Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014" - maybe never!]

[Tuddy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

So note that the following is speculation, I can't find a current floor plan of the terminal building-- the most recent one I can find has International and Domestic still as separate buildings. When the terminals were renovated, the old Ansett Golden Wing lounge was removed, so that is no longer an option.

I currently think there are two options here. Not sure how palatable each is.

The first is that Federal Group stop using the International Terminal[1] lounge space ("Saffire" Lounge) for their $1500/night hotel guests, and turn that into the new Virgin lounge. That location has the nice advantage of fronting the apron, so you could run a dedicated security line inside the lounge, and have a separate gate operating out of the lounge (given that Virgin only ever uses one at a time in HBA). If you couldn't have dedicated security, it would be the single worst lounge location imaginable (there won't be priority security, and it's ~2 mins walk to the end of the line.

The second is that a combination of the "car raffle" area in the check-in hall, and the airside souvenir shop near the VA gates get converted into a lounge. It strikes me that that area in the check-in hall is sitting rather idly, and could be converted quite easily. Alternatively, there may be a bit of extra space next to the baggage screening facility, but I've no idea how big that actually is. This would be an airside lounge, which would be nice.

Thoughts?

[1] we have flights to Antarctica, OK?

Hmm...some interesting ideas that have been thrown up there. First up, I'm not too sure whether Saffire would be too willing to give up its lounge space given it's a major marketing point for the hotel. However, I guess that really just depends on how long its lease will last. Secondly, I don't think the souvenir shop (which really does quite well) would be willing to give up its space - especially considering it's the only one in the terminal...and Hobart does get a lot of tourists through it to make such a shop viable.

Personally, I think we could see something like our Gold Coast friends have seen and have a new space constructed for the Lounge, potentially upstairs with views across the apron. Sure, it won't be as big, but it will still be better the Hobart Qantas Club (not hard...)

 

[chrisjrn]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Secondly, I don't think the souvenir shop (which really does quite well) would be willing to give up its space - especially considering it's the only one in the terminal...and Hobart does get a lot of tourists through it to make such a shop viable.

Actually, it's one of two, and they're right next to each other.

Personally, I think we could see something like our Gold Coast friends have seen and have a new space constructed for the Lounge, potentially upstairs with views across the apron. Sure, it won't be as big, but it will still be better the Hobart Qantas Club (not hard...)

The difference between HBA and OOL is that OOL has been rebuilt to allow for two stories. The ceiling at HBA doesn't strike me as being tall enough to comfortably allow for two floors worth of stuff...

 

[Oneworldplus2]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

LST Nov 11
[TABLE="width: 210"]
[TR]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70, align: right"]43,281 pax in[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70, align: right"]43,801 pax out[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70, align: right"]87,082
total pax[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

HBA Nov 11

[TABLE="width: 210"]
[TR]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70, align: right"]76,169
pax in[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70, align: right"]76,725 pax out[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70, align: right"]152,894 total pax[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

How far back can you go with the data markis10?

Is there a difference for the last 5 or so years?

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

How far back can you go with the data markis10?

Is there a difference for the last 5 or so years?

Not much

LST

[TABLE="width: 429"]
[TR]
[TD="class: xl65, width: 139"]LAUNCESTON[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68, width: 40"]2006[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68, width: 40"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67, width: 4"][/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70"]44,222[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 64"]43,736[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 72"]87,958[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

HBA

[TABLE="width: 429"]
[TR]
[TD="class: xl65, width: 139"]HOBART[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68, width: 40"]2006[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68, width: 40"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67, width: 4"][/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 70"]71,053[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 64"]71,488[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66, width: 72"]142,541[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


HBA 10000 pax up

LST -870 odd pax

 

[samh004]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

How far back can you go with the data markis10?

Is there a difference for the last 5 or so years?

Yearly figures are available on their Wikipedia pages: Hobart International Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Launceston Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Though not always up to date. There’s probably a reference at the bottom to where they came from. and of course not as accurate as knowing the right spot to look as Mark knows.

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Yearly figures are available on their Wikipedia pages: Hobart International Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Launceston Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Though not always up to date. There’s probably a reference at the bottom to where they came from. and of course not as accurate as knowing the right spot to look as Mark knows.

