Qantas will shift all Sydney flights for its regional QantasLink arm from Sydney Airport's Terminal 2 to the dedicated T3 Qantas Domestic Terminal from August 15.
QantasLink flies one million passengers each year through Sydney T2, with a scheduled 300 flights per week.
The move will streamline transfers and speed connections for QantasLink passengers, both onto domestic and international Qantas flights.
"Bringing Qantas domestic flights and QantasLink together in the one terminal at Sydney Airport is a major milestone for Qantas and will improve the customer experience, as well as our on time performance" the airline says.
It will also give QantasLink travellers access to the airline's best Qantas Business Lounge and Qantas Club.
Terminal 2 Qantas Club to close
Earlier this year a Qantas spokesperson told Australian Business Traveller that Jetstar flights will remain at T2, but confirmed that T2's Qantas Club lounge will close once QantasLink shifts to T3.
"The T2 Qantas lounge will continue to operate while QantasLink is in the terminal and close thereafter" she said.
"Jetstar has no plans to take over the lounge. Eligible Qantas lounge passengers travelling on Jetstar will be able to visit Qantas lounges in T3."
However, the airline has no plans to expand either of its T3 lounges to cope with an increase in travellers.
"Our lounge facilities in T3 have capacity for QantasLink customers" the spokesperson said, adding that "different peaks in the QantasLink and Qantas schedule will also assist in managing resources."
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Nov 2011
Total posts 186
Any news yet on the fate of the QC in T2??
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
It could get "enhanced out of existence"- no more QC for JQ flights....
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
"enhanced out of existence" LOL good stuff tronixstuff!
That's almost as good as "efficiency dividend"!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
The scary thing is that I was right :)
07 Aug 2012
Total posts 192
Maybe it will turn into a JQ pay-in lounge?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
Qantas has just advised us that the Qantas Club in T2 will be closing, and Jetstar won't be taking it over (article now updated to relfect this).
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
We've already put that question (among others) to Qantas and await their response..
22 Mar 2012
Total posts 200
Saying that T3 has a far superior range of shops over T2 is very debatable, I for one find T2 shopping better than T3...
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
T2 has maccas! The only excuse to have hotcakes and hash browns for breaky....
Hungry Jacks just doesnt do it!
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
Pungpui, are you trying to start a Macca vs Hungry jacks flamewar? Because "the burgers are better at Hungry Jacks!"
(Seriously, give me a bacon double-cheese and side of onion rings over a Big Mac any day!)
09 May 2011
Total posts 294
flame-grilled flamewar.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
I am a Whopper, and I am Angry.
XD
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
CL9, I'll have to own up to the statement that T3 has a superior range of shops to T2! :P
And I admit to meaning retail shops per se, not food outlets – T2's got some great options for eating and drinking, especially the newer ones opened last year (and yes Pungpui, it also has a Maccas, LOL, although I still reckon Hungry Jacks beats Maccas any day!).
So I was speaking of more 'upmarket' retail, more quality than quantity, and definitely not of food, something I should have been clearer on. For penance, I think I'll have to have a McMuffin and thickshake (mind you, have you ever tried dunking french fries into a thickshake? Now that's a treat!)
22 Mar 2012
Total posts 200
Yeah, I agree T3 has substantially more high end retail, but I find T2 has more of the bare essentials that I look for- cheap and good coffee, newsagencies and chemists etc...
Also, french fries + thickshake= YUCK! :P (Hungry Jacks is better anyway)
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
"french fries + thickshake= YUCK!" - don't knock it till you've tried it (or french fries dipped in a chocolate ice-cream sundae, for that matter!).
22 Mar 2012
Total posts 200
Ehh, it must taste better than I think... I'll have to try it one day.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Dec 2012
Total posts 66
I concur with you David.. The chips & ice-cream is nice.
Have you tried salt & vinegar chips (packet ie: Smiths) with ice-cream... a taste sensation.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
"Have you tried salt & vinegar chips (packet ie: Smiths) with ice-cream... a taste sensation" - you're having me on, surely..?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Dec 2012
Total posts 66
I didnt say it was a 'good' taste senstation - merely a 'sensation'... lol
05 Oct 2011
Total posts 195
Who says the shopping is better? It might be a bit more "upmarket" but is that really better. I thought better meant more appropriate for more customers.
22 Mar 2012
Total posts 200
Exactly!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
Who really goes shopping in the terminal for anything more than a magazine/book/newspaper or a bottle of water or some snacks?
I have never really understood why airports have clothing, jewellery, music or speciality shops in them. Luggage, maybe. Newsagents and/or convenience stores, yes. BNE Domestic has just had a Victoria's Secret store open! If you haven't bought it by the time you're at the airport, you probably don't need it.
07 Aug 2012
Total posts 192
The stores are there for those without lounge access and have 1-2 hours to kill before their flight.
Or for people who have lost their luggage.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
from the number of specialty shops in airports around the world I'd have to think that plenty of people shop in airports...guess this is where i have to own up to the fact that I have done it on plenty of occassions, especially when I have had long waits in airports..soemtimes you just have to get out of the lounge before you go stir crazy!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
They get you on the impulse buys. I bought some "angry birds" pillows for a niece from that "tech2go" shop, and some jewellery and scarves for ms. t now and again.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Definitely there for "impulse" buys and priced for the "convenience factor"... you definitely won't find a bargain.
05 May 2012
Total posts 32
I won't miss the disinterested staff at the entrance at T2's QC; all the more reason to hit up VA's offering - kerbside entrance to the Lounge etc.
(Upon reflection - I will miss the bar staf at T2 QC - lovely bunch who were much friendlier and engaging than those on reception).
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