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

[smatho10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

NEW BOEING 717 JETS TO FLY FROM HOBART

Nudge Nudge Virgin...

Probably want to start building this lounge quick smart - Doesn't take much to fill a 110 seat 717 in this neck of the woods.

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

NEW BOEING 717 JETS TO FLY FROM HOBART

Nudge Nudge Virgin...

Probably want to start building this lounge quick smart - Doesn't take much to fill a 110 seat 717 in this neck of the woods.

Downsizing to smaller jets would seem to indicate less of a need for Virgin to build a lounge, given the 738s are going.

 

[smatho10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Downsizing to smaller jets would seem to indicate less of a need for Virgin to build a lounge, given the 738s are going.

Less capacity on QF and probably higher fares would send some traffic to VA??? I know we are only talking 3 HBA-MEL and 1 HBA-SYD - 440 seats per day.
VA 4-6 HBA-MEL, 2 HBA-SYD (most of the time on E90), and 1 HBA-BNE = roughly 1100 seats . I didn't count JQ but roughly the same seats..

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Less capacity on QF and probably higher fares would send some traffic to VA??? .

Going from 168 seat 738 to 110 seat 717 would indicate less demand, and less need for a lounge, thats a 33% reduction in capacity by QF.

 

[Kolo]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

I think its more indicative of QF grudgingly providing a limited service to Hobart. It would much rather let JQ handle this port, but the few services it has provides international connections and and end of day MEL flight for business travellers. Interesting though that they are basing the staff here - although subcontracted that out too.

 

[vicsta]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Hey everyone - got some bad news.

talked to the checkin staff at HBA and they have told me that it has been officially confirmed to them that there will NOT be a VA lounge being built "for the forseeable future". So much for requalifying for gold!
maybe time to switch some business to the red roo?

 

[grubbidok]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Hey everyone - got some bad news.

talked to the checkin staff at HBA and they have told me that it has been officially confirmed to them that there will NOT be a VA lounge being built "for the forseeable future". So much for requalifying for gold!
maybe time to switch some business to the red roo?

What a bummer. Remember when the MKY lounge opened and how VA was telling everyone it was going to be a model to roll-out quickly a lounge infrastructure around regional ports in Australia? It was such a good idea, what a shame VA was full of it!

That's 9 VA lounges v 24 QF. I know VA can't service everywhere it flies, but I'm gobsmacked it continually ignores major centres like HBA, TSV and DRW. People can only try and support the new guys for so long before expecting to be met half way.

 

[Virgin Bart]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Hey everyone - got some bad news.

talked to the checkin staff at HBA and they have told me that it has been officially confirmed to them that there will NOT be a VA lounge being built "for the forseeable future". So much for requalifying for gold!
maybe time to switch some business to the red roo?

I guess "mid-2014" is consistent with "don't hold your breath", but still super disappointing.

 

[pauly7]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

What a bummer. Remember when the MKY lounge opened and how VA was telling everyone it was going to be a model to roll-out quickly a lounge infrastructure around regional ports in Australia? It was such a good idea, what a shame VA was full of it!

Given Virgin Regional has grounded a plane, deferred delivery of five others and frozen growth I guess it's not terribly surprising that lounge openings have slowed as well. Not sure if the two are linked...

However I'm not so concerned about the small regional ports. It's great having a lounge there but I tend to arrive with 10 mins to spare and walk straight onto the plane . I guess it is nice if there are delays etc, but I suppose everyone uses lounges differently!

 

[DGW]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

That's 9 VA lounges v 24 QF. I know VA can't service everywhere it flies, but I'm gobsmacked it continually ignores major centres like HBA, TSV and DRW. People can only try and support the new guys for so long before expecting to be met half way.

How many flights does VA have out of those ports though?

While not necessarily representative of the schedule across the week, this is for today:

HBA - 7 departures, with nothing 0600-1005, and 1330-1700
TSV - 7 departures, with nothing 0835-1120 and 1655-1940
DRW - 4 departures, with nothing 0105-0700 and 0700-1355

I'm all for more lounges but the frequency has to be there to justify them; a lounge in these ports would be a ghost town for large periods of the day and surely the capital involved can be better utilised elsewhere.

 

[grubbidok]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

How many flights does VA have out of those ports though?

While not necessarily representative of the schedule across the week, this is for today:

HBA - 7 departures, with nothing 0600-1005, and 1330-1700
TSV - 7 departures, with nothing 0835-1120 and 1655-1940
DRW - 4 departures, with nothing 0105-0700 and 0700-1355

I'm all for more lounges but the frequency has to be there to justify them; a lounge in these ports would be a ghost town for large periods of the day and surely the capital involved can be better utilised elsewhere.

On that logic they should dump the MKY lounge and QF most of theirs. I'm not suggesting they place full-service lounges in these ports. MKY was supposed to be their 'template'. The NZ Koru Express model would be a simple way to beef up wth reduced costs A new concept in regional airport lounges: Air NZ Koru Express - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller). But what VA are actually deciding to do is give *nothing* to these markets.

