New Mackay Lounge now open - Priority Boarding also available

[Virgin Australia]

From a press release just issued:

Virgin Australia today announced enhancements to its Mackay service, including extra weekday flights between Mackay and Brisbane and the opening of its first-ever lounge at Mackay Airport.
On sale today for travel from 5 March 2012, the new service will see Virgin Australia operating a total of 78 flights per week between Mackay and Brisbane, which is the greatest frequency offered by any airline on this route.
Virgin Australia Group Executive of Product and Guest Services Martin Daley said: “Mackay is an extremely important market for Virgin Australia. Not only is it the gateway to some of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, it is also has a strong mining
industry, which attracts corporate and government travellers.
“With the addition of the extra Mackay-Brisbane service, Virgin Australia now offers two more return daily services than any other airline on this route.
“We are also delighted to open our first ever lounge at Mackay Airport, which will enable us to provide a first-rate airport experience for business and leisure Guests. The space will offer distinct areas to relax, refuel and work, including business facilities, entertainment options and a Luke Mangan designed buffet.
“With our new lounge now opened, the availability of Business Class on all Brisbane-Mackay services from January 18 2012 and the introduction of Priority Boarding which also launched today, Guests of Virgin Australia can now enjoy an enhanced travel experience to and from Mackay”, Mr Daley said.


The new 260m2 lounge, which welcomes up to 70 guests features:

• Business facilities including spacious work stations, WiFi, PCs and fax / copy / printer;
• A private meeting room that seats up to eight;
• Panasonic high definition flat screen television featuring AUSTAR and free-to-air programming;
• Selection of magazine titles and daily newspapers;
• Self service tea and coffee stations; and
• A selection of beer and wine (from 11.00am daily).

Virgin Australia also operates a daily direct, return Sydney-Mackay service on Embraer aircraft.

Great to be able to open one more Lounge this side of Christmas!

 

[drron]

Good I am off to MKY in february.
Bad-I bought my ticket yesterday.

 

[cityloop]

Excellent news and quickly built too!. Wish OOL was open now aswell.
Good reason to visit Mackay though.

 

[Meggsy]

Great news. No more lining up for a seat and a biscuit in the 'other' lounge any more!! Thank you Virgin Australia. Now can we get a direct flight OOL-MKY also. Once the new OOL lounge opens this would be a great run for me, and save the airtrain trips to BNE.

 

[LiamR]

Great news VA. This almost warrants a trip up to Mackay to christen the new lounge, espically with your $65 BNE-MKY sale currently on.

 

[777]

Photos!!!!!!!!!

 

[MadFairlane]

Great news VA. This almost warrants a trip up to Mackay to christen the new lounge, espically with your $65 BNE-MKY sale currently on.

MKY AFF lounge run?

 

[markis10]

Photos!!!!!!!!!

AusBT have some, and I will have some next week!

 

[drron]

Excellent news and quickly built too!. Wish OOL was open now aswell.
Good reason to visit Mackay though.

Great news VA. This almost warrants a trip up to Mackay to christen the new lounge, espically with your $65 BNE-MKY sale currently on.

Though the only reason for going there is now the VA lounge.I only go for work.

 

[777]

Anyone know how big the ADL lounge is for comparison?

 

[LiamR]

Some of you might find this interesting, first reports of Priority Boarding in action:

Twitter

 

[Meggsy]

Some of you might find this interesting, first reports of Priority Boarding in action:

Twitter

That can't be Mackay. I cannot see any hi viz suits anywhere in that photo.:mrgreen:

 

[777]

Haven't flown into MKY since the Ansett era. Geez, they don't muck around with advertising in the terminal area.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'll be having a little jaunt up to MacKay in 2012, this will make my trip almost pleasant.

 

[LiamR]

AusBT has a story here with a stack of photos:

Photos: Virgin Australia opens new lounge at Mackay Airport - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[AaronBradford]

Geez, haven't seen that view for quite some years Hopefully I'll go up to Mackay to go over old tramping grounds in the near future ... and to pay a visit to the new lounge of course

 

[Justchecking]

Its a nice little lounge for a regional. I've stayed in hotels where the breakfast offering wasnt much more than that. :shock: even CBR is being rivalled by mackay these days....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As a MKY regular, I like this news. Now, how about ROK, GLT, PPP and HTI and I'll be very satisfied and stop moaning (briefly).

I only see the club chairs. Where's the nice red ones with adjustable wings and foot stools?

A suggestion, instead of a window to no where, a beer garden would be great! Covered outdoor area with punkah fans would really set DJ a class above the rest (of course a beer garden in OZ is a class above the rest regardless). The outdoor sitting area is the only thing I like about PPP (and no, I'm not a smoker) and is almost a must-have in the tropics (IMHO) along with some gin in the bar for a sling or two whilst waiting (Raffles, eat your heart out).

Good to see the now ubiquitous, AFF inspired toasted sandwich maker has also made an appearance!

 

[serfty]

...

A suggestion, instead of a window to no where, a beer garden would be great! Covered outdoor area with punkah fans would really set DJ a class above the rest ...

Not to mention the Punkah Wallahs ...:shock:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Not to mention the Punkah Wallahs ...:shock:

We're not quite that colonial......we do now have a new invention called electricity!