Melbourne VA Lounge becoming airside from August 2022

[jakeseven7]

Haven't flown for so long now.

Why? Domestic no restrictions anywhere these days.

 

[serfty]

So, as of now, definitely T3 MEL dom screening gone already?

It was operating last week.

 

[Harrison_133]

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.

It’s still the old set up, with separate screening points for Gates 1-10 in T3 and 11-20 in T4. It hasn’t been integrated yet. Hard to tell how long away completion is, there are white hoardings everywhere. T3 is very much a construction site at the moment.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Why? Domestic no restrictions anywhere these days.

Family.
Its the fear factor, if I go off interstate, no matter that I am triple vaxxed, I will be the pariah pooch.
Not good.
Maybe I will wait and see.
Lots of hotels at MEL airport (2 of the manors) that were quarantine hotels, now seem to happily take bookings from all and sundry.

 

[jakeseven7]

Family.
Its the fear factor, if I go off interstate, no matter that I am triple vaxxed, I will be the pariah pooch.
Not good.
Maybe I will wait and see.
Lots of hotels at MEL airport (2 of the manors) that were quarantine hotels, now seem to happily take bookings from all and sundry.

Your family doesn’t want you to travel… just tell them you are going for a long walk

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Will wait till Dec 23, when I am definitely going to visit Japan.
Probably ADL - MEL and back with VA (if they are still around by then, grin), rest with JL.
(1).Maybe by then every country has stopped the requirement of a RAT/PCR test, not cheap those tests are.
(2).Maybe by then we will know if there are any more variances of covid.
(3).Maybe if Labor wins, we will be in the money (grin), ...
Ok, back to normal.
I passed the very old MEL T4 zone in the days when JQ, or was it Tiger Air used to have the open turnstils, with the long partly open sided walkway, still remember it.
I was coming back from either LST/HBA.
At least T4 is the most updated/"modernised"/most recently built terminal, than the others at Melbourne Airport.
T3 came from AN days.

 

[Scarlett]

Family.
Its the fear factor, if I go off interstate, no matter that I am triple vaxxed, I will be the pariah pooch.
Not good.
Maybe I will wait and see.
Lots of hotels at MEL airport (2 of the manors) that were quarantine hotels, now seem to happily take bookings from all and sundry.

Travel. You might consider it being the pariah pooch, but have you also considered that it could be a shining beacon of commonsense?

 

[henrus]

This recent video mentions that you'd now go through T4 security before heading to the lounge. Am I over thinking this or does it mean the lounge is now airside?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Probably.
They are going to close off security screening at T3.
So that walkway, going down the stair case to the main T3 dom screening point, in front of the MEL VAd lounge at the moment, will be closed off sooner or later.
There was up to a while back, 2 security screening points at the 2 long extensions, on the right, where the premium exit is, from the lounge to the gates, and another security screening point, further to the left, down that long walkway.
On there, it was mentioned, up to a few weeks ago, that they were going to close off T3 security screening, so the walk from the open area, to T3 flights, entails walking to T4, getting dom security screened, and then, walking back to the dom secured zone of T3.
Pain in the you know where, ...

 

[Digicola]

Wow those shots of T3 were perfectly executed and mask the dump of a terminal it is.

These changes are long overdue, I suppose this means there will be a new premium entry that will pop right infront of the lounge entrance. I guess there a pros and cons to everything, the walk to gates 1-10 will be longer, getting to the lounge will take longer(?) but a new centralised and purpose built security checkpoint will make the process quicker and connecting will be a much better experience.

 

[twinaisle]

The lounge will be airside as tomorrow due to the Escalator going down from the old VA check in desk will also be closed.

All security screening will be at T4 as the T3 security and the security screening on the crossover bridge between T3/T4 will be removed.

There will be a priority lane for J class, WP and SG from 0500-1000AM located on the right of the security at T4 (if you're making your way down from the VA check in desk along the new walkway, the priority security lane will be the first lane on the right)

 

[serfty]

All security screening will be at T4 as the T3 security and the security screening on the crossover bridge between T3/T4 will be removed.

I hope those having to check luggage are fit ...

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.....

 

[MooTime]

Interesting to see how this layout plays out.
I'll have to experience it myself before commenting. Although little extra walking, gee far from a faux pas. Bring it on.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Is the new security screening is new ones, ie, new machines, where you step into it sideways, with arms akimbo, would that be faster?
Or are they just transferring the screening machine across?
Though, I have to say, I liked the old way, with the 2 screening points for VAd flights.
Less people at each screening point, as the group of travellers would split into 2, one group going down the far left end, and the other group going down the right hand side.
Now, with the new system, unless we are flying J and can prove it, or have high status, everyone has to face the same screening point, ie, those flying VA, ZL and also JQ, so there will be a lot more people going through.
Also, as Aust allows non pax to go through to the gate, "to see relatives and friends off", the number of people at the T4 security screening point will be a lot.
Edit: "and don't worry, you can still collect your bags at T3", the guy says, with a slight German accent, so it would be a one way exit gate system, ahhhhhh... at least no need to walk over to T4 to get out on arrival, after flying into MEL Tullamarine (T3).

 

[twinaisle]

Security machines require no removal of devices or aerosols so hopefully that will be a smooth screening. There's 8 security stations.

The priority queue will be exclusive only for VA guests who are in J/WP/SG only. All other airline pax will have to queue in the regular entry point in the centre which will be marked yellow.

Baggage collection will have no impact if arriving at T4. You just have to walk down past the lounge and exit down the stairs/escalators like current procedure at T3.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ta Twinaisle.
So the exit from the gates at T3 will be through newly erected one way doors, like Brisbane VAd/QFd?
I am always HLO so no hold luggage, and do fly VA occasionally through MEL, pre covid, ...
This new system will let me check out T4, always meant to go through there, before this latest change.
Of course the terminal will look newer, is newest of all 4, truth be told.
Seeing T3 was AN days, and T1 is QF from days of old.

 

[EuroKick]

Details here for anyone wondering.

Melbourne Airport - Passenger Information | Melbourne Airport

Official Melbourne Airport website. Live flight times and updates, parking offers, arrivals and departures information and shopping options. Melbourne Airport.

melbourneairport.com.au

 

[Milefest]

I've been waiting for an airside lounge for years and glad to see it's finally here. I tend to leave the lounge as late as possible for my flight which has resulted in me almost missing my flight numerous times because of a security pile up.

 

[EuroKick]

Just went through. It was a breeze and much more organised than the previous setup. The extra walking was not even an issue.

 

[twinaisle]

Ta Twinaisle.
So the exit from the gates at T3 will be through newly erected one way doors, like Brisbane VAd/QFd?
I am always HLO so no hold luggage, and do fly VA occasionally through MEL, pre covid, ...
This new system will let me check out T4, always meant to go through there, before this latest change.
Of course the terminal will look newer, is newest of all 4, truth be told.
Seeing T3 was AN days, and T1 is QF from days of old.

Yup! It's been designed and operating as a one way exit for a few weeks already!