General Virgin Australia Lounge Discussion

Was at Darwin airport yesterday and thought I’d have a quick walk down to the old lounge and see what has happened to it. It’s still fitted out and it looked liked there was some temporary walling going down the middle. Noticed that due to the layout, that walling could mean that the airport is it’s going to carve up the space to convert into a shop outlet. It also maybe possible to re-open as a much smaller lounge.
Was a bit surprised the ceiling lights were on.
 
Bagpuss said:
Was a bit surprised the ceiling lights were on.
Click to expand...
I've been through Darwin a few times last year and this year. All times the lights in the VA lounge were on, I wonder who's paying the electricity bill (and I doubt it's VA).
 
In the Canberra Lounge this morning. Had the CBR QR Check in, as well as the usual scan my boarding pass.

The layout and furniture haven't changed. The breakfast options were available at the counter, with yoghurt/muesli, fruit, pastries, fruit and toast options. No QR code system here. And the coffee is up and running. So, not much different before, it's just missing the hot buffet.
 
Had a late night flight from Perth over the weekend, there were 3 red eye flights operating and when go to Perth airport at 10PM (all flights leaving after 11PM) the lounge was closed.
Not really acceptable, when the website states the lounge is open until the last departure.
Many people on the flight were talking about the lounge being closed and we're too happy.
Seucirty stating it was closed due to lack of flights, though 3 red eye flights is the norm.
 
First time checking out the new temporary Virgin lounge in Melbourne tonight, having done a few trips through the previous temporary lounge before the split. Food seems to have improved marginally (packet sandwiches still available but there's toastie's and toasted wraps too now). No QR codes in here -- order at the counters.

Beer selection is somewhat lacking -- Hahn light is the only choice so had to settle for a Barossa Shiraz instead.

It's quite small too, being basically an airport restaurant. Plenty of space here at 7:30PM but I could imagine this getting quite busy at peak times. Also, weirdly all the powerpoints seem to be covered over with black plastic. No idea what that's about but there doesn't seem to be anywhere in here to charge your devices, as far as I can see...
 
Bagpuss said:
Had a late night flight from Perth over the weekend, there were 3 red eye flights operating and when go to Perth airport at 10PM (all flights leaving after 11PM) the lounge was closed.
Not really acceptable, when the website states the lounge is open until the last departure.
Many people on the flight were talking about the lounge being closed and we're too happy.
Seucirty stating it was closed due to lack of flights, though 3 red eye flights is the norm.
Click to expand...
Very odd. I've taken the red eye many times and it's never been closed. Hopes it's not a new precedent
 
Bagpuss said:
Had a late night flight from Perth over the weekend, there were 3 red eye flights operating and when go to Perth airport at 10PM (all flights leaving after 11PM) the lounge was closed.
Not really acceptable, when the website states the lounge is open until the last departure.
Many people on the flight were talking about the lounge being closed and we're too happy.
Seucirty stating it was closed due to lack of flights, though 3 red eye flights is the norm.
Click to expand...
This has been mentioned before. Has lead me to book QF to MEL on the red-eye in a couple of weeks.
 
Word of warning for anyone flying through CBR: don’t arrive too early and expect lounge access. With so few VA departures and big gaps during the day they seem to be closing the lounge between flights. Arrived at 1:45 for the 3pm flight to MEL to find the lounge closed. It opened up at 2pm, 60 mins before the flight, despite the website saying “60 mins before first departure of the day”.
 
One thing I heard recently regarding the ordering system used in some lounges was that some people would order a large amount then leave the lounge before it would arrive. It would be one thing to have to leave before your order arrived to make a flight but to do a large order knowing you had no intention of staying around is not the way to behave. Would be nice to see a small selection on offer that you could skip the ordering system if you where in a rush.
 
hydrabyss said:
One thing I heard recently regarding the ordering system used in some lounges was that some people would order a large amount then leave the lounge before it would arrive. It would be one thing to have to leave before your order arrived to make a flight but to do a large order knowing you had no intention of staying around is not the way to behave. Would be nice to see a small selection on offer that you could skip the ordering system if you where in a rush.
Click to expand...

I think they should also just limit what you can order! Anyway - a VA lounge waiter said the app was going.... hope sooner rather than later
 
It’s been about a week or so since I’ve been in the ADL lounge and in that time the QR ordering has been removed.
All food and beverages staff assisted and they have plates of food such as biscuits and cheese pre plated and covered and they will go and make something up if they haven’t got it.
Hot meal tonight was a Butteted Chicken with Basmati rice and was excellent I must say.
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ADL lounge still looks more or less same.
More or less same space signature.
(ADL redevelopment seems mainly for shops and int departures modernisation).
If breakfast time you plan to come in, I would forgo for the time being.
Coffee and sweet swirl or croissant...
Nothing else in sight.
Planned dep 6.05am.
Edit: looks like end area will be roped off for foreseeable future.
 
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Has premium entry in SYD re-opened yet?
Also, what is the current lounge arrangement in MEL?
 

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