I see in today’s Qantas announcement ‘Qantas
announces major lounge investment program’, there is no money for the Singapore
lounge. Must be cheaper to send passengers
to other lounges than do something in Singapore. They made enough profit and I am sure if they
wanted to and put their mind to it, they could find space for a first class/platinum
lounge somewhere at Changi Airport, Singapore.
Joyce said this about the major lounge
investment program “This investment is about meeting the demand we’re seeing
for premium travel. Â And it responds to
what frequent flyers tell us about how important the lounge experience is to
their overall journey.” He should add “except
in Singapore.”
Even if Qantas are planning something for Singapore I still think all those people that travel regularly to Singapore or London via Singapore have been let down. Not addressing the lounge with the most complaints is not good PR. Qantas could easily have said that they are reviewing their options in Sinagpore and will make a separate announcement on xx/xx/18.
You can't announce something until you have it negotiated with the airport (eg. Found space or a way to expand, and negotiated a lease).
Also I suspect Qantas would only want something short term (to 2022/23) as Project Sunrise will probably reduce the numbers that Qantas carries to Singapore.
You can't announce something until you have it negotiated with the airport (eg. Found space or a way to expand, and negotiated a lease).
Also I suspect Qantas would only want something short term (to 2022/23) as Project Sunrise will probably reduce the numbers that Qantas carries to Singapore.
I don't know, Singapore seems to be growing as a destination in its own right... plus they'll need to send their A380's somewhere.
Project Sunrise is miles away, (excuse the pun), they will be lucky if they can manage it by 22-23 - you don't even have a plane actually in production for Qantas can even purchase for the route - even if they are able to order next year, once a decision is made on a Boeing or Airbus option(production delays, etc) - build time, testing and delivery, not to mention actually being able to get paying pax on....they are dreaming if they can make it by 22-23...
Sing needs a long term permanent solution urgently, there were issues even before the Dubai route change to Singapore...there is space at T1 - T4 is a no go anytime soon, plus the cost would be huge for a brand new build in the new terminal.....
I think the idea of a mixed use lounge is the right move - no need for a F lounge, Sunrise will remove F if\when it gets up anyway...
It has been a issue and we have been talking about it for ages. You would have thought if QF really wanted to improve the situation they would push for space from the Airport Authorities, or come up with a suitable plan. There is nothing stopping them have a dedicated First/Platinum lounge elsewhere We have experienced lounges spread around the airport (Perth now and in the past at Brisbane), why not at Changi if QF really wanted to say “This investment is about meeting the demand we’re seeing for premium travel. And it responds to what frequent flyers tell us about how important the lounge experience is to their overall journey.”
Project Sunrise is miles away, (excuse the pun), they will be lucky if they can manage it by 22-23 - you don't even have a plane actually in production for Qantas can even purchase for the route - even if they are able to order next year, once a decision is made on a Boeing or Airbus option(production delays, etc) - build time, testing and delivery, not to mention actually being able to get paying pax on....they are dreaming if they can make it by 22-23...
Sing needs a long term permanent solution urgently, there were issues even before the Dubai route change to Singapore...there is space at T1 - T4 is a no go anytime soon, plus the cost would be huge for a brand new build in the new terminal.....
I think the idea of a mixed use lounge is the right move - no need for a F lounge, Sunrise will remove F ifwhen it gets up anyway...
Where do you get the idea that Project Sunrise will remove F when Qantas have asked for an aircraft capable of making the range with a full load of cargo and 300 pax over 4 classes?
The Sunrise aircraft will have F. I doubt it will be the 14F of the A380s, but it would likely be at least 6.
Then why didn't Qantas kit out the new Dreamliners with F? Look at SIA, their new 900ULR's that will do Sing to NY don't have any first or suites - their primary money maker - SIA have the most successful and lucrative first class in the world - they know it and QF know it -there will be no value in any F on ultra long hall flights -
4 Classes for ultra long haul will never work - again look at SIA, there is no Economy on the new 900ULR's - they know these type of flights are for specific travelers, not your everyday punters, and not ultra premium travelers in first class
The technical, not to mention the weight and complexity that a first class "seat" or suite adds is huge, more wine, food, more crew for first service, etc, etc - the economies don't work, you might think its trivial, but its not
These new ULR planes are highly, highly optimized for weight - the work from Airbus to make the 900ULR work for SIA has been a very long time in the planning
Even Qatar have said they are unlikely to have suites and still considering if they will do F on their new 777's
Qantas is not an ultra premium airline like the gulf carriers SIA, etc - the majority of QF pax in F are upgraded business fares and P1, Cairmans lounge member upgrades
on your point Qantas have challenged the OEM's to have a full cargo and 300pax over 4 classes - they have, and if you look back at SIA they did the same when they wanted to resurrect the Sng to NY, they then realized the economies wont work - and settled for 2 classes biz and PE......QF should take note....
