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

[ThePointyEnd]

Got dropped off on the departures floor at T2 yesterday, took the escalators down to arrivals and used the express path. It's arguably faster than premium entry except that you don't get dumped in the lounge.

I still don't think it's widely known as the queues were very long yesterday on the departures floor and express path was empty. The only people that seem to know about it are those traveling to the airport by train or saavy travellers (that are carry on only).

I'm so grateful that this has been brought to our attention. Many thanks.

 

[Milefest]

I'm so grateful that this has been brought to our attention. Many thanks.

The only thing I'd watch out for is that it's not always open. If there's no signage at arrivals, that usually indicates that it's closed.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

The only thing I'd watch out for is that it's not always open. If there's no signage at arrivals, that usually indicates that it's closed.

Thanks, I always arrive by train so should see it ok.

 

[Milefest]

Not sure if this was discussed somewhere else: Virgin Australia reopens Sydney ‘Premium Entry’ lane

5am to 7am is a pretty small window.

 

[ferntree]

It's absurdly small, though I note the intention to extend the hours in the lead up to Xmas.

 

[tdimdad]

How about the afternoon rush hour? It'd be equally needed then, too (if not even more).

 

[klymen]

Not sure if this was discussed somewhere else: Virgin Australia reopens Sydney ‘Premium Entry’ lane

5am to 7am is a pretty small window.

Still a step in the right direction!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

How about the afternoon rush hour? It'd be equally needed then, too (if not even more).

I'd say that whilst the afternoon rush hour would be good as well, the morning seems to be worse, hence the greater need.
Ideally it would be open on the same basis as Lounge opening hours.

 

[MH_fan]

Still a step in the right direction!

And better to minimise delays in the morning, which will have a flow-on effect for the rest of the day.

 

[Notyourbag]

Anyone able to report how Day 1 of the Sydney premium entry reopening went today?

 

[dairyfloss]

Hey folks - trying to get a sense of how busy things are likely to be on a Sunday morning for an 8AM departure from SYD T2. Any recent experiences for this day/time, and how T2 - sans Premium Entry - is coping? We're VA Gold flying J (3 x PAX), and need to check a case and a car seat (presume I'll have to find oversize/special luggage for that too).

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[jakeseven7]

I'd say that whilst the afternoon rush hour would be good as well, the morning seems to be worse, hence the greater need.
Ideally it would be open on the same basis as Lounge opening hours.

Agree - the afternoon rush is certainly less so now less business travellers use VA2, but it is still a log jam in that horrid terminal just due to the poor layout and competing with the 1000's of Jetstar and Rex passengers. This whole 'open for 2 hours a day, weekdays only' is BS - BUT again I have to remind myself (again) that they aren't targetting business customers anymore.

 

[jakeseven7]

Hey folks - trying to get a sense of how busy things are likely to be on a Sunday morning for an 8AM departure from SYD T2. Any recent experiences for this day/time, and how T2 - sans Premium Entry - is coping? We're VA Gold flying J (3 x PAX), and need to check a case and a car seat (presume I'll have to find oversize/special luggage for that too).

Cheers,
Matt.

From my experience it is hit and miss the budget terminal. Any public holidays / school holidays throw it into an absolute zoo - so check that first.

If not, it will be pretty busy but not 'hell on earth' busy from my experience. HOWEVER I know people who have been caught out because a couple of security guards called in sick, they had to close a lane and what should have been a 'normal' Sunday turned into a 'almost missed a flight' Sunday.... so buyer beware I guess....

 

[dairyfloss]

From my experience it is hit and miss the budget terminal. Any public holidays / school holidays throw it into an absolute zoo - so check that first.

If not, it will be pretty busy but not 'hell on earth' busy from my experience. HOWEVER I know people who have been caught out because a couple of security guards called in sick, they had to close a lane and what should have been a 'normal' Sunday turned into a 'almost missed a flight' Sunday.... so buyer beware I guess....

Thanks - it's the coming Sunday, so thankfully no school or public holidays, and not much else on, except the T20 WC, and the final is Sunday night in MEL; so that might make things a little busier that day. It's been about 20 years since I was nervous about checking in for a flight, and VA @ SYD T2 has me rattled!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[MooTime]

- bBUTagain I have to remind myself (again) that they aren't targetting business customers anymore.

Get on board Virgin Australia Business Flyer

www.virginaustralia.com

I think Virgin have moved form their original Leisure only pax target to wanting to attract some business flyers, of course QF lead in this area by a fair degree, but I do believe VA has made some inroads in this sector.

So just a tad incorrect to say 'they aren't targeting business customers anymore" They clearly are.

 

[jakeseven7]

Thanks - it's the coming Sunday, so thankfully no school or public holidays, and not much else on, except the T20 WC, and the final is Sunday night in MEL; so that might make things a little busier that day. It's been about 20 years since I was nervous about checking in for a flight, and VA @ SYD T2 has me rattled!

Cheers,
Matt.

Good luck, with T2 Budget terminal in Syd and also the T3/4 Budget terminal in Mel I plan for worst case and would rather be waiting a little while longer sipping a coffee in one of the cafes airside rather than having a heart attack stuck in a kilometre long security line full of bogans

 

[MooTime]

Good luck, with T2 Budget terminal in Syd and also the T3/4 Budget terminal in Mel I plan for worst case and would rather be waiting a little while longer sipping a coffee in one of the cafes airside rather than having a heart attack stuck in a kilometre long security line full of bogans

But of course your not one the bogans when your in that same line, right?

 

[Bagpuss]

Good luck, with T2 Budget terminal in Syd and also the T3/4 Budget terminal in Mel I plan for worst case and would rather be waiting a little while longer sipping a coffee in one of the cafes airside rather than having a heart attack stuck in a kilometre long security line full of bogans

Virgin don't own any terminals and never have so they have to work with the airports. Qantas used to own a number of terminals and sub lease. I don't think they own any, any more.

However, you had to go back to initial setups (Virgin Blue LCC) to understand the legacy issues.

Perth which was a new build is obviously different.

 

[dairyfloss]

Good luck, with T2 Budget terminal in Syd and also the T3/4 Budget terminal in Mel I plan for worst case and would rather be waiting a little while longer sipping a coffee in one of the cafes airside rather than having a heart attack stuck in a kilometre long security line full of bogans

thankfully not flying to MEL myself...

 

[jakeseven7]

But of course your not one the bogans when your in that same line, right?

Totally

thankfully not flying to MEL myself...

Spare yourself the mess of T3/4 then!