Qantas Sydney International Business Lounge

[kamchatsky]

The outdoor lounges at LAX (e.g., Delta SkyClub, Star Alliance TBIT) are lovely and usually packed, even with the jet fuel fumes at times (something some of us weirdly enjoy).

Pleased to see this coming (less so to see how long the timeline is, and surprised QF hasn't worked out an arrangement with Emirates to expand their opening hours and utilise that space, but in the end this will be a very good if not very overdue improvement).

QF probably knows that their customers will stick with QF (golden handcuffs, undivided loyalty etc) even when they are sent to Plaza Premium. It is not like VA suddenly becomes an international powerhouse soon.

OW airline customers also have no choice anyway if they want to keep earning OW status.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

QF probably knows that their customers will stick with QF (golden handcuffs, undivided loyalty etc) even when they are sent to Plaza Premium. It is not like VA suddenly becomes an international powerhouse soon.

OW airline customers also have no choice anyway if they want to keep earning OW status.

Meanwhile VA sends you to... the food court with your own bank card.

 

[kamchatsky]

Meanwhile VA sends you to... the food court with your own bank card.

At least you are free from golden handcuffs.

Most lounges are very average anyway in terms of food and drink options. Airport food options are much better these days, especially if you don't drink a lot of alcohol.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

At least you are free from golden handcuffs.

Most lounges are very average anyway in terms of food and drink options. Airport food options are much better these days, especially if you don't drink a lot of alcohol.

Agree that lounges are very overrated, though as for golden handcuffs, they're all in the mind... though you can't save people from themselves.

 

[SYD]

QF email just arrived and link now live

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges.html?alt_cam=au:ff:in:edm:ff:ancil-lounge-update:cta:find-out-more:n:n

 

[RB001]

The news has been picked up by several outlets (SMH/The Age, Australian, AFR) but I can’t see any official presser from QF?

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-auckland-international-lounge-opens-next-month-as-sydney-transformation-begins/

Published at 10:11 Mascot time.

 

[LionKing]

During the upgrade at Sydney International Lounge, I wonder if you are travelling on Business on non-Qantas OneWorld airlines, would they refuse you entry to the Qantas temporary business lounge and go to Plaza Premium instead?
Does the Plaza Premium in Sydney has fish ball rice noodle soup like the ones in Hong Kong?

 

[DejaBrew]

Fresh Air or Jet fumes?

Fresh Air or Jet Fumes

 

[moa999]

wonder if you are travelling on Business on non-Qantas OneWorld airlines, would they refuse you entry to the Qantas temporary business lounge and go to Plaza Premium instead?

To be determined who they send to Plaza Premium.
I'd think it would make most sense to send pax departing from Gates 50-60 rather than splitting it by Qantas / non-Qantas.

Would also suspect that use of lounge passes over this period might be stopped.

 

[arrow]

surprised QF hasn't worked out an arrangement with Emirates to expand their opening hours and utilise that space

I suspect it’s due to the location of the Emirates lounge being away from the usual QF gates

 

[elanshin]

My only concern with the outdoor terrace idea is if they can potentially close it when necessary for the weather. Freak storms, super hot summer days are a thing in Sydney and in the case of a freak storm, thats when the lounge would most likely be pushing capacity with lots of delayed flights.

Otherwise when the weather is good, it is a very nice idea.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

My only concern with the outdoor terrace idea is if they can potentially close it when necessary for the weather. Freak storms, super hot summer days are a thing in Sydney and in the case of a freak storm, thats when the lounge would most likely be pushing capacity with lots of delayed flights.

Otherwise when the weather is good, it is a very nice idea.

Yes, hopefully it's a use of space that is "in addition to" the full interior space and not interior space sacrificed to make outside space.

 

[kamchatsky]

During the upgrade at Sydney International Lounge, I wonder if you are travelling on Business on non-Qantas OneWorld airlines, would they refuse you entry to the Qantas temporary business lounge and go to Plaza Premium instead?
Does the Plaza Premium in Sydney has fish ball rice noodle soup like the ones in Hong Kong?

I thought fish ball rice noodle soup at HK is only served in Plaza Premium FIRST?

Plaza Premium First Hong Kong — Plaza Premium First | An Elevated Lounge Experience

www.plazapremiumfirst.com

 

[SYD]

Yes, hopefully it's a use of space that is "in addition to" the full interior space and not interior space sacrificed to make outside space.

From the rendering, that terrace area is obviously under the existing F Lounge (that hangs out over the J lounge quite a long way).

There’s also other free space that looks like it could be annexed to create more internal space.

This recent article on the F lounge has an exterior photo that gives you an idea.

Review: the iconic Qantas First Class lounge, Sydney Airport

This is our review of Qantas' flagship First Class lounge at its home in Sydney Airport Terminal 1, often regarded as one of the best airline lounges in the world

www.headforpoints.com

 

[moa999]

Agreed. And at least one of the pictures shows a door to the terrace so it can be closed off.

The most obvious way to create more indoor space would be to make the F and J lounge entrances the same spot just with only F going up the escalators.

You could then expand the J lounge over the former balcony walkway, as I don't think it lead to anything other than the J lounge.

 

[elanshin]

Agreed. And at least one of the pictures shows a door to the terrace so it can be closed off.

The most obvious way to create more indoor space would be to make the F and J lounge entrances the same spot just with only F going up the escalators.

You could then expand the J lounge over the former balcony walkway, as I don't think it lead to anything other than the J lounge.

But then where will Nestor go

 

[SYD]

Agreed. And at least one of the pictures shows a door to the terrace so it can be closed off.

The most obvious way to create more indoor space would be to make the F and J lounge entrances the same spot just with only F going up the escalators.

You could then expand the J lounge over the former balcony walkway, as I don't think it lead to anything other than the J lounge.

They could still use that walkway space and have another door to the left of Nestor.

 

[AIRwin]

But then where will Nestor go

Look out Hollywood!