Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

Lounge Review – Qantas Sydney Domestic Business Lounge

March 8, 2017

When visited: February 2017
Time of day: Late Morning (just before noon)
Rating: 5 / 5

ACCESS RULES
– Flying Business class on a Qantas or QantasLink flight later that day.
– Qantas Platinum member or Oneworld Alliance Emerald member departing on a on a Qantas or QantasLink flight later that day .
– Emirates Skywards Platinum member whose next onward flight that day carries a QF or EK flight number and is operated by Qantas or QantasLink
– Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult given this is a licensed area.

I accessed the Business Lounge as a QANTAS Platinum member flying in economy later that day back to Melbourne.

LOUNGE LOCATION
The QANTAS Sydney Domestic Business Lounge is located in Terminal 3 opposite Gates 4 and 5. After clearing security you turn left and will find the entrance to the QANTAS Domestic Business Lounge about 10 metres away. The separate (but connected) QANTAS Club Lounge entrance is approximately 10 metres further away.

LOUNGE AREA
The QANTAS Business Lounge area is very large and provides get views of the QANTAS planes at the boarding gates and a maintenance hangar. The main food serving and bar area is just past the Lounge Access Guardians. This area has a more formal bench area with napkins and cutlery set out, you can make yourself a nice basic meal for lunch. Most of the lounge area is informal but being the higher status level lounge you are more likely to see businessmen and a higher dress standard (jeans yes, singlets no).

FOOD
I was at the lounge just as breakfast was ending and lunch was approaching. At this time most of the food was fruit, pastries, and sandwich making ingredients. Just has I was leaving staff were bring out some pasta based dishes.

DRINKS
There is an all-day barista coffee service (very popular even when lounge is almost empty), juices, soft drinks, tea and water. The bar for alcohol doesn’t open until noon but offers good selection of wine, beer and spirits.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES
There are several showers (no need to book), toilets, areas to watch TV (SkyNews), extensive computer area with printers and photocopiers, multiple tea / coffee stations and charging stations for most different cable connections.

There are limited power outlets to plug in your laptop or other equipment, usually you can tell those areas by someone sitting there, be fast and grab a spot if you find one! Free Wi-Fi is offered that is at a reasonable speed. You need to be connected to the Wi-Fi to print a document from your device. There are various free newspapers (which you can take away) and magazines (which you should leave in the lounge).

WHAT’S GOOD
The food and drinks are excellent (even better after noon for drink and after 6 pm for food). Comfortable seating, in quads, pairs and singles. Close to Gates 1 through 7 meaning you can stay a little longer. Feels very classy and relaxing (but not on a Friday evening).

WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Lack of power points to charge your mobile equipment is disappointing.

SUMMARY
Excellent top level domestic lounge in Qantas’ home port so a definite must visit if you are allowed access. There is no charge for food or drinks nor is tipping expected (or anywhere really in Australia). This is slightly better domestic lounge than Qantas’ Melbourne Business Lounge (better views and location) making it the best domestic lounge I’ve visited anywhere in the world (there are however lots of better International Lounges).
World Trip 2011: Flight Journal

February 21, 2017

In 2011 I went on a short 14 day trip to United States of America with the chief reason to visit the remote region of Alaska something I had wanted to do for a long time. The first few days I was traveling with my mother around Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco then it was onto the frontier that is Alaska 🙂

This trip had 5 legs and 8 flights across 3 airlines (QANTAS, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines). I traveled 33,996 km during my flights and 43 hours 10 minutes.

Leg 1
12,748 km Melbourne to Los Angeles – 14 hours 25 minutes (QANTAS Economy)
Transit time: 4 hours
380 km Los Angeles to Las Vegas – 1 hours 10 minutes (American Airlines Economy)

Leg 2
380 km Las Vegas to Los Angeles – 1 hours 10 minutes (American Airlines Economy)
Transit time: 1 hour 30 minutes
543 km Los Angeles to San Francisco – 1 hour 25 minutes (American Airlines Economy)

Leg 3
1,092 km San Francisco to Seattle – 2 hours 10 minutes (Alaska Airlines Economy)
Transit time: 4 hours
2,331 km Seattle to Anchorage – 3 hours 10 minutes (Alaska Airlines Economy)

Leg 4
3,774 km Anchorage to Los Angeles – 5 hours 15 minutes (Alaska Airlines Economy)

Leg 5
12,748 km Los Angeles to Melbourne – 14 hours 25 minutes (QANTAS Economy)

Total: 33,996 km
World Trip 2009-10: Flight Journal

February 20, 2017

Back in 2009 my nephew Andrew Gauci and I undertook a stunning 2009-10 trip exploring some of North and South America as well as New Zealand.

