QF Sydney T1 First Lounge

[chooms]

Well I am sitting here at the runway end of the T3 Qantas Club waiting for my up-down flight to Canberra.

I cannot help but notice across the other side of the runway the new Qantas First lounge with its sleek black exterior - the only thing new at this airport in god knows how many years.

Just wondering if anyone has been in there yet? Will find out for myself in July when I head to NY for a conference but I was wondering how people compare it to others such as Pier in HK?

Havent travelled First with QF for some time (couple of years) as I have not been overseas except via a BBJ or GlobalExpress private jet and am assuming that it is exactly the same.... ie just like J is for domestic - same old same old.

 

[simongr]

It opens this week 23 May. There is a thread here (search for closures) and the pre-opening reviews tag it as stunning

 

[IainF]

Havent travelled First with QF for some time (couple of years) as I have not been overseas except via a BBJ or GlobalExpress private jet and am assuming that it is exactly the same.... ie just like J is for domestic - same old same old.

Hooly Dooly.. John Howard has started posting !! or maybe Mr Packer...

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I am hoping for a dry run preview on Tuesday, but not holding my breath!

 

[chooms]

Hooly Dooly.. John Howard has started posting !! or maybe Mr Packer...

Hahaha... not quite. I don't own them... i just fly in them because of my work - and before you ask I am not going to divulge

And just for the record - I flew Y SYD/CBR this evening... not J.

 

[moa999]

So any 'domestic' flights at reasonable hours (pref weekends) that people can experience the lounge.

qf136 - MEL about 6am
qf175 - BNE about 8am
qf167 - CNS about 8am

Doesn't appear to be anything in the afternoon/ evening?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

qf175 - BRI about 8am

Perhaps you mean BNE (Brisbane) rather than BRI (Bari, Italy)?

 

[rhjames]

I used the new Sydney 1st lounge a few weeks ago. It was certainly a great experience. My wife and I were treated to an excellent dinner. It's certainly true that it's worth going early and making an outing of it. I didn't have time for the massage etc. We were given a guided tour.

However, as an engineer, I am inclined towards practicality and value for money. I wouldn't have noticed that all the marble blocks on the floor matched. The real estate dedicated to the garden walled entrance is nice, but seems a waste of space. After all, it's an airport.

It's a great improvement over the previous lounge, which wasn't much different to the business lounge. But is it worth the cost? I'm not convinced there is a payback. For me, flying first is all about the air experience - after all, that's where I'm spending 24 hours in one place. I'm happy to have fast check in, and a comfortable place to sit, lie down and have a drink and reasonable snack.

I'd prefer a business/first immigration line to reduce the waiting than a massage in the lounge.

I can't justify the cost of 1st, but as platinum I enjoy the lounge and occasional upgrade. I won't be spending additional thousands for the experience.

 

[simongr]

I believe that there is now express immigration for WP FFers (not sure about OWE).

Cheers
S

 

[dragonman]

I believe that there is now express immigration for WP FFers (not sure about OWE).

That was certainly my experience last week as a WP FF tarvelling in Y.

Now as to cost/benefit for the F lounge, I don't care - its a great service for me. I guess that QF needs to appeal to F passengers and this lounge helps I guess.

Personally I loved it. YMMV

 

[serfty]

... (not sure about OWE). ...

My thoughts are that oneworld Emeralds have access to First Class Check-in; there they would be given the Express pass.

 

[rhjames]

That would be nice. I certainly didn't get an express pass last trip (May). Where is the express immigration - is that the one on the right as you go into immigration - used to be for 1st and business class? I thought it was for air crew now.

 

[d15.in.oz]

Where is the express immigration - is that the one on the right as you go into immigration ...

Yes - in SYD on the right, left in MEL & BNE (just to confuse us Sydneysiders I am sure).

Look for the ribbon like "e" logo...

It is for APEC, groups, domestic, staff & express customers... first class customers (when escorted) make their way directly to the front of the queue, as do staff, although they seem to escort themselves LOL.

It's a new system (well using existing processes), also changed is incoming immigration - an officer now seems to meets people as they come off the plane/walk down the arrivals hall, and directs you to the appropriate lane (this person also writes the customs/quarantine check code on your arrival card).

 

[serfty]

This is a 'new' thing. It being tested at MEL, SYD and one other airport.

I first came across it using the MEL F checkin are two weeks ago.

 

[JohnK]

I first came across it using the MEL F checkin are two weeks ago.

Received an express pass in MEL 3 weeks ago, during the F lounge run, even though we did not use first checkin.

I still have the express pass and I can almost see these appearing on e-bay or coupon connection soon.