Will Virgin's Premium Lounge Entries open back up at some point?

[klymen]

Domestic lounge access page has some new (very) small print:

"We’re reassessing the re-opening of the Premium Lounge Entry in Sydney and Brisbane and will provide an update shortly."

 

[ferntree]

Domestic lounge access page has some new (very) small print:

"We’re reassessing the re-opening of the Premium Lounge Entry in Sydney and Brisbane and will provide an update shortly."

That tells us a lot, doesn't it, ha ha! The paranoid side of me wonders whether they are thinking of keeping them permanently closed, which would of course be madness.

 

[Ewing]

Domestic lounge access page has some new (very) small print:

"We’re reassessing the re-opening of the Premium Lounge Entry in Sydney and Brisbane and will provide an update shortly."

That text has been there since at least October last year.

 

[ferntree]

... which makes "shortly" a very long time!

 

[pangwen]

... which makes "shortly" a very long time!

Maybe they got someone from Vodafone on their team. They announced wifi calling for prepaid would be available "in the near future" in December 2017... and finally got around to doing it in December 2021.

 

[ozstamps]

Sydney's second airport has been scheduled 'shortly' for about 30 years!

 

[Matty F]

Sydney's second airport has been scheduled 'shortly' for about 30 years!

Are you sure? I thought it was opening up in 4 years from now.

Also these google reviews are good for a laugh

 

[ozstamps]

Actually more like 36 years since it was announced, and it is still nowhere near being completed

'The Federal Government announced in February 1986 that Badgerys Creek had been chosen as the location for a second major airport for Sydney. The Federal Government then undertook a series of land acquisitions for the site, primarily during the period 1986 to 1991, and spent approximately A$170 million. The resulting site totalled 1,780 hectares (4,400 acres).

 

[jase05]

Actually more like 36 years since it was announced, and it is still nowhere near being completed

'The Federal Government announced in February 1986 that Badgerys Creek had been chosen as the location for a second major airport for Sydney. The Federal Government then undertook a series of land acquisitions for the site, primarily during the period 1986 to 1991, and spent approximately A$170 million. The resulting site totalled 1,780 hectares (4,400 acres).

We are still scheduled to start moving into the new facility in September 2026 and hopefully flights will start mid November but a lot can change in that time

 

[klymen]

That text has been there since at least October last year.

Oh. Obviously I just never noticed it then. I thought it was new but seems like I was just being too hopeful.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Premium exit is open at VA MEL lounge right now...decent queue thuogh...

 

[Harrison_133]

Premium exit is open at VA MEL lounge right now...decent queue thuogh...

Was open when I went through around lunchtime today. Premium exit queue was longer than the main security point, but still quite quick. Lounge was packed and the concourse quite busy too.

They also seem to be funnelling quite a few flights through the T4 gates lately. My last few trips have been out of there. Maybe taking pressure off the T3 gates?

 

[Astro]

Premium exit is open at VA MEL lounge right now...decent queue thuogh...

Just missed you! 3.30pm the lounge was starting to get busy but no line at priority entry security as I went through.

 

[ferntree]

Anybody know if BNE priority entrance has reopened yet? I've got a trip next week! Thanks.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Anybody know if BNE priority entrance has reopened yet? I've got a trip next week! Thanks.

TBH I’d prefer that they reopened the priority lane for security at BNE on the Virgin side. Whilst queues haven’t been too bad the past few weeks (5-7 minutes at the most), never had any issues with the priority queue in the past

 

[ferntree]

TBH I’d prefer that they reopened the priority lane for security at BNE on the Virgin side. Whilst queues haven’t been too bad the past few weeks (5-7 minutes at the most), never had any issues with the priority queue in the past

I never knew there ever was a priority lane there (only changed to Virgin a year or so ago). You are referring to the security area closest to the non-functioning priority entrance?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

I never knew there ever was a priority lane there (only changed to Virgin a year or so ago). You are referring to the security area closest to the non-functioning priority entrance?

Yep - the x-ray machine and security line nearest to the Priority check in was previously a priority security line. Post-administrator I’m guessing that VA didn’t want it that way?

 

[ferntree]

Thanks.

In my (limited) experience of flying ex BNE I have found it mostly quicker to go thru the centre (Jetstar) security than the Virgin one.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Yep - the x-ray machine and security line nearest to the Priority check in was previously a priority security line. Post-administrator I’m guessing that VA didn’t want it that way?

VA used to have the lease over that part of the terminal, so could have it how they wanted. Then they reverted control to Brisbane Airport, and so Brisbane Airport removed the priority queue at VA (and did the same at the public Qantas checkpoint). It sucks.

For a laugh, Brisbane Airport also repainted the red Virgin Australia wall at the checkpoint to yellow, and put duct tape over the Qantas logo on the "Welcome to Brisbane" signs around Qantas baggage claim, to make the whole terminal neutral and 'BNE'. But I'd wager the better passenger experience was when priority security was a thing.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

VA used to have the lease over that part of the terminal, so could have it how they wanted. Then they reverted control to Brisbane Airport, and so Brisbane Airport removed the priority queue at VA (and did the same at the public Qantas checkpoint). It sucks.

For a laugh, Brisbane Airport also repainted the red Virgin Australia wall at the checkpoint to yellow, and put duct tape over the Qantas logo on the "Welcome to Brisbane" signs around Qantas baggage claim, to make the whole terminal neutral and 'BNE'. But I'd wager the better passenger experience was when priority security was a thing.

Thanks for that Chris - it explains a lot. I guess when you compare the walk from Gate 38 to the Lounge against the walk from check in to the Virgin Premium Entry, it's pretty much the same. Just a PITA when the Premium Entry has been closed on the past. For some reason the Sydney Premium Entry never seemed to be so far...