QantasLink to fly to Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands

[henrus]

I asked if QANTAS would provide me with complimentary access to the Aspire lounge in T1, and was told no.

Where did they provide this information. They're yet to announce things like baggage/check in details so impressed that they'd give an answer on the lounge.

 

[QF_Flyer]

I am flying to Cocos later this year. I am only a lowly Bronze QFF with a QANTAS Club membership. I asked if QANTAS would provide me with complimentary access to the Aspire lounge in T1, and was told no.

I assume OP is meaning whether QF will contract the TP lounge to accommodate its status pax, so that Gold/Plat/P1 don't have to sit in the terminal.

Not sure it's likely since they aren't selling J seats on these flights, so there's no incentive for QF to do it...

 

[msam95]

I am flying to Cocos later this year. I am only a lowly Bronze QFF with a QANTAS Club membership. I asked if QANTAS would provide me with complimentary access to the Aspire lounge in T1, and was told no.

Incorrect!

I understand general contact centre staff or the frequent flyer team may have an inaccurate answer for this query, for that reason I have been In contact with Rachel Yangoyan in September, who replied:

“Our team is working to have a partner Lounge available to access for eligible customers in Terminal 1. We hope to make an announcement on this very soon after finalising these arrangements and prior to commencement of our services in November”

Additionally as I was unimpressed myself they had yet to update the lounge page on Qantas.com, one world or send out post departure communications, the head of customer delivery and transformation reached out to me and advised:

“We’re currently finalising arrangements with a lounge provider at Perth Terminal 1 (T1). While I’m unable to confirm the details just yet, we expect to share an update very soon. I’ve also copied xx_xx_x xx_xx_ from our Perth office, who will be in touch as soon as the lounge arrangements are confirmed.

In terms of broader passenger communication, we have a dedicated landing page on qantas.com that outlines lounge locations. This will be updated for our Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands flights leaving from T1 once confirmed. Additionally, our staff at check-in will advise eligible passengers of lounge access.

So yes there will be a lounge available for passengers to use on these services. I’m hoping it will be the Emirates lounge over the Aspire lounge, but I’m sure regardless of what the answer will be it’ll be sufficient.

I’ll report back when I hear or receive clear information and I’ll be on the first service in November anyway.

 

[Happy Dude]

The flight schedule makes it rather difficult to combine CCK with XCH. Stopovers are permitted but essentially you have to stay on each for seven days.

I don't have time for that, and would probably baulk at the cost anyway, which is a pity as I have the opportunity to go on Nov 17 which is very close to the expected crab migration on 15-16 Nov. Can't get off XCH in any direction until 1 Dec so even a trip only to CI is not going to work out.

 

[JMHS]

Where did they provide this information. They're yet to announce things like baggage/check in details so impressed that they'd give an answer on the lounge.

I enquired initially by phone, and then via email. This is the email I receive from Customer Care on 25th September

"Thank you for contacting the Qantas Customer Care team.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience you have experienced in seeking clarification regarding lounge access for your upcoming flight from Perth to Cocos Island on 7 November 2025. We understand your concern regarding the lack of a Qantas operated lounge in Terminal 1, and appreciate the context you’ve provided regarding the recent transition of this route from Virgin Australia to Qantas. As you rightly noted, Terminal 1 is traditionally used for international departures, and Qantas does not currently operate a lounge in this terminal.

The Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 is a pay per use facility operated independently of Qantas. While it is accessible to all departing international passengers, including those on Qantas flights, complimentary access is not automatically extended to Qantas Club members at this location. Lounge access entitlements for Qantas Club members are generally limited to Qantas operated lounges or designated partner lounges, and unfortunately, Aspire Lounge is not included in this network for complimentary access.

