News & Discussion: Adelaide Airport & Airlines

[rubberman]

Brand New QANTAS Lounge Precinct Announced for Adelaide ...

So apparently none of you care about this multi-million dollar upgrade to the qantas lounge complex, which will be one of, if not the best QANTAS lounge complex in Australia??

I posted it above with renders, or have you all just missed the message?

It's just a revamp of the existing space. So, it's hard to comment without a better idea of what it's going to be like.

There's also the fact that over the years, the airport itself has evolved from where offerings outside the lounges were pretty limited and poor, so the lounges were pretty good value in comparison. Now, you can get good meals and better variety in the airport concourse.

So, unless Qantas pulls something out of the hat, it's likely to be "meh".

Further, following the Melbourne Qantas Club debacle, expectations aren't high. In the case of Melbourne, the Business lounge redevelopment was ok, but hardly stunning, and the Qantas Club is basically 1970s school canteen...with no natural light. The only good thing is that Qantas probably couldn't stuff it up that badly in Adelaide. So, as I say, I'll wait till it's built before passing judgement.

[VinyTapestry849]

Yay for QANTAS and their business travelers.

Its not just for QANTAS and their passengers, it'll be available to a wide array of travellers
The eligibility for the Qantas club is good now, you can get in if you are:

- Business and first class passengers of Qantas, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines
- Travellers connecting to or from an international business or first class flight with Qantas, Emirates or a Oneworld airline, even if booked in economy on the domestic leg
- Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers travelling with any Oneworld airline; with a QF flight number on their ticket; or with Emirates or Jetstar
- Other Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members travelling with any Oneworld airline, including Qantas
- Qantas Club members booked on a Qantas or Jetstar flight number with any airline, including Emirates
- Qantas Silver frequent flyers and eligible credit card customers presenting a single-use Qantas lounge pass and flying with Qantas or Jetstar
- Air New Zealand Koru, Gold and Elite members and other Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers prior to Air New Zealand flights only
- American Airlines Admirals Club members travelling with Qantas on a QF or AA flight number
- Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum cardholders booked on a Qantas or Emirates flight with a QF or EK flight number
- Passengers with Jetstar Business Max tickets
- Qantas travellers who are invited to pre-purchase access for $49 during off-peak periods only

[VinyTapestry849]

It's just a revamp of the existing space. So, it's hard to comment without a better idea of what it's going to be like.

Not quite. What makes this makeover different is that it won't be just the "QANTAS Club" anymore, it'll be the "QANTAS Lounge Precinct" in line with other lounges like Brisbane.
For the first time Adelaide will get a separate "Business Class" lounge which will really elevate the experience, so there will be three lounges instead of the current two.

There's also the fact that over the years, the airport itself has evolved from where offerings outside the lounges were pretty limited and poor, so the lounges were pretty good value in comparison. Now, you can get good meals and better variety in the airport concourse. So, unless Qantas pulls something out of the hat, it's likely to be "meh".

QANTAS are putting a decent amount of capital into this redevelopment, part of its 100 million dollar renovation of several lounges. About 10 million is dedicated to Adelaide, particularly because they're developing a whole new lounge, shaving off space from the QANTAS club area to accommodate it.

Further, following the Melbourne Qantas Club debacle, expectations aren't high. In the case of Melbourne, the Business lounge redevelopment was ok, but hardly stunning, and the Qantas Club is basically 1970s school canteen...with no natural light. The only good thing is that Qantas probably couldn't stuff it up that badly in Adelaide. So, as I say, I'll wait till it's built before passing judgement.

I think after neglecting Adelaide for so long QANTAS will get it right for once. It'll be a really nice space to rest before/after a flight. A total capacity of 570 travellers over the three lounges. A standout negative for me will be the lack of views, what limited views of aircraft it has now will be completely blocked by a future apron protruding to the north towards the general aviation area when the terminal expansion is complete. The view will just be two large multi-story carparks.

