Update in case anyone is after the current state…

At 12:30 there was a long queue of waiting passengers stretching down the terminal from zone F to D. BA desks in zone F stated desks opened 3-hours before, printed sign on tensa barrier said 13:30 (BA16 departs at 16:20 today).

I was HBO so asked a member of the Menzies staff setting up if it was possible just to get a paper BP and was firmly told no.

At 12:50 they started letting people queue within the barriers, checking on entry that everyone was in the correct priority line. All other staff behind the desks disappeared. Note the air conditioning isn’t very effective in this area and I would not have wanted to spend 40-minutes stood there.

Starting to feel awfully hot, I spotted a gentleman wearing a BA lanyard so tried my luck again. He checked my passport and said he’d come find me shortly. At 12:57 he issued me BPs in the queue, checked I was happy with my seat selections and opened the barrier to let me on my way. Wonderful service, even if slightly embarrassing by all the looks I got!

Barely any other passengers in security at 13:00, a secondary check on my bag due to a forgotten water bottle took seconds, and the QF first lounge is nice and quiet too at this time.