We acknowledge your disappointment and the additional effort you’ve had to make to obtain this information. Your feedback regarding the communication process and the lack of proactive support is duly noted. Customer feedback plays an important role in our continuous improvement process so that we can provide you with exceptional service from start to finish

While we are unable to issue complimentary passes for the Aspire Lounge, you may wish to consider pre-booking access directly via the Aspire Lounge website. This may offer a more comfortable start to your journey, especially given the busy travel period

Once again, on behalf of the team at Qantas, we apologise for the inconvenience experienced and look forward to welcoming you on board soon"

 

[JMHS]

Incorrect!

I understand general contact centre staff or the frequent flyer team may have an inaccurate answer for this query, for that reason I have been In contact with Rachel Yangoyan in September, who replied:

“Our team is working to have a partner Lounge available to access for eligible customers in Terminal 1. We hope to make an announcement on this very soon after finalising these arrangements and prior to commencement of our services in November”

Additionally as I was unimpressed myself they had yet to update the lounge page on Qantas.com, one world or send out post departure communications, the head of customer delivery and transformation reached out to me and advised:

“We’re currently finalising arrangements with a lounge provider at Perth Terminal 1 (T1). While I’m unable to confirm the details just yet, we expect to share an update very soon. I’ve also copied xx_xx_x xx_xx_ from our Perth office, who will be in touch as soon as the lounge arrangements are confirmed.

In terms of broader passenger communication, we have a dedicated landing page on qantas.com that outlines lounge locations. This will be updated for our Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands flights leaving from T1 once confirmed. Additionally, our staff at check-in will advise eligible passengers of lounge access.

So yes there will be a lounge available for passengers to use on these services. I’m hoping it will be the Emirates lounge over the Aspire lounge, but I’m sure regardless of what the answer will be it’ll be sufficient.

I’ll report back when I hear or receive clear information and I’ll be on the first service in November anyway.

I had called QANTAS and then I emailed and asked. This is the final response I received via email from Customer Care on 25th September.
I could only speak to the information QANTAS supplied me in writing. Hopefully you are able to receive a more favourable response

"Thank you for contacting the Qantas Customer Care team.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience you have experienced in seeking clarification regarding lounge access for your upcoming flight from Perth to Cocos Island on 7 November 2025. We understand your concern regarding the lack of a Qantas operated lounge in Terminal 1, and appreciate the context you’ve provided regarding the recent transition of this route from Virgin Australia to Qantas. As you rightly noted, Terminal 1 is traditionally used for international departures, and Qantas does not currently operate a lounge in this terminal.

The Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 is a pay per use facility operated independently of Qantas. While it is accessible to all departing international passengers, including those on Qantas flights, complimentary access is not automatically extended to Qantas Club members at this location. Lounge access entitlements for Qantas Club members are generally limited to Qantas operated lounges or designated partner lounges, and unfortunately, Aspire Lounge is not included in this network for complimentary access.

We acknowledge your disappointment and the additional effort you’ve had to make to obtain this information. Your feedback regarding the communication process and the lack of proactive support is duly noted. Customer feedback plays an important role in our continuous improvement process so that we can provide you with exceptional service from start to finish

While we are unable to issue complimentary passes for the Aspire Lounge, you may wish to consider pre-booking access directly via the Aspire Lounge website. This may offer a more comfortable start to your journey, especially given the busy travel period

Once again, on behalf of the team at Qantas, we apologise for the inconvenience experienced and look forward to welcoming you on board soon"

 

[msam95]

I had called QANTAS and then I emailed and asked. This is the final response I received via email from Customer Care on 25th September.
I could only speak to the information QANTAS supplied me in writing. Hopefully you are able to receive a more favourable response

"Thank you for contacting the Qantas Customer Care team.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience you have experienced in seeking clarification regarding lounge access for your upcoming flight from Perth to Cocos Island on 7 November 2025. We understand your concern regarding the lack of a Qantas operated lounge in Terminal 1, and appreciate the context you’ve provided regarding the recent transition of this route from Virgin Australia to Qantas. As you rightly noted, Terminal 1 is traditionally used for international departures, and Qantas does not currently operate a lounge in this terminal.

The Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 is a pay per use facility operated independently of Qantas. While it is accessible to all departing international passengers, including those on Qantas flights, complimentary access is not automatically extended to Qantas Club members at this location. Lounge access entitlements for Qantas Club members are generally limited to Qantas operated lounges or designated partner lounges, and unfortunately, Aspire Lounge is not included in this network for complimentary access.

We acknowledge your disappointment and the additional effort you’ve had to make to obtain this information. Your feedback regarding the communication process and the lack of proactive support is duly noted. Customer feedback plays an important role in our continuous improvement process so that we can provide you with exceptional service from start to finish

While we are unable to issue complimentary passes for the Aspire Lounge, you may wish to consider pre-booking access directly via the Aspire Lounge website. This may offer a more comfortable start to your journey, especially given the busy travel period

Once again, on behalf of the team at Qantas, we apologise for the inconvenience experienced and look forward to welcoming you on board soon"

lol, I know who’s response I’d trust more, Rachel Yangoyen’s and the head of customer delivery and transformation. And for what it’s worth the response from Rachel was in early September!

As previously advised in my post, when I hear back from the internal contact when a lounge has been selected, not “if”, I’ll post it here.

 

[JMHS]

lol, I know who’s response I’d trust more, Rachel Yangoyen’s and the head of customer delivery and transformation. And for what it’s worth the response from Rachel was in early September!

As previously advised in my post, when I hear back from the internal contact when a lounge has been selected, not “if”, I’ll post it here.

Hi,
Given it's less than a week out from the first flight I would have hoped QANTAS had provided an update in relation to lounge access. Have you been given any update please?
Thanks

 

[henrus]

Hi,
Given it's less than a week out from the first flight I would have hoped QANTAS had provided an update in relation to lounge access. Have you been given any update please?
Thanks

Minus a monthly PER-XCH special Saturday flights that will be direct and depart Perth at 12:30pm all flights will be a 9:25am departure. I recently flew out PER-CCK on VA and using priority pass accessed the Aspire lounge. The breakfast was average and coffee was ok so if Qantas doesn't at all or takes their time to get an agreement with aspire I'd say it's not a major loss.

There has been a bit going on behind the scenes:

• On 3/4 October they operated some test flights as QF371, QF372 and QF373.
• Current QF schedules show both XCH and CCK flights making a fuel stop at Port Headland to carry more cargo/pax (previously VA only did this on CCK and some flights were limited to ~100 people due to payload). QF still don't have full approvals they were hoping for to potentially operate these direct so it looks like it'll be around 12 months of stops in Port Headland.
• The baggage limit has been confirmed at the standard international 30kg per person but only a single priority piece (same as VA, who used priority tags even on those non priority passengers to indicate which is the first piece per person) and frequent flyer limits will be allowed however no one as a combination of status and paid excess luggage will be allowed to check more than 65kg total (on a per person basis).
• A new freight flight (I think operated by Qantas) will also run every couple of weeks on a Friday and it's not clear if this is the same or different to the existing 737 freighter used.

 

[jrfsp]

Any idea why they chose PHE for the refueling stop instead of LEA which VA did, cheaper fuel ?

 

[Happy Dude]

I see on the news that the crab migration has started, with the spawning date around 15 Nov anticipated. So does that mean that there'd be crabs everywhere until then and maybe for some time after?

 

[Scr77]

I see on the news that the crab migration has started, with the spawning date around 15 Nov anticipated. So does that mean that there'd be crabs everywhere until then and maybe for some time after?

There are always plenty of crabs to be seen. However, for a week or 2 around the spawning date they migrate to the sea to lay their eggs, meaning the crabs are marching through town and blocking roads. At this time, lots of roads are closed and if you’re a hiker, there can be long walks to get to some trailheads. It’s great to see.