Between 27 November 2009 and 31 January 2010, we visited seven countries – USA, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, New Zealand. (more…)
Arzu’s Amazing Concert

February 20, 2017

A very good friend of mine, Arzu Yuvarlak, on Sunday 19 February held and performed Turkish Classical Music Fundraising Concert at the Australian Turkish Thrace Association in Melbourne.

Arzu was fundraising so she could continue her studies at RMIT University while awaiting a final decision on her visa status.

Arzu is currently seeking asylum in Australia and until very recently has been living here with no Government financial support for almost 5 years. Late last year the Australian Red Cross started supporting her health needs and in January 2017 the Australian Government started providing a small fortnightly amount for Arzu to attempt to live on.

While I can’t go fully into Arzu’s case history given the Department of Immigration is still considering her application, I can say she was born on the border with Syria and faced significant and serious issues back in Turkey.

Like everyone in this situation having to give up everything and being placed in a limbo status for years on end is never an easy decision and usually highlights a difficult if not desperate situation for someone in an ethic minority group. As an asylum seeker Arzu has no right to work in Australia and earn an income.

Despite this she has contributed to our community by implementing a free music education program to school children. Arzu is a talented musician, which I got to see up close during this amazing concert. It’s a privilege to work with and support someone so talented.

Arzu has survived so far by having the local Arts and Turkish community and her friends support her including assisting with accommodation and living expenses.

Your Help is appreciated While the concert is over her fundraising page is still available and for people in Australia you can also directly transfer money to a bank account operated on Arzu’s behalf (Name: Arzu Yuvarlak BSB: 944300 Account Number: 011777125).

I hope you can support Arzu or others like her struggling to shine in a world with Governments that increasingly condemn those that have to flee dangerous situations.

Arzu’s Story
Lounge Review – QANTAS Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge

February 17, 2017

When visited: February 2017
Time of day: Morning
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Access Rules
– You need to be departing on a QANTAS flight in Business Class on the day you access the lounge (not after the flight).
– You are QANTAS Platinum or a Oneworld Emerald status member and departing on a QANTAS flight or codeshare on the day you access the lounge (I accessed as Platinum member flying in economy to Sydney).

Access to the QANTAS Club Lounge

Access to the QANTAS Business Lounge (inside QANTAS Club)

Lounge Location
The QANTAS Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge is located in Terminal 1. After clearing security you turn left and will find the entrance to the QANTAS Club Lounge. After entering the QANTAS Club Lounge you walk to the end of the lounge area and there will be a door to the QANTAS Business Lounge.

Lounge Area
The QANTAS Business Lounge area is larger than it first appears with many small hidden seating areas. The food serving and bar area has a more formal bench area with napkins and cutlery set out, the rest of the lounge is less formal. There is an area to look out at the tarmac and the planes.

Food
I was at the lounge during breakfast time. There was scrambled eggs, toast, an area to make sandwiches, fresh fruit, a machine to make pancakes and a couple of cakes and pastries / bread based products. More than enough and better than the plane even on short business class flights, definitely better than economy class offerings.

Drinks
Various juices, soft drink, a blender to make your own vegetable smoothie, coffee, tea and water. The bar for alcohol doesn’t open until noon.

Facilities and Services
The are several showers (no need to book), toilets, areas to watch TV (on cable news channel), computer area with printers and photocopiers, multiple tea / coffee stations and charging stations for most different cable connections. There are also some available power outlets to plug in your laptop or other equipment. Free Wi-Fi is offered. There are various free newspapers you can take away and magazines (which you should leave in the lounge).

What’s Good
A more exclusive place than the QANTAS Club Lounge while it still gets a lot of people it’s not as rushed or a push for space. The food is excellent for breakfast and the computer areas lets you print up last minute documents.

What’s Not So Good
The QANTAS Business Class Lounge is located at the furthest point from the entry to the QANTAS Lounge making it an even longer distance to the gates. Make sure you leave before they call the flight for boarding.

Summary
Really worth the visit if you are flying business class on QANTAS or hold the right membership level. There is no charge for food or drinks nor is tipping expected (or anywhere really in Australia). This is pretty much the best domestic lounge I’ve visited anywhere in the world (obviously there are many better International Lounges).