MEL F vs SYD F Lounge

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hb13

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Gooday folks,

I'm hoping a few of the experts here can enlighten me to the differences between the lounges in Melbourne and Sydney.

I know that the SYD F lounge is a lot bigger and has better views? Although my guess is a lot of the better views in Sydney has something to do with the increased traffic of heavies at SYD....? I could be wrong.

Anyhow I think I'm really wanting to know what are the main differences between the two lounges. Is the food variety better at Sydney? Service? Spa treatments?

I'm based in MEL and just wondering if it is worth re-routing my plans to fly to Sydney and positioning my travel from there.

If a thread like similar to this one has already been posted, please point me to it.

Thanks all.
 
I usually preferred MEL. Food menu usually the same. Wine usually similar. MEL usually quieter and better chance of massage. Views nice at both.

I wouldn't bother re-positioning to SYD. It's just the same lounge slightly bigger and usually much more crowded. Unless of course you can get a domestic flight from MEL INT to reposition, so you get to take in both!
 
footy99 is pretty much on the money IMHO.

Disclaimer: Based on about a dozen visits to MEL and half that to SYD, and none for about 18 months now (dropped to Gold, hoping to rectify in 2016 :)).

SYD clearly larger, which some people prefer as (crowds permitting) you may be able to 'hide away' a little better to relax. No real difference to me, in fact I find MEL usually quieter and more relaxing.

F&B very similar in what is provided. I have heard that sometimes a decanter of really good red is available on the bar at SYD - never seen this myself, at either MEL or SYD but no reason to doubt the reports. I have had my one not-so-good F meal at SYD. The S&P squid just had a strange texture, and the minute steak simply wasn't up to scratch (and I frequently order those dishes), and they were both delivered to my table together. Also, if SYD is busy the clinking and clanking sounds from the kitchen when you are dining makes it sound a bit like being in Coles Cafeteria. On the other hand the champagne pours in MEL can be quite stingy, but that could be a YMMV. MEL still a clear winner for me on the F&B front.

Often pro-actively offered a massage spot at MEL, never at SYD (no matter, I don't utilise them anyway)

More 'stuff' to view at SYD including the CBD skyline and more takeoffs/landings, but some excellent A380 views at MEL, as they tend to park right under your nose.

I definitely prefer MEL, but wouldn't complain if in either of them. Would certainly not go out of my way to be at SYD instead of MEL.
 
Little difference (if any) F&B wise however MEL is way to compact for my liking where as SYD it's almost always possible to find a quiet spot away from the three dining areas.

Not often a problem to organize a massage in SYD when allowing a cpl hours in the lounge.

Perhaps it's a personal opinion however I much prefer the SYD option.
 
While I have now only done MEL F so far, but from my impression of it all, QF SYD F wins.
MEL F better then the MEL J downstsirs in the basement of course.
Try both F lounges, but personally it will be SYD F.
MEL F is still great on its own but comparable to SYD F, it's SYD F a winner.
Edit: if you are going to pay $ or use points to upgrade to a QF flight that has an F service, (PS do not get to the F lounge) do the SYD F.
You can fly EK F from both cities to AKL, or SYD - CHC to test both out.
$1360 F service, going out of Au to NZ, coming back can be Y or J.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
AustraliaPoochie said:
While I have now only done MEL F so far, but from my impression of it all, QF SYD F wins.
MEL F better then the MEL J downstsirs in the basement of course.
Try both F lounges, but personally it will be SYD F.
MEL F is still great on its own but comparable to SYD F, it's SYD F a winner.
Edit: if you are going to pay $ or use points to upgrade to a AF flight that has an F service, (PS do not get to the F lounge) do the SYD F.
You can fly EK F from both cities to AKL, or SYD - CHC to test both out.
$1360 F service, going out of Au to NZ, coming back can be Y or J.
Click to expand...

All opinions welcome (we all have 'em :) ), but not sure how you can make a credible judgment just based on hearsay without having actually experienced the SYD F lounge (and unsure how Air France got into the conversation - or was that a typo and should have been QF)?

Those of us who have visited both have our opinions and that is fine...we all like different things, and this is certainly a matter of opinion based on personal likes/dislikes. The thrust of the OP's question was not so much which lounge is better per se, (though it could potentially have an influence on the answer) but more so asking is it worth, for a MEL-based flyer, routing through SYD just to experience the F lounge there in preference to the MEL F lounge. Again, people may differ in opinion, but that is a no-brainer for me. They are both good, but neither is that much better than the other to warrant such a diversion (in my opinion, of course) in either direction.
 