QF will go for 6-8 F class on the ULR and that is why Boeing and Airbus will take a while to come up with the right aircraft, not to forget the engines, doubt whether QF would ever go for RR again. The config will be premium heavy; 6-8 F, minimum 70 J and 60 PE and balance Y.
I buy a F RTW every year and from first hand experience there are people who do pay to travel in QF F class.
Sin lounge badly needs a fix it is crowed at certain times and I think they are desperately trying to re engineer some more space.
Don't get me wrong, the "intention" and expectation is QF can run a 4class Ultra long hall flight with freight to Europe, as many of the other carriers would also aspire too as well....
Economies, demand, simply will force their hand - and there is evidence already this is the case with other carriers...
The space, weight, demand for F on ULH flights will not make the economies work - and the premium demand for freight on these flights will not make up the difference - I work for one of the largest logistics firms, there is very little appetite to pay the massive premiums that have already been expressed to the market to have bulk fright on a non-stop flight between AU and Europe - hence why they are looking at the freight bays to put beds, etc
For the cost of 6x F seats\suites - the payback over the short and long term wont make it viable, the space you lose, weight you gain -
The 787-9 vs the 350-900ULR are 3m difference in length, 3m is not enough for at least 1 row of F, with toilets, speration from biz, etc, - if QF could have squeezed in F, they would have, but they know there is NO demand to justify the cost - they have the data from the a380's - if they had the data to show solid F demand on the 380s, they should have makde the sacrifice of a row of Biz.....but no.....
Scotgoat
Scotgoat
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Feb 2015
Total posts 19
I see in today’s Qantas announcement ‘Qantas announces major lounge investment program’, there is no money for the Singapore lounge. Must be cheaper to send passengers to other lounges than do something in Singapore. They made enough profit and I am sure if they wanted to and put their mind to it, they could find space for a first class/platinum lounge somewhere at Changi Airport, Singapore.
Joyce said this about the major lounge investment program “This investment is about meeting the demand we’re seeing for premium travel.  And it responds to what frequent flyers tell us about how important the lounge experience is to their overall journey.” He should add “except in Singapore.”
pungpui
pungpui
Member since 22 May 2011
Total posts 22
Was thinking the same thing.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
Take my word for it, something is afoot at Singapore, it's just not at the stage of readiness to be announced.
NBShone
NBShone
Qantas
Member since 02 Sep 2015
Total posts 18
100% correct. Staff at the lounge news coming soon
JTG
JTG
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
Member since 11 Jul 2014
Total posts 31
Even if Qantas are planning something for Singapore I still think all those people that travel regularly to Singapore or London via Singapore have been let down. Not addressing the lounge with the most complaints is not good PR. Qantas could easily have said that they are reviewing their options in Sinagpore and will make a separate announcement on xx/xx/18.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
You can't announce something until you have it negotiated with the airport (eg. Found space or a way to expand, and negotiated a lease).
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
I don't know, Singapore seems to be growing as a destination in its own right... plus they'll need to send their A380's somewhere.
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43
Scotgoat
Scotgoat
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Feb 2015
Total posts 19
It has been a issue and we have been talking about it for ages. You would have thought if QF really wanted to improve the situation they would push for space from the Airport Authorities, or come up with a suitable plan. There is nothing stopping them have a dedicated First/Platinum lounge elsewhere We have experienced lounges spread around the airport (Perth now and in the past at Brisbane), why not at Changi if QF really wanted to say “This investment is about meeting the demand we’re seeing for premium travel. And it responds to what frequent flyers tell us about how important the lounge experience is to their overall journey.”
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
And what makes you think Qantas and Singapore Airport haven't been discussing it for ages?
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43
Austline
Austline
Member since 23 Aug 2011
Total posts 43
QF will go for 6-8 F class on the ULR and that is why Boeing and Airbus will take a while to come up with the right aircraft, not to forget the engines, doubt whether QF would ever go for RR again. The config will be premium heavy; 6-8 F, minimum 70 J and 60 PE and balance Y.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
Simply because the 789 is a much smaller aircraft. As it is J/PY take up over half the floorspace.
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43