Visit to First Lounge Melbourne

[davlaw]

Doing a "keep my status" run next week to Auckland and as a WP I'm taking Mrs davlaw to the first lounge. This will be our first ever visit to it. So ... my question is any do's or don'ts? We have a late flight out and intend to be in the lounge for 6-7 hours.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Doing a "keep my status" run next week to Auckland and as a WP I'm taking Mrs davlaw to the first lounge. This will be our first ever visit to it. So ... my question is any do's or don'ts? We have a late flight out and intend to be in the lounge for 6-7 hours.

6-7 hours might be a little too much time. You might want to check the closing time of the spa in relation to your flight. A spa treatment takes an hour. Allow another hour for eating... that's about two hours, three if you take a leisurely pace. There's not a lot else to do, and cross referencing the 'responsible service of alcohol' thread (also here on AFF), you might find your drinks restricted or cut off after a few.

then you'd be sitting there twiddling your thumbs.

 

[Ansett]

Doing a "keep my status" run next week to Auckland and as a WP I'm taking Mrs davlaw to the first lounge. This will be our first ever visit to it. So ... my question is any do's or don'ts? We have a late flight out and intend to be in the lounge for 6-7 hours.

Make sure you book a day spa treatment as soon as you enter.

Don't rush things

Drink Slowly

Most importantly Have a Great time and Enjoy

 

[Princess Fiona]

Doing a "keep my status" run next week to Auckland and as a WP I'm taking Mrs davlaw to the first lounge. This will be our first ever visit to it. So ... my question is any do's or don'ts? We have a late flight out and intend to be in the lounge for 6-7 hours.

Enjoy
Personally I think 6-7 hours is too long a time to be in any lounge but the good thing is that you should be able to get a spa appointment with that amount of time to play with.
When you get to the lounge ask about getting one for yourself and the mrs.

Pace yourself food and drinks wise as there's a lot available.
There will be no going back for Mrsdavlaw you do realise ?

 

[deka2]

Aren't the spa treatments 20 minutes long now?
They are in Sydney
If so and the lounge isn't busy you may be able to have two treatments.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Aren't the spa treatments 20 minutes long now?
.

i was being generous

you know... allowing time for looking at watch and noting spa treatment is due soon, the meander to the spa area, stopping and looking at the snack buffet, perhaps browsing the magazine rack on the way... arrival at spa, exchange of pleasantries, a longer-than-usual perusal of the indemnity waiver form.

then the treatment itself.

followed by departure pleasantries, a moment's reflection in the afterglow of the treatment, and another few moments anticipation of being reunited with your loved one. And then the walk back to your seat with a stop at the magazine rack ('perhaps Crochet Quarterly might be interesting after all?') and another look at the snack buffet...

could fill in an hour. if timed right.

 

[maninblack]

So ... my question is any do's or don'ts? We have a late flight out and intend to be in the lounge for 6-7 hours.

What flight to AKL goes out late? 2 hours is about max entertainment value in any lounge. Any longer is only because you have to.

 

[legroom]

Only a few weeks ago, I was after AFF advice on whether I should be able to escape to town facing a 6.5-hour layover in TG F lounge in BKK.

I was keen to escape and wished to know what was possible to be done during that time: ? enough time for a return trip, where to go etc ...

Many, many were of the opinion that I should leave and here you are, planning to stay in a lounge for 6-7 hours.

Are you (& the Mrs) into crosswords by any chance ?

That may become handy even in Flounge after the 150th minute.

 

[Pushka]

From my perspective the info I gave to stay in the lounge was based on having travelled in BKK traffic the week prior, the chauffeur saying he always allows three hours to get back to the airport from the CBD as the traffic can stall in a minute; the non interesting view along the way and to me the stress of hoping I would get back in time for little enjoyment.

I think I also mentioned checking out an airport hotel for a swim and shower?

Not sure that advice is relevant for Melbourne.

