Sydney Airport’s new Emirates, SQ first class check-in suite

Are we sure about this: "...recognition of Sydney Airport having the world’s third-highest number of first class seats."?

Not sure how SYD could be serviced by more 1st class seats than a LHR, DXB, SIN for example?

It's plush but I'm a bit confused about its purpose.  You go in and sit down and then check in at what looks like fairly normal check-in counters when you are ready.  Why wouldn't someone just check-in ASAP and head to a first class lounge?

I've used the premium check-in in SIN and it looks a bit more swish as you sit down in comfortable chairs whilst checking in.

Likewise baffled about the point of this? I'd be travelling with no check in bags and with online boarding pass would head straight to security and onto lounge.... Even if I had bags I'd drop them and move on. One would presume it's never busy enough to sit down while waiting for check in!

Another point - it's available to certain SQ flyers in any class on one SQ flight, but not to actual first class flyers on other SQ flights?? Make it make sense lol.

Which airports have the highest and second highest number of first class seats? Who gathers these stats?

Not bad, I like the idea of sitting down while your bags are checked in etc. But to really make this work I think more airlines need to participate, as well as right across the SQ schedule for example, and the airlines need to make sure passengers know about this. SYD could also have these passengers escorted through a 'fast track' lane for immigration and security, like the one used by airline crew and diplomats and APEC card holders, that would help round out this 'premium experience'.

I would think Sydney Airport could better use their resources to make the business/first immigration/counters working only for them during rush hour, rather than for everyone. It is open for all during the morning rush hour! If they had actually built a separate counters including security at this place, one would use this facility with more happiness.  

I like the idea .... but SQ242 is usually operated with one of the regional a350s which has no first class?!

I think the point of SQ offering it on SQ242 (and not other flights) is to offer a first class experience to very valued customers on that flight.  I’m guessing SQ doesn’t even open first class counters for it, but premium feel and consistency of experience seems very important to SQ. 

Checking in with First Class is one thing. After passport control, you would still funnel into the security baggage lane with the rest and experience one of the worst  most rude security people I have ever encountered in most major airports. 

Chalmersdale speaks of their experience.  You have a different experience.  Why the need to put down people whose experiences are different to yours?

This is hardly equivalent to the First Class Singapore experience at Changi. (which is great).  

The big problem is " at which point it's off to the adjacent priority lane to join other first class and business class passengers heading through immigration and to the lounge"

As others have noted - why bother?

If it doesn't have a dedicated security and immigration facility, the only advantage is you sit down to check in. Again, why bother?

It seems a great step.   However, how would a passenger flying [in first class] from SYD to Dubai in transit to another destination be certain that the 'transit' label has been placed on the piece of luggage ?   If one would check-in in the 'traditional' way, the pax would visibly ensure that a transit label as well as a 'first' label are  attached.

Any comments from other paxs in respect to this issue.

To be honest I'd prefer the visibility of seeing my bag tagged and confirming the seat allocation at the time.  The LH first class terminal in FRA is possibly the best check in experience in the world - but you're still face to face with the person who's dealing with your luggage.