New Lounges news and speculation

[777]

Australian Business Traveller have a new article up about the revamped Virgin lounges: Virgin Australia readies all-new airport lounges for Melbourne and Brisbane - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Not sure how much of it is accurate and how much of it is the exact same speculation that we're all doing here but some interesting suggestions:

* Architect designed makeover of BNE, SYD, MEL
* MEL to get a dedicated security point from the lounge (not sure i'm convinced by this one - logistics seems tricky, would be much easier to have a premium channel at the regular checkpoint but who knows?)'
* New changing and rotating food and bev menu
* New wine list
* Spirits to be added to the lounge drinks menu (now there's a point of difference)
* A lounge "coughtail hour" to be initiated (now that's something to time your fights for!)
* OOL and two unnamed new lounges to open (already confirmed by DJ)
* Revamped MEL and BNE lounges to open within two weeks.

All up it sounds like a pretty good package.

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to where the two missing new lounges will be?

 

[moa999]

How is "Spirits" or a coughtail Hour a point of difference.

You have been always able to get a range of basic spirits and even (I think) a bloody mary at the QC.

 

[777]

How is "Spirits" or a coughtail Hour a point of difference.

You have been always able to get a range of basic spirits and even (I think) a bloody mary at the QC.

Certainly a point of difference from the current offering!

 

[awilcockson]

Certainly a point of difference from the current offering!

Yep, my only complaint about the current lounge, if I had to name one, is the lack of spirits.

 

[Justinf]

Spirits in the Lounge? Oh my, this could be dangerous for me.

 

[markis10]

Having problems trying to work out what the news is, the dedicated security lane was operational yesterday as reported on AFF and I think this is whats being promoted rather than a new screening point, the lounge redevelopments are very much old news, Sydney is launched, what else?

Hang on, spirits is news unless you read the lounge refreshments thread, so in summary the news is: "DJs lounge to get spirits" ???? I suppose if your being paid for what you write by the word count then you would not get much for an article thats concise .

I look forward to the next article announcing availability of Vegemite

 

[Nigelinoz]

Hang on, spirits is news unless you read the lounge refreshments thread, so in summary the news is: "DJs lounge to get spirits" ???? I suppose if your being paid for what you write by the word count then you would not get much for an article thats concise

.

Maybe they were using a ghost writer.:mrgreen:







Sorry.

 

[david-au-2000]

Australian Business Traveller have a new article up about the revamped Virgin lounges: Virgin Australia readies all-new airport lounges for Melbourne and Brisbane - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Not sure how much of it is accurate and how much of it is the exact same speculation that we're all doing here but some interesting suggestions:

* Architect designed makeover of BNE, SYD, MEL
* MEL to get a dedicated security point from the lounge (not sure i'm convinced by this one - logistics seems tricky, would be much easier to have a premium channel at the regular checkpoint but who knows?)'
* New changing and rotating food and bev menu
* New wine list
* Spirits to be added to the lounge drinks menu (now there's a point of difference)
* A lounge "coughtail hour" to be initiated (now that's something to time your fights for!)
* OOL and two unnamed new lounges to open (already confirmed by DJ)
* Revamped MEL and BNE lounges to open within two weeks.

Hmmm, well John Borghetti apparently told them about the 'architect makeover' so that is kosher. The MEL and BNE security points are now confirmed they say, Virgin Australia's Melbourne and Brisbane airport lounges to get 'priority access' security lane - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller, and they probably have 'inside information' about the opening dates of the lounges and the menu.

I really hope the bit about the food is true because what they have now is pretty pedestrian and you get so tired of having the same thing. I am already over the seeing the same food at the QF business lounge every time I fly through, I thought QF was going to be rotating their menu as well?

Can't believe the 'coughtail hour' bit though, unless they limit you to one coughtail and stamp your boarding pass to show you've had your drink, this could be a very expensive deal. Maybe that's why they don't want to status match too many QFF golds, they'd be paying for economy fares but spent hours in the lounge drinking coughtails! Hic!

 

[notzac]

Australian Business Traveller have a new article up about the revamped Virgin lounges: Virgin Australia readies all-new airport lounges for Melbourne and Brisbane - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller
...
* A lounge "coughtail hour" to be initiated (now that's something to time your fights for!)

This is relevant to my interests!

 

[Nigelinoz]

A lounge "coughtail hour" to be initiated (now that's something to time your fights for!)

Freudian slip?:mrgreen:

 

[LiamR]

I'd just like to find out when and where the OOL lounge will be. Priority Lane here would be nice, but not expected. At some times the cue will not only fill up with people, but with people trying to bring everything that isn't allowed. It is quite frustrating at times...

 

[Major]

I'd just like to find out when and where the OOL lounge will be. Priority Lane here would be nice, but not expected. At some times the cue will not only fill up with people, but with people trying to bring everything that isn't allowed. It is quite frustrating at times...

Yes please, bring on the OOL Lounge.
I am constantly amazed by what people try to take into the cabin after their holiday on the Gold Coast.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I really hope the bit about the food is true because what they have now is pretty pedestrian and you get so tired of having the same thing. I am already over the seeing the same food at the QF business lounge every time I fly through, I thought QF was going to be rotating their menu as well?

+1

I've done 4 flights in the past 10 days (with 2 more on Monday) and the food offerings in both SYD and BNE are exactly the same, even the hot food was identical. Some variety would be nice. (I'm not holding my breath on the ROK lounge on Monday, lol.)

 

[LiamR]

Yes please, bring on the OOL Lounge.
I am constantly amazed by what people try to take into the cabin after their holiday on the Gold Coast.

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it seems OOL Security, replicate Council Workers. Everytime I pass thru OOL, there is at least 5-10 security staff standing around talking, while a que forms. Would it kill them to open another checkpoint?

 

[lovestotravel]

Really would like the MEL lounge to open before the 13th as I have many MEL-Elsewhere flights coming up!

 

[Misha]

Really would like the MEL lounge to open before the 13th as I have many MEL-Elsewhere flights coming up!

all indications are that it will be...

 

[david-au-2000]

Hi Misha, what indications are they? I read a news story last week that said MEL and BNE would both be open 'in the next two weeks' so it must be soon, you reckon it will be this week?

 

[Misha]

All the staff in Melbourne this past 2 weeks have all been saying "If not the first week, then the second in May"... they all seem adamant...

Might be bollocks but they seem convinced - I am taking them at their word. JBs next two weeks is almost a week over anyway

 

[kevrosmith]

It's hard to imagine the BNE lounge being complete so soon: had a peak above the hoarding Friday night and the whole ceiling is still a shell! Maybe they're going for the DFO industrial factory warehouse look

Perhaps they are considering a lounge in CNS, but I heard on the grapevine recently that QF have taken a lease on the vacant area next to their current QP, not to expand it, but as a pre-emptive block. I guess that's what you'd call a 'worthwhile investment', like the fines Telstra pay when they're caught in uncompetitive practices! But it is a bit of a spoilt-child attitude: if I can't play, then nobody can!

I just hope Airport management don't let this prevent getting a DJ lounge, especially the way my points are accruing lately!

 

[markis10]

There is enough room in CNS for DJ, QF have a quarter of the available space and DJ would probably take the non runway view side anyway. As for MEL, I was told at least two weeks yesterday, who knows, I put my vouchers to good use regardless.