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

[aaronm]

Glad that VA are doing something about the overcrowded lounge. Love that the new arrangement comes with a nice complex set of rules, clearly the VA1 DNA is still going strong.

 

[henrus]

I love the photo of the "Virgin Australia Lounge" nestled in between the AFL bar and a McDonalds. Quite amusing they've properly branded it but also rather concerning they've printed signage which could indicate quite a long wait until the new lounge opens.

 

[jakeseven7]

Good to see the app is on its way out, I was in the lounge yesterday during a very busy time. I didn't mind the actual ordering experience what drove me insane was the kitchen side of the app "rings" every time someone makes an order. Due to the volume of orders it was non stop ringing, ie no longer than 30 seconds with silence and several minutes at a time where it was consistently ringing. After I had my sandwich (that took 25 minutes to deliver) I left the lounge for some peace outside in the terminal.

Yes agree the ringing is super annoying (surely they can just put it on silent in busy times, there will always be orders to check right.....)

I didn't mind the idea of the app but it simply isn't fast enough or rather the staff can't keep up with the system, there are 20 minute waits for drinks and alot of people just drop into lounges for 10-15 minutes. So you have these stressed staff running around the lounge trying to hunt down people that have left, someone else is at their table, says its the wrong order it should be XYZ or no, I'm not that person can you get me XYZ etc etc. It is a hot mess.

 

[Ausbt]

First day back in the air in 14 months yesterday SYD-MEL-SYD pure status run with a cheap ticket. A little shopping at South Wharf DFO. Anyway, The Club. Yeah, not really that impressed and I'm basing that one what was likely there pre-COVID no doubt with vastly improved food&bev. In some ways table service is nice I guess, but really was The Club ever a big deal? I think I'd rather just stick to the standard lounge.

As far as the SYD lounge went, their pre-made toasties were almost better than I could have made myself.

 

[MooTime]

visited the Mel VA popup lounge last week, I liked it, was quite small, but very much suited the current amount of flyers. Was a nice setup, looked great.
Was spirits, but was in there early, now VA never had spirits in their lounges, I never saw an announcement stating this was now included.
I'd prefer it (disregarding size once crowding starts) over The Club space, having some sort of runway view is imperative for me. Of course The Club will in future have better food, but give me the basics with runway view & I'm happy.

Also visited the ADL VA lounge last week, very impressed, less small comfy couches, going the comfy stool type.
Anyway great staff & food offerings IMO.
Pity it overlooked some construction / carpark / road areas.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Will need to see what happens once more flyers are confident to start flying again, to see how VA3 compares to the "former" VA1, food wise and service wise, ((once Covid has been dealt with by more people getting vaccinated)).
Right now, VA3 is using the Covid excuse for not having buffets back, and a lot of things they say are Covid prevention, ...
Ie, will buffets ever come back, or will the current system be more financially capable for VA3 to deal with, less food waste, less clean up, less drink waste, etc.
Time will tell.
But as some on here muse, will VA3 still be around in a few years time.

 

[jakeseven7]

Will need to see what happens once more flyers are confident to start flying again, to see how VA3 compares to the "former" VA1, food wise and service wise, ((once Covid has been dealt with by more people getting vaccinated)).
Right now, VA3 is using the Covid excuse for not having buffets back, and a lot of things they say are Covid prevention, ...
Ie, will buffets ever come back, or will the current system be more financially capable for VA3 to deal with, less food waste, less clean up, less drink waste, etc.
Time will tell.
But as some on here muse, will VA3 still be around in a few years time.

Isn’t VA3 the name for the airline that Bain will sell in a few years? I thought they were VA2 now

 

[BNEFlyer]

Will need to see what happens once more flyers are confident to start flying again, to see how VA3 compares to the "former" VA1, food wise and service wise, ((once Covid has been dealt with by more people getting vaccinated)).
Right now, VA3 is using the Covid excuse for not having buffets back, and a lot of things they say are Covid prevention, ...
Ie, will buffets ever come back, or will the current system be more financially capable for VA3 to deal with, less food waste, less clean up, less drink waste, etc.
Time will tell.
But as some on here muse, will VA3 still be around in a few years time.

VA3? It's just VA.

 

[henrus]

VA3? It's just VA.

You might see VA3 around AFF and it's simply referring to the ownership.

VA1 is the original Virgin Australia (pre Covid) owned by Etihad/Singapore Airlines/HNA group and a variety of other airlines/ASX.

VA2 is the Deloitte operated Virgin Australia (during most of last year whilst in administration).

VA3 is the new Bain operated Virgin Australia (since late last year).

Some skip the Deloitte owned period hence bain is often called VA2 hence the confusion.

 

[HS-TQE]

If we're going to refer to the Virgin throughout it's entire history in Australia. It would technically be Virgin Mk IV.

Virgin Mk 1 (Virgin Blue under control of Branson/Toll and later NZ - owned some assets outright)
Virgin 2 (Virgin Australia under control of SIA/EAG/HNA/et al - asset stripped and stacked/mortgaged loans against the banks to fund Capacity War - asset stripping still continued when said 'Capacity War' finished)
Virgin 3 (Virgin Australia under the administration of Deloitte)
Virgin 4 (Bain Capital - deposing most of the mortgaged stuff e.g 777s and 737s by Virgin 2, may float/strip VFF separately again?).
Virgin 5?

 

[henrus]

Virgin Mk 1 (Virgin Blue under control of Branson/Toll and later NZ - owned some assets outright)

I think we could discuss this all day but I'd say that's DJ.

 

[oz_ally]

visited the Mel VA popup lounge last week, I liked it, was quite small, but very much suited the current amount of flyers. Was a nice setup, looked great.

I have only been to it once (so far) but I liked it too. I guess I was lucky to go at a time where it wasn't crowded and we got a table easily. I actually preferred the food and snacks on offer over what I get at BNE.

 

[BNEFlyer]

A friend was walking past the MEL lounge today and managed to get a quick sneaky peek inside. Same design as ADL (as expected), the purple has all gone, ceiling design has remained. Looks to be slightly more neutral colours used compared to ADL.

 

[MooTime]

A friend was walking past the MEL lounge today and managed to get a quick sneaky peek inside. Same design as ADL (as expected), the purple has all gone, ceiling design has remained. Looks to be slightly more neutral colours used compared to ADL.

You mean the old lounge currently being renovated?

Management, well JH did say they'll be changing them all to be same same as each other over time.

I liked ADL, but something brand new, clean & fresh is always nice.
But it's the staff that sets it aside from others.
Very welcoming & friendly in my experience.

 

[AIRwin]

Wonder what would happen to The Club with the opening of the new MEL lounge today:

Virgin Australia re-opens new-look Melbourne Lounge and launches new menu

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[henrus]

The Club with the opening of the new MEL lounge today

Mentioned in the article you've linked:

"Virgin Australia has also committed to re-opening its premium lounges (formerly The Club) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane by 31 March 2022."

 

[AIRwin]

Mentioned in the article you've linked:

"Virgin Australia has also committed to re-opening its premium lounges (formerly The Club) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane by 31 March 2022."

Thanks! I missed that...

 

[Astro]

I went through the Melbourne lounge today. Still very quiet - only about a dozen flights out of MEL. The staff were very excited to get back. It's a nice change to the decor. New menu looks good too - an upgrade for sure.

 

[Mattg]

The new lounge does look nice.

 

[jakeseven7]

Mentioned in the article you've linked:

"Virgin Australia has also committed to re-opening its premium lounges (formerly The Club) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane by 31 March 2022."

A few Politicians breathe a sigh of relief