planemanofnz wrote:NZ plans for its 2nd AKL lounge to be at Pier B, but not soon - "the airline hoped to have plans finalised for the new international lounge within the next two years."
I do feel like they, and AKL, need to prioritize this a bit more. In particular, it has the ability to hurt NZ's plans to expand AKL as a hub for (premium) transit traffic.
See:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/new ... d=12144798.
Cheers,
C.
In my opinion, the issue is all the groups outside Business Class, Gold and Gold Elite, and
yes this includes Koru.
I can't see this improving unless something is done over the next 6 months and with that in mind it's really a matter of what options are available to you.
When I look at it from my personal perspective these are the thoughts that float through my head, sadly all mean amendments to the program, even if these are temporary.
1. All 'lounge passes' must use the Strata Lounge in AKL.
2. Limit Guests to 1 for Gold and 2 for Elite per visit (plus dependent children).
3. Koru must use Strata during peak periods (Air NZ to provide amenities such a Barista for morning peak)
4. Explore options of sending none *A pax to from CA, SQ, TG and UA PAX into Strata lounge
You could explore extreme alternatives such as Koru memberships without AKL access vs with AKL, or changing the cost of Koru but we need to remember this issue is only really present during the holiday period, however, in 2 years is this likely to creep into non-holiday periods?
You also don't want to deter your loyal customers, given only a few are pissed off and it's only happening in the holidays, for now, I'd imagine they'll absorb the negative PR and work through it holiday period by holiday period.
This new lounge, I'm hoping they actually build it into a 'First Class' style lounge and be available to Business Class, EP1 and Elite members
only. This leaving the current lounge for Gold, Silver, Koru along with all the other rats and mice stuff, lounge passes, partner airlines etc.
Making the new lounge truly exclusive.
I hope they don't just do a second lounge, or a short haul lounge or a lounge for gates 1-10 etc. That would be a missed opportunity.
.