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On iPod, big paws and all that.
Meant to write QF.
Have used SYD J lounge and walked from escalator to J door.
The walk is long, longer than the MEL walk through I did Fri.
I do plan the SYD F visit in the next year or 2, but will like SYD F.
Try them all is my go.
 
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hb13 said:
Gooday folks,

I'm hoping a few of the experts here can enlighten me to the differences between the lounges in Melbourne and Sydney.

I know that the SYD F lounge is a lot bigger and has better views? Although my guess is a lot of the better views in Sydney has something to do with the increased traffic of heavies at SYD....? I could be wrong.

Anyhow I think I'm really wanting to know what are the main differences between the two lounges. Is the food variety better at Sydney? Service? Spa treatments?

I'm based in MEL and just wondering if it is worth re-routing my plans to fly to Sydney and positioning my travel from there.

If a thread like similar to this one has already been posted, please point me to it.

Thanks all.
Click to expand...

Totally not worth the re-route to SYD.

The lounges are essentially the same, SYD is larger but can become a zoo and service can really suffer as a result (for example, passengers told to go to the restaurant to get their own menu if they want to order something at their seat). Yes the SYD lounge has commanding views towards SYD, but not worth the additional time to get there or the potentially indifferent service.
 
As per tuapekastar ... I'll take either.

Currently in MEL Flounge - from First check-in to lounge was 8 minutes at 8am this morning. :D

I will be using SYD in March ...
 
The main difference is the size and level of activity - MEL has quite a private feel like a very exclusive, comfortable club and it's almost like coming home where people know your name such is its intimacy (it's been quiet the times I've visited).
SYD is a much bigger version of the same styling with soaring, sweeping ceilings - you feel like you're in the centre of activity and the skyline isn't far away. Even though there's a lot going on I was still looked after very well and I have not had bad service experiences there.
If you use the MEL lounge while based in MEL you also get to use the F checkin which is nice. As I tend to connect at SYD to use its F lounge I don't get this benefit, and start my journey by checking in at the MEL domestic connections desks (which hasn't been painful).

SYD involves a reroute, going through security again and adding a couple of hours to your journey. If you only get one chance to use the F lounge I would make it SYD myself but that's not what everyone would do. If you're in a position to have access that means you probably fly enough to be able to experience both. People based in MEL will tend to be happy with and use the MEL lounge. But I love SYD so much I always try to fly out of there to use the F lounge there.
 
Personally I don't think it is worth a re-route unless the flight times out of SYD are better. The domestic-international transfer is the main drawback.

MEL F lounge is definitely quieter and more relaxing. Easier to get spa treatment if there in the morning or evening (it's closed most of the afternoon). Always had spa when it's open.

Food and beverage basically the same but I feel SYD slightly better - one sitting in MEL was poor, with tough meat and lack of flavour.

In SYD, successful all but once and have had pro-active offers for the spa when they've kept it open for a late QF1 departure. Views and activity better in SYD.


But both are excellent!
 
tuapekastar said:
(and unsure how Air France got into the conversation - or was that a typo and should have been QF)?
Click to expand...

I think AF are referring to the F fare classes? A F?


As for lounges syd F always wins out for me, the view is great, good busy atmosphere.however saying that the
Mel lounge is equally good though very quiet in comparison, so if you prefer a more private experience and generally more spa spots available then Mel is for you.
 
As someone who has been privileged to visit both lounges several times I prefer Melbourne.

As mentioned it is smaller because there are less flights leaving. I find the view ok looking down over the A380 on the tarmac. The staff in both places are good but I find the MEL staff just a tad better, probably because they have fewer customers.

No hard yakka transferring between terminals is also important to me.

As mentioned above everybody has their own opinion about the two lounges and they're all equally valid. My next planned visit to MEL is in April and to SYD in October. I've allowed four+ hours to transfer in SYD so shouldn't be any problems.
 
The SYD lounge has the "signature" architecture and is particularly nice in the evening, when the city lights start to come on in the distance. Soft product is pretty much identical in both. On the whole I would probably prefer SYD but there's not much in it.
 
opusman said:
The SYD lounge has the "signature" architecture and is particularly nice in the evening, when the city lights start to come on in the distance. Soft product is pretty much identical in both. On the whole I would probably prefer SYD but there's not much in it.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much my opinion too. The SYD lounge has that wow factor from the front entrance. No such wow factor at MEL. Soft product is the same. I don't think the standard of the food is any better than your average suburban bistro to be honest but for an airport lounge it's pretty nice.

If I lived in MEL I would transfer to SYD at least once just to experience the architecture and outlook. It's pretty magical sitting in one of those recliners, glass of bubbly in hand and watching an A380 take off with the CBD in the background.
I may get tired of the food and inconsistent service but I could never get tired of that.
 
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