The new Virgin lounge in Adelaide [opened 23 Feb 2021]

[Saab34]

But not certain why the need for a design overhaul.

I think that’s half the reason why they ended up where they are. The merry go round of spending. No profit in sight. Projects after projects. The lounges are still decades ahead of others around the globe.

Bit surprised that they will blow more cash on matching the rest of the lounge fleet with this one. I wonder if that involves returning some space back to the landlord in the process. If they intend to cede some of the corporate market, might not need lounges as big.

 

[Bagpuss]

I think that’s half the reason why they ended up where they are. The merry go round of spending. No profit in sight. Projects after projects. The lounges are still decades ahead of others around the globe.

Bit surprised that they will blow more cash on matching the rest of the lounge fleet with this one. I wonder if that involves returning some space back to the landlord in the process. If they intend to cede some of the corporate market, might not need lounges as big.

You've really hit the nail on the head with Virgin Australia.
It really swapped and changed all the time, changing aircraft, seating, product.
I don't see anything wrong the current lounge product. Then again this was done pre covid and a possibility to reflect investment and improvement on the lounges.

 

[serfty]

The ADL lounge was designed before covid and would have opened 10 - 11 months ago if not for covid.

With that it was likely designed in 2019 with a reduced budget when compared with the prior years' redevelopments elsewhere.

I suspect little change to the original design when it opens and little change with other lounges going forward.

 

[jase05]

The ADL lounge was designed before covid and would have opened 10 - 11 months ago if not for covid.

With that it was likely designed in 2019 with a reduced budget when compared with the prior years' redevelopments elsewhere.

I suspect little change to the original design when it opens and little change with other lounges going forward.

My understanding from builders there is that current lounge is quite a bit different from the one that was going to open last year.
It seems Bain has put their own influences into the new lounge

 

[serfty]

My understanding from builders there is that current lounge is quite a bit different from the one that was going to open last year.
It seems Bain has put their own influences into the new lounge

I would be surprised if they spent the money to make it significantly different as it was about to open so base structure/design would have been just about completed.

Maybe furnishing?

 

[jase05]

I would be surprised if they spent the money to make it significantly different as it was about to open so base structure/design would have been just about completed.

Maybe furnishing?

Yeah, I don’t know the full extent but there were tradies in there for a good week or so and they looked to be removing/modifying internal walls

 

[jakeseven7]

Honestly I felt the lounges as they were appeared just fine. Now with that said I'm sure this new one will be far better than the original Adelaide lounge. But not certain why the need for a design overhaul.

Ironically the size of the original ADL lounge is probably appropriate now for VA2's scaled back offering and move downmarket!

 

[oz_mark]

My understanding from builders there is that current lounge is quite a bit different from the one that was going to open last year.
It seems Bain has put their own influences into the new lounge

The design of the new Adelaide Lounge was put in place during the time of Paul Scurrah. Bain may have made some tweaks, but the layout predates their involvement,

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

And remember that Australians have experienced a wide-body domestic transcontinental option since the beginning of the 1980s (and Virgin is now a single aisle operator only).

Ta for the pix.

 

[ozstamps]

Ironically the size of the original ADL lounge is probably appropriate now for VA2's scaled back offering and move downmarket!

Agree, it was never that bad. Used it dozens of times and never, ever had an issue getting a seat and ADL is basically a second tier port.

At least I could always access it immediately, unlike SYD today with the quite insane 80 cap it had today, with a long line of premium pax being forced to line up outside at 8.30am - a key flight time period. For SYDNEY - quite unacceptable.

 

[jase05]

Agree, it was never that bad. Used it dozens of times and never, ever had an issue getting a seat and ADL is basically a second tier port.

You have been very lucky. As my home port I used it very regularly and it wasn’t uncommon to be fully packed and restrictions put on who could enter. Was just too small unfortunately

 

[Carrots]

So back on topic... Wouldn't be surprising if a late Feb open date now gets pushed back with this latest border to Vic closed saga.

 

[jakeseven7]

Agreed will be delayed - thanks SA Govwenment! Please get back on your meds you are stopping AFF’ers from doing a new lounge trip report! Very unfair

 

[Bagpuss]

Agreed will be delayed - thanks SA Govwenment! Please get back on your meds you are stopping AFF’ers from doing a new lounge trip report! Very unfair

Not so sure. They still opened the Perth lounge with the border closing to NSW and Vic.

 

[stm1sydney]

Plus the nutty restrictions on NSW travellers arriving (requirement to self quarantine until a test comes back negative) means little leisure travel and no business trips. No chance of the ADL lounge opening any time soon.

 

[jakeseven7]

Not so sure. They still opened the Perth lounge with the border closing to NSW and Vic.

It was rumoured that was done to stop losing even more mining contracts....

 

[oz_mark]

It was rumoured that was done to stop losing even more mining contracts....

Keeping VARA was needed for that, but once they made that decision, the lounge was needed. I also think VARA may have stitched together its own catering contract, something Virgin itself seems to be struggling to get together.

 

[Bagpuss]

It was rumoured that was done to stop losing even more mining contracts....

If true (not saying it isn’t) one would question why they closed the T2 lounge which was for the FIFO flights. T2 lounge was very basic.

Then again, no word on The Club in Perth which is next to the T1 lounge which is just a white door with the word “Private” on it.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Keeping VARA was needed for that, but once they made that decision, the lounge was needed. I also think VARA may have stitched together its own catering contract, something Virgin itself seems to be struggling to get together.

If they did, it's because some companies have hot meals written in to their charter contracts.

The penalties for not providing them are surprisingly significant.

 

[JessicaTam]

I flew out of ADL on the 2nd. When I asked about the opening of the lounge I was told 'two weeks'. So the 16th suggested by @AIRwin above might be right.