With the new buildings in the pipeline that the airport have dedicated to new airline lounges in the terminal expansion plans, its likely any future dedicated Emirates or SilverKris lounges won't have any windows, but so be it. However, there's a statement in the Airport masterplan which says quote "Expansion of the departure lounge which could see
airline lounges move to level 3". No idea where level three is or if it will ever go ahead.

[rev]

They should build an observation deck on top of the terminal with a bar and eatery, runway/city facing.

[rubberman]

It's just a revamp of the existing space. So, it's hard to comment without a better idea of what it's going to be like.

Not quite. What makes this makeover different is that it won't be just the "QANTAS Club" anymore, it'll be the "QANTAS Lounge Precinct" in line with other lounges like Brisbane.
For the first time Adelaide will get a separate "Business Class" lounge which will really elevate the experience, so there will be three lounges instead of the current two.

There's also the fact that over the years, the airport itself has evolved from where offerings outside the lounges were pretty limited and poor, so the lounges were pretty good value in comparison. Now, you can get good meals and better variety in the airport concourse. So, unless Qantas pulls something out of the hat, it's likely to be "meh".

QANTAS are putting a decent amount of capital into this redevelopment, part of its 100 million dollar renovation of several lounges. About 10 million is dedicated to Adelaide, particularly because they're developing a whole new lounge, shaving off space from the QANTAS club area to accommodate it.

Further, following the Melbourne Qantas Club debacle, expectations aren't high. In the case of Melbourne, the Business lounge redevelopment was ok, but hardly stunning, and the Qantas Club is basically 1970s school canteen...with no natural light. The only good thing is that Qantas probably couldn't stuff it up that badly in Adelaide. So, as I say, I'll wait till it's built before passing judgement.

I think after neglecting Adelaide for so long QANTAS will get it right for once. It'll be a really nice space to rest before/after a flight. A total capacity of 570 travellers over the three lounges. A standout negative for me will be the lack of views, what limited views of aircraft it has now will be completely blocked by a future apron protruding to the north towards the general aviation area when the terminal expansion is complete. The view will just be two large multi-story carparks.

With the new buildings in the pipeline that the airport have dedicated to new airline lounges in the terminal expansion plans, its likely any future dedicated Emirates or SilverKris lounges won't have any windows, but so be it. However, there's a statement in the Airport masterplan which says quote "Expansion of the departure lounge which could see
airline lounges move to level 3". No idea where level three is or if it will ever go ahead.

The problem is that there's nothing wrong with the present Adelaide lounge. So, maybe the revamp will improve things. However, on the present record, Qantas may well get it wrong. As it did in Melbourne. We are risking an adequate lounge for the very real possibility that Qantas stuffs it up as it did Melbourne. Even the Business lounge there is "meh". Heck, Qantas would do Adelaide a favour by spending the money fixing up the Melbourne lounges, so people might want to come to Adelaide.

[dbl96]

Adelaide Airport's director just specifically said he wants China Southern and Cathay back before any new routes. So we have to wait

Looks like we will probably be waiting a lot longer. China Southern's resumption of services to Australia is proceeding at a glacial pace. They finally resumed Brisbane at the end of last year. Now they have announced Perth will resume in November this year: https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/ ... -november/ . I assume we are next in line, but I won't be holding my breath.

They've ramped up Sydney and Melbourne pretty quickly though - Sydney is already up to double daily plus. It would seem they think its more worth their while increasing capacity on existing major routes rather than risking sending aircraft to (re)open new markets like Adelaide.

Cathay has also been slow to rebuilt the network - Perth only came back on line in February. Now only Adelaide and Cairns remain as airports on the pre-pandemic network which still lack flights. Even more than China Southern, they have been putting resources into boosting existing major routes - Sydney is up to 4x/day now and Melbourne at 3x/day. It would be nice if they could even just throw us a handful of flights per week.

[VinyTapestry849]

A lovely 747 landed this evening, many more to come this year! Another one expected on Saturday night

[VinyTapestry849]

Looks like we will probably be waiting a lot longer. China Southern's resumption of services to Australia is proceeding at a glacial pace. They finally resumed Brisbane at the end of last year. Now they have announced Perth will resume in November this year: https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/ ... -november/ . I assume we are next in line, but I won't be holding my breath.

