Pics of Virgin Australia's 'The Club' (SYD and BNE)

[lovestotravel]

Without a J lounge it just means I move more flights towards Qantas as I can usually access that lounge.

The Virgin lounge lack of food and overcrowded MEL lounge is annoying me!

A J lounge would be far better than a "VIP" only lounge!

However if the VIP lounge was for J/Plat then that is of course fine

 

[KCMil]

I am advised that Mr Borghetti has recently made it very clear to staff that the VIP lounge is in no way going to accept any other than VIP's just as chairman's lounge doesn't accept QF Plat's.

 

[time_flies]

Had lunch in the Club on Wednesday in Brisbane and snapped a couple of quick photos
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[Fruitcake]

Did you ask if it would be possible to get a hot dog from the Lounge instead?

 

[samh004]

Had lunch in the Club on Wednesday in Brisbane and snapped a couple of quick photos
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Looks good. I hope their strategy is working, or else it'll all be for nothing.

 

[lovestotravel]

That's what the business/platinum lounge should be on VA!

 

[time_flies]

I am a little baffled about their costing strategy for this. The few times I've been in, there has been zero pax come through other than my boss and myself. There is always a CS manager to greet at the door, a dedicated food and bev server, and clearly at least one chef in the kitchen at all times. Minimum three staff on hand full time just in case someone comes in.

With memberships topping out at maximum 300, there must be a huge amount of downtime??

 

[lovestotravel]

Doesn't surprise me that it's quiet.

I have said it so many times a plat/business lounge to me makes more sense, being an armchair expert and all......

 

[grubbidok]

With memberships topping out at maximum 300, there must be a huge amount of downtime??

It may be tricky photography, but it also almost looks as big as the BNE lounge. What a waste of precious space for no clients.

Also, no offence to the parties involved, but if Deborah Hutton and Susie Burrell can qualify, are memberships really capped at 300?

They do look a lot nicer than the VA lounge though. I never understood the praise the VA lounge design received - it already looked aged the moment they put it in, isn't exactly a 'relaxing' type of space, and for all the money they've spent still looks rather 'cheap'.

 

[markis10]

It may be tricky photography, but it also almost looks as big as the BNE lounge. What a waste of precious space for no clients..

Its about half the size of the normal lounge, the space it occupies was a temp lounge before the main lounge opened.

 

[777]

I am a little baffled about their costing strategy for this. The few times I've been in, there has been zero pax come through other than my boss and myself. There is always a CS manager to greet at the door, a dedicated food and bev server, and clearly at least one chef in the kitchen at all times. Minimum three staff on hand full time just in case someone comes in.

Win 5 x $5m contract from Qantas and it starts to pay for itself is probably the thinking.

 

[RooFlyer]

What's that thing in the pic between 2 clubby type chairs?

An Esky? A Jacuzzi for one?

And the carpet? Something from the 70s?

 

[docjames]

I think the appeal is the empty space!

 

[Ansettaddict123]

What's that thing in the pic between 2 clubby type chairs?

An Esky? A Jacuzzi for one?

And the carpet? Something from the 70s?

Maybe it's the imagination going wild but if im not mistaken it looks like a pair of tables that pivot out and make the chairs a workspace etc? There's definitely 2 separate 'bits' in the assembly by the looks of things. Nice use of space if it is!

Are there spirits in the club time_flies?

 

[777]

As much as the menu (and the drink selection) appeal, i have to say that i find the decor to pretty ugly. It seems like the worst possible mash of contemporary VA styling and old world elite. It's seems to be neither not both somehow from the pics i've seen. Maybe it works better in real life?

 

[Dannee112]

It looks exciting as my Mum's old cardies!! C'mon VA what is happening I mean the CL ****s all over 'The Club'!!!!

 

[Melburnian1]

I agree: none of the photos look attractive.

While I'm similarly most unlikely to be 'important' enough to be invited in or to become a 'Club member', what's the appeal of dining in an empty space? Even the departed but much loved Sir Humphrey might remark that the cigar-chomping style chairs are rather impractical if one is dining. Perhaps that just shows my lack of breeding, but practicality and function over form generally wins the day. I'd find being in there underwhelming, but then I decline to join the 'normal' lounges since my philosophy is to spend that money on something that I value more such as paying off any debts.

 

[SimonF]

I say it looks swanky!

 

[Saab34]

Everything feels a little "rushed" to me.

I wish they went down the route that VS with its clubhouse. Just imagine the JFK clubhouse at MEL T3. I know its designed for International travel but its a drawcard.

 

[Noob]

It looks exciting as my Mum's old cardies!! C'mon VA what is happening I mean the CL ****s all over 'The Club'!!!!

That's not what I've been hearing from members