Sydney FLounge

[geordieladinoz]

I have searched and been unable to locate the answer so I need to ask the experts.

We will be FLounging it for the first time in December and I have looked for confirmation of how far in advance of departure time we can check in for maximum FLounge exposure (journey commences in Sydney). There is reference to 4 hours prior to departure for Los Angeles flights but nothing specific for London? Is London standard 3 hours due to the pick up in Singapore thus unlikely to get maximum loading unlike the direct Los Angeles flight?

If it is the standard 3 hours does anyone have experience of Qantas opening the check in slightly earlier? The missus is already excited 6 weeks out so goodness knows what she will be like on the day!

Thanks in advance.

 

[simongr]

Do you have bags to check in?

Also four hours is a long time.

 

[JessicaTam]

As long as the check in desk is open you should be able to head on through. If you have a boarding pass the lounge doesn't enforce access times (as long as they are open). YMMV

As simongr said, 4 hours is a long time. Even if you have a one hour spa treatment that still leaves plenty of time for drinks and lunch and "second lunch" and drinks and staring out the window and drinks.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Simon

Yes, we will have bags so the 8hrs hand luggage is out of the question. I put this proposition to the her but got the response "do you know me"? As we are on QF1 she had the vision of arriving for lunch, a few glasses of bubbles (to help sleep) through the afternoon and some spa treatment, hence the maximum exposure. I am happy sitting with a red and some peace and quiet which the answer to this question will give me.

 

[serfty]

Book from MEL/BNE and get in 5 hours beforehand.

Remember the flights start boarding ~40 minutes before scheduled departure time which can be rather s significant.

 

[opusman]

Last time I was in the F lounge I was bored after 2 hours. If you have a spa then 3 is plenty. It's a nice place to sit and read a book or surf the net but really after a few hours that's all you're doing, to kill time until boarindg.

 

[madrooster]

Book from MEL/BNE and get in 5 hours beforehand.

It's possible to get even earlier flights if you are smart about how you book... but the question would then be, with that many hours between the domestic and QF1, would they hold onto the bags?

 

[amaroo]

It's possible to get even earlier flights if you are smart about how you book... but the question would then be, with that many hours between the domestic and QF1, would they hold onto the bags?

I've done around 5 hours with checked luggage BNE-SYD-LHR......had a great time:shock:

 

[tuapekastar]

Best I've done (and only because my lift to the airport was early) was checkin with checked luggage 3.5 hours before the flight (this was at MEL). They did say "do you mind if your luggage just sits here with us for half an hour", implying they could not 'process' it till 3 hours from flight time.Being your first Flounging I can understand wanting to maximise the time there, but have to say after a bunch of visits that I'm happy now with 2 to 2.5 hours.

I did manage to check in at AKL around 5 hours prior to flight time, with checked baggage, but that's not a Flounge Flounge so not relevant to the discussion.

 

[Kangol]

As simongr said, 4 hours is a long time. Even if you have a one hour spa treatment that still leaves plenty of time for drinks and lunch and "second lunch" and drinks and staring out the window and drinks.

Blasphemy! Surely you have learned a thing or two on AFF
PS. I thought the 1 hr spa treatments weren't offered any more.. or was that to non F pax/CL?

 

[medhead]

I took QF1 to LHR in May. Pretty sure they let me check in 4 hours early.


Best option I've seen allows about 8 hours in SYD.

 

[JessicaTam]

Blasphemy! Surely you have learned a thing or two on AFF
PS. I thought the 1 hr spa treatments weren't offered any more.. or was that to non F pax/CL?

Ok, just because 4 hours is a long time doesn't mean it is 'long enough'!:mrgreen:

 

[RooFlyer]

Blasphemy! Surely you have learned a thing or two on AFF
PS. I thought the 1 hr spa treatments weren't offered any more.. or was that to non F pax/CL?

Note sure if you are referring to 1hr or spa in general. F pax can pre book spa treatments, non F (incl WP in J) can apply in the spa on arrival.

If OP is flying F the book the spa beforehand; else you may need a 2-3 hour advance window on arrival to get a time. Go to the spa immediately on arrival in Lounge. A couple of times I've tried about 1.5 hrs before before boarding and missed out.

if you are there for lunch, I have seen tables reserved (ie by window), but not sure how that works. The dining area can get a bit crowded at times.

If you are checking in at the F counter (ie flying F or are WP or WP1), then I have checked in 4 hours before boarding, no problem. I usually get to the F lounge as early as possible, settle in and do some work .. (But usually only manage an hour or 2 before other diversions beckon )

i reckon the QF First lounge at Sydney airport is one of the best flying experiences anywhere.

 

[Kangol]

Note sure if you are referring to 1hr or spa in general. F pax can pre book spa treatments, non F (incl WP in J) can apply in the spa on arrival.

1 hr. I recall someone here posted a photo of the spa menu and the 50 min massage was there but a more recent report indicated that treatments for everyone were now 30 mins.
I am 1 from 2 in arriving to the F Lounge for a non booked treatment (haven't flown QF F before) and that was 30 mins.

 

[amaroo]

if you are there for lunch, I have seen tables reserved (ie by window), but not sure how that works. The dining area can get a bit crowded at times.

I'm sure in most cases they are reserved for VIPs however, we've been seated (family of 4) at a round table that had the reserve sign on it.......it was like winning a prize as the place was chock a block.

I'm thinking they place them on the big tables to ensure that singles/couples don't take a table that can seat 5.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Thanks all for your feedback.

As we are now located in Sydney the idea of a return to Melbourne or Brisbane is not appealing enough for an extra hour. We are going to be in Newcastle (AUS) with in-laws for Christmas so I did look to see how much a Newcastle - Brisbane - Sydney flight would be but again, $700 for an extra hour does not work out in my book.

So we will head to the airport for around 1.30 and make the most of the time we can get. I will be content with a few glasses of red gazing out of the window!

Then it is the real Newcastle (UK) and the real bridge for New Year!!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Late to this thread, check-in opens 4 hours before for LHR flights as well. Another option if going from NTL is to fly OT from NTL to SYD and use the QF transfer desk at T2 to check bags on for LHR. Around $100 each one-way. OT have a 15kg luggage limit but this is increased to 23kg if you are connecting to or from an international flight. They won't transfer bags to QFi only domestic but the T2 transfer option works well and if timed correctly will allow you as much time as you like in the Flounge.

 

[dfcatch]

Late to this thread, check-in opens 4 hours before for LHR flights as well. Another option if going from NTL is to fly OT from NTL to SYD and use the QF transfer desk at T2 to check bags on for LHR. Around $100 each one-way. OT have a 15kg luggage limit but this is increased to 23kg if you are connecting to or from an international flight. They won't transfer bags to QFi only domestic but the T2 transfer option works well and if timed correctly will allow you as much time as you like in the Flounge.

T2 Transfer Desk??

I didn't know there was such a thing?

 

[Princess Fiona]

T2 Transfer Desk??

I didn't know there was such a thing?

T3

 

[dfcatch]

T3

Thanks PF!

For a moment I was thinking that QF was providing service for us folk wishing to TFR to QFi but being forced to fly to SYD on JQ!