No room in Auckland Lounge
Dec 24, 2018, 4:12 pm
#166
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 644
Dec 24, 2018, 5:26 pm
#167
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,633
That is what you would get a first lounge. Something that NZ doesn't offer on board. And to really make it a selling point would need the same service at the out stations, so can offer the entire journey. Is it worth adding all that if can't really use it as a selling point to get more business? Don't see NZ giving access to the *A First lounge in LAX for BP.
These things often attract the once a year flyers, are those that attractive for the person who flys week in week out and actually brings money into the airline? For me I like to be able to find a seat, by myself, have a charging point and have the buffet stocked (often see the item run out and not replaced for a bit) and a bigger buffet menu so it doesn't repeat as often (lost count of the number of times I had the beef cheek and chicken targine)
These things often attract the once a year flyers, are those that attractive for the person who flys week in week out and actually brings money into the airline? For me I like to be able to find a seat, by myself, have a charging point and have the buffet stocked (often see the item run out and not replaced for a bit) and a bigger buffet menu so it doesn't repeat as often (lost count of the number of times I had the beef cheek and chicken targine)
Dec 25, 2018, 5:59 pm
#168
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
Times are changing, see F&B in UA's Polaris lounges. QR are another good example of how to get the ground experience right in J.
Dec 26, 2018, 4:50 am
#169
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 345
Jan 13, 2019, 11:30 pm
#170
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-P, and Chase-ing the sapphire dragon
Posts: 95
That is what you would get a first lounge. Something that NZ doesn't offer on board. And to really make it a selling point would need the same service at the out stations, so can offer the entire journey. Is it worth adding all that if can't really use it as a selling point to get more business? Don't see NZ giving access to the *A First lounge in LAX for BP.
These things often attract the once a year flyers, are those that attractive for the person who flys week in week out and actually brings money into the airline? For me I like to be able to find a seat, by myself, have a charging point and have the buffet stocked (often see the item run out and not replaced for a bit) and a bigger buffet menu so it doesn't repeat as often (lost count of the number of times I had the beef cheek and chicken targine)
These things often attract the once a year flyers, are those that attractive for the person who flys week in week out and actually brings money into the airline? For me I like to be able to find a seat, by myself, have a charging point and have the buffet stocked (often see the item run out and not replaced for a bit) and a bigger buffet menu so it doesn't repeat as often (lost count of the number of times I had the beef cheek and chicken targine)
Jan 14, 2019, 9:10 am
#171
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Actually, no.
I used to visit the NZ lounge when it was in LAX T2. A few years back, the manager told me that when LAX moves all of the international airlines over to TBIT, NZ will run the *A lounge - and it did in the beginning.
I've had recent conversations with the manager of the *A lounge and it is now run by Sodexo.
The is the same group that runs some of the CX lounges HKG and used to run the AC lounges in Canada at least. (AC switched to Compass Group and the quality declined, but I will wager that when you pay less, you get lower quality.)
As for *A LAX TBIT, the Business side is large and spacious of course and the outside deck is great - day and nighttime. But I found the staff not paying attention to keeping things clean (serving areas with drinks and food), same with the washroom/showers - which were not exactly clean, and is how I ended up in conversation with the manager in the first place.
At least they are trying out new food items.
Based on my visits to the F lounge, sometimes they have decent items on the menu, or will make you something. The buffet food are is sad and of course you can go to the Business side for showers, deck and food.
The only highlights in F is that there are few pax, it is quiet and the Beau Joie champagne is fantastic. That lounge needs a makeover though.
BTW, here is the link to the CX thread on the lounges at HKG and Sodexo
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ge-sodexo.html
Jan 14, 2019, 1:36 pm
#172
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sun Peaks, Taupo.
Programs: NZ Elite, AC SE100K, Westjet Teal, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 6,127
Jan 15, 2019, 12:19 pm
#175
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-P, and Chase-ing the sapphire dragon
Posts: 95
Jan 15, 2019, 1:39 pm
#176
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
@24left - True - Sodexo run, but Air NZ funded lounge. Interestingly enough, saw a BBQ grill out on the deck last time I flew out - anyone see that in action?
I’m just catching my flight to NRT now but here is one photo
Jan 15, 2019, 2:38 pm
#177
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-P, and Chase-ing the sapphire dragon
Posts: 95
Always great to see to see those pits up in action, especially with a drink.
Being a post rain night, probably even better! So no one manning the grill at the southern wall I assume (probably for special events is my guess).
Safe travels!
Being a post rain night, probably even better! So no one manning the grill at the southern wall I assume (probably for special events is my guess).
Safe travels!
Jan 26, 2019, 12:12 am
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,170
Of course, being Koru is likely the reason of being 'moved'. As you may know, neither being *S or being in the PE cabin are relevant to consideration of lounge access.
Jan 26, 2019, 3:37 am
#180
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Indeed, still peeved but not much I can do about it. Clearly I need to spend more with Air NZ...
