The Lounge - what refreshments/changes do you expect or would like to see?

[medhead]

The Lounge - what refreshments do you expect or would like to see?

Coopers Pale Ale is available in the SYD QP not just the J lounge.

I would also add that there are a number of Coopers varieties. If you can't drink Pale Ale (the green) and refer to them by colour you are only a beginner. In such case Sparkling Ale (the red) is for you, grasshopper.

 

[JeniSkunk]

Also a strong avid SA Icon, Farmers Union Iced Coffee (Even if this was only in Adelaide) and other Iced Coffee variants, I dont always want a hot coffee, I like mine Iced

Ones I know I'll drink around australia are..

Farmers Union Iced Coffee (SA/Vic/Qld) (Which by the way outsells Coke 5:1 in South Australia)
Ice Break (I know this is in Vic)
Masters (WA)

Ice Break has been made in Queensland for at least 15 years.
I love it as it's real coffee, just chilled. Makes for a great cool caffine hit on a summers day.

Another non-alcolholic I'd like to see available both in the Lounge and in flight, is Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling.

I would like to see some form of security added to the wireless too (WPA2 would be excellent) with the 'key' displayed around the computing area's etc.

Either that or please atleast have a sign or two informing people that 'lounge' wireless is insecure and to be careful of what information they transmit, and recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection.

Infect, having a virgin supplied VPN for those who want to use it while on the wireless (Linked in with the Velocity number for username and their password been the same) to encrypt their data from the wireless would be BRILLIANT!

Obviously not needed for physical data connectins (of the few ports you do have available!)

Better yet, WPA2PSK with a one time use key being generated on entry to the lounge, and the Velocity number being the user name for login to the wifi system.

Jenifur Charne

 

[azza_9]

Flew into the Sydney Lounge last month and thought the food was at a high standard especially the chocolate panforte. Can anyone tell me where to get this??
Overall great lounge with a great selection of food and beverages, thumbs up to Virgin, alot better then The Pub

Just wondering what all your views are??

 

[Justinf]

Am enjoying the Coronas of late in the Lounge. Plus the choice between lime and lemon is good as well.

 

[straitman]

Flew into the Sydney Lounge last month and thought the food was at a high standard especially the chocolate panforte. Can anyone tell me where to get this??
Overall great lounge with a great selection of food and beverages, thumbs up to Virgin, alot better then The Pub

Just wondering what all your views are??

Hi azza_9,

Welcome to AFF.

I have not been in 'The Lounge' in SYD so cannot comment.

 

[samh004]

Since I last posted in this thread I’ve had the chance to try The Lounge in BNE/MEL and have to say I liked the availability of Strongbow (or some cider, I can’t recall exactly), as all I want is cider in this weather (the adverts may have helped too) and the other day when I went to buy some found it too pricey (came home with 2 cases of TED’s for $66 instead).

 

[andyj]

At the BNE lounge last night was told it will be closing soon for 6 weeks for refurbishment (they will be operating a temporary lounge for this period). Hopefully some new food options might come out of this as well.

 

[straitman]

The Lounge - what refreshments do you expect or would like to see?

At the BNE lounge last night was told it will be closing soon for 6 weeks for refurbishment (they will be operating a temporary lounge for this period). Hopefully some new food options might come out of this as well.

Perfect timing as we will be traveling through BNE a couple of times in that period and wanting to use 'The Lounge'




Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[The Rok]

Is this a thread about the Lounge or Beer?

Either way, Im happy with the selection of beer (Im a Corona drinker), but the food is a little bland to say the least. Changing it quarterly would at least be a start... And some hot food would go down very well, even if there was a full food menu and a minor charge for it....

 

[Kendall Roy]

Last time I was in the SYD lounge.

NO VEGEMITE! :shock:

Poor form guys

 

[sqflier]

I think the DL lounge sucks..

It is not comparable to any of the other ailrines. I know its a LCC but still. Yes, beers come in all brands but what about if you wish to have a Bloddy Mary, G&T, Food choices VERY limited..You got a LONG way to go...Make it all self service as well..

 

[markis10]

I think the DL lounge sucks..

It is not comparable to any of the other ailrines. I know its a LCC but still. Yes, beers come in all brands but what about if you wish to have a Bloddy Mary, G&T, Food choices VERY limited..You got a LONG way to go...Make it all self service as well..

I beg to differ on a number of points, firstly DJ are not a LCC, they shed that title/category some time ago when they launched a lounge offering and a rewards program that offers points for every revenue flight and offer a seat pitch that is not typical of a LCC.

I agree the food offering could be improved however as it stands its not too different to what is on offer from the competition domestically and internationally. As for the drink, the lack of spirits does not concern me, you will find the same in pretty much all of the priority pass lounges across the world, having an all day Barista is a much better offering for me.

