A new Koru Lounge Low
Jul 3, 2017, 3:12 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,984
Call me old-fashioned too, and I'll probably get rubbished for this, but I think it is time for some big changes in Koru Clubs.
To me it is not the clothing as such, but I think it is a symptom of what the Koru Clubs have turned into. Late last year I watched a few noisy guys in AKL International having a competition seeing how many beers they could drink before their flight and how big a pile of bottles they could make. Their clothing was "scruffy" casual, but irrelevant. But is that any worse than making a loud phone call in a packed public space?
I have frequented Koru Clubs for around 18 years and they have changed lots in that time. I may be looking back through "rose-tinted glasses" but I think they are a whole lot more crowded and noisy than they were back then. They are certainly not what we should be able to expect for a "business-class lounge". Clothing standards have "dropped", but I don't think it is the major issue, it's more one of overcrowding, behaviour and consideration for others.
Now I often get my coffee (the barista service is the biggest positive change) and take it somewhere quiet in the airport.
To me it is not the clothing as such, but I think it is a symptom of what the Koru Clubs have turned into. Late last year I watched a few noisy guys in AKL International having a competition seeing how many beers they could drink before their flight and how big a pile of bottles they could make. Their clothing was "scruffy" casual, but irrelevant. But is that any worse than making a loud phone call in a packed public space?
I have frequented Koru Clubs for around 18 years and they have changed lots in that time. I may be looking back through "rose-tinted glasses" but I think they are a whole lot more crowded and noisy than they were back then. They are certainly not what we should be able to expect for a "business-class lounge". Clothing standards have "dropped", but I don't think it is the major issue, it's more one of overcrowding, behaviour and consideration for others.
Now I often get my coffee (the barista service is the biggest positive change) and take it somewhere quiet in the airport.
Jul 3, 2017, 5:08 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,207
To jump in from Asia. The issues described are not confined to NZ, I often find myself walking a kilometre or so within the concourses of BKK away from the main THAI lounge in concourse D to the new SQ or BR lounges to avoid the 'heaving masses'.
I suppose paid club schemes (Koru, Qantas Clud, Admiarls Club) have allowed more people to occupy lounges that used to require status earned through (flight) loyalty. Some may argue that without allowing club-level access the costs of maintaining a business/first class lounge would be passed on to travelers in another way.
Anybody know how succesful the Emperor Lounge at AKL is for casual lounge goers?
I suppose paid club schemes (Koru, Qantas Clud, Admiarls Club) have allowed more people to occupy lounges that used to require status earned through (flight) loyalty. Some may argue that without allowing club-level access the costs of maintaining a business/first class lounge would be passed on to travelers in another way.
Anybody know how succesful the Emperor Lounge at AKL is for casual lounge goers?
Jul 4, 2017, 2:31 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 93
There are a lot more people travelling these days than back when lounges were seen as exclusive so naturally they are going to be busier.
I'd suggest a solution could be to have separate Koru and Business Class lounges, but going by how much they seem so spend simply on renovations it seems pretty unlikely that would ever happen.
I'd suggest a solution could be to have separate Koru and Business Class lounges, but going by how much they seem so spend simply on renovations it seems pretty unlikely that would ever happen.
Jul 5, 2017, 10:50 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
Hi Eltham, so today in the Dunedin lounge we have a man in bare feet and leotards
Last edited by l etoile; Jul 7, 2017 at 6:51 am Reason: Overly personal comment removed
Jul 6, 2017, 12:25 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NZ Gold (*G)
Posts: 92
There are a lot more people travelling these days than back when lounges were seen as exclusive so naturally they are going to be busier.
I'd suggest a solution could be to have separate Koru and Business Class lounges, but going by how much they seem so spend simply on renovations it seems pretty unlikely that would ever happen.
I'd suggest a solution could be to have separate Koru and Business Class lounges, but going by how much they seem so spend simply on renovations it seems pretty unlikely that would ever happen.
A Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge could be reserved for NZ Business Class Passengers, Elite Member (with 1 guest). Maybe gold members could also be given a couple of Business Class Lounge vouchers each year. It would also be useful for Singapore Airlines and other carriers that use the Koru Lounge to make available to their first class passengers. A dress code could be enforced with minimal offence by simply requesting that guests that don't meet the dress requirements use the Koru Lounge instead.
Jul 6, 2017, 4:38 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Though internationally is the dress code such a problem? Assume people turning up in high viz (aside airport staff) would be quite low for international.
Does what people wear actually affect others?
When the actual problem in the lounge is AKL not having enough seats, for the demand. And people talking on the phone loudly. And people making the most of the drink available. The last one is most probably a host responsibility one.
Does what people wear actually affect others?
When the actual problem in the lounge is AKL not having enough seats, for the demand. And people talking on the phone loudly. And people making the most of the drink available. The last one is most probably a host responsibility one.