 

[legroom]

From my perspective the info I gave to stay in the lounge was based on having travelled in BKK traffic the week prior, the chauffeur saying he always allows three hours to get back to the airport from the CBD as the traffic can stall in a minute; the non interesting view along the way and to me the stress of hoping I would get back in time for little enjoyment.

I think I also mentioned checking out an airport hotel for a swim and shower?

Not sure that advice is relevant for Melbourne.

I agree that were car traffic the only option, the sensible thing would be to stay despite the 6.5 hrs layover. Fortunately, we learned that there is another option, namely the airport train.

Back on topic here, I'd suggest the OP considers other options apart from staying inside the Flounge for '... 6 to 7 hours ...'.

 

[amaroo]

Only a few weeks ago, I was after AFF advice on whether I should be able to escape to town facing a 6.5-hour layover in TG F lounge in BKK.

I was keen to escape and wished to know what was possible to be done during that time: ? enough time for a return trip, where to go etc ...

Many, many were of the opinion that I should leave and here you are, planning to stay in a lounge for 6-7 hours.

Are you (& the Mrs) into crosswords by any chance ?

That may become handy even in Flounge after the 150th minute.

We have a 6hr layover coming up in April - LHR T5 Galleries FCL (unless we can con our way into the CCR (QF F)) ... we'll definitely head into the city for a pint.

 

[serfty]

There are both the 6:30pm and a more recently introduced 11:30pm red-eye to AKL (The latter replacing the 6am one - I guess the AM PAX have been moved to EK).

 

[Pushka]

Fair enough re BKK. I'm not into trains so much while in the actual travel process. Dislike getting onto planes when I've been dashing around.

I understand the op wanting to spend a lot of time in the F lounge. My first venture is in July to the Sydney one. I even changed our connecting flight from ADL to the night before to ensure I could experience it for more than the connection allowed. Shame it's in the morning though. Even I don't drink sparking at that time.

 

[Ansett]

Even I don't drink sparking at that time.

Good God what the hell is wrong with you

 

[Flying mermaid]

Good God what the hell is wrong with you

Snap - I was just about to say the same : Smoked salmon, poached egg and bubbly my breakfast of choice in the F lounge. However I seem to remember Pushka saying she suffered from swollen ankles if consuming too much alcohol while flying, so she has an excuse.

I think people are being a bit harsh on the OP - first time in the F lounge is exciting and just because they are not bored and jaded with lounges doesn't mean people should be negative.

After the the spa and a meal they can find a nice chair looking out and just sip bubbly, read a book and watch people and planes go by....

 

[Pushka]

Hmm. Thanks FM. I have a plan then. I guess it will be after lunchtime in NZ so I need to adjust my time zone.

Maybe we need a thread just for F lounge 'favourite' things to do. Morning. Lunchtime and Evening.

I seem to have polished off 2/3 bottle of Taittinger last night and no swollen feet and no hangover. Clearly I can drink the good stuff safely.

Is it sparkling or Champagne in F lounge?

 

[CMA222]

......Even I don't drink sparking at that time.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere !!

 

[Steady]

I think people are being a bit harsh on the OP - first time in the F lounge is exciting and just because they are not bored and jaded with lounges doesn't mean people should be negative.

I agree. The OP can easily have a walk around the terminal or have a look at the other lounges they have access to if they start to get bored

 

[Flying mermaid]

Hmm. Thanks FM. I have a plan then. I guess it will be after lunchtime in NZ so I need to adjust my time zone.

Maybe we need a thread just for F lounge 'favourite' things to do. Morning. Lunchtime and Evening.

I seem to have polished off 2/3 bottle of Taittinger last night and no swollen feet and no hangover. Clearly I can drink the good stuff safely.

Is it sparkling or Champagne in F lounge?

Definitely Champagne - so it sounds like you can indulge

 

[Ansett]

Definitely good quality Champagne no sparkling in sight

As you can see from the current F lounge Menu