as busy as the new lounge seems to be these days. It felt more like a quiet oasis where you could have a nice snack and a drink before boarding.​

====================================

Sorry was assuming you meant the new one (and yes, I did the old F lounge in MEL, can't say I was too impressed with it really).

 

[markis10]

I liked it. Much better than veering right and riding the escalators down into the dungeon.

Surprised its still there, and that someone has not taken over the space.

 

[serfty]

SYD Int QF lounge locations over the last 18 or so years have been:

- Overlooking gate 32 (Left for First, right and down for Business)

- Until 2007 - Mezzanine (Top of escalators from departures concourse) - First lounge entrance was at the south end (where it is now) but was on the same level as the Business lounge.

- From 2007 - First Lounge built on top of existing Business lounge. (While New first lounge was being built, it was relocated back to the site of the old Gate 32 business lounge)

 

[serfty]

Surprised its still there, and that someone has not taken over the space.

Several mobs have tried to make a go of it as a lounge - all short lived.

 

[amaroo]

Surprised its still there, and that someone has not taken over the space.

It's a big space....more shops?

 

[BD1959]

It's a big space....more shops?

Gee, it'd be an even more convoluted route to the Gate if they forced you to walk through those shops!!

Regards,

BD

 

[JohnK]

Considering the cost of an F seat, I don't think it's unreasonable to provide such amenities.

I would imagine that the cost of all tickets would include a portion that is set towards the running of lounges.. actually, I would be surprised if there wasn't.

Including the $9 domestic JQ flights price matched to TT flights?