Jul 6, 2017, 5:34 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 367
A Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge could be reserved for NZ Business Class Passengers, Elite Member (with 1 guest). Maybe gold members could also be given a couple of Business Class Lounge vouchers each year. It would also be useful for Singapore Airlines and other carriers that use the Koru Lounge to make available to their first class passengers. A dress code could be enforced with minimal offence by simply requesting that guests that don't meet the dress requirements use the Koru Lounge instead.
A Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge could be reserved for NZ Business Class Passengers, Elite Member (with 1 guest). Maybe gold members could also be given a couple of Business Class Lounge vouchers each year. It would also be useful for Singapore Airlines and other carriers that use the Koru Lounge to make available to their first class passengers. A dress code could be enforced with minimal offence by simply requesting that guests that don't meet the dress requirements use the Koru Lounge instead.
EP1
Your exclusive 'Business' Lounge
Koru/*G Lounge
The costs for a small airline would be huge.
Or are you suggesting that they lose all their KORU revenue/loyalty and that they leave the Star Alliance losing many of their GOLD customers who spend a significant amount and show a lot of loyalty to them to remain Gold.
Why don't you just increase your spend adequately to become EP1 or perhaps you could aim for a really exclusive experience and buy a private jet.
I completely agree that there should be dress standards and these should be enforced - however remember that it was guests of an ELITE member in the high viz vests. Perhaps your concept of 'Business' lounge shouldn't allow Elites to take in any guest.
Jul 6, 2017, 6:24 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Programs: Krisflyer, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Air NZ Airpoints, Koru, NZ*S and former *G
Posts: 317
One observation is that I have never encountered anyone (outside of Aust/NZ or the Islands) in any overseas lounge 'challenging' dress codes, or at least falling outside of what might be considered 'tidy casual' as a baseline.
Jul 6, 2017, 6:39 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
Fact being they likely make more profit from the Credit Card voucher, that what user paid for there AKL-SYD flight!
Jul 6, 2017, 6:41 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 929
A Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge could be reserved for NZ Business Class Passengers, Elite Member (with 1 guest). Maybe gold members could also be given a couple of Business Class Lounge vouchers each year. It would also be useful for Singapore Airlines and other carriers that use the Koru Lounge to make available to their first class passengers. A dress code could be enforced with minimal offence by simply requesting that guests that don't meet the dress requirements use the Koru Lounge instead.
A Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge could be reserved for NZ Business Class Passengers, Elite Member (with 1 guest). Maybe gold members could also be given a couple of Business Class Lounge vouchers each year. It would also be useful for Singapore Airlines and other carriers that use the Koru Lounge to make available to their first class passengers. A dress code could be enforced with minimal offence by simply requesting that guests that don't meet the dress requirements use the Koru Lounge instead.
Where would NZ J pax go when there is no Air NZ Lounge at outports?
Jul 6, 2017, 6:50 pm
#42
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I am sometimes guilty of appearing scruffy in the lounge, but I normally lose the hi viz. However remember these things.
There are showers in lounges which people often use before getting a flight home.
The appearance of these people may be due to their efforts in unpleasant conditions to get your plane to depart on time.
There are showers in lounges which people often use before getting a flight home.
The appearance of these people may be due to their efforts in unpleasant conditions to get your plane to depart on time.
Jul 7, 2017, 6:54 am
#43
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l'etoile
senior moderator
l'etoile
senior moderator
Jul 12, 2017, 11:23 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Airpointes
Posts: 20
Does NZ permit their mechanics to use the lounge while in uniform? Other airlines wouldsn't permit this and generally prohibit lounge use by their own (or subsidiary/outsourced/contractor) employees in uniform unless the employee is needed to escort a customer (for example, a wheelchair pusher and a handicapped passenger entitled to lounge access).
Thankfully the times that I appear in the lounge like this are rare and I use the showers after grabbing a refreshment.
As technology changes the travelling public also changes, when I started working the my area was part of Auckland, as everything is so specialized 3 of us now cover SE Asia and occasionally more. Previously only only managers or sales would cover these distances, now there are numerous blue collars in the mix.
Ultimately Air NZ would have to tier the lounges but I think this is some way off at this point. If they do I hope that they do not cheap out like Singapore Airlines lack of facilities such as showers as this benefits everyone. At least GE can get the better Silverkris lounge but thats a rant for another day.
Jul 13, 2017, 12:40 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: NZ Elite (*G)
Posts: 82
Absolutely packed tonight due to weather and the obvious repercussions of that.
Standing room only, no glasses and food is scarce.
At least they are stopping guests entry. Came in, tried to get a glass of water and left straight away.
Standing room only, no glasses and food is scarce.
At least they are stopping guests entry. Came in, tried to get a glass of water and left straight away.