Quite frankly I think it's exactly the same dismissive attitude that cost QF much of the OOL market (at least VA are servicing these routes, but assuming a lounge isn't necessary for that clientele is dismissive). DRW, TSV and HBA (and a few others) are all primary centres with a large amount of corporate, gov and academic travel. You can bet your life no lounge is costing them market share in these markets* (*when the competitor does have a lounge).

Lounges aren't just about free booze and snacks, it's actually a place where the wasted time of waiting for travel can be used productively for work tasks, and where meetings with clients can be held (I can't recall the number of times I've had project meetings in lounges. It saves $100 in taxi fare and an hour or two that could be spent more productively actually meeting with the colleague rather than travelling to and from the venue. Physical meetings still have plenty of advantages over Skype calls, but it's face time that's important, no need to go to their actual office). For me the benefits of a lounge are almost entirely work related, I can check emails, print or save a document to read on the plane, and get some quiet space to think. I use MKY regularly and can honestly say, just from that POV, it's been a godsend. Considering that I'm arriving from 2hrs+ away timing to be there 'within 10 mins' is just never going to happen.

 

[bullerdude]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

How many flights does VA have out of those ports though?

While not necessarily representative of the schedule across the week, this is for today:

HBA - 7 departures, with nothing 0600-1005, and 1330-1700
TSV - 7 departures, with nothing 0835-1120 and 1655-1940
DRW - 4 departures, with nothing 0105-0700 and 0700-1355

I'm all for more lounges but the frequency has to be there to justify them; a lounge in these ports would be a ghost town for large periods of the day and surely the capital involved can be better utilised elsewhere.

The point of a regional lounge is that its smaller and cheaper to run and can cater for ports that aren't overly busy.

Take the QP at Launceston, doesn't QF run it as a small unstaffed lounge where QF Flyers can retreat to for peace a quiet before a flight and some snacks and drinks.

You would think VA could easily create these kind of small regional lounges that would be cheap to run but give them sorely needed presence at certain ports.

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

The point of a regional lounge is that its smaller and cheaper to run and can cater for ports that aren't overly busy.

Take the QP at Launceston, doesn't QF run it as a small unstaffed lounge where QF Flyers can retreat to for peace a quiet before a flight and some snacks and drinks.

You would think VA could easily create these kind of small regional lounges that would be cheap to run but give them sorely needed presence at certain ports.

Problem is the real estate cost, not the people costs, airports are not cheap to lease space from.

 

[rsellens]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

No lounge in Hobart now until September 2015. From yesterdays Hobart Mercury. :evil::evil::evil:



New delay for 75-seat Virgin Australia lounge at Hobart airport

A promised 75-seat Virgin Australia lounge at Hobart airport is already two years overdue. Source:Mercury


PLANS for a new lounge at Hobart airport have been shelved for another 18 months by Virgin Australia.
A spokeswoman for the airline yesterday confirmed the lounge would not be built until September next year -- more than three and a half years after it was first announced.Tourism officials said the delay would frustrate customers of the airline.But a Virgin spokeswoman said the airline was committed to 75-seat lounge project."As with any major construction of this kind, there can be changes to timings," she said."We are looking forward to welcoming our guests to the new lounge next year and we will keep them updated on our progress."The Virgin spokeswoman confirmed the new lounge would be built externally from the existing terminal, flagging the potential for an extension to the Hobart airport.She said the new 75-seater lounge would have business facilities, entertainment options and all-day dining.The airport's master plan reveals initiatives for a considerable upgrade to the terminal by 2029 and the Federal Government recently committed $38 million to a runway upgrade.Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said Virgin customers would no doubt be irritated by the lounge delay."Obviously it's quite a significant delay and I can understand people, particularly Virgin customers, would be frustrated," he said."I can only hope [the project] will form part of an airport redevelopment in the future."Whilst Tasmanians want these facilities, from a tourism perspective our main aim is about preserving and growing [the number of flight] services to the state [and] Virgin have increased their air capacity to the state in recent months."Shabby seating in the airport's main departure lounge was revamped last year

 

[Deleted member 29185]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

The story seems a bit odd.

"A spokeswoman for the airline yesterday confirmed the lounge would not be built until September next year "

"The Virgin spokeswoman confirmed the new lounge would be built externally from the existing terminal, flagging the potential for an extension to the Hobart airport."

"The airport's master plan reveals initiatives for a considerable upgrade to the terminal by 2029"

There's a big difference between 2015 and 2029..........

Is the new VA lounge going to be sitting out in the paddock by itself waiting for the airport to be built around it?

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Sounds like VA have been struggling to secure internal space and the planned works/upgrades have got in the way, so they have decided to build externally which is not ideal.

 

[RooFlyer]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Stuffed if I know where they could build 'externally'



I guess at the eastern end of the old baggage handling / freight shed? (Apron side of the airplane logo on the image). Almost anywhere 'airside' would get in the way of future airport upgrade (not that I'm holding my breath for that!)

I guess again that we can keep ourselves amused for the next 18 months in speculation

 

[samh004]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Perhaps they'll go up, like at OOL.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Perhaps they'll go up, like at OOL.

Ha, now there's a thought! Out through the roof would technically be "external to the existing terminal"

 

[docjames]

re: Virgin Lounge to open in Hobart! [No longer "Mid 2014"]

Perhaps they'll go up, like at OOL.

Not such a silly idea, and it would have great tarmac views.