Melbourne VA Lounge becoming airside from August 2022

[jakeseven7]

I wonder if they will rename the terminals - does it make sense to call them T3 and T4 anymore?

 

[twinaisle]

It's a Melbourne airport thing as they are shutting down the security where T3 is... It's not within VA'S control

 

[MooTime]

Sorry, but so do you check your bags in at current VA terminal location, then walk back outside down to T4, pass security & walk back to the old T3 internally?

Shirley not.

I don't mind the walk at all, just seems bit dumb.

 

[twinaisle]

Sorry, but so do you check your bags in at current VA terminal location, then walk back outside down to T4, pass security & walk back to the old T3 internally?

Shirley not.

I don't mind the walk at all, just seems bit dumb.

Yup.....

 

[bullerdude]

Sorry, but so do you check your bags in at current VA terminal location, then walk back outside down to T4, pass security & walk back to the old T3 internally?

Shirley not.

I don't mind the walk at all, just seems bit dumb.

Not quite, from the press release:

Passengers will also experience greater connectivity between domestic terminals thanks to a new departures-level indoor walkway linking Terminals 3 and 4. In addition, a more streamlined exit point in arrivals will intuitively guide guests to outdoor transport options.

 

[jakeseven7]

Sorry, but so do you check your bags in at current VA terminal location, then walk back outside down to T4, pass security & walk back to the old T3 internally?

Shirley not.

I don't mind the walk at all, just seems bit dumb.

You could do that yes if you wanted to but they are also building an indoor walkway so you can walk down inside to T4 and join the security screen queue down there. I hope for the elderly/kids/less abled they put moving walkways etc it’s not like it’s a short distance.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yup.....

Which is why I thought this might be the first stage of T3 ultimately disappearing…. I mean after this move it is literally just a few VA2 check in desks to call T3…. That’s it.

I wonder if ultimately the plan is to shut VA2 and move them to T4 into a shared arrangement with JQ / Rexy where you can use any bag drop for any airline…

 

[jase05]

Yup.....

Which is why I thought this might be the first stage of T3 ultimately disappearing…. I mean after this move it is literally just a few VA2 check in desks to call T3…. That’s it.

I wonder if ultimately the plan is to shut VA2 and move them to T4 into a shared arrangement with JQ / Rexy where you can use any bag drop for any airline…

My understanding is that no plan to move VA out of T3 at any stage in the near future. A few more VA flights may move to T4 but pretty much everything will remain as is

 

[jakeseven7]

My understanding is that no plan to move VA out of T3 at any stage in the near future. A few more VA flights may move to T4 but pretty much everything will remain as is

I’m saying it’s basically the same thing anyway right apart from the small VA2 check in area… so why bother having two names… anyway we will see.

There are heaps of works in T1 slightly off topic, lots of construction going on.

 

[HS-TQE]

The thing I’m most worried about is it might encourage more VA flyers to buy Maccas and bring it onboard from the food court!
Hate how people do this now with no onboard snacks

Maccas and KFC would be more concerning on the Bali runs on JQ and VA. Likely to be sneaked on too.

 

[bullerdude]

T3 remains a seperate terminal in the current master plan with consolidation of security screening to T4 and the new landslide connector.

Then their is their plan for a T5 as well.

 

[twinaisle]

My understanding is that no plan to move VA out of T3 at any stage in the near future. A few more VA flights may move to T4 but pretty much everything will remain as is

VA before covid use to use gate 13/14 for the widebody in T4 terminal anyway so it's not like it's anything new with the use of T3 and T4.

 

[antycbr]

VA before covid use to use gate 13/14 for the widebody in T4 terminal anyway so it's not like it's anything new with the use of T3 and T4.

The majority of passengers will be inconvenienced in the new arrangement however. I’m surprised VA will agree to this as while they aren’t chasing the business segment any longer it is still inconvenient for regular travellers.

 

[jakeseven7]

The majority of passengers will be inconvenienced in the new arrangement however. I’m surprised VA will agree to this as while they aren’t chasing the business segment any longer it is still inconvenient for regular travellers.

Maybe eventually they will move to the new ‘T5’. I do agree the new ‘T3’ is going to be painful for those with checked VA2 luggage.

VA2 have said repeatedly they aren’t chasing business dollars anymore so perhaps it doesn’t bother them so much.

 

[Saab34]

Passengers will also experience greater connectivity between domestic terminals thanks to a new departures-level indoor walkway linking Terminals 3 and 4. In addition, a more streamlined exit point in arrivals will intuitively guide guests to outdoor transport options.

Is this open yet?

If not, any ideas when?

 

[bullerdude]

Is this open yet?

If not, any ideas when?

Hasn’t been built yet

 

[EuroKick]

It’s under construction as we speak.

 

[jakeseven7]

Is this open yet?

If not, any ideas when?

One plan said June 2022 but who knows

 

[Harrison_133]

Worth noting Virgin have started using gates in T4 again. Today’s VA682 arrived at Gate 16 and VA850 at Gate 14, both down where Tiger used to use. They were using gates in T4 too over Christmas & New Year for both departures and arrivals before the omicron capacity cuts. Looks like it’s starting back up again.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So, as of now, definitely T3 MEL dom screening gone already?
Not planning anything of yet, but maybe I will have a look in Dec 22/Jan 23, for a dom travel soiree.
Haven't flown for so long now.