Melbourne, Brisbane Virgin Lounges Always Overcrowded

[GoldCanyon340]

I never really have that problem with QF (Dom J) unless it is a really really really busy period, but the VA lounges seem to be packed to the rafters no matter the time of day.

YMMV. Aside from waiting for the last ADL flight of the day (8.30-8.45pm ish) the last time I remember QF MEL Dom J not being full was about seven years ago.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Certainly not overcrowded in MEL this morn - no lines for coffee or scrambled eggs and bacon at 09:00

 

[jakeseven7]

Certainly not overcrowded in MEL this morn - no lines for coffee or scrambled eggs and bacon at 09:00

PSA: Watch out for the scrambled eggs, a work colleague was violently ill after eating eggs on toast at the VA Lounge in MEL

 

[Cruiser Elite]

No danger here - I tasted them - tasted like powdered eggs even though signage clearly states they are not but I gave them a wide berth anyway - toasted H, C & T for me

But back OT - I would estimate currently 50% of tables occupied - the raised area to rear and lower area at far rear are basically deserted.










I did have a quick chat with the gorgeous young ladies at entry - Mon and Tue morns up until about 1pm and Thu & Fri acts from about midday on are peaks - basically all other times always plenty room - FWTIW

 

[PDog]

It really pains me to write this as I am desperately trying to love Virgin over QF, but I have to say that the lounges in BNE and MEL are always so overcrowded that I don't even bother using them anymore :-(

*snip*

A friend of mine, who experiences this too, devised a strange remedy where he books a refundable QF ticket just so he can get access to the lounges, and just moves it/cancels it once he gains access to the lounge, and then flies on VA...... quite drastic, but seems to do the trick - and really costs nothing in the end. I guess we can call that a first-world solution to a truly first-world problem.

In Melbourne, the Virgin & Qantas lounges are in different terminals- with the international terminal in between- how early is he getting to the airport to do this??

The Brisbane lounge was incredibly overcrowded on the day of the Melbourne wind storm, but other than that I’ve only experienced busy, not full.

 

[Major]

Never had a problem finding a seat in their lounges. Then again I rarely travel in peak periods.

Living midway between BNE and OOL I always try to use OOL as they have a great lounge overlooking the Apron/Runway.

When SYD becomes busy they open the upstairs area and it's then very easy to find a seat.

 

[Carrots]

A question for those with "experience and wisdom"....

Can anyone remember what the current lounge spaces were previously before VA took up residency?

I'm thinking many of them were after thoughts to an extent within the buildings they're located in.

Adelaide's a great example of what was probably a broom closet being turned into a lounge space - a classic case of no space created in the original building design (unlike the hugely space Q Club in Adelaide which was clearly part of the original blueprint).

 

[Major]

BNE used to be the Ansett Golden Wing Lounge

 

[Must...Fly!]

In Perth, nothing as they are all new, but the previous Perth lounge belonged initially to Ansett.

 

[serfty]

Can anyone remember what the current lounge spaces were previously before VA took up residency?

BNE, MEL and SYD are in roughly the area of the Ansett golden wings.

The old terminal building that housed the ADL Golden Wing (and QP) has been demolished.

PER is in a different building and Lounge Area purpose built.

Purpose built spaces in CBR, CNS and OOL with significantly redeveloped buildings.

 

[jase05]

A question for those with "experience and wisdom"....

Can anyone remember what the current lounge spaces were previously before VA took up residency?

I'm thinking many of them were after thoughts to an extent within the buildings they're located in.

Adelaide's a great example of what was probably a broom closet being turned into a lounge space - a classic case of no space created in the original building design (unlike the hugely space Q Club in Adelaide which was clearly part of the original blueprint).

ADL had a minor expansion a couple of years back which eased some congestion. Was a real tight squeeze before

 

[Stealthflyer]

I’ve never failed to find a seat in the Melbourne lounge. I often spend fairly long transits from international to domestic in the Melbourne lounge. There are major spikes in people around peak business travel time, but most of the time it’s very roomy and I get my pick of the seats up on that upper platform overlooking the tarmac. What a wonderful plane observation area!

 

[jasecao]

I often see Melbourne packed, but you would always find a seat somewhere in there.

Brisbane also has traffic, but also you will be able to find a seat

Adelaide is packed and you might not fine a seat =p

Canberra has a lot a space, and so does Perth.

Sydney it does get packed, where they open upstairs, normally in the arvo.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

BNE used to be the Ansett Golden Wing Lounge

MEL and SYD VAd the Lounge were also former AN (Ansett) lounges.
Unless the airport does a major demolish and rebuild, we will never see any major improvements.