New Brisbane Qantas International lounge

18 replies

Scotgoat

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Feb 2015

Total posts 19

I may have high expectation (for which I apologise), having in the past enjoyed good First Class Qantas Lounge experiences, as a +10-year Qantas Platinum cardholder.

I had been looking forward to visiting the new Brisbane Qantas International lounge. But how disappointed I was. Maybe I had expectations as platinum card holder, but I was disillusioned, no Platinum service, Qantas Club service maybe just.

Poor food offered (some sort of stew with oil floating on the top, old salad, etc.) poor drinks offering (no champagne) and lacklustre disinterested staff.

I suppose my problem is that I was comparing it to Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Emirates lounges. I did briefly visit new London Qantas International lounge, not really impressed and returned rapidly to the Cathay Pacific First Class lounge.

The new Brisbane Qantas International lounge I would rate maybe 2 out of 10.

gj

Member since 11 Nov 2012

Total posts 6

I was equally disappointed. Poor food, no champagne. Staff were lovely

Mudjimba

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Jul 2016

Total posts 1

My friends and I were there on 28 December before our flight to Narita. Great choice of food, coffee and well as French Champagne to start our holidays.

Staff were excellent very attentive.
Well done, QF as this lounge is far better than the old QF International lounge.

Michael Kao

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Nov 2014

Total posts 163

If you think the new BNE QF lounge is bad, you are spoiled. Maybe you are from SYD/MEL and are too used to the true first class lounge. But for us humble Brisbanite, this is the best lounge in BNE. Clearly you haven't been to the old BNE lounge. If you rate the new lounge at 2/10, I don't know what score you can give to the old one, -10?

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

There are some tables and chairs upstairs reserved for Platinum members and above, over in the far corner beyond the breakfast hatch. Just show your boarding pass or FF card to the lounge attendants to have a reserved sign taken away for you. There's Champagne too, but only for Platinum One and Chairman's Lounge. :)

highflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Apr 2012

Total posts 186

It felt the International Lounge was too small and overcrowded when i visited last year. I actually enjoyed the Domestic Business lounge more when i transferred to a domestic flight on the return flight.

Joe

Member since 03 May 2013

Total posts 180

Just like Qantas crap first class which is business plus at best. What a rought F is witu Qantas from onboard to the decline in lounges for premium loyal pax. Shame Qantas.

samson12

Member since 12 Oct 2012

Total posts 12

It is a 100% better than the old lounge, but it is also disappointing to me too. Mainly, for me, because I find it always packed out. I also agree re London - to me, it is horrible. Sterile and old, and I go past in onto BA First of Cathay.

Journeyman

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

Member since 11 Sep 2015

Total posts 30

I don't find the 'new' International QF lounge much better the old one. Its equally if not so crowded than the old one when I've visited.


Not a patch on Air NZ. Singapore Airlines also better imho but can get busy.

Stop the world I want to get off!

J.Bloggsworthy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 19 Jul 2017

Total posts 4

The new BNE international lounge tends to leave bad first impressions, but gets better once you're familiar with its quirks. The relatively narrow walkway between the entrance/barista and the main seating areas gets congested easily and leaves a "crowded inner-city cafe' vibe on arrival.

Once you've got your first coffee, and found a place to sit, especially upstairs where it's quieter, I find it's fine. The range of seating is good. The food, at breakfast, is fine. The staff are great. I can't speak for the food selection in the afternoon and evening, but I've heard it's not that stellar, which isn't surprising given the lounge was pretty much designed around breakfast when the majority of QF flights leave Brisbane.

maktrust

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 Dec 2011

Total posts 3

spent many hours at all hours in the Bris Qantas international lounge and whilst it can get crowded (let's be honest most lounges do these days) I've always had decent food and range of drinks available. it's far superior to the old lounge. Staff as always are very helpful.

Ladtsmt

Member since 23 Jul 2017

Total posts 18

There are no Qantas flights that have a first class cabin out of Brisbane. You can't compare this lounge if there's nothing with which to do so in the airport or the company with which you are flying. The new lounge beats the old one which was well past its needs-an-upgrade date, but both beat sitting at the gates. Worse than any food in any lounge are the yelling uncontrolled children, and you can't blame an airline for those horrors! The staff must have the patience of Job not to throttle their parents.

ExLibris76

Member since 09 Jul 2012

Total posts 19

QANTAS' new international lounge in BNE is fated to suffer in terms of size and amenities in comparison to MEL and SYD (to say nothing of your forementioned premium-brand carriers) precisely because it serves just one longhaul market. Whereas the southern ports serve the Middle East and Europe, as well as the U.S. All other QF flights ex BNE are strictly mid-haul (Asia) and short-haul (New Zealand/P.N.G/Fiji). It was NEVER going to be drippingly luxurious because the lower premium pax volumes and markets served do not justify it.

Non-locals may find it lacking, but those of us who use it regularly appreciate the much-needed overhaul it received! And no, we are not settling for 'second best'. It's actually perfectly fine, in it's own right. In fact, I rate it higher than the recently overhauled SQ lounge further down the concourse.

tris06

China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer

Member since 22 Sep 2012

Total posts 11

I think these guys have really high standards. Even the old lounge which yes was dated was still far better than not having any lounge. Of course I didn't try the new one yet as the airline I use is contracted to the new lounge Plaza premium, but still of course it would be surely better than the old lounge. Also maybe its just me but I am not overly worried about Champagne as for me a baileys on Ice or any decent white wine will do for me. First world problems indeed. Also those mentioning Cathay Pacific have selective memory as that airline has been cutting back on costs and their own Marco Polo members have been complaining about reduced quality recently of service.

kimshep

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 11 Oct 2014

Total posts 412

There are no Qantas flights that have a first class cabin out of Brisbane. You can't compare this lounge if there's nothing with which to do so in the airport or the company with which you are flying. The new lounge beats the old one which was well past its needs-an-upgrade date, but both beat sitting at the gates. Worse than any food in any lounge are the yelling uncontrolled children, and you can't blame an airline for those horrors! The staff must have the patience of Job not to throttle their parents.


If you think that Plats and Plat Ones should be ignored just because 'there's no First cabins out of Brisbane' then I'd suggest you have a look at David's article on the new Chairmans Lounge at ... BNE.

This is where QF falls flat. It is clearly evident that BNE is QF's 3rd largest Australian market. Making decisions on lounge inclusions, based on current perceived route / seating is dangerous, in the extreme.

BNE is a growing market and already has it's share of Platinum & Platinum One members. Remember also that BNE serves as a connection point to members in places like PER, DRW and ADL - and some of those will be Plats, PlatOnes, flying J Class internationally. To ignore their needs .. is folly - or false accounting. What would have it cost QF to add a subtle 'roped off' First area and a few bottles of better beverages? They've done it elsewhere. 'Nuff said.

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