The function also served as a platform for CEO Qantas International, Cam Wallace to announce two new routes, including Auckland-Samoa – the airline’s first service from New Zealand to the Pacific Islands, starting 16 June.
QF will also operate Auckland-Gold Coast, starting the same day, and Wallace notes that this will offer the only business cabin option to OOL.
He says the move into Apia continues a recent focus on the Pacific, which has included QF flights to Palau and JQ’s growing capacity to Rarotonga.
‘We see strong demand for Samoa, with opportunities to grow the leisure market but also with a compelling VFR component.’
He says that combined with the new Auckland lounge opening ahead of schedule on 17 December and this weekend’s launch of flights to Perth, QF is ‘giving Kiwi travellers more choice and premium experiences than ever before.’
The footprint of the new lounges is 60% larger than the previous space, providing capacity for more than 370 customers across dedicated zones for dining, relaxing and working.
House of Travel CEO David Coombes describes the new lounge as ‘beautiful’ and says it will clearly cater for more traffic – both short haul and long haul.
‘This has modernised QF’s offering and provides a superior customer experience – which is what we’re all about.
‘We’re also pleased with the new route announcements that have come from Qantas.’
Heidi Walker, GM at Flight Centre, was impressed with the large dining area in the lounge as well as the ‘calm tones’ and the various spaces on offer.
Rene de Monchy, chief executive of Tourism New Zealand also welcomed a new high quality lounge at AKL. ‘There is more space and it is certainly going to be easier for people to leave feeling refreshed.’
Rene de Monchy, Tourism New Zealand; Rebecca McHolm, Sonia Francis, both GTN, Andrew Bowman, NZ Travel Brokers
Heidi Walker, Flight Centre; Tania Cummins, Helloworld; Jason Buckley, Envoyage
David Coombes, House of Travel; Carrie Hurihanganui, Jordan Tan, both Auckland Airport
Koby Jonas, Francesca Curtin, Jan Cox, all Qantas; Andrew Bowman, NZ Travel Brokers
Rachel Dickey, Tourism and Events Queensland; Sam Cameron, Destination NSW; Sarah Neville, Qantas; Melissa Brooks, Destination NSW
Paul Smith, First Travel Group; Brooke Jamieson, Helloworld Travel; Aloma Butler, Qantas; Sid Mahida, Helloworld
