Qantas 1st class lounge Melbourne

[mrsterryn]

With Melbourne to Heathrow 1st class being axed what happens to the lounge ?
Does Qantas have other 1st class flights from Melbourne?
Was thinking of doing our Europe flight next from Melbourne to have a sticky beak at that lounge.
Thanks

 

[eljefe]

LAX springs to mind

 

[mviy]

QF still flies the A380 to LAX as eljefe mentioned. There's no obvious space for QF to move to create a combined lounge if they want one. One would think the FLounge will stay though there are concerns that its hours of operation could be reduced as the new QF9 with no First Class will depart hours earlier in the day.

 

[Pushka]

Dubai. Plus EK and the one world airlines that use the QF lounge.

 

[Deleted member]

Surely if partner airlines need the lounge access for their flights, QF has an obligation to keep the lounge open for the hours needed?

 

[mrsterryn]

QF still flies the A380 to LAX as eljefe mentioned. There's no obvious space for QF to move to create a combined lounge if they want one. One would think the FLounge will stay though there are concerns that its hours of operation could be reduced as the new QF9 with no First Class will depart hours earlier in the day.

Dubai. Plus EK and the one world airlines that use the QF lounge.

Thanks i wasn't sure if other airlines would factor in would be a factor

 

[kermatu]

Staff in the MEL F lounge have assured me it will remain a F lounge. Mixed views though on hours of operation, especially of key features like the spa (which already has restricted hours to match Qantas flights with First class service). How much these staff actually know though is unknown.

They've have also told me EK pax in the QF lounge have dwindled of late.

Personally, I think they will keep it open as it will be a pretty poor look to dumb it down to a combined lounge. It's pretty heavily used by CLs I know in CBR for trips to Asia and NZ, and with connection times often requiring a couple of hours in the airport they choose Qantas because of the F lounge.

 

[kermatu]

Surely if partner airlines need the lounge access for their flights, QF has an obligation to keep the lounge open for the hours needed?

Even if there is an agreement that Qantas services OneWorld airlines, it wouldn't necessarily mean having a separate F lounge. Just my assumption.

 

[mviy]

The fee they'd recoup from OneWorld partners for first lounge access would be higher than for business class lounge access, but ultimately it's up to QF whether they keep the lounge open.

QF9 will still depart from MEL International, but there won't be F seats. Platinum, P1 and CL members would still want to use the FLounge, obviously if it remains available.

If they close the FLounge it will make retaining Platinum or above status less attractive for MEL based flyers but that didn't stop QF closing the FLounge in BNE.

 

[kermatu]

I gather from others the Brisbane F lounge was not like the SYD or MEL lounges. More akin to the F lounge in Auckland. So its closure not quite such a loss in service. Never visited Brisbane F lounge though.

 

[pauly7]

When first class eventually goes the way of the dodo, I expect the lounges would be renamed perhaps? Or perhaps combined with a premium area for WP/1, CL and FOQ?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I gather from others the Brisbane F lounge was not like the SYD or MEL lounges. More akin to the F lounge in Auckland. So its closure not quite such a loss in service. Never visited Brisbane F lounge though.

It was worse than AKL F (hard to believe but it was).
More of a broom cupboard with Taittinger really

 

[Pushka]

It was worse than AKL F (hard to believe but it was).
More of a broom cupboard with Taittinger really

Well at least the champagne was closer for the top up!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Well at least the champagne was closer for the top up!

Haha!! True but I'd still route through SYD/MEL and have the wait staff bring me it :mrgreen:

 

[madrooster]

They've have also told me EK pax in the QF lounge have dwindled of late.

I wonder why? The QF F lounge is still superior.

 

[kermatu]

I wonder why? The QF F lounge is still superior.

Agreed. But you need to know it is an option. And if on check-in (or transfer from the Auckland flight) you are encouraged to go to the EK lounge - as the lounge attendant told me was happening more and more - it probably explains some drop-off.

 

[Isochronous]

If QF axe the MEL F lounge or dilute the service then it will be time to burn down Coward St!

 

[Pushka]

If QF axe the MEL F lounge or dilute the service then it will be time to burn down Coward St!

Let's not invent a story and then run rampant like it's the truth.

 

[anat0l]

If QF axe the MEL F lounge or dilute the service then it will be time to burn down Coward St!

I'd call your bluff on that one.

Will you be there to light the first fire?

 

[Matt_01]

I do not think the F lounge will vanish but may get a rename or repurpose over the next 10 years. Just a hypothesis based on QF only having x12 a380s with F and at 50% life span. 789 have no F cabin and with the the QF desire to east coast AU to U.K. point to point I would suggest that any F product would be limited, if at all.

What future name may be given to the current QF F lounges? I will not even hazard a guess. I do not think it would be unreasonable to think there will be a lounge that caters for OWE, CL's and EK F (if the partnership still exists or perhaps a new partner) and another lounge that caters for OWS, QP, and (maybe) QF Y+.

Just thoughts