MEL T2 (international departures) for any international airlines

[AustraliaPoochie]

Now that you can DIY scan your own BP to get past the very first stage of security processing for outwards (international) deparutres from MEL T2, only the person hovering that you scanned the BP the right way, and that no one looks at the BP, ...
Has anyone left on the first early am flights, say 4.30am check in onwards, ...
Can you go through very early nowadays?
I have an SQ flight, MEL - WLG in a subclass of J, it departs MEL at 7.50am, so I was interested in getting through very early, to check out the SQ and (Air)NZ lounges, only SQ if I get rejected access to the Koru.
How early have you gotten through to the secure side?
Thanks.
(((I will report back if no replies))).

 

[dajop]

The EK DXB flight departs at 6am, so security will be operating well before then. However. SQ indicates check in is from 2.5 hrs before the flight, and lounge also open from 2.5 hrs before the flight. NZ lounge open also 2.5 hrs before first NZ flight - so probably opens at 5:30 if first flight is at 8am. So wouldn't want to go through at 4:30 and have to wait until lounge opens at 5:20am...

 

[kermatu]

Now that you can DIY scan your own BP to get past the very first stage of security processing for outwards (international) deparutres from MEL T2, only the person hovering that you scanned the BP the right way, and that no one looks at the BP, ...
Has anyone left on the first early am flights, say 4.30am check in onwards, ...
Can you go through very early nowadays?
I have an SQ flight, MEL - WLG in a subclass of J, it departs MEL at 7.50am, so I was interested in getting through very early, to check out the SQ and (Air)NZ lounges, only SQ if I get rejected access to the Koru.
How early have you gotten through to the secure side?
Thanks.
(((I will report back if no replies))).

I have transited through from a PER flight that arrived just before 5am so would have gone through International at about 5:10 am. There was a staff member there at the automatic gates. My BP didn't work (because my onward flight was a few hours away so not yet open). She manually let me in.

From this one experience I reckon as long as check-in is open the gates will work and there will be a staff member present.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I flew SQ247 a few weeks back. We got to the airport around 5am and were in the lounge by about 5.30 I think. We were first through the doors.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ta, Stealthflyer.
They talk about being able to do OLCI, which is very good, fast too, but then, I or the traveller has to print BP, no mobile BP, as the message comes up, not valid unless printed on my mobile smartphone.
Thought I could "save paper".
Sorry, just one more Q, did you try the Koru (lounge) as well?

 

[Stealthflyer]

Ta, Stealthflyer.
They talk about being able to do OLCI, which is very good, fast too, but then, I or the traveller has to print BP, no mobile BP, as the message comes up, not valid unless printed on my mobile smartphone.
Thought I could "save paper".
Sorry, just one more Q, did you try the Koru (lounge) as well?

No. I have VA status which only allows me into the SQ lounge not the NZ lounge unfortunately.

One thing that’s different in the SQ lounge is the barista service they have in the AM. Apparently it was only introduced a month or so ago. They’ve set up a small mobile service in the corner of the eating area. The coffee isn’t the best, but at 5.30am I’m not going to complain, particularly as it replaces the terrible filtered stuff. Plus they bring it to your seat, which is nice. I had a soy flat white and a glass of sparkling wine for breakfast!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ok, noted.
Will try to get super early, and see about Koru first, then SQ after or SQ first then Koru.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Was in a rush earlier on, but thanks to all who replied, in my email notification, only Stealthflyer's reply appeared, so didn't notice the rest.
Ok, this will my first visit to the SQ lounge, not an F lounge, but will be ok (I won't expect the QF F lounge type of service), ...
Just to want to see what the MEL SQ J lounge is like.
Have used the Melbourne Airport's the "basement" level before though.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Was in a rush earlier on, but thanks to all who replied, in my email notification, only Stealthflyer's reply appeared, so didn't notice the rest.
Ok, this will my first visit to the SQ lounge, not an F lounge, but will be ok (I won't expect the QF F lounge type of service), ...
Just to want to see what the MEL SQ J lounge is like.
Have used the Melbourne Airport's the "basement" level before though.

I wouldn’t hold your breath. Both the J and the F lounge are pretty stuffy. A window would do wonders.
But hey, it’s a lounge and they have dumplings and gin. Hopefully they’ll have some good ones when I visit tomorrow night.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ta.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Nearly 4am, nothing open yet.
Thought I would give it a try.
Have checked in online, but don't dare go through as haven't had passport scan done yet by SQ.
Edit: SQ at MEL T2 kiosks and staffed check for bag drop in opens 3 hrs prior at 4.50am for SQ247.
SQ SK lounge for SQ247 is open 2.5hrs prior to dep.
Koru lounge seems not open for SQ247.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Sorry, last one from me on this thread.
Koru opens at 6am.
Koru happily accepts SQ J BP for SQ247.
Not a bad lounge, cooler as in lower air temp than SK MEL lounge.
Has a bit more choice for breakfast.
Worth it to see both lounges.
OK.
Hope this helps anyone else looking to do similar.

 

[henrus]

One thing that’s different in the SQ lounge is the barista service they have in the AM. Apparently it was only introduced a month or so ago.

Was running when I passed through in mid July. There was only a handful of people on the WLG bound service and no one was ordering coffee which made the barista very bored.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Was running when I passed through in mid July. There was only a handful of people on the WLG bound service and no one was ordering coffee which made the barista very bored.

Bored and worried for her job perhaps? It was unmanned last night. I think it must be a morning thing.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

... I think it must be a morning thing.
View attachment 192145

You mean the SQ KF lounge, yep, she was there this morning.
3 girls in the KF lounge and I got greeted by them all, one after the other.
They must be made to do it.
Not a big lounge and the back of it is international arrivals walkway from plane to immi processing, (the long way round if immi don't open the front).
Morning is good to try Asian breakfast like vege noodles without the "seagulls".
On the plane, its still the 777-200 till Nov, J was half full, looks like SQ do not upgrade at will.
Immi NZ is easy without shoulder high initial machine (passport reader) that Au still has on entry at Au immi.