Virgin Lounge at Brisbane International

[Matty F]

I was here on Dec 26 and overheard staff saying it's a temporary lounge until they move into their new digs. Agree with the general sentiment though - terrible lounge with great barista-made coffee.

 

[Major]

Don't know if they will expand the lounge, if you look at it indepth, from a revenue stand point, I think that their rate of return will not be that much, seeing that they haven't got say, 10/15 flights a day, when they could get back their worth of money spent.
First VAi from BNE is to CHC, at 8.30am, then the flight to AKL at 9.30am, then ZQN at 10.05am, then US, is one set, once that one flies off, at 11.05am there is nothing till 6.40pm, not sure what time the BNE - HND flight is planned to leave.

They will need to expand this lounge, and soon.
If you look at today's departures they start at 0610 to AKL-NAN-CHC-WLG-ZQN-AKL-DPS-VLI-CHC-WLG-DUD-AKL and finishing with LAX at 2215.
That's 13 flights just today.
That should give them a positive rate of return

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Unless BNE int is going to redevelope their terminal, (no sign of any major works starting yet)I am not sure where "BNE int my Lounge" is going to move to though.
Hope they (BNE int) do something like ADL airport, ...
BNE int airport has the space, towards either end of their 2 piers, but it won't be cheap.
Best of luck to them.
I flew out that Fri immediately before Christmas last year, the lounge wasn't overfly full, but guess it would be now, that a lot of parents have got holidays to the US, with kids in that "lounge".

 

[Rono]

My wife and I travel o/s approx twice a year.

Have just checked into Brisbane International for our usual Virgin flight to LA.
We're Gold Velocity members and have ended up in 'My lounge'

What has happened?
Are we in the right place???

Rono

 

[Doctore1003]

Yes you are. It opened in Sept 2019.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

Yes: Virgin Australia "My Lounge" Opens in Brisbane

 

[Rono]

Hmm, are you telling me that this is where those people who have paid for First Class, Business Class etc go?

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Yes to business. Virgin don't offer first.

 

[Rono]

Hmm, interesting. Definitely makes me rethink my choice of future overseas carrier(s)

 

[eric2011]

Ahh I remember the days when there was no such thing as lounges. The RIF RAF sat out with the DYKWIA and the area you were sitting in didnt influence who you flew with. And of course back then there was no such thing as "Gold members"

 

[Deleted member]

However, those days have passed, we don’t have smoking sections on board and unless you’re flying short hops it’s all jet travel now.
Interested in other folks observations on this lounge

 

[eric2011]

Interested in other folks observations on this lounge

I actually thought it was quite good, however good or bad it wouldnt make me change my airline of travel. Only in the lounge for an hour or so and facing a 12 hour flight to LAX, that flight is where I will decide if I fly with Virgin again, not what the lounge was like. Only my thoughts

 

[Jack_OC]

Hmm, interesting. Definitely makes me rethink my choice of future overseas carrier(s)

Lounges have always been a weak point in VA's international offerings, but I think they are finally addressing this. The House in MEL is a huge improvement on what they had previously (a mish-mash of different lounges, depending on who you were flying with, none of which are particularly great). I haven't been to the new one in BNE, but again it wouldn't be hard to improve on what was offered before it opened, and at least now there is one dedicated lounge there for VA pax.

VA comes nowhere close to matching QF F lounges, or arguably even QF domestic J lounges. However, to be fair, if you pay big bucks to fly out Australia in SQ F, for example, you also end up in a fairly mediocre lounge before you board, and VA lounges in general (even domestic) are pretty good by international standards. I think we're a bit spoilt here on the lounge front, TBH!

 

[jase05]

The House in MEL is a huge improvement on what they had previously (a mish-mash of different lounges, depending on who you were flying with, none of which are particularly great)

Both times we have done MEL-HKG on VA we have had access to the nice EY lounge which has now been rebranded to The House

 

[Harthagan]

VA lounges in general (even domestic) are pretty good by international standards. I think we're a bit spoilt here on the lounge front, TBH!

Maybe compared to developing countries lol. Or perhaps compared to what it was like years ago. Not sure if you've been in the delta domestic lounges recently but they have improved a hell of a lot. Most importantly they have a full bar where you can order a real drink, and at any time of the day

Virgins domestic lounges are pretty woeful in comparison, in terms of food and beverage. I think virgins one size fits all approach (in this case to lounges) means they provide what is barely good enough for their gold tier pax and then just hope that it will past muster for their business class and top tier pax as well. There really is no distinction and I think that's where Qantas really hammers them because that is a big deal to people who spend a lot of time and money flying!

 

[jase05]

Maybe compared to developing countries lol. Or perhaps compared to what it was like years ago. Not sure if you've been in the delta domestic lounges recently but they have improved a hell of a lot. Most importantly they have a full bar where you can order a real drink, and at any time of the day

Virgins domestic lounges are pretty woeful in comparison, in terms of food and beverage. I think virgins one size fits all approach (in this case to lounges) means they provide what is barely good enough for their gold tier pax and then just hope that it will past muster for their business class and top tier pax as well. There really is no distinction and I think that's where Qantas really hammers them because that is a big deal to people who spend a lot of time and money flying!

