[pauly7]

Originally Posted by AnonymousCoward

I've been flying down to CBR (from SYD) on DJ because the planes aren't crowded and they actually take off on time. Been using the DJ lounge in Sydney (via Priority Pass, since I didn't know of this offer). It's a nice lounge - usually quiet and there's no queue for the "barista service" that QANTAS has been touting as a benefit of its lounges.

Thats lucky for you because on average Qantas are more punctual than DJ - check the on time performance.... and the planes not being busy is not a lucky sign for DJ!

I'm only flying ex Syd so won't be changing terminals just to visit the Lounge lol. Have already seen Melb but did someone mention they had done it up a bit recently? If so will go have a look if I have the time (still a bit of a hike from the CityFlyer terminal)

[AnonymousCoward]

Originally Posted by pauly7

Thats lucky for you because on average Qantas are more punctual than DJ - check the on time performance...

Is there an easy way to check OTP for SYD - CBR in the mornings? Or are we talking overall OTP?

Now, my sample size is only 8 SYD-CBR flights over the past few weeks. Five were on QF, of which two left on time. One was 90 minutes late. After that debacle I switched to DJ. Of the three DJ flights to CBR I have taken, one was 20 minutes late (but arrived only 10 minutes late), and the other two were on time.

and the planes not being busy is not a lucky sign for DJ!

No, probably not good at all. But the planes weren't empty. I would say that they were about 50% full.

In any case, my next flight down on Tue will be on QF (to check out the new J lounge in Syd). But if QF can't get the planes away on time, then I'm going back to DJ (until/unless I start arriving late on DJ flights)

Edit: the DJ planes are nice new Embraer jets. They compare quite nicely to the QF-link Dash-8. The seats appear to be a bit more spacious and the whole interior is obviously newer/fresher.

[serfty]

Originally Posted by AnonymousCoward

Is there an easy way to check OTP for SYD - CBR in the mornings? Or are we talking overall OTP?...

This site may help:

Airline On Time Performance Monthly Reports

[JohnK]

Currently sitting in the BNE Virgin Lounge waiting fior the 8:00pm flight to SYD. The lounge is very nice but there are less than 10 people in here at the moment. No hot food but the rest of the food is in line with the food in the QF Lounge. Plenty of beer choices and what looks like a nice selection of wines.

I was in the QF lounge less than 30 minutes ago and there were 100's of people in there.

For anyone that is interested you do not need to be flying Virgin Blue to take advantage of this promotion as long as you are QF Gold or Platinum. In fact you do not need to be flying at all on the day as you do not need to provide a boarding pass as proof.

I asked about status matching but the person at reception did not know anything about it.

I was going to try the SYD Virgin Blue lounge last Sunday but when we got to the airport we were offered to be put on an earlier flight, which I gladly accepted, and no time to visit the lounge. Maybe next time.

[Bundy Bear]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Currently sitting in the BNE Virgin Lounge waiting fior the 8:00pm flight to SYD. The lounge is very nice but there are less than 10 people in here at the moment. No hot food but the rest of the food is in line with the food in the QF Lounge. Plenty of beer choices and what looks like a nice selection of wines.

I was in the QF lounge less than 30 minutes ago and there were 100's of people in there.

For anyone that is interested you do not need to be flying Virgin Blue to take advantage of this promotion as long as you are QF Gold or Platinum. In fact you do not need to be flying at all on the day as you do not need to provide a boarding pass as proof.

I asked about status matching but the person at reception did not know anything about it.

I was going to try the SYD Virgin Blue lounge last Sunday but when we got to the airport we were offered to be put on an earlier flight, which I gladly accepted, and no time to visit the lounge. Maybe next time.

Can you take a guest; who is not flying.

Its been a few years since I have seen the Virgin lounge; and that is when things cost money; but the food that I did buy was nice.

[ANstar]

I was in the SYD DJ lounge about a week ago.

Very busy (when does the expanded lounge open?)

Hot food was soup & mushroom risotto. Cold food was the usualy salad bar type stuff, cheese, ham, cous cous etc

I think I now have an addiction to their nougat as well....

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Bundy Bear

Can you take a guest; who is not flying.

As far as I am aware it is QF Gold/Platinum and one guest. There is no requirement to be flying on the day.

[MD]

Originally Posted by JohnK

As far as I am aware it is QF Gold/Platinum and one guest. There is no requirement to be flying on the day.

There seems to be a variety of entry rules. Last week I went to the SYD lounge after flying on QF. I was declined entry as I did not have a boarding pass. Tonight I was declined entry to MEL as I was not flying DJ. They laughed when I repeated the experiences reported above, and said it was "bullsh*t". Reminds me why I stopped flying DJ.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by MD

There seems to be a variety of entry rules. Last week I went to the SYD lounge after flying on QF. I was declined entry as I did not have a boarding pass. Tonight I was declined entry to MEL as I was not flying DJ. They laughed when I repeated the experiences reported above, and said it was "bullsh*t". Reminds me why I stopped flying DJ.

You should have taken a printout of Virgin Blue - The Lounge

Quite clearly states:

"Access is available regardless of which carrier the Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum or Gold Member is travelling on the day."

Perhaps they were enforcing capacity control in the lounge. Who knows!

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by MD

There seems to be a variety of entry rules. Last week I went to the SYD lounge after flying on QF. I was declined entry as I did not have a boarding pass. Tonight I was declined entry to MEL as I was not flying DJ. They laughed when I repeated the experiences reported above, and said it was "bullsh*t". Reminds me why I stopped flying DJ.

I think that is more an indication on the level of training of the front desk staff. As Mal points out you do not need to be flying on DJ and I was also told they do not check boarding passes. They did not check my boarding pass.