Well I think this is a great idea in FT, so let me be the first to welcome you to MEL... just a short drive along the Tulla, past "Jeff's French Fries" (the so called Gateway thingy) to our gorgeous main airport. Domestics: express(DJ), Ansett and Qantas, and International. One of the best airports in Australia and the easiest to connect at (compared to BNE, SYD, ADL & PER). Melbourne rocks, and I hope to see lots of postings here http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

Had the pleasure to pass through this magnificent airport on 3 occassions last November. Great facility. Great people.

It *would* be great, if QF domestic would finish their construction works!!!!!!!!

Dave

It would also be great if the Qantas Club was situated in the same municipal area as the boarding gates!

Melbourne Qantas Club: A tranquil oasis thoughtfully located nowhere near any unpleasant aircraft noise.

Have to agree on the QF terminal nastiness. I mean it is very nicely refurbished and all, but all the work is annoying, and I hate that you can't walk straight through from international to QF without going outside(like you used to be able to!). It's a pain in the butt when I want to go to the tatts outlet for that last minute fix (specially as I follow the "other team") http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

The QF terminal is moving ahead slowly..you can now go to international without going outside, but there is still quite a bit of work to be done. I agree about the QC lounge location..the umpteen-mile hike to the gates is a bit much!

Just out of interest, where is the international QF Club lounge? Is it easily accessible?

Dave

The international QC lounge is 'airside', on the right-hand side of the departure concourse after Immigration; it isn't accessible unless you are flying.
(I might add it's absurdly small for the number of people who are entitled to use it! QF have made noises about improvements, but no sign of them so far).

[This message has been edited by whughes3 (edited 07-11-2001).]

So if I am travelling in steerage on a QF9 to SIN, and a BA18 is due out shortly after to SIN and LHR, I can expect the lounge to be crowded?

I wonder how they sort out who to let in and deny access to. As a paid up QF Club member, I would think I would be entitled to access, no matter how full the lounge is. But if they start denying access to J and P class members, they would start kicking up a fuss. But even though I am travelling in L (a deep discount Y) I have still paid for my access, and am entitled to it.

Any thoughts?

Dave

If my experience is anything to go by, it will probably be crowded..AFAIK the only access policy is 'first-in-best-dressed', so get there early and grab your seat! (there is a separate FC lounge).

The SQ Silver Kris lounge (landside !) is small too, but is in an absurd location. I mean you have to pass through passport control, etc on your way out, so about the latest you can stay in the lounge is 10-15 mins before departure I'd think. Seems a silly place to have this lounge (though it is good if you get there early with a friend or something to bring in.).

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

The Silver Kris lounge was deserted last time I went there, anyone know where it's gone?

2 points on MEL:
1)Nice airport. Many services in the International Terminal: stores, food courts, etc. Well-run Customs. Advice to other Americans: use MEL instead of SYD.

2)Had a wonderful experience at the UA Red Carpet Club at MEL. Great staff, great service, nice amenities. Be sure to use the shower room before that long flight back to LAX.

Melbourne is easily the best airport in Australia, if not one of the best in the world. It is so spacious and easy to navigate, and has all amenities close by.

GO MELBOURNE!!!!!!!

How are lineups for international travel out of MEL these days? Do you have to go through customs/immigration or can you turn right around when getting off the plane and doing an international mileage run (1.5 hour turn around on same plane)?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BlondeBomber:
How are lineups for international travel out of MEL these days? Do you have to go through customs/immigration or can you turn right around when getting off the plane and doing an international mileage run (1.5 hour turn around on same plane)?</font>

If connecting from international to international, and your baggage has been through checked, you will not need to go through customs and immigration.

Australian international terminals are on two levels, departures on the upper level and arrivals on the lower level - thus, arriving passengers (who *may* *possibly* have come from airports with inadequate security) do not mix with departing passengers.

As a result, you will have to go through security again, to get to the upper departure level. But customs and immigration will not be an issue, IF your bags are through checked.

Dave

Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BlondeBomber:
[B]Do you have to go through customs/immigration or can you turn right around when getting off the plane and doing an international mileage run B]</font>

I got to MEL via SYD (flying UA from LAX) recently and had to go through security in SYD but Customs in MEL.

I am traveling on a QF award ticket outbound LAX-PER connecting in MEL. I arrive in MEL at 9:30AM and leave about 6:30PM for PER. Do I have enough time to spend several hours at the Crown Casino? There are two of us so would cab be the most feasible to/from the airport? Will our luggage be checked all the way to PER? How long does it takes to clear customs & go through security for our PER flight?

Thanks,

You've obviously done your homework http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif You will have a very long day, but sure you would have lots of time to visit the Casino! Your bags will be checked all the way through, but you will have to get them from customs and re-check them with QF (QF terminal is to the left when you exit customs). I'd say it will take you an absolute max of an hour to get through customs etc and re-check with QF. Then you can hop on the SkyBus ($21 return each) which leaves every 15 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to get into the city - the Casino is a 5-10 minute stroll from the skybus terminal at Spencer Street station). You could get a cab, but it would work out about the same price ($30-$40 each way) and the bus is fine and works to a regular schedule.

AS QF should issue you with bp's etc to PER, domestic security is a no brainer - I'd catch the 5pm bus back to the airport, arr ~5:30pm latest, then you have an hour to go through security (as it is a peak time there may be some lines) and board your flight.

Given that I'd say you could fit in around 5-6 hours quality time in our beautiful city!!

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.