The VA lounges are far from perfect but they are a damn sight better than many lounges throughout Europe

 

[Harthagan]

The VA lounges are far from perfect but they are a damn sight better than many lounges throughout Europe

I don't doubt that a bit lol. However my point still stands

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

What has happened?
Are we in the right place???

Rono

Sorry, I know your "reply" is not funny, funny, more so that particular comment.
And yes, I have been "in there".

 

[Jack_OC]

Maybe compared to developing countries lol. Or perhaps compared to what it was like years ago. Not sure if you've been in the delta domestic lounges recently but they have improved a hell of a lot. Most importantly they have a full bar where you can order a real drink, and at any time of the day

Virgins domestic lounges are pretty woeful in comparison, in terms of food and beverage. I think virgins one size fits all approach (in this case to lounges) means they provide what is barely good enough for their gold tier pax and then just hope that it will past muster for their business class and top tier pax as well. There really is no distinction and I think that's where Qantas really hammers them because that is a big deal to people who spend a lot of time and money flying!

My comment was based on fairly extensive recent experience - my flight tracker tells me I visited 25 airports in 11 countries during 2019 alone, and none of those countries would generally be considered "developing". Off the top of my head, I can only think of one airport where I didn't get into a lounge, and I visited more than one lounge in several of those airports.

I have been in numerous Delta lounges recently, and yes they have improved a lot, but aside from serving spirits, I don't think they are any better than the VA lounges. I know the lack of spirits in VA lounges is a major bug bear for some people, but even though I very much like a drink, I'm happy enough with beer and wine. There is much more variability between Delta lounges than there is between VA lounges, and while the food is generally good by US standards, I'm at a loss to understand why you would be particularly impressed with it. You certainly can't get decent coffee in DL lounges either. DL also charge for premium drinks, including any beer or wine other than the "house" offering - and the house beer is either Miller Lite or a local brew that may or may not be drinkable and/or available. Even free drinks aren't entirely free, as you are expected to tip. Obviously that is the case everywhere in the US - but the fact is, we don't have to tip VA lounge staff because VA pay their staff much higher rates.

Anyway, whatever your views of DL, most other lounges in the US are significantly worse, and many lounges in the EU and elsewhere are barely worth visiting too.

I do agree that QF hammers VA on lounges - that was my point - VA is getting judged against arguably the most difficult competitor in the world when it comes to the standard of lounges provided network-wide. If QF was like AA, everyone in Australia would think VA's lounges are great!

 

[Harthagan]

My comment was based on fairly extensive recent experience - my flight tracker tells me I visited 25 airports in 11 countries during 2019 alone, and none of those countries would generally be considered "developing". Off the top of my head, I can only think of one airport where I didn't get into a lounge, and I visited more than one lounge in several of those airports.

I have been in numerous Delta lounges recently, and yes they have improved a lot, but aside from serving spirits, I don't think they are any better than the VA lounges. I know the lack of spirits in VA lounges is a major bug bear for some people, but even though I very much like a drink, I'm happy enough with beer and wine. There is much more variability between Delta lounges than there is between VA lounges, and while the food is generally good by US standards, I'm at a loss to understand why you would be particularly impressed with it. You certainly can't get decent coffee in DL lounges either. DL also charge for premium drinks, including any beer or wine other than the "house" offering - and the house beer is either Miller Lite or a local brew that may or may not be drinkable and/or available. Even free drinks aren't entirely free, as you are expected to tip. Obviously that is the case everywhere in the US - but the fact is, we don't have to tip VA lounge staff because VA pay their staff much higher rates.

Anyway, whatever your views of DL, most other lounges in the US are significantly worse, and many lounges in the EU and elsewhere are barely worth visiting too.

I do agree that QF hammers VA on lounges - that was my point - VA is getting judged against arguably the most difficult competitor in the world when it comes to the standard of lounges provided network-wide. If QF was like AA, everyone in Australia would think VA's lounges are great!

Yes I'll admit I'm one of those who likes a scotch rather than a beer/wine so I guess that biases me against virgins lounges right from the get go. I have no issue with tipping the bar staff as they are usually super friendly and only too happy to have a laugh and a chat with an Aussie, not to mention they are very generous with the alcohol probably also related to the tipping lol.

As for the food that virgin lounges serve up, let's just say I've had more than my fair share of toasted sandwiches lol. Nice way of saying that none of the hot dishes ever look or taste any good (save for an occasional breakfast) Again I realise that's just personal opinion and others may find the food to be perfectly fine. The food ive had in other domestic lounges isn't anything amazing either but I can usually always find something that is half decent and fills me up. For example DL don't set any culinary standards but what they do, they at least do well and I've never seen them serve up any "slop" in their lounges.

I realise this is a bit OT so I guess we can just put it down to different perspectives, judging criteria and of course a healthy dose of individual bias as well.