The Lounge MKY - A review from a FNQ regular.

[markis10]

As many of you might be aware the last year has been spend solely flying domestic with around 140 flights mostly in FNQ and the NT. One of the regular destinations is Mackay where my office achieves a significant proportion of its revenue, having been a regular here for over 10 years and actually having got married in a past life on Brampton Island I have seen many changes! One of the more significant changes has been the redevelopment of the terminal and the addition of the new Virgin Lounge, the previous 10 years the biggest news was probably just the addition of a toilet to the closet that passes as a Qantas regional lounge.

Knowing that I am a frequent visitor, Virgin offered to fly me up for the opening for a first look at the new facility, however the timing proved difficult and high loads meant we could do nothing until this week, so here is a late first looks at the newest addition to the Lounge family - Mackay!.

1. Location

Firstly its good to see its located near the boarding gates past security!

After being greeted by the welcome desk in front of you, a turn to the left will take you to the the main sating area and food, with two work benches and seating for 60 people:

 

[markis10]

Food & Catering

On arrival at around 10.30, breakfast was still the call:

Good to see the AFF inspired sandwich press is a part of the new lounge offerings:

The bar opens at 11AM and is well stocked without any bias against ford supporters apparent :mrgreen::

And the wine makes an appearance along with the non Breakfast snacks:

 

[markis10]

Business Facilities

There is a small area with two PCs, 4 desk areas (incl the two with PCs) and further seating for a total of 10 people, there is also a meeting room as well as a MFC:

In terms of internet, Mackay airport is on the edge of town and limited with ADSL speeds, but the wireless speed was good:




And the inside of the separate meeting room with an additional 8 seats:

 

[markis10]

One of the things that many note in their various lounge visits is the possibility of a view, well unlike the current QF regional one there is a small view of the apron and southern runway area:

Overall I found the lounge very nice and a welcome addition to Mackay, some key points:

1. The Lounge has no facilities but they are a short walk from the lounge. There are no showers airside.
2. The coffee machine makes the best automated coffee I have ever had.
3. Sign-age is still coming for the front.


Thank you to Kevin and his team for a very warm welcome and answering the odd question! I look forward to a return very soon!

Those of you with a sweet tooth may find this bowl that comes out at 11 hard to ignore:

 

[dk4]

The Lounge has no facilities but they are a short walk from the lounge. There are no showers airside.

Speaking as someone who has used the public shower at that airport, this is unfortunate. However, as for the rest of it - wow! (It's like a proper mini-lounge, particularly the buffet offer, just happens to be in a regional airport.:shock Great to see "real" pics, so much better than stage managed publicity shots, and even so - still looks like an amazing place (particularly when compared to what Qantas has expected its customers to endure for so long at MKY).

 

[gwilli1]

Thanks markis10 for the report. As one that travels to Mackay a couple of times a year, its nice to see we now have a VA lounge available to chill out in before heading back to Sydney. And a quick thanks to VA for continuing to support a direct SYD-MKY service. It beats a transfer in BNE any day.

 

[Noob]

Thanks Markis! The view actually looks better in your pics than the media ones.

 

[Taezar]

Pardon the language but it ****s all over the QantasLink lounge.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Thanks Markis!

+1
Cheers for the info Markis

 

[Mal]

Is the bar self serve? Judging by the size of the fridge, I suspect so.

Love the "kettle" shot (that is a term I use for photos that include the photographer in them as a reflection)

And, good to see the people outside are wearing their finest Mackay clothes/footwear...

 

[Sifor]

Looks like an outdoor area could be made available (if security fences or something allows).

 

[markis10]

Looks like an outdoor area could be made available (if security fences or something allows).

The airport has always had an outdoor airside area that used to feature a pond with Barra, sadly thats gone and replaced by a bar with the same name:

 

[cavemanzk]

Looks pretty good for a regional lounge, it sure puts allot of NZ's lounges to shame.

I take it they are very prompt on re-filling the cabinet? wouldn't say 5 slices of bread would go very far at peak.

 

[markis10]

Looks pretty good for a regional lounge, it sure puts allot of NZ's lounges to shame.

I take it they are very prompt on re-filling the cabinet? wouldn't say 5 slices of bread would go very far at peak.

Yes, they are very prompt, there was only three people in the lounge after the flight left (there had been 10 or so guests) and everything was cleaned/refreshed.

 

[Simo]

Wow,

It make QF's lounge look cough, About 2 years ago they renovated Mky's lounge(Changed the furniture and Carpet)

I have heard that they are upgrading Mky's lounge but i think that would only be because VA's done there lounge.

 

[amaroo]

Love the foot wear in the first shot.....gotta love FNQ

 

[markis10]

I do believe safety thongs are mandatory

 

[Tuddy]

How's the rest of Mackay airport looking these days? Have all the revamps been finished? And is it possible that Virgin could have their own outdoor seating area which has a more refined atmosphere than the remainder of the airport terminal perhaps? It would also offer tarmac views...which the new Qantas lougne will supposedly offer.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I do believe safety thongs are mandatory

Yeh, the steel caps are the toe rings! Very similar to Japanese riding boots!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

is it possible that Virgin could have their own outdoor seating area which has a more refined atmosphere

Now that's about the third comment on this one! Where's Noob, who reminded me it's a regional lounge???? ()

I still say a nice Raffles hotel ambiance with some (cheap) but very alluring Punkah fans would really set DJ apart from, not just Qantas, but set a standard (a very affordable standard) for the world.

Design can be very cost effective, but the lingering effect can write cheques..... this is what JB is on about....create a difference and the punters will back you. The huge cost in the MKY lounge was the lounge. A tropical inspired garden lounge (additionally to the "DJ" inspired formal lounge) would have been very unique, very practical, very memorable.......and for pittance!