Melbourne Virgin Lounge using old "The Club" Space - Overcrowded!

[lobo76]

Is MEL still "The Club" lounge or has the regular one opened yet? I've not flown for probably a year now. I do want to check out The Club, but to be honest, I actually really liked the regular Virgin lounge at MEL, super spacious and bright (which I find helps me wake up before my morning flights, haha!).

It's way worse than the regular lounge. I'm assuming it's not fully open (?) as I can't believe this was their exclusive VIP area TBH...

 

[AIRwin]

It's way worse than the regular lounge. I'm assuming it's not fully open (?) as I can't believe this was their exclusive VIP area TBH...

I heard the current furniture is not original...

 

[Bagpuss]

It's way worse than the regular lounge. I'm assuming it's not fully open (?) as I can't believe this was their exclusive VIP area TBH...

I've recently been through "The Club" and was super impressed with it.

However, you can tell there's different and extra furniture in it, probably taken from the main lounge. Also, you can tell in the bathrooms there should be cloth towels but they have put in a normal bin and paper towel dispenser.

It's also pretty busy compared to what it's normal use as a VIP so that needs to be factored in.

My take was : wood and leather panelling and marble ... No wonder JB was burning the cash.

The only downside is walking up stairs to access it.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I heard the current furniture is not original...

They had Ferrari leather seats and other bespoke furniture in there, and it was much less crowded.

 

[hydrabyss]

I've recently been through "The Club" and was super impressed with it.

However, you can tell there's different and extra furniture in it, probably taken from the main lounge. Also, you can tell in the bathrooms there should be cloth towels but they have put in a normal bin and paper towel dispenser.

It's also pretty busy compared to what it's normal use as a VIP so that needs to be factored in.

My take was : wood and leather panelling and marble ... No wonder JB was burning the cash.

The only downside is walking up stairs to access it.

At first I was not sure about the lounge and what to make of it. But once I settled in and worked out the ordering system I actually preferred it and as long as its not too full service was quick. I was told it could be a few months like this so will try and avoid peak times.

 

[lobo76]

I guess it was pretty full and I wasn't in there long (flight called a bit early, shocker) - it kinda looked like some areas may have been curtained off and it was pretty dark. I didn't really have a stickybeak though since we were asked to stay seated.

 

[Astro]

Lineups today in Melbourne around 4pm. I haven't been flying at peak as much. Is this normal? Line moved quick and was pleasant once I was in there.

Also there looks to be progress in the big lounge. What a mess

 

[oirets]

Was in the VA lounge at MEL from around 9am - 9.30am this morning.

There was a fair bit of a queue, especially because it was two queues - one at the entrance to get everyone to sign in for contact tracing, then another line inside for checking into the lounge. Thankfully there inside line moved quickly.

The lounge was pretty busy and the food options weren’t too bad. There’s coffee and juices available via order and also some muffins and bana bread, no hot options though. I generally like my eggs and bacon, so this was a big let down. Given that the lounge was pretty much full, I’m surprised that no hot options available.

Anyway, overall the temporary lounge is not as bad as I thought. It’s perfectly serviceable as a domestic lounge where I rarely arrive with more than 30 mins before the boarding time.

Despite all of the disappointment with the lounge food, the onboard food on my flight was great. It wasn’t quite as good as the “designer” dishes that VA used to serve, but it was a nice breakfast (got the turkey and brie on sourdough). Similar quality for what I would get for $15-20 at a takeaway cafe, so I’m pleased.

 

[Astro]

There was a fair bit of a queue, especially because it was two queues

Perhaps a PB lane is required here too?


Excellent review on the current situation.

(The above... that was a joke)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I guess best thing about VA Lounges now is the coffee art:



Last 2 times we flew VA J ex MEL we spent majority of time outside lounge in bars / cafes - 100% will continue to support VA as we desperately need an alternative to QF - but seriously new lounge concept is nothing short of pox!

 

[MooTime]

I guess best thing about VA Lounges now is the coffee art:

View attachment 244222

Last 2 times we flew VA J ex MEL we spent majority of time outside lounge in bars / cafes - 100% will continue to support VA as we desperately need an alternative to QF - but seriously new lounge concept is nothing short of pox!

Pox - An airline trying to grab other elite flyers twice within few months. Pox big time. Maybe desperation!

I can deal with a good coffee.

 

[jase05]

MEL lounge situation is quite poor currently. Currently a 25 minute wait to get into the lounge and those with a boarding time of 30 minutes or less being turned away and told “they won’t have enough time to get into the lounge”
With the increase in passenger traffic over the last few weeks it appears the lounge simply can’t cope. Perhaps they need to temporarily limit entry by status or class?

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'd say they need to get their act together and open the old space up ASAP....the online QR code ordering is a novel idea but it needs more work and is frankly unnecessary for if you want a soft drink or beer or pre-packaged sandwich. It is too long to wait in the busy times for catering.

 

[henrus]

With the increase in passenger traffic over the last few weeks it appears the lounge simply can’t cope. Perhaps they need to temporarily limit entry by status or class?

A few years ago when the Melbourne Qantas club was capacity restricted due to renovations they limited access to the person with the access only (no guests and no single-use vouchers). They could easily do that if it was a problem however I suspect that'll just make people even more upset.

 

[jase05]

I'd say they need to get their act together and open the old space up ASAP....the online QR code ordering is a novel idea but it needs more work and is frankly unnecessary for if you want a soft drink or beer or pre-packaged sandwich. It is too long to wait in the busy times for catering.

They have been pretty quick today once ordered IMO.
Starting to empty a bit now that a few flights have departed

 

[Astro]

Perhaps they need to temporarily limit entry by status or class?

Could you imagine....

 

[jase05]

Could you imagine....

I know, there is no easy solution but I suppose you can’t keep everyone happy

 

[Astro]

I know, there is no easy solution but I suppose you can’t keep everyone happy

You'd hear the screams from Adelaide.

Perhaps limiting time would be a better solution. The lounge would know the metrics but I wouldn't be surprised if some are arriving hours before their flight.

 

[PaulllM]

You'd hear the screams from Adelaide.

Perhaps limiting time would be a better solution. The lounge would know the metrics but I wouldn't be surprised if some are arriving hours before

When Adelaide had the pop up lounge early last year before covid hit the amount of guests allowed with Plats and Golds was limited and you couldn't go in till sometime between 45mins to 1hr before your flight and it worked fine. But at the same time we in Adelaide knew that it was temporary so if the can show a timeline to the big lounge opening then I can't see why they can't bring in time limits

 

[BNEFlyer]

I'd say they need to get their act together and open the old space up ASAP....the online QR code ordering is a novel idea but it needs more work and is frankly unnecessary for if you want a soft drink or beer or pre-packaged sandwich. It is too long to wait in the busy times for catering.

When the refurb is completed I think we’ll see the old space open soon after.