Update on VA Lounges? [BNE/SYD/MEL/PER/OOL/ADL/CBR now open]

[Hindo]

Has anyone heard if there is a reopening date for VA lounges?

 

[Scarlett]

Guess that's a 'no' then.

Lack of lounges and ongoing minimal network has seen me book a number of flights on QF that would usually have been on VA.

 

[Mattg]

Certainly, nothing has been announced by VA yet.

The lounges were closed due to government restrictions, but it seems they now remain closed because of VA's financial situation. I suspect we'll hear a further announcement about VA lounges after the creditors' meeting in August.

 

[Bibendum]

Certainly, nothing has been announced by VA yet.

The lounges were closed due to government restrictions, but it seems they now remain closed because of VA's financial situation. I suspect we'll hear a further announcement about VA lounges after the creditors' meeting in August.

I’m in the same boat.

My last three trips ( all Brisbane to Sydney) have been booked on Qantas based on Lounge access.

VA really need to pull their finger out and decide what they doing.. I’m about to book another trip for next week which will most likely be on QF metal If don’t come up with an announcement by Thursday

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

See, there are 3 mindsets to this lounge reopening.
1.Covid19.
2.The VA administration process.
3.The profit that could be made, or loss if not enough people use the lounge, don't think there would be a breakeven.
Money is probably very tight in the VA "ship".
I would say the lounges wouldn't open till after the sale has deeds have been signed, sealed, and delivered.
We don't know if Bain will let the lounges be run by an external private provider, and if the "former" VA the lounge will be open to all travellers, travelling any airline, just so that the operator can make a profit at all times.
Before shutdown, it was Aud$65 per entry, and VA BP needed to be shown/and scanned on entry.
Personally, I still have 2 entries as a VFF PS.

 

[MarkD]

The company is in administration, they will not provide any more than basics until the process is complete. I would think October at earliest for lounges to open and even then, will be a totally different experience. Im thinking Delta style with drink vouchers and minimal offerings. Thats fine with me, I just want an escape from the terminal when there are delays.

 

[eric2011]

The company is in administration, they will not provide any more than basics until the process is complete.

I thought Virgin (VA) and Velocity were 2 different companies. ie Virgin (VA) is in administration and Velocity is not.

Quote from Docter Google...." Although Velocity Frequent Flyer is owned by the Virgin Australia Group, it is a separate company and it is not in administration."

 

[AIRwin]

I thought Virgin (VA) and Velocity were 2 different companies. ie Virgin (VA) is in administration and Velocity is not.

Yes but VA operates the lounges...

 

[MarkD]

I thought Virgin (VA) and Velocity were 2 different companies. ie Virgin (VA) is in administration and Velocity is not.

Quote from Docter Google...." Although Velocity Frequent Flyer is owned by the Virgin Australia Group, it is a separate company and it is not in administration."

Virgin operates lounges. Velocity run ff program

 

[eric2011]

Virgin operates lounges. Velocity run ff program

Thanks, I understand now

 

[ja1]

I'm assuming there is a fixed cost component (which VA is still presumably paying, i.e the airports) and the operating cost is for the staff/food etc.

I can't see a model where it makes sense to open up lounges as I assume the number of people who will book or fly QAN based on lounge availability is still very small and not enough of a revenue different to make them want to open any lounges.

For myself (haven't flown at all in this calendar year) and wife (one flight) the lounge was one of only 2 benefits we actually used as part of being in the FF program.. sigh..

 

[serfty]

There's an update from today's releases:

...
"Our initial focus will be on investing in the core Virgin Australia domestic and short-haul international operation alongside our 10-million-member strong Velocity Frequent Flyer program, continuing to offer an extensive network of destinations, a domestic lounge network and value for money for customers. ...

... Virgin Australia will also maintain a network of lounges in key domestic locations with a plan to re-open when demand returns. ...

Virgin Australia Group announces plan to focus on core strengths, re-establishing itself as an iconic Australian airline

Key points: • Plan for a stronger, more profitable and competitive Virgin Australia coming out of voluntary administration

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[AIRwin]

Velocity has also sent an email update this afternoon with a consistent message:

The airline plans to re-open lounges once travel demand increases.​

 

[ja1]

Velocity has also sent an email update this afternoon with a consistent message:
The airline plans to re-open lounges once travel demand increases.

So probably not this year then :-(

Travel demand increases to what (i.e I wonder what the metric is going to be) ? Travel demand is there.. there's just no ability to actually deliver on it..

How long before VA finds the actually 'loyal' part of their customers gives up and just moves to QAN. I used to pay for Qantas club (and then of course flew QAN to use it) before I worked out how to fly enough VA and on the right fare classes to qualify for Gold (and eventually Plat). The main reason was simply to get access to the lounge as it made a lot of difference to the whole flying experience since I was almost never going to be in J on anything.. (the lounge was the entire 'luxury' part of the experience).

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Elevate fares have hone up astronomically.

 

[ja1]

Elevate fares have hone up astronomically.

I haven't noticed this? Unless you mean if you're trying to book very close to when you want to fly in which case everything changes..

SYD-BNE Elevate was $195 (when you booked with some notice out). Fully flexible was the normal $400ish as well.

VA had a good sale on recently on this route so Getaway was $100-$130 (each way).

The difference for me between G and E is normally $30-$40 and I pay that to VA to get the extra (normal amount) of SC.. and to allow for fly ahead as that can be extremely useful.

SC is meaningless at the moment as simply can't fly enough to make any difference and fly ahead is also meaningless as it's very unlikely to be able to be used..

 

[Qld4101]

Hi all, I know that the original comms received on April 2 indicated that the additonal year would not be applied until the review date, is there any indication that this will still occur?

 

[Milefest]

I haven't noticed this? Unless you mean if you're trying to book very close to when you want to fly in which case everything changes..

Depends on what timeframe you look at. When VA introduced getaway fares, elevates were around $139 each way for syd-bne. They've steadily increased over the last couple of years. Earlier this year they were around $179 from memory.

 

[oz_mark]

Hi all, I know that the original comms received on April 2 indicated that the additonal year would not be applied until the review date, is there any indication that this will still occur? View attachment 225234

I haven't seen anything to indicate otherwise. Most people have reported the year extension occuring when they get to the review date.

 

[marty_gc]

Interesting comment regarding demand - news stories state the route from Brisbane to Cairns is busier than it was pre-covid. So why not open those two lounges? The fact I have a trip booked for that route in a few weeks has nothing to do with it