I am flying a new route on JAL codeshare Mel - NRT - LHR (codeshare BA) - NRT - Mel in J. I am QFF platinum. I am looking for advice on best lounges to use at NRT and LHR. I believe I can still access the Qantas First lounge at Melbourne as I am flying on a Oneworld carrier. Many thanks in advance.
Yes, you can access the QF First Lounge at MEL flying JAL.
The best lounge options as a QF Platinum/oneworld Emerald would probably be the JAL First Class Lounge in the Main Building at NRT and the CX First Class Lounge at LHR if flying from T3 or BA First Lounge if flying from T5.
This sounds like a great trip, and it's a good example of when Oneworld lounge access based on your frequent flyer status comes in so handy! My advice would be:
* Melbourne: Qantas first lounge. No contest!
* Narita: JAL first class lounge. This has recently been renovated, I have heard it can get a bit busy because maybe the whole lounge isn't open yet but the dining room is and it's supposed to be impressive!
* London: if you are flying out of T3 then the best lounges for Oneworld Emerald or Qantas Platinum would be the Qantas and Cathay Pacific lounges. I'd visit the Qantas lounge to sample something for dinner and also try the gin bar, then I would duck next door to the CX first class lounge as it's much quieter and more refined, it also has a good dining room and a menu with some lighter meals you can have before your flight. The CX lounge also has great showers although as they are shared with the business lounge they can get busy at peak times so the first thing you should do is book a shower suite, if that's important to you.
The American Airlines lounge at Narita has some of the nicest showers you'll find in an airport lounge. Also much quieter than the JAL First Class lounge whenever I've visited.
Was at Narita yesterday for JL771 back to SYD. The new (partially open) F lounge at the main building is really nice. The dining section is big, traditional Japanese design with nigiri sushi bar and raman noodle bar. It was virtually empty. I spent about 1.5hrs there until boarding and it probably peaked at about 20pax.
Good wine selection with Taittinger, Laurent Perrier, Bowmore 18, and some great Sake.
The lounge JL uses at MEL is next door to the QF F lounge. JL departs about an hour after the F lounge closes. When I used that flight, I was in the QF F lounge until shortly before it closed then moved next door to the JL contract lounge.
All the oneworld lounges in T3 are in the same area all quite close together. The CX lounge generally has better food. Last time I was there, I had food in CX, then moved next door to QF (quiet when there isn't a QF flight within the next 90 mins) and moved over to AA when my AA flight to LAX posted a delay as I could get more info there.
I rarely use NRT now with the increase of long haul HND flights. Only been to NRT once or twice in the last 3 years. The JL lounges are normally the better ones there. QF is terrible (about the same as the MEL International J lounge). The AA club at NRT was considered to be the best AA lounge, prior to the AA lounge upgrades starting a few years ago.
There are arrivals lounges at LHR (AA in T3 and BA in T5), but they are not oneworld lounges and have different access rules.
The American Airlines lounge at Narita has some of the nicest showers you'll find in an airport lounge. Also much quieter than the JAL First Class lounge whenever I've visited.
Maggie160
Maggie160
Member since 07 Nov 2018
Total posts 2
I am flying a new route on JAL codeshare Mel - NRT - LHR (codeshare BA) - NRT - Mel in J. I am QFF platinum. I am looking for advice on best lounges to use at NRT and LHR. I believe I can still access the Qantas First lounge at Melbourne as I am flying on a Oneworld carrier. Many thanks in advance.
lazblue
lazblue
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 May 2013
Total posts 22
Yes, you can access the QF First Lounge at MEL flying JAL.
QFP1
QFP1
Member since 05 Mar 2015
Total posts 25
stoffel
stoffel
Member since 27 Jul 2017
Total posts 22
The American Airlines lounge at Narita has some of the nicest showers you'll find in an airport lounge. Also much quieter than the JAL First Class lounge whenever I've visited.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 737
By the way the AA arrivals lounge is very good in terminal three. Tiny but nice showers and made to order b’fast.
barecub
barecub
QF
Member since 27 Jul 2016
Total posts 21
Melbourne F Lounge usually closes much earlier than the JAL flight is called, so you end up in Mahaba regardless
I prefer the smaller satellite lounge at NRT - and depending on your transit time, it's basically deserted after the morning rush
pkjames
pkjames
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jan 2017
Total posts 44
Was at Narita yesterday for JL771 back to SYD. The new (partially open) F lounge at the main building is really nice. The dining section is big, traditional Japanese design with nigiri sushi bar and raman noodle bar. It was virtually empty. I spent about 1.5hrs there until boarding and it probably peaked at about 20pax.
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
Rufus1
Rufus1
Member since 04 Dec 2013
Total posts 70
+1 for the AA lounge's showers.
Maggie160
Maggie160
Member since 07 Nov 2018
Total posts 2
Thanks to all for the very helpful comments. Looking forward to my trip and transits, plus a nice stopover in Japan on the way back. Great responses.