I used to go to these lounges but found them very confining in the sense that i would get a little worried I would miss my flight if I wasn’t at the boarding gate. The orange juice is never fresh anyway.

“When it comes to the lounges, I’m stuffed if I understand why Qantas bothers to set up a plush version of the Qantas Club to provide free entry plus food and grog to a group of people who mostly fly business class and wouldn’t be seen dead on Virgin.”

I like Virgin. It’s a little utilitarian but at least it isn’t Qantas who a truly despise.

I would guess the club offers Qantas the carry through image to international travel where they have serous competition with say Sing airlines… the best in the world. Best food, entertainment, new planes, courteous staff. Just traveled to Paris with them and will never ever switch back to Qantas again.I am now a Qantas free traveler.

Good post by the way.

Seat space is the same and everyone still gets addressed as “ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls” when buying their own food, but flexible fare holders sit closer to the front. That has practical value when a quick exit to the taxi queue is required.

Qantas has a more defined class system. Business class is considerably more expensive than fully flexible economy, but there is more room and different food in addition to seats up the front. It kind of makes sense though, as I understand the profit on business class seats is far higher than economy.

When it comes to the lounges, I’m stuffed if I understand why Qantas bothers to set up a plush version of the Qantas Club to provide free entry plus food and grog to a group of people who mostly fly business class and wouldn’t be seen dead on Virgin. The ordinary Qantas Club makes sense - it costs money to belong, there is obvious demand and it’s standard airline practice worldwide. The Chairman’s Lounge defies logic.

As for the swings and roundabouts of fashion and society? What can I say but “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”…