Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at sydn

[Misha]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

No you haven't misunderstood. I haven't seen the stats but would not surprise me if there is more demand for the Lounge on public hols than regular weekends - plenty of people getting away for long weekends.

Allow me to add that as someone who works nationally, a lot of public holidays are only state specific and many of us do still work and travel on those days: Melbourne Cup, state-specific Labor Day Mondays, etc... I imagine there will still be a few people working, as well as the large number of people who have elongated the weekend...

I imagine if it goes well and they see demand perhaps some time in the (far) future the hours may be extended?

Bit-by-bit seems to be the modus operandi - I am pleased to see this enhancement ( ) and am looking forward to more announcements...

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Seems the Melbourne chip-on-the-shoulder is alive and well.

From the Herald Sun Virgin Blue starts a new class war | Herald Sun

TOP executives from Melbourne now rate behind Sydney's suits under Virgin Blue's plan to lure high-yield business travellers away from Qantas.

While Melbourne is home to companies such as National Australia Bank, BHP Billiton, ANZ, Rio Tinto and Telstra, it ranks second as a business centre under Virgin's plan for high net worth corporate flyers.

You'd think a quick walk around the airport would give away how difficult this would be to implement at Melbourne. Stil, JB, hints at something else for MEL.

 

[malmacdowall]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

So I am a paid-up Lounge member, but as a 'lowly' Silver Velocity member, I cannot use this service?

I was outraged to read this when the announcement was made (As I was a Silver Member.... ) Made it to GOLD membership yesterday and am now thankful Virgin Blue are sticking to the decision..... (Really does seem greener on the other side of the fence.....)

 

[medhead]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Well I've just used the premium entry. In a word it is awesome. What if I could just fly?

The staff were very friendly, the security people were even nice in telling me no photos. The entry is well presented and has a couple of seats for waiting. A nice touch. Maybe one slight downside was being the only person using the entry I couldn't avoid the explosives test by waiting for the next person to go. I have a vague idea were the previous Lounge was located and I think this must be a new lounge. Will check on the way out. There is a great viewing window. I think they might still be working on things as there is scaffolding outside the window

Photos are below sorry about the sun in the first one.

Also the showers look nice and big and the food selection is to my liking.

Domestic Departures Rd, Mascot New South Wales 2020, Australia

 

[DJ 1D]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Well, I just went through the fast track and all I can say is WOW!

The whole experience took less than 2 mins, even though I stopped to take a few photos. Here's how it goes:

Walk up a long ramp to the front doors.


Just beyond, down some stairs, is the valet area.



Then inside through sliding glass doors is the desk with one angel awaiting.




No line, nobody else there except security (on the left hand side). Quick check in then through the single security with lots of smiling faces (sadly, I could not take any photos of the secure area.




Then through another set of sliding glass doors and into the lounge area - you end up in the first section on the right hand side of the regular entry.

IMO this makes a huge difference and easily cut at least 10 mins - today (on an extremely busy travel day) probably more like 20 mins. Plus not having to navigate through all the people was fantastic.

(As an aside, when I went through security a guy asked if he could pop out for a cigarette. No problem. A very happy smoker!)

Overall a great, fast and hassle-free experience!

 

[Misha]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

I am sitting in the Lounge now nursing a coffee after entering via te kerbside access. I agree - it is awesome. It makes coming into the Lounge such a different experience.

All the staff at entry (there were lots) were so friendly and professional, and my oh my don't they look smart? I too was he only person entering, so I got the explosives test though I must say that the gentleman who did my test was such a friendly guy - bless him we had a nice chat whilst we waited for my results.

I walked into the Lounge totally relaxed.

Fantastic job Virgin!!!

PS: I couldn'ttake photo as phone is dead and am now on the laptop (yuk!)

 

[N860CR]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Looking forward to trying this when I'm next in Sydney.

What's interesting to note, however, is what a difference friendly staff can make (it seems everyone has made this point). Quite a contrast to the QF staff (especially here in Bris) who act as though they are god and they're doing you a favour by even looking at you.

Wouldn't it be interesting if Virg won this little battle just by making their customer service staff do exactly that, serve the customer.

 

[Zeitgeist]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

CrazyDave, as requested some feedback.

Used the premium entry on Wednesday night and was extremely impressed. It had a real feel of exclusivity to it and made a huge difference to the airport experience. Massive feather in Virgin's cap I think. Staff were very friendly and welcoming and as we were the only ones using it at that point we were through to the lounge in no time at all.

However this is where the experience went downhill for me unfortunately. The lounge was very busy, not Virgin's fault I grant you, but it was messy. Spare tables had glasses and plates stacked up on them and these had obviously been there a while.

