No room in Auckland Lounge
#16
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
For one I really think in the mean time they need to make it an non-star allowance Gold lounge.
Like most things AKL-related, it just comes down to bad planning by the airport, with perhaps a little bit of blame to NZ who might have (and should have) pushed a bit harder at the time.
Last edited by Top of climb; Oct 9, 2018 at 3:16 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Really it comes down to airports designing enough space. Need a full second floor in departure for lounges rather than the partial second floors you commonly see.
Also for the second AKL international lounge. Why isn't that built already? Shouldn't it have been done while they were building the new pier? So would be ready to go?
Also for the second AKL international lounge. Why isn't that built already? Shouldn't it have been done while they were building the new pier? So would be ready to go?
#20
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
Name one thing at AKL that is designed well. It's like someone read a book about airport design that extolled the importance of wayfinding and clear directional layout, and then not only completely ignored it but very carefully did the exact opposite. Practically every route you have to take as a passenger or driver involves looping round obstacles and doubling back on yourself. The entire terminal building is basically bad decision built on bad decision built on bad decision.
#21
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Name one thing at AKL that is designed well. It's like someone read a book about airport design that extolled the importance of wayfinding and clear directional layout, and then not only completely ignored it but very carefully did the exact opposite. Practically every route you have to take as a passenger or driver involves looping round obstacles and doubling back on yourself. The entire terminal building is basically bad decision built on bad decision built on bad decision.
#22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 646
AKL is a dog's breakfast of many extensions over the decades. For something proper, only a clean sheet and lots of $$$$ will deliver.
#23
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,320
Name one thing at AKL that is designed well. It's like someone read a book about airport design that extolled the importance of wayfinding and clear directional layout, and then not only completely ignored it but very carefully did the exact opposite. Practically every route you have to take as a passenger or driver involves looping round obstacles and doubling back on yourself. The entire terminal building is basically bad decision built on bad decision built on bad decision.
#24
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
Have any of you flown to CHC recently and noticed all the new seating in the terminal areas, domestic post security and in the public areas upstairs? Its great. A real variety too, from beanbags to seats to these cool par type seats. All with loads of free power ports! When the Koru lounge is full in CHC this is a much more pleasant environment
The problem is AKL in both domestic and international is the terminals are so awful. As mentioned above, the much hooplad "upgrades": to the international terminal are all retail. passenger seating and comfort is an afterthought (like that bizarre extremely uncomfortable looking pit in the main retail area, ... is that!)
Christchurch really is such a superior airport. i cant help thinking that management and culture have to be part of this. AKL only seem to care about money
The problem is AKL in both domestic and international is the terminals are so awful. As mentioned above, the much hooplad "upgrades": to the international terminal are all retail. passenger seating and comfort is an afterthought (like that bizarre extremely uncomfortable looking pit in the main retail area, ... is that!)
Christchurch really is such a superior airport. i cant help thinking that management and culture have to be part of this. AKL only seem to care about money
#25
Ambassador: Air New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington NZ
Programs: NZ Elite, EK Gold, Qatar Gold, Amex Plat, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,426
Stuff thought they better get involved now.
Stuff News Article
Air NZ and Auckland Airport in stand-off over lounge crowding
#26
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ GE, QF
Posts: 390
I'm not looking forward to the zoo (or is it sbiddle's child care centre) tomorrow.
#27
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
And they are in a "my-fault your-fault type argument". Air NZ have known from day one that the new lounge is not big enough. It's time they stopped blaming everyone else and fix the problems, although Auckland Airport is at fault too.
I'm not looking forward to the zoo (or is it sbiddle's child care centre) tomorrow.
I'm not looking forward to the zoo (or is it sbiddle's child care centre) tomorrow.
#28
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
They could try the UA approach - Air NZ Business Premier "Polaris" type lounges with access only for C passengers flying any *A airline departing that airport. Takes a few 772/773 loads of BP and equivalent pax out of the Koru lounge and with a stricter guesting policy and cutting out *G pax flying in Y or A class...
#29
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ GE, QF
Posts: 390
They could try the UA approach - Air NZ Business Premier "Polaris" type lounges with access only for C passengers flying any *A airline departing that airport. Takes a few 772/773 loads of BP and equivalent pax out of the Koru lounge and with a stricter guesting policy and cutting out *G pax flying in Y or A class...
#30
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 646