They've ramped up Sydney and Melbourne pretty quickly though - Sydney is already up to double daily plus. It would seem they think its more worth their while increasing capacity on existing major routes rather than risking sending aircraft to (re)open new markets like Adelaide.

I doubt China Southern will return this year, especially with low student numbers. Probably next year or early 2026. They will wait for the university merger to happen before flying back, since that's where their revenue comes from.

Cathay has also been slow to rebuilt the network - Perth only came back on line in February. Now only Adelaide and Cairns remain as airports on the pre-pandemic network which still lack flights. Even more than China Southern, they have been putting resources into boosting existing major routes - Sydney is up to 4x/day now and Melbourne at 3x/day. It would be nice if they could even just throw us a handful of flights per week.

Cathay's last aircraft is due to leave the outback this Thursday and return to service soon after. https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel ... 5jgeq.html

It won't be long now for cathay, we just have to be patient. They will be back in due course.

[VinyTapestry849]

The problem is that there's nothing wrong with the present Adelaide lounge. So, maybe the revamp will improve things. However, on the present record, Qantas may well get it wrong. As it did in Melbourne. We are risking an adequate lounge for the very real possibility that Qantas stuffs it up as it did Melbourne. Even the Business lounge there is "meh". Heck, Qantas would do Adelaide a favour by spending the money fixing up the Melbourne lounges, so people might want to come to Adelaide.

One thing is for certain, the entrance looks stylish with the new QANTAS minimalist style. Light oak and white LED's are what characterise Qantas's products now. Hope the lounges live up to the hype, and learn from the mistake that is the Melbourne business lounge

[rev]

The problem is that there's nothing wrong with the present Adelaide lounge. So, maybe the revamp will improve things. However, on the present record, Qantas may well get it wrong. As it did in Melbourne. We are risking an adequate lounge for the very real possibility that Qantas stuffs it up as it did Melbourne. Even the Business lounge there is "meh". Heck, Qantas would do Adelaide a favour by spending the money fixing up the Melbourne lounges, so people might want to come to Adelaide.

One thing is for certain, the entrance looks stylish with the new QANTAS minimalist style. Light oak and white LED's are what characterise Qantas's products now. Hope the lounges live up to the hype, and learn from the mistake that is the Melbourne business lounge

428681142_781184457542316_4452627056504719714_n.jpg

I think many people would say over-priced, crap service and flight delays are what characterize Qantas' products these days.
Anyhow, do you know what's with the 747's? Cargo or charters?

[VinyTapestry849]

The problem is that there's nothing wrong with the present Adelaide lounge. So, maybe the revamp will improve things. However, on the present record, Qantas may well get it wrong. As it did in Melbourne. We are risking an adequate lounge for the very real possibility that Qantas stuffs it up as it did Melbourne. Even the Business lounge there is "meh". Heck, Qantas would do Adelaide a favour by spending the money fixing up the Melbourne lounges, so people might want to come to Adelaide.

One thing is for certain, the entrance looks stylish with the new QANTAS minimalist style. Light oak and white LED's are what characterise Qantas's products now. Hope the lounges live up to the hype, and learn from the mistake that is the Melbourne business lounge

428681142_781184457542316_4452627056504719714_n.jpg

I think many people would say over-priced, crap service and flight delays are what characterize Qantas' products these days.
Anyhow, do you know what's with the 747's? Cargo or charters?

Today's 747 is a Silk Way 747 with some cargo, from India

This weekend is the premier of China's 747 coming for an announcement about the pandas (assuming he's travelling in his usual 747)

And there's a minimum of 3 confirmed 747's coming within the next year with 3 elephants from Auckland and perth (Perth zoo are no longer moving them by road apparently)

Allegedly there are some others. If' you'd like to know more about aviation and whats happening at Adelaide airport you can join our facebook pages

SA Aviation enthusiast group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/622128401190507

SA plane spotters group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/270290489694012

[Ho Really]

Cathay has also been slow to rebuilt the network - Perth only came back on line in February. Now only Adelaide and Cairns remain as airports on the pre-pandemic network which still lack flights. Even more than China Southern, they have been putting resources into boosting existing major routes - Sydney is up to 4x/day now and Melbourne at 3x/day. It would be nice if they could even just throw us a handful of flights per week.

