The disgraceful state of the MEL Lounge with no end in sight

[erkpod]

The following is the answer I received this afternoon from the Melbourne Lounge Manager. Hopefully that will satisfy people for a while.

Next week! Saturday morning - the North wing will be open and we are very excited. This raises the current capacity by approximately 250-300 seats. By the time the South Wing opens early next year our capacity will be an impressive (approx) 720. We understand the pressure points we have all faced during these renovations... and the end is in sight! We can't wait to show you around.

In relation to the current Vlounge, where is the North wing & where is the South wing?


(I hope both wings are level! *boom tish*)

 

[bullerdude]

In relation to the current Vlounge, where is the North wing & where is the South wing?


(I hope both wings are level! *boom tish*)

The north wing would likely be the area behind the current entry desk, making the south wing the area near the old library at the bathrooms.

 

[RooFlyer]

Quelle horreur! Virgin is working on creating a larger lounge for guests! That is just plain shocking and unacceptable! haha

Quelle merde! AFFers comment on bad lounge experiences. Not shocking.


(haha)

 

[drewbles]

I'll be passing thru the VA lounge in MEL this w/end. Hopefully she meant this Saturday and not the one after Christmas. Looking forward to seeing it (it was a war zone this last w/end that's for sure).

 

[day_mee]

The north wing would likely be the area behind the current entry desk, making the south wing the area near the old library at the bathrooms.

The entry desk moved a little while ago (within the past month) and is now on the right hand side of the entrance, rather than bang in the middle where it was prior.

 

[maninblack]

I wonder if VA considered a J lounge area for MEL. It's not an elitist thing, simply that VA seems to have an awful lot of passengers who have status and therefore lounge entry. The PER lounge could certainly do with a J lounge area, crikey what a shocker. Coming back from PER recently there were more passengers lined up for priority boarding than the no-status line and there were only about 12 passengers in J.

 

[lovestotravel]

I wonder if VA considered a J lounge area for MEL. It's not an elitist thing, simply that VA seems to have an awful lot of passengers who have status and therefore lounge entry. The PER lounge could certainly do with a J lounge area, crikey what a shocker. Coming back from PER recently there were more passengers lined up for priority boarding than the no-status line and there were only about 12 passengers in J.

They didn't do it in SYD so I very much doubt they will do it in MEL

A J lounge would reward those who are Platinum or actually fly J

Better food
Spirits
Quieter

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Quelle merde! AFFers comment on bad lounge experiences. Not shocking.

Unless the electricians failed to test the installation resulting in a lot of Bob Marley look-a-likes....

 

[777]

I'm still punting that we may see a J lounge in upstairs Sydney and Mel in the not too distant future.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm still punting that we may see a J lounge in upstairs Sydney and Mel in the not too distant future.

And there is also a possibility in BNE.

 

[Mondo]

I'm still punting that we may see a J lounge in upstairs Sydney and Mel in the not too distant future.

Also the overflow lounge in BNE could easily be converted to a J Lounge

 

[bullerdude]

Qantas only have the 4 Dom J lounges so it shouldn't be that hard for VA to do at least 3. The will at have the space at Brisbane (overflow area), Sydney (upstairs), and presumably Melbourne given the size of the lounge upgrades.

My guess is they may have decided against it at Canberra as VA presumably have a lot of Plats flying in/out of Canberra, thus they would probably need a J lounge twice the size of the main lounge.

 

[marki]

Perth is no better

 

[drewbles]

Perth is no better

PER lounge is not small nor undergoing renovations though. It's a coughpy lounge, yes, and the bar tender (I think he's Indian) is terrible, I think he feels it's his mission in life to police alcohol so strictly that no one gets any. I asked for a beer and a glass of wine once, and was told 'no, the other person has to come get their own drink!'. I informed him they were for me, and was then told 'no you have to drink one and come back, i've told you this before!' (quite rudely too). He recognises me as I go through there probably 5-10 times a year, but he's never said that. I'm assuming that VA have told him to be like that due to FIFO workers, but he was blatantly rude.

 

[smit0847]

I'll be in the Lounge on Sunday morning - good to hear a new section will be open - I'm looking forward to seeing it.

 

[Fruitcake]

AusBT has a PR piece on the expansion:

Virgin Australia opens expanded Melbourne lounge this weekend

Features will include an espresso bar and in early 2014 there will be a "stand-alone wine bar" - both of which are features expected to be rolled out in

 

[moa999]

End in sight.

 

[erkpod]

They've been doing great with their RSHD (Responsible Service of Hot Dogs)!

 

[drewbles]

They've been doing great with their RSHD (Responsible Service of Hot Dogs)!

They removed them from what I've seen (and not sure PER ever had them, never seen them in there). Good riddance I say! Mystery Meat [tm] is not my idea of a way to start a flight

 

[notzac]

They removed them from what I've seen

..clearly the Responsible thing to do!