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

[bullerdude]

I'd say Virgin will consider it once Hobart have expanded and provided the space for 2 lounges. But given VA will be looking to reduce expenditure this year I don't think we will see any major infrastructure projects, including more lounges, for a while.

 

[nonscenic]

I suspect Virgin will be picking up market share on the flights to and from HBA, particularly in the business market and those travellers venturing further than Melbourne or Sydney and don't want the JQ hassle of rechecking baggage. QF seems to be desperately offloading its customer loyalty to JQ by cancelling its B717 QF flights or having them badly delayed. (Its earlier attempt of running Q400 aircraft was too obvious)Thus Virgin might not find any financial benefit in building a new lounge at HBA - it might even be able to take over the old QP location before long!

 

[tea&coffee]

It would be good, I always fly QF out of HBA for the lounge - in particular as I nrmally take the early flights so want a half decent breakfast. I'm sure I'm not the only business traveller doing this.

 

[Leuke]

Has anyone heard any new information here? I've been keeping a loose eye on it for awhile from when I lived there, to now someone who still visits family down there semi-regularly.

The last news I heard was September 2016. Wondering what the new projected date might be...

 

[Coops1]

Has anyone heard any new information here? I've been keeping a loose eye on it for awhile from when I lived there, to now someone who still visits family down there semi-regularly.

The last news I heard was September 2016. Wondering what the new projected date might be...

Pfffffft. They didn't even include Hobart (or Lton) in the 1,000,000 million seat sale starting today. They have forgotten about the lounge altogether I reckon.

 

[pauly7]

Has anyone heard any new information here? I've been keeping a loose eye on it for awhile from when I lived there, to now someone who still visits family down there semi-regularly.

The last news I heard was September 2016. Wondering what the new projected date might be...

Is this a joke question or serious?

VA aren't very interested in Tasmania. It's marked as Tiger territory. Watch this space.

 

[MarkD]

Is this a joke question or serious?

VA aren't very interested in Tasmania. It's marked as Tiger territory. Watch this space.

Haha Tigers do mark their territory

 

[RooFlyer]

Has anyone heard any new information here? I've been keeping a loose eye on it for awhile from when I lived there, to now someone who still visits family down there semi-regularly.

The last news I heard was September 2016. Wondering what the new projected date might be...

There is an airstrip upgrade going on now, with a minor terminal re-jig (basically re-arranging things to fit in more shops). The last set of plans I saw had NO provision for a Virgin lounge. All areas labelled and occupied.

My second hand info is that the airport owner (essentially Macquarie bank) want too much for the floor-space, and there's not much expansion of the footprint in contemplation. So I don't think Virgin is going to have a lounge in HBA in the foreseeable future.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

It's VA to a tee! Flaps the gums about something they have no idea how to pay for! Let's face it. Lounges anywhere for VA is likely a "Jeese I wish I never mentioned it" type of proposition!

I am glad this thread exists though, as it's evidence of their "we have absolutely no idea" department! :mrgreen:

 

[Madz]

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

Just checked in with Virgin about this (I'm moving to Hobart). Their reply was "Hi there, please know we have no announcement to make at this time, however should we have further information, we'll let you know. Thank you."

So it looks like they're not even pretending anymore. It's just not happening.

 

[Jet L]

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

My grandparents are in Hobart and visiting recently I got a bit of a shock when check-in said there was no lounge. I hope they open a lounge or I may need to work on my QF status more.

 

[Rubix]

Any update on this?

Flew in to HBA this morning and only saw a QF lounge at the gates...

 

[RooFlyer]

Update: No plans, not gunna happen unless they knock down the present terminal and start again. Airport owners either charging Virgin too much for the floor space, or Virgin too stingy to look after their HBA pax. Or both.

The owners (majority related to Macquarie Bank) have nickel-and-dimed HBA for years; arriving and departing pax still have a walk on the tarmac for up to 250 m to/from their planes. The Feds recently under-wrote a lengthening of the runway and the owners have .... increased car-parking (that ever-profitable side-line).

Oh, and no permanent police presence at HBA (no Feds and only occasional local wallopers). You see, nothing bad will ever happen at HBA .

 

[Rubix]

Update: No plans, not gunna happen unless they knock down the present terminal and start again. Airport owners either charging Virgin too much for the floor space, or Virgin too stingy to look after their HBA pax. Or both.

The owners (majority related to Macquarie Bank) have nickel-and-dimed HBA for years; arriving and departing pax still have a walk on the tarmac for up to 250 m to/from their planes. The Feds recently under-wrote a lengthening of the runway and the owners have .... increased car-parking (that ever-profitable side-line).

Oh, and no permanent police presence at HBA (no Feds and only occasional local wallopers. You see, nothing bad will ever happen at HBA .

Thanks for the info mate. Bit of a shame really.

Isn't HBA listed as an 'International Airport'? Haha

 

[RooFlyer]

Isn't HBA listed as an 'International Airport'? Haha

Yep; flights to Antarctica, including non Australian territory (Formerly there were flights to NZ).

 

[Rubix]

Thanks mate.

 

[Coops1]

Any update on this?

Flew in to HBA this morning and only saw a QF lounge at the gates...

Nope..... GOT all excited thinking your post was the announcement! I honestly dont think there will be one, not enough room in HBA

 

[Rubix]

Nope..... GOT all excited thinking your post was the announcement! I honestly dont think there will be one, not enough room in HBA

Ssssooorrrryyyy...As soon as I saw the Qantas Klub I got excited...thinking cool I have a lounge for the way back. I guess not....

 

[Daver6]

Ssssooorrrryyyy...As soon as I saw the Qantas Klub I got excited...thinking cool I have a lounge for the way back. I guess not....

If it makes you feel any better, there's nothing about that QP to get excited about.

 

[Rubix]

I will just get an overpriced toastie from the public café.