In terms of self serve, it would not be possible under state liquor laws if spirits were involved, the international lounges are exempt from this requirement while the QPs domestically that offer this dont provide spirits, of course the wine in the lounge is already self service however the selection could be improved by the number of offerings and the quality on offer, it would also be nice to see a local wine on offer in each lounge, local being state produced.

 

[sqflier]

Well that is your eprsonal view. I just shared mine.

DJ is a LCC. It is only a LCC that charges for food, drinks etc..Full service/premium airlines do not. Simple as that

 

[kamchatsky]

I have been to The Lounges at SYD, BNE, ADL. The only thing that I think needs to improve is the food offering. Whilst it is great to make sandwiches it does get quote bored after a while. It would be good to introduce some variety.
Of course the next stage is lounge for international flights.

 

[andyj]

I think the DL lounge sucks..

It is not comparable to any of the other ailrines. I know its a LCC but still. Yes, beers come in all brands but what about if you wish to have a Bloddy Mary, G&T, Food choices VERY limited..You got a LONG way to go...Make it all self service as well..

I'm not sure if any lounges would offer a Bloddy Mary.

 

[yohy?!]

Well that is your eprsonal view. I just shared mine.

DJ is a LCC. It is only a LCC that charges for food, drinks etc..Full service/premium airlines do not. Simple as that

Many legacy/ 'premium' carriers now charge fees for so called 'ancillary services'- all American legacy carriers charge for checked baggage for example. QF also charges for alcohol on board in some instances as well as credit card booking fees. Even SQ charges for exit row seats (like DJ).

A true LCC these days would be someone like Ryanair or AirAsia or Tiger (ie you pay nothing, you get nothing if something goes wrong).

DJ does not follow this model nor is it the direction they are heading (increased corporate market share).

 

[straitman]

Many legacy/ 'premium' carriers now charge fees for so called 'ancillary services'- all American legacy carriers charge for checked baggage for example. QF also charges for alcohol on board in some instances as well as credit card booking fees. Even SQ charges for exit row seats (like DJ).

A true LCC these days would be someone like Ryanair or AirAsia or Tiger (ie you pay nothing, you get nothing if something goes wrong).

DJ does not follow this model nor is it the direction they are heading (increased corporate market share).

yohy,

I have to agree. DJ have gradually been climbing away from their LCC roots and now have less add ons than many legacy carriers. You can at least get something half decent on board which is definitely better than nearly all US domestic (legacy) carriers.

 

[oz_mark]

QF also charges for alcohol on board in some instances as well as credit card booking fees.

Actually, domestically, QF charging for alcohol is the norm, with exceptions made on the Citiflyer routes.

As for DJ, at this point in time, I would count them overall as being closer to an LCC than not. I expect this to change in the coming months.

 

[malmacdowall]

The Lounge to close temporarily for renovations in MEL BNE and SYD...

Received this email from DJ...
"You may already be aware that Virgin Blue is increasing our commitment to our business, government and frequent flyers, and as a result we are putting more focus on developing the products and services that you value most. As part of this focus, we will be expanding and significantly improving our Lounge facilities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The changes will enhance the comfort and space, and incorporate fresh new food options throughout the day, providing you with a more exclusive and refreshing Lounge experience.

To achieve this, a substantial refurbishment programme commences in February 2011 for a two to three month period, during which time we will operate from temporary Lounge facilities in both Melbourne and Brisbane. The Sydney Lounge will continue to operate through the renovation period without major disruption.

The Melbourne Lounge refurbishment commences 04 February 2011 and will be staged, allowing us to continue to operate in the existing facility. The Lounge will close for approximately two weeks during refurbishment to allow for intensive works. During this short period of closure we will offer complimentary food and beverage vouchers for members departing Melbourne. You will receive a subsequent email with closure dates and service information closer to the time.

The Brisbane Lounge refurbishment will commence between the end of February and the beginning of March. The existing Lounge will close for the duration of works, and a separate facility will operate during refurbishment.

While the temporary facilities will be restricted in the range of services available, we will continue to offer bar and barista service and refreshments throughout the day. The temporary Lounges will also provide lounge, dining, and some business facilities for your convenience, together with complimentary WIFI access. Meeting rooms will not be available in Melbourne and Brisbane during the refurbishment programme, but will be available at all other Lounges. "

Will be interesting to see some changes to a quickly dating Lounge....

 

[koonyaflyer]

Having read today's posts on this thread there are certainly some interesting thoughts on what does/not make an LCC. At the risk of adding more fuel to the fire if the argument of paying for food on board is one of the key defining criteria I wonder where this would put Air NZ with their new trans Tasman airfares with only the 2 top fare levels including a meal.

Back to the thread now ... After 3 years of the same meals in the lounge I am now looking forward to the current refurbishment programme which promises a new food offering. I really believe that The Lounge has been a solid offering ... I am excited to see the next iteration!