Cathay's last aircraft is due to leave the outback this Thursday and return to service soon after. https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel ... 5jgeq.html

It won't be long now for cathay, we just have to be patient. They will be back in due course.

What is holding Cathay Pacific back is the lack of pilots. They are doing much better financially and aircraft numbers are not the issue. The earliest we'll see them back is 2025. See my comments a few months ago.

viewtopic.php?p=215693&hilit=Cathay+Pacific#p215693

Cheers

[VinyTapestry849]

What is holding Cathay Pacific back is the lack of pilots. They are doing much better financially and aircraft numbers are not the issue. The earliest we'll see them back is 2025. See my comments a few months ago.

viewtopic.php?p=215693&hilit=Cathay+Pacific#p215693

Cheers

Great news guys, the airport flight schedule has been released, and a friend has shown it to me. Both Cathay and China southern are to return to YPAD by the end of the year, much earlier then expected.

Adelaide airport can hopefully now focus on getting that Los Angeles/San Fransico flight going

Cathay returns 02 January 2025 (5x weekly)

China Southern returns 28 October 2024 (3x weekly) (same day as emirates return)

You need to read carefully, but the full schedule for the airport is as follows:

CX 177 CX 174 02JAN28MAR 0234507 280359 HKGHKG1025 1220 HKGHKG CZ 663 CZ 664 28OCT14DEC 1004060 283333 CANCAN0955 1130 CANCAN CZ 663 CZ 664 15DEC17FEB 1204067 283333 CANCAN0955 1130 CANCAN CZ 663 CZ 664 20FEB29MAR 1004060 283333 CANCAN0955 1130 CANCAN EK 440 EK 441 27OCT29MAR 1234567 36077W DXBDXB2050 2240 DXBDXB FJ 961 FJ 960 28OCT27MAR 1004000 1707M8 NANNAN1215 1315 NANNAN ID 6013 ID 6012 28OCT29MAR 1234567 162738 DPSDPS0830 0950 DPSDPS JQ 125 28OCT29MAR 1204060 230321 0625 DPSDPS JQ 126 JQ 127 13DEC27JAN 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS JQ 126 JQ 127 31JAN08FEB 1000560 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS JQ 126 JQ 9127 27OCT12DEC 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS JQ 126 JQ 9127 28JAN09FEB 0234007 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS JQ 126 JQ 9127 10FEB29MAR 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS JQ 128 28OCT29MAR 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS0655 MH 138 27OCT27OCT 0000007 290333 1100 KULKUL MH 139 MH 138 29OCT29MAR 0204567 290333 KULKUL0805 1100 KULKUL NZ 191 NZ 192 27OCT29MAR 1034567 21432Q AKLAKL1050 1150 AKLAKL QR 914 QR 915 27OCT29MAR 1234567 283359 DOHDOH1705 2200 DOHDOH QR 988 QR 989 28OCT29MAR 1234567 41277W DOHMEL0635 1350 MELDOH SQ 277 SQ 276 27OCT29NOV 0030507 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN SQ 277 SQ 276 30NOV19JAN 0234567 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN SQ 277 SQ 276 22JAN28MAR 0030507 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN SQ 279 SQ 278 28OCT29MAR 1234567 337781 SINSIN0905 1030 SINSIN VA 110 VA 109 16DEC26JAN 1234567 17673H DPSDPS0735 1905 DPSDPS VA 114 VA 117 10DEC27JAN 1204060 17673H DPSDPS0620 0900 DPSDPS VA 116 VA 113 13DEC26JAN 1000507 17673H DPSDPS1550 1750 DPSDPS VJ 089 VJ 080 29OCT29MAR 0200060 230321 SGNPER1200 1300 PERSGN SI THIS IS IN LOCAL TIME