Wikipedia is never an authoritative source on anything, in this case: Aviation Statistics

 

[Virgin Bart]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Hi all!

Just wondering if anyone knows anything new? ETA? Has construction commenced?

Hoping it'll be open sooner rather than later!

Cheers, Bart.

 

[Kolo]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

I'm guessing it's down that corridor that they have constructed at the qf gate end. I presume they are using space vacated by what was once qf check in.

 

[Bolthead]

It looks like I will have to change my call cycle now and fly into Launceston and out of Hobart.


Sent from my iPad 2 using AustFreqFly app

 

[jsd]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

I'm guessing it's down that corridor that they have constructed at the qf gate end. I presume they are using space vacated by what was once qf check in.

I know for a fact that it is not going in there, Qantas paid for the construction of that corridor which will become the new airside entry to the Qantas Club, It is extremely behind schedule (was due to be finished in late June) but works shuffling around the reception desk and storeroom etc. to link everything together should have begun in the third week of September so it should be getting close to completion...

 

[pauly7]

I know for a fact that it is not going in there, Qantas paid for the construction of that corridor which will become the new airside entry to the Qantas Club, It is extremely behind schedule (was due to be finished in late June) but works shuffling around the reception desk and storeroom etc. to link everything together should have begun in the third week of September so it should be getting close to completion...

I didn't know about that! Great, finally airside access at HBA.

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Hi all!

Just wondering if anyone knows anything new? ETA? Has construction commenced?

Hoping it'll be open sooner rather than later!

Cheers, Bart.

Nothing moves that quickly down there.

I know NBN have just moved to qantas. The lack of a virgin lounge wouldn't have helped much.

 

[Tuddy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Had a chat to some of the lovely crew in HBA today about the Lounge. Definitely next year, most likely pre-July and in the words of one of them "we're hoping to beat CBR, but we know that's not going to happen". In terms of location, it was stated over near where QP is located on the ground level with tarmac views - though logistically, I don't know how on earth this is going to happen. Unless it replaces the area currently marked "administration" between departure lounge and QP (for those playing at home, here's a map of the terminal http://www.hobartairport.com.au/uploads/images/Airport_Terminal_Map.JPG )

 

[kalboy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Whats the go with the current un-used lounge next to VA arrivals in the so called international departures area. Is it ever used... I didn't think there were actuallly ANY international flights from this terminal..

 

[Tuddy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Whats the go with the current un-used lounge next to VA arrivals in the so called international departures area. Is it ever used... I didn't think there were actuallly ANY international flights from this terminal..

There aren't any scheduled - but I think HBA Airport would like to keep its options open with charter flights. And I think Saffire Lounge will stay as it is. I always find it interesting arriving with DJ into "International Arrivals". I mean, I know it is overseas and all...

 

[kalboy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

So who owns / runs the saffire lounge. I have never seen it open. ? & have transited through HBA @ 10 times this year.

 

[smatho10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

So who owns / runs the saffire lounge. I have never seen it open. ? & have transited through HBA @ 10 times this year.

The Federal Group run the Saffire lounge. As an employee of the company, it is staffed during daytime hours - quite small but pretty nice to go into to say hello to whoever is in there. It's like a real mini CL - you don't know who is in there but someone is in there pre/post visitation to Saffire.

 

[Tuddy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

So who owns / runs the saffire lounge. I have never seen it open. ? & have transited through HBA @ 10 times this year.

Saffire Lounge is for the pax that go to Saffire | Freycinet Accommodation | Tasmania a resort in Freycinet. It's where they can wait before their flight back to the mainland departs - all a part of the 5-star experience.

 

[kalboy]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Thanks for the link, I must be living under a rock as I have never heard of the place. We were only in that area of the state 4 weeks ago when we detoured to the East coast via the "Elephant pass" road just for the drive.
Not cheap but one to put on the list i think.

 

[Bolthead]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [Now "Mid 2014"]

Saffire Lounge is for the pax that go to Saffire | Freycinet Accommodation | Tasmania a resort in Freycinet. It's where they can wait before their flight back to the mainland departs - all a part of the 5-star experience.

OT: Just checked out the Saffire | Freycinet Accommodation | Tasmania. Boy, at those prices it would want to be a 10 star resort. Didn't know places like this where in Australia.... ignorance is bliss.