The food was also disappointing, especially given Qantas have raised their game recently with the food in the Club in my opinion. There was a pot of soup with a very thick skin on top and another pot with the very dried remains of what apparently used to be risotto. Apart from that it was a mixture of the usual cubes of cheese, packet cold meat and hard looking bread.

Mrs Zeit and I quickly left the lounge and went to the food court which was actually a more pleasant environment. I know Virgin are improving the Lounge at the moment so hopefully things will improve in time.

The SYD CNS flight was fine enough although I did think the lack of live 2 air on a three hour flight a little annoying. However heard some whispers of a last minute plane swap so maybe that was why.

Cheers,

Zeit

 

[allitsab]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

The lounge was very busy, not Virgin's fault I grant you, but it was messy. Spare tables had glasses and plates stacked up on them and these had obviously been there a while.

I'm sitting in the lounge now in what has become a Saturday routine (following an out of state football team is a chore, sometimes)....

Given that the lounge is less busy on weekends, you'd expect it to be neat and tidy - however, there are a number of very dirty couches (with lots of food crumbs all over them); though no tables with glasses/plates stacked that I can see.

Also, it looks like a half-baked approach to making the lounge bigger... Sure there's more space, but I'd wager that there's no extra furniture - it's just been spread out to fill the area.

I almost always park in the section closest to the bar, where there are usually 3 sets of lounges and 3 sets of chairs - near a TV playing V or Max. Today, (my first visit since the new areas have opened up), there are just 2 lounge sets and 2 sets of chairs in the same area, with the extra set of each occupying the newly opened area at the end of the lounge.

Surely this will lead to a lounge that doesn't have improved capacity to deal with the weekday morning and afternoon peaks.. I had expected additional places to sit, rather than the same number of spots albeit spread out a little....

Having said that, I've fallen in love with the couches they use in the Syd lounge. Where can I buy one?

 

[straitman]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Also, it looks like a half-baked approach to making the lounge bigger... Sure there's more space, but I'd wager that there's no extra furniture - it's just been spread out to fill the area.

I almost always park in the section closest to the bar, where there are usually 3 sets of lounges and 3 sets of chairs - near a TV playing V or Max. Today, (my first visit since the new areas have opened up), there are just 2 lounge sets and 2 sets of chairs in the same area, with the extra set of each occupying the newly opened area at the end of the lounge.

Logic to me says there would be more furniture on order. Did you actually ask any of the staff if this is the case:?:

 

[allitsab]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Logic to me says there would be more furniture on order. Did you actually ask any of the staff if this is the case:?:

No, but the logical thing to me would be to order furniture while construction was going on - they've only had the better part of 8 weeks to plan for it....

 

[Justinf]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Well I am a Lounge member, so I will try this out next week when I am in Sydney. Oh wait, it isn't available for paid-up Lounge members, the people who pay their money to be members of the Lounge...yes I am still a wee bit bitter

 

[straitman]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

No, but the logical thing to me would be to order furniture while construction was going on - they've only had the better part of 8 weeks to plan for it....

.... and f they did so and the supplier let them down. :shock:

It happens all to often :!:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

Well, Virgin has got my full congrats on this one!

I remember all too well how depressing airline travel was back post 9/11 (just prior to Ansett going belly-up). You could fire a cannon off down the concourse of Sydney airport and not hit anyone. I was on Ansetts last flight SYD-BNE (a bottle of water was all we got) and lost over a million FF points when they died , so I see this as a step toward a return of the positive flying experience, back when it seemed like...well almost like....fun!

Well done Virgin, for starting to raise the bar, but please take note of the criticisms here on this thread. Staff friendliness, clean lounges and good food is expected by us, the traveller and I've no doubt you'll be well patronised and supported for it. Qantas is failing their loyal flyers (and have been for years now), please let Virgin step up and take their place (but don't forget us original Virgin loyalists in the process ).

I'm flying OOL-SYD tomorrow but unfortunately, premium economy only on the way down ($75 Go! Fare back was too good to pass up I'm afraid) so being a lowly silver, I'll miss out on the premium entry for my return tomorrow evening.............please Virgin, when are we getting even a basic Lounge at OOL??????????

BTW, is BNE getting a premium curbside check-in? It's certainly possible! (So to is OOL when you give us a Lounge! )

 

[notzac]

Re: Virgin blue launches australia’s first lounge premium entry and premium valet at

please Virgin, when are we getting even a basic Lounge at OOL??????????

Before the end of the year, according the ASX preso