This is NOT public information, so consider yourselves lucky your getting an early look

Subject to change*

[Ho Really]

Here cleaned it up for you:

Cathay Pacific
CX 177 CX 174 02JAN28MAR 0234507 280359 HKGHKG1025 1220 HKGHKG

China Southern
CZ 663 CZ 664 28OCT14DEC 1004060 283333 CANCAN0955 1130 CANCAN
CZ 663 CZ 664 15DEC17FEB 1204067 283333 CANCAN0955 1130 CANCAN
CZ 663 CZ 664 20FEB29MAR 1004060 283333 CANCAN0955 1130 CANCAN

Emirates
EK 440 EK 441 27OCT29MAR 1234567 36077W DXBDXB2050 2240 DXBDXB

Fiji Airways
FJ 961 FJ 960 28OCT27MAR 1004000 1707M8 NANNAN1215 1315 NANNAN

Batik Air
ID 6013 ID 6012 28OCT29MAR 1234567 162738 DPSDPS0830 0950 DPSDPS

Jetstar
JQ 125 28OCT29MAR 1204060 230321 0625 DPSDPS
JQ 126 JQ 127 13DEC27JAN 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS
JQ 126 JQ 127 31JAN08FEB 1000560 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS
JQ 126 JQ 9127 27OCT12DEC 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS
JQ 126 JQ 9127 28JAN09FEB 0234007 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS
JQ 126 JQ 9127 10FEB29MAR 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS1745 1920 DPSDPS
JQ 128 28OCT29MAR 1234567 23232Q DPSDPS0655

Malaysia Airlines
MH 138 27OCT27OCT 0000007 290333 1100 KULKUL
MH 139 MH 138 29OCT29MAR 0204567 290333 KULKUL0805 1100 KULKUL

Air New Zealand
NZ 191 NZ 192 27OCT29MAR 1034567 21432Q AKLAKL1050 1150 AKLAKL

Qatar Airways
QR 914 QR 915 27OCT29MAR 1234567 283359 DOHDOH1705 2200 DOHDOH
QR 988 QR 989 28OCT29MAR 1234567 41277W DOHMEL0635 1350 MELDOH

Singapore Airlines
SQ 277 SQ 276 27OCT29NOV 0030507 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN
SQ 277 SQ 276 30NOV19JAN 0234567 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN
SQ 277 SQ 276 22JAN28MAR 0030507 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN
SQ 279 SQ 278 28OCT29MAR 1234567 337781 SINSIN0905 1030 SINSIN

Virgin Australia
VA 110 VA 109 16DEC26JAN 1234567 17673H DPSDPS0735 1905 DPSDPS
VA 114 VA 117 10DEC27JAN 1204060 17673H DPSDPS0620 0900 DPSDPS
VA 116 VA 113 13DEC26JAN 1000507 17673H DPSDPS1550 1750 DPSDPS

VietJet Air
VJ 089 VJ 080 29OCT29MAR 0200060 230321 SGNPER1200 1300 PERSGN

Quick explanation:

CX 177 CX 174 02JAN28MAR 0234507 280359 HKGHKG1025 1220 HKGHKG

CX 177 HKG-ADL
CX 174 ADL-HKG
TUE/WED/THU/FRI/SUN
Airbus A350-900
Arr ADL 10:25
Dep ADL 12:20

Cheers

[Ho Really]

This is interesting...from that AAL schedule above:

Singapore Airlines
SQ 277 SQ 276 30NOV19JAN 0234567 337781 SINSIN1640 1835 SINSIN

Instead of three weekly flights WED/FRI/SUN between 30NOV 2024 and 19JAN 2025 we will have 6 weekly evening flights to SIN via SQ276. Checking on the Singapore Airlines Flight Schedule this is not available and so is booking those extra days. Hope it is rectified soon as I want to book one of those days currently not showing to limit my layover time in Changi.

Cheers