Will Virgin's Premium Lounge Entries open back up at some point?

[ozstamps]

Was very handy direct access from the Valet parking and the instant and private security booth.

Due to COVID could see the rationale in leaving it closed but any whispers WHEN it will open up again?

 

[ferntree]

Likewise Brisbane and the Melbourne exit ... I suspect that this is simply an economy measure and won't come back until passenger numbers get closer to pre covid levels.

 

[Astro]

Likewise Brisbane and the Melbourne exit ... I suspect that this is simply an economy measure and won't come back until passenger numbers get closer to pre covid levels.

The Melbourne exit was open over the weekend. I've not been back to see if it was just over the long weekend.

You'd have to think Sydney priority entry isn't far off. Easter perhaps?

 

[Harrison_133]

You'd have to think Sydney priority entry isn't far off. Easter perhaps?

Was in the Sydney lounge just over a week ago, and it was the busiest I’ve seen it in a very long time, absolutely packed. Was also the most amount of business travellers I’d seen in there for quite a while. And the flight had a very long priority boarding line too.

It was very nice to have the Melbourne premium security exit open again. Hopefully it wasn’t just a temporary thing for the long weekend rush.

 

[ozstamps]

Yes the private security screening was a boon in Sydney, and when running a bit late a huge time saver.

Flying tomorrow and will ask.

 

[ferntree]

@Harrison_123: Out of interest, what time of day was this please? I ask because I have some trips coming up which transit thru Sydney.

 

[Harrison_133]

@Harrison_123: Out of interest, what time of day was this please? I ask because I have some trips coming up which transit thru Sydney.

I was on a 5pm flight. Got to the airport early so spent well over 2 hours in there. Busy the whole time with a steady flow of people coming and going. Most flights that day were full apparently so that would have added to it. I’ve done many trips to Sydney in the last couple of months, and it was by far the busiest I’ve seen it in a long time.

 

[ferntree]

I was on a 5pm flight. Got to the airport early so spent well over 2 hours in there. Busy the whole time with a steady flow of people coming and going. Most flights that day were full apparently so that would have added to it. I’ve done many trips to Sydney in the last couple of months, and it was by far the busiest I’ve seen it in a long time.

Thank you. My transits thru Sydney are all mid/late morning. Be interesting to see how that goes. My final destination is usually BNE ... hope the premium entry there eventually re-opens for return flights!

 

[flyingjabiru]

Melbourne’s exit was open yesterday morning. The normal security lane (outside the lounge) has been crazy the couple of weeks.

 

[ozstamps]

Melbourne’s exit was open yesterday morning. The normal security lane (outside the lounge) has been crazy the couple of weeks.

Not today sadly.

Asked why at desk, and she said it 'depends on the security staff.' I said - 'you had it working well yesterday, correct? and she agreed.

Nearly missed the flight as security was a total zoo at 7.30am, gate was #9 down the end, and no-one was policing the alleged 'Priority' line, and everyone with a pulse was in that as it was tad shorter.

Why even have it there it if no check is made? The Security at MEL Domestic has been like Cattle Pens for years. Yes it has to be somewhere, and BEFORE lounges and gates is the obvious place.

We totally avoid MEL for connections as getting to the arrival gate, getting to Lounge, and back to departure gate is a total time lottery.

Why MEL airport did not finally join the 21st Century, and put all security upstairs BEFORE lounges in the quiet 2 year COVID break, only they would know. Huge opportunity lost. Welcome to www.HillBillyAirport.com

Desk lady told me 'that issue is being worked on.'

So is global warming apparently!

 

[jase05]

Not today sadly.

Asked why at desk, and said it 'depends on the security staff.' Said 'you had it working yesterday correct', and she agreed.

Nearly missed the flight as security was a total zoo at 7.30am gate was #9 down the end, and no-one polices the alleged 'Priority' line, and everyone with a pulse was in that. Why even have it if no check is made?

Why MEL airport did not finally join the 21st Century, and put all security upstairs BEFORE lounges in the quiet 2 year COVID break, only they would know. Huge opportunity lost. Welcome to Hillbilly Airport.

Desk lady told me 'that issue is being worked on.'

So is global warming apparently!

Same on Sunday when I came back. Premium exit closed and priority line was absolutely packed. One security bloke yelling out “Priority lane only” but no checks and didn’t seem to be anyone listening. As you said, plenty of time during Covid to get this joke of a terminal functioning better

 

[HS-TQE]

Speaking of Melbourne seems the VA terminal has been facing parking issues after VA gave up the common-use gates in T4. A few aircraft has to wait for gate/space to clear up during peak times.

 

[Harrison_133]

Speaking of Melbourne seems the VA terminal has been facing parking issues after VA gave up the common-use gates in T4. A few aircraft has to wait for gate/space to clear up during peak times.

They were using gates in T4 (including the Tiger ones) over Christmas & New Year for both departures and arrivals. Mainly for aircraft beginning or terminating their day in MEL. Surprised they haven’t started using them again with flights picking up. I had a flight out of MEL on the long weekend delayed because of tarmac congestion. It was the first flight of the day for that aircraft and it was too busy for them to even tow the aircraft onto the bay.

 

[ChrisBNE]

This is the current state of the BNE premium entry.

 

[ferntree]

This is the current state of the BNE premium entry.

[Speechless]

 

[ferntree]

Not only was the Melbourne lounge exit still closed today, when I got to the main security, one of the security staff was calling out to pax to "spread out across all three lanes."

(It was fairly busy, but no worse than normal)

 

[Harrison_133]

when I got to the main security, one of the security staff was calling out to pax to "spread out across all thre lanes."

That priority lane at the main security hasn’t been enforced for quite a while now, they’re always telling you to use all open lanes. To be fair, they do a good job getting you through quickly considering how busy T3 gets these days.

 

[Harrison_133]

Speaking of Melbourne seems the VA terminal has been facing parking issues after VA gave up the common-use gates in T4. A few aircraft has to wait for gate/space to clear up during peak times.

And they’re back using gates in T4 this morning, Gate 13 for 2 departures and Gate 11 for 1. Doubt Rex are too happy to have VA using those airbridge gates again.

 

[eastwest101]

View attachment 273524
This is the current state of the BNE premium entry.

Really maximizing that natural competitive advantage that previous owners have built huh?

I thought the new owners claim to have a more nimble and competitive business plan?

 

[TomVexille]

Not today sadly.

Asked why at desk, and she said it 'depends on the security staff.' I said - 'you had it working well yesterday, correct? and she agreed.

Nearly missed the flight as security was a total zoo at 7.30am, gate was #9 down the end, and no-one was policing the alleged 'Priority' line, and everyone with a pulse was in that as it was tad shorter.

Why even have it there it if no check is made? The Security at MEL Domestic has been like Cattle Pens for years. Yes it has to be somewhere, and BEFORE lounges and gates is the obvious place.

We totally avoid MEL for connections as getting to the arrival gate, getting to Lounge, and back to departure gate is a total time lottery.

Why MEL airport did not finally join the 21st Century, and put all security upstairs BEFORE lounges in the quiet 2 year COVID break, only they would know. Huge opportunity lost. Welcome to www.HillBillyAirport.com

Desk lady told me 'that issue is being worked on.'

So is global warming apparently!

Don't worry, the T3 security will be going soon and you will have to use the T4 screening point