Premium Entry

[medhead]

I see your point. They'd have to put all entrances to the lounge airside for it to work.

Well, my point is only about the security aspect. They could've built a premium entry kerbside, without security.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Well, my point is only about the security aspect. They could've built a premium entry kerbside, without security.

Very true. Regardless, it does seem like wasted opportunities. There must've been reasons for it...

 

[bullerdude]

The lounge is land-side, so they could have built a premium entry (with security) instead of the premium exit.

In this case it isn't VA's fault. The lounge currently resides in a non-sterile area of the airport which requires structural changes prior to being converted to a sterile area.

The details as buried in the Melb Airport masterplan, which did mention yet another future upgrade to T3 after T4 is finished, which would convert that middle floor with the shops and lounge to a sterile area.

 

[Milefest]

Does anyone know where The Club in MEL feeds out to? Is it into the VA lounge?

 

[dec540]

Aren't you nice! Did somebody else end up sitting in 3 B/E anyway?

Nope, both were empty. Thankfully 4E (the seat next to me) was also empty. I'd say it was karma

 

[bullerdude]

It feeds out into the hallway that connects terminals 3 + 4.

Close to the second exit of the VA Lounge.

 

[Milefest]

Thanks

Very true. Regardless, it does seem like wasted opportunities. There must've been reasons for it...

Even ignoring the security aspect, it would be much easier to walk directly into the lounge without having to weave through the airport, kerbside entry would be so convenient.

 

[dec540]

Even ignoring the security aspect, it would be much easier to walk directly into the lounge without having to weave through the airport, kerbside entry would be so convenient.

I also think Premium Entry is about more than just ease. I know it probably sounds a bit pretentious, but it's a great feeling entering the airport through what feels like your own entry. It feels like you should expect a private jet to be waiting for you when you clear security.

There's nothing like the comedown of getting on public transport at the other end of your flight...

 

[bullerdude]

Thanks



Even ignoring the security aspect, it would be much easier to walk directly into the lounge without having to weave through the airport, kerbside entry would be so convenient.

That part I can agree with completely. I bridge across to the lounge with a dedicated checkin desk so you can skip the main terminal would accomplish the same.

 

[deva22]

I agree. Giving passengers with status the 'feeling' of having high status is an important aspect to customer loyalty.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I agree. Giving passengers with status the 'feeling' of having high status is an important aspect to customer loyalty.

This has been completely forgotten by VA. It's what SQ gets right. Make your pax feel special.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I notice every thread like this is going down the 'things for VA to fix' route...

 

[dec540]

How about the come down when getting onto the actual VA flight?

It's basically a progressive come down the whole way home... Premium Entry > lounge > Y seat on a 737 > train > bus > walk...

 

[JohnK]

I notice every thread like this is going down the 'things for VA to fix' route...

Why is that surprising?

VA promised and delivered a few things a long time ago and some people fell for it. VA have been doing nothing since.

 

[jackthomas]

This has been completely forgotten by VA. It's what SQ gets right. Make your pax feel special.

I must say, I'm not sure I agree that VA gets this wrong.
As a VA Gold PAX, I've always felt far more special than other airlines, including SQ and as a QF Gold. Gold is obviously lower on the Qantas pecking order however theres certainly a noticeable difference in the way VA treats their passengers, sometimes it is simply having friendlier staff at the lounge entry etc.
Not to mention that SQ push their status pax into inferior lounges without showers....

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I must say, I'm not sure I agree that VA gets this wrong.
As a VA Gold PAX, I've always felt far more special than as a QF Gold. Gold is obviously lower on the Qantas pecking order however theres certainly a noticeable difference in the way VA treats their passengers, sometimes it is simply having friendlier staff at the lounge entry etc.
Not to mention that SQ push their status pax into inferior lounges without showers....

Honestly, I'm pretty happy with the way VA treat me domestically. I have no idea if that's just because their staff are generally pretty good and treat everyone well, or if it's special WP treatment.

Lounge staff are all lovely and always accommodating. Y crew can be hit and miss though.

 

[Milefest]

There are many aspects of VA that I like and they sure do have a lot of potential.

I don't think the negatives should always overshadow the positives.

I'm glad they're at least trialling the spirits (which I get to consume again this evening ).. surely it'll be a success for a national rollout..

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I must say, I'm not sure I agree that VA gets this wrong.
As a VA Gold PAX, I've always felt far more special than other airlines, including SAQ and as a QF Gold. Gold is obviously lower on the Qantas pecking order however theres certainly a noticeable difference in the way VA treats their passengers, sometimes it is simply having friendlier staff at the lounge entry etc.
Not to mention that SQ push their status pax into inferior lounges without showers....

As a current Platinum FF with both QF & VA, I agree.
One example: at check-in in Adelaide, the check-in agent answered a call while processing my check-in but said "I'm sorry, I'm with a high-value customer, I will call you back."
That made me feel special, at absolutely no cost to the airline. Whereas on numerous occasions, I have had QF check-in staff keep me waiting while they dealt with a phone call.
It is also basic (if old fashioned) good manners to prioritise the person who is physically in front of you over the person on the phone.
I have always felt that QF staff are a bit more egalitarian and don't feel entirely comfortable treating one passenger better than another.
This also contrasts with the recognition I've received as a OWE on CX, MH, IB & AY.

Incidentally I prefer to use a human check-in agent when I have checked luggage so that they can give me the priority bag tags.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Honestly, I'm pretty happy with the way VA treat me domestically. I have no idea if that's just because their staff are generally pretty good and treat everyone well, or if it's special WP treatment.

Lounge staff are all lovely and always accommodating. Y crew can be hit and miss though.

Agree 100%. I've generally had much better experiences with VA staff than QF both on the ground and in the air. It may well be WP treatment, but the benefit of Virgin is its a lot easier to get WP. My flying probably wouldn't get me WP with QF but its comfortable with Virgin and getting the 4 upgrades per year is a great perk on the coast to coast route. If they removed that perk my opinion may change...