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

[Eggsbenedict]

Given that Mrs swanning_it wants a Tassie trip around next March, I'm tending to believe we'll have to pack our own fold out camping table and chairs and set up our own VA lounge in the carpark........complete with King Island double brie with a smart chilli cranberry dipping sauce, accompanied by a nicely complex drop of Arras Grand Vintage cuvee. (come to think of it, bugger a VA lounge, that sounds almost tempting)!

Where do I sign up for membership?

 

[RooFlyer]

Wow! Is this news?? Just checked in on-line for a VA flight HBA-BNE tomorrow and it tells me:




(Yeah, I know, I'm fooling myself, but a bloke can dream ....)

 

[Wezza]

Bit of news on this front:

As for new lounges and facilities on the east coast, we’re told to expect Virgin Australia’s first Townsville lounge in mid-2016, while Hobart remains entirely dependent on the “airport authorities which are (currently) working on their plan,” Hassell concludes.

Virgin Australia’s big plans for Perth Airport - Australian Business Traveller
So at least Townsville looks to be a goer! :mrgreen:

 

[SimonF]

I heard it's coming in 2040

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I heard it's coming in 2040

I heard it was set to coincide with the inaugural Virgin Galactic flight out of HBA.

 

[davidsilver]

The majority of my flights are to HBA and I laughed so much at this

The airport needs to hurry up and expand, I think VA should take over some of the Saffire Lounge space. I'd be curious to know how many people actually use that lounge and it's a large space in comparison to QC

 

[SimonF]

The majority of my flights are to HBA and I laughed so much at this

The airport needs to hurry up and expand, I think VA should take over some of the Saffire Lounge space. I'd be curious to know how many people actually use that lounge and it's a large space in comparison to QC

I agree. It's really disappointing they won't invest in the airport. People blame the owners but I suspect it doesn't make commercial sense for them to invest at this point.

 

[davidsilver]

Yes most likely doesn't make commercial sense yet, but the owners have been promising redevelopment for sometime now.

Because there is no lounge and I'm always HLO to HBA I just OLCI and then take my time eating breakfast at Salamanca before heading to airport and arriving about 30 minutes prior to my flight

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Yes most likely doesn't make commercial sense yet, but the owners have been promising redevelopment for sometime now.

Because there is no lounge and I'm always HLO to HBA I just OLCI and then take my time eating breakfast at Salamanca before heading to airport and arriving about 30 minutes prior to my flight

I'll admit the recent upgrade to the bar and cafe/restaurant are very positive at least. After being WP with VA since they brought it out I don't think I'll make it again this year and since I soft land to Gold anyway and I've got a status match with Qantas I think my flights to Hobart will start being with Qantas.

 

[RooFlyer]

I agree. It's really disappointing they won't invest in the airport. People blame the owners but I suspect it doesn't make commercial sense for them to invest at this point.

Majority owner of HBA is Macquarie Bank (in one form or another) with zero interest in spending anything except for their own benefit. The recently announced much touted upgrade capital spend does little except make more room for shops; virtually nothing on passenger amenity. Their equation would be:

{Rent per foot of Virgin Lounge} x {area of lounge} >> [{rent per foot of shops} x {area of shops}] + {share of shop revenue}

.. and I suspect that the left hand side is a number much bigger than VA are prepared to pay.

 

[i_hate_the_tulla_freeway]

I know this is not lounge related...

But HBA-MEL base fare is now $125 :shock:

For a family of 3 - $750 for a return trip to MEL is a bit rich now...

Dunno, $125 isn't so bad. Granted, if you have a tribe of kids it adds up but as a single person I have a certain view on tribes of kids on planes and basically it involves not on my plane and/or the car.

I remember as a late teen and first starting to travel by myself in the Ansett days that the cheapest domestic fares were still more expensive than the cheapest fares in 2015.

I don't think it's viable to expect $59 fares forever

 

[Ausbt]

I remember as a late teen and first starting to travel by myself in the Ansett days that the cheapest domestic fares were still more expensive than the cheapest fares in 2015.

From recollection Compass Mk2 charged me $170 SYD-BNE-SYD in 1993. Pretty crazy that 22 years later it's a similar price. Hmmm to validate this post back OT ahhh how is the Q Pub looking in HBT these days? Last time I was there is was like a broom closet - smallest QP I've seen.

Oh, BTW, I was ticketed on the first-flight-after-the-last-flight with Compass Mk2. Yep, I never actually flew that flight - cancelled forever it seems.

 

[RooFlyer]

From recollection Compass Mk2 charged me $170 SYD-BNE-SYD in 1993. Pretty crazy that 22 years later it's a similar price. Hmmm to validate this post back OT ahhh how is the Q Pub looking in HBT these days? Last time I was there is was like a broom closet - smallest QP I've seen.

Oh, BTW, I was ticketed on the first-flight-after-the-last-flight with Compass Mk2. Yep, I never actually flew that flight - cancelled forever it seems.

Yes, HBA QP no bigger, with more people using it. Most times I don't bother with it, just get an expensive coffee and plonking myself down at one of the tables.

 

[smatho10]

*not lounge related but I so wish it was*

But another fare raise for HBA to MEL ($129 / $299 Flexi / $699 Business :shock and SYD ($145 / $335 / $715)

With low oil price and booming overseas inbound tourism from China to Tasmania.. Must be rolling in it...

 

[thegurio]

*not lounge related but I so wish it was*

But another fare raise for HBA to MEL ($129 / $299 Flexi / $699 Business :shock and SYD ($145 / $335 / $715)

With low oil price and booming overseas inbound tourism from China to Tasmania.. Must be rolling in it...

It's certainly beginning to hurt.. I would look across the tarmac at the rival, but to be honest I can't even fathom starting from the bottom thee days...

 

[blueturkey]

Every time i see a new post in this thread i get excited that a lounge has been announced, but it always leads to disappointment.

I hope with the latest plans of expansion for international flights Virgin pull there finger out.

 

[drron]

Every time i see a new post in this thread i get excited that a lounge has been announced, but it always leads to disappointment.

I hope with the latest plans of expansion for international flights Virgin pull there finger out.

Sorry,it's stuck tight.:shock:

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Hopefully this puts the pressure on: Hobart Airport's Qantas Club lounge gets a lift - Australian Business Traveller

 

[RooFlyer]

Hopefully this puts the pressure on: Hobart Airport's Qantas Club lounge gets a lift - Australian Business Traveller

Don't think so. The change is tiny, won't alleviate the over-crowding and features ... wait for it ... the introduction of a sandwich press ! Oooh! Hobart cuisine will never be the same.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Yes indeed, the sandwich press is a real game-changer! Tassie Toasties for everybody!