MEL "Lounge" Upgrades

[KCMil]

I am advised that Mr Borghetti has recently made it very clear to staff that the VIP lounge is in no way going to accept any other than VIP's just as chairman's lounge doesn't accept QF Plat's. The MEL lounge has upgrading sched. Reportedly the entire facility will extend forward over the service road that runs airside to the same width as the upper middle section that sits forward. It will also be carried down the length of the linkway that leads to the Foxtrot fingerway. This represents about a 3 to 4 fold size increase. Allowing of course for the expected VIP club to be housed as well. But that will clearly take time.
Not sure if you have noticed in MEL, they are running an area set aside for J guests during the peak travel times. This means J guests not having to hunt for a seat I assume. I don't know if other lounges are doing the same. But if you are travelling J during morn / evening peak in MEL ask about J area. I'm going to try it out again tonight! Even had my drink brought to my table for me...

 

[day-heg]

Wow, that sounds pretty impressive if it comes to fruition.
If they do extend down towards where Gate 2 is, surely they'll build in separate screening facilities for Lounge guests so we can avoid the scrum that currently exists...

 

[moa999]

Am sure the cafe that sits between the DJ lounge and security will be happy having views blocked

 

[Major]

Fortunately I rarely need to travel during peak periods but when I do it's something else. More than once I have had a look at the crowd and performed a 180 ° turn to go for a walk.

Any improvements will be more than welcome

 

[markis10]

Am sure the cafe that sits between the DJ lounge and security will be happy having views blocked

I read it as going the other way!

 

[drewbles]

I read it as going the other way!

Me too. There's no point expanding over there as the lounge is close enough to the first gate as it is.

 

[moa999]

I'm a visual person. I read the OP's post as the following.

Able Baker Charlie being marked as 6 - to the right of existing lounge.

 

[drewbles]

I'm a visual person. I read the OP's post as the following.
View attachment 9613
Able Baker Charlie being marked as 6 - to the right of existing lounge.

I wouldn't think they'd be able to expand there due to the fact they have to have ramp equipment and clearance. That corner accommodates gate 2 which is on an angle.

I read it as a '1st floor' over the area that currently goes down to the gates on the left, not out onto the apron more (once again, i'm sure there's a need to keep the apron 'as is' for clearance).

 

[KCMil]

Me too. There's no point expanding over there as the lounge is close enough to the first gate as it is.

You are 100% correct. It is from the current area protruding over the airside road down to the Foxtrot fingerway, so ABC shouldn't have a restriction of view.
Apparently though, the valet parking is going to be located in the multi storey car park under the Parkroyal hotel. So no curbside check in with separate screening point for MEL, I assume that is a physical constraint due to the original layout. But yes, any expansion will be welcome. Even with a "club" installed the expansion will be significant.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Is the lounge still going to be outside security, or are they changing that? I avoid MEL transits for that reason.

 

[pauly7]

Is the lounge still going to be outside security, or are they changing that? I avoid MEL transits for that reason.

Fingers crossed they do because it is a PITA... Not sure of the answer though.

 

[markis10]

Probably easier to put a dedicated access in the lounge, although that would impact said coffee shops views.

 

[samh004]

Sounds expensive and ambitious, but would improve a lot on what is already a very good offering

 

[Simo]

Is the lounge still going to be outside security, or are they changing that? I avoid MEL transits for that reason.

I have only done it a few times but I nearly missed my flight because of the long line at security when I had been called for boarding.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Yep, has happened to me a few times.

 

[Tuddy]

Lounge expansions...

Noticed when I was transiting through MEL last night that it looks like there's some action occurring which will see the (desperately needed) extension of the Lounge outwards (it appears the balcony area will be extended along toward gate 11 as far as the current area near the Lounge bathrooms are located. Only looks like initial works, but will be interesting to see how it's all formatted when finished and whether it will extend any further

(in my mind, the ideal extension would see a second level added to the existing Lounge, allowing for a Premium Entry a la SYD from what would be behind the REX check-in and also allowing for a security pre-clearance and entry into the secure area for gates 1-10 via escalator from said upper level. Airbridges at gates 9 and 10 would be nice too. I digress...)

Also, is there any word on when ADL will have a refresh and expansion? It seems to be last cab off the rank for any refresh and no word has yet come through. Furthermore, speaking from my only ADL experiences being multiple times around 8:30-9:00 and 17:00-18:00, the Lounge is often quite full. Is it believed by the populous that an extension of this Lounge would occur? If yes, where?

Thoughts always appreciated.

 

[markis10]

Re: Lounge expansions...

These have been mentioned earlier, including the incorporation of a security screening entrance from the lounge.

 

[LiamR]

Re: Lounge expansions...

The newly upgraded lounge will run the entire length between the two piers at Virgin's Terminal. So yes, it'll be a massive lounge.

Now I'm no expert, but if you are building a lounge that is sandwiched between two piers, it'd make sense to work out some magic trick to people through security quickly.

 

[777]

Re: Lounge expansions...

Now I'm no expert, but if you are building a lounge that is sandwiched between two piers, it'd make sense to work out some magic trick to people through security quickly.

Move the lounge entrances to behind security at either end would kill two birds with one stone? Or a dedicated screening point at the lounge entrance?

 

[Jousams]

Re: Lounge expansions...

Or a dedicated screening point at the lounge entrance?

The entrance hall would be long enough. That could work.