LAX departures [moved] to TBIT 1 Dec [*A FL access for WP]

[moa999]

Per an email just received, Virgin Australia will move to departing TBIT on 1 Dec 2013.

Eligible guests will have access to the brand new Star Alliance lounge that is run by NZ.

However check-in somewhat weirdly remains at T3.

I suspect it's good news on the lounge front.

 

[DGW]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

That's great news. Presumably the check in counters will move to TBIT in the near future.

 

[PLANT]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Right I'm there 5th Dec 2013 somebody give me guest access PLEASE!
I'll be there most of the bloody day...getting in from JFK

I'm flying out via VX the day I arrive 26th Nov...where on boarding pass does it say access to this lounge dribbles...is this only a business class thing or status with velocity?

 

[bullerdude]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Per an email just received, Virgin Australia will move to departing TBIT on 1 Dec 2013.

Eligible guests will have access to the brand new Star Alliance lounge that is run by NZ.

However check-in somewhat weirdly remains at T3.

I suspect it's good news on the lounge front.

This could be fantastic news? Is it for certain? Screenshot of this email?

Of interest, does the *A lounge have spirits and coughtails like the VX lounge?

 

[moa999]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Email was sent out to Velocity Accelerate Members

Dated 18 November.
Titled Virgin Australia - Business News

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[TD="align: left"]18 November 2013[/TD]
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[TD="align: left"]Virgin Australia Terminal Move – Los Angeles International Airport[/TD]
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[TD="align: left"]Good Afternoon

Virgin Australia is delighted to announce that, commencing 1 December 2013, flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Australia will depart from the new Tom Bradley International Terminal B.

Check-in for Virgin Australia flights remains at Terminal 3 (T3) at LAX.

From 1 December 2013, guests are encouraged to check-in earlier than they normally would have.

Since June this year all Virgin Australia operated flights from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to Los Angeles have been arriving into the new Tom Bradley International Terminal B, allowing our guests to enjoy an enhanced arrival terminal experience. From 1 December 2013, guests will now be able to also enjoy this enhanced terminal experience when departing Los Angeles on Virgin Australia operated flights.

With 5500 square metres of retail and dining options, stylish furnishings, public art and plenty of power point access to charge your mobile devices, the new Tom Bradley International Terminal B is designed to ensure the best possible travel experience for customers.

Eligible guests will use the well-equipped Star Alliance lounge, to relax in a variety of unique settings including an outdoor terrace with views to the distant Hollywood Hills. Business Class guests, Gold and Platinum Velocity members are entitled to enter the Star Alliance lounge.

Further Star Alliance lounge access eligibility information for Virgin Australia guests:

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[TD="align: left"]Gold and Platinum Velocity members will also be entitled to invite one guest to enter the Star Alliance lounge.[/TD]
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[TD="align: left"]Platinum Velocity members and one guest will be able to access the First Class Lounge located within the Star Alliance lounge.[/TD]
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For eligible guests travelling on Virgin America (VX) services onwards from LAX, guests will still have access to The Loft in T3.
We look forward to providing our guests with a more enjoyable and uniquely LA experience offered by Tom Bradley International Terminal B.

It is extremely important to note the following information:

Although Virgin Australia operated flights will arrive and depart from the new Tom Bradley International Terminal B at LAX from 1 December 2013, the airline’s check-in counters will remain in Terminal 3 (T3).

As a result of the spilt-terminal operation from 1 December 2013, Virgin Australia would like to encourage guests departing from Los Angeles to check-in earlier than they normally would have done prior to 1 December 2013.

How will this affect you or travellers in your organisation?:

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[TD="align: left"]Guests commencing their journey in Los Angeles will need to proceed to T3 to check in their baggage and receive a boarding pass.[/TD]
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[TD="align: left"]Guests connecting from Delta Air Lines (DL), Virgin America (VX) or Alaska Airlines (AS) operated services onto Virgin Australia operated services to Australia may proceed directly to Tom Bradley International Terminal B, as baggage should be through-checked and a boarding pass issued prior to arriving in Los Angeles for the Virgin Australia service.[/TD]
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[TD="align: left"]Guests connecting from any other airline onto Virgin Australia operated services to Australia will need to proceed to the Virgin Australia check-in counters within T3 as baggage would not have been through-checked nor a boarding pass issued for the Virgin Australia service. Following check-in, guests will need to walk the short distance to the Tom Bradley International Terminal B, clear security and make their way to the applicable boarding gate.[/TD]
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For more information please contact your Corporate Travel Management Company or your Virgin Australia Corporate Account Manager.[/TD]
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[bullerdude]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Platinum Velocity members and one guest will be able to access the First Class Lounge located within the Star Alliance lounge.

I like this part and will make excellent use of it in January!

Given Etihad is supposed to be building new Bus/First combination lounges at Melbourne and Sydney - the lounge experience of VA flights to US should be much better in the near future.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Interesting. Look forward to checking it out next year.

 

[drewbles]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

I like this part and will make excellent use of it in January!

Given Etihad is supposed to be building new Bus/First combination lounges at Melbourne and Sydney - the lounge experience of VA flights to US should be much better in the near future.

That is indeed very interesting! Considering it's restricted to *A flying First and no *A elites can get in, that makes VA WP a better value proposition for me!

 

[Mak404matt]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

That is indeed very interesting! Considering it's restricted to *A flying First and no *A elites can get in, that makes VA WP a better value proposition for me!

Certainly! From the Jaunted review of the First Class bit:

Making another right is a frosted door to the smaller First Class section, which has a separate external entrance as well. First offers a small dining area with waiter service.

 

[Jurahn]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Interesting - I will be flying VA on 10 December in J and am Gold as well, so I guess that entitles me to Star Alliance lounge access! I wonder whether I'll receive any advice from VA of the changes - I didn't receive any notification when arrivals changed to TBIT (tickets were booked back in March, when arrivals were still T5), I was only aware of that change through this forum.

 

[777]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

This is a really good move for VA. Great to see a positive enhancement on this front.

 

[cssaus]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Although there will no longer be the convenience of transiting from T5-T3 without going through security a second time if connecting from Delta, the move to departures from TBIT is a great step forward and resolves all the issues of a disappointing departure lounge experience out of T3.

I look forward to the experience.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Of interest, does the *A lounge have spirits and coughtails like the VX lounge?

Equally as important does it have showers?

 

[DGW]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Equally as important does it have showers?

It has eight "shower suites": Star Alliance lounge Los Angeles - Star Alliance.

 

[serfty]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Having showers is a good thing - however, the time I used the T3 lounge earlier this year the sushi was very nice.

 

[Clivem]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

I have had a good look around the revamped Tom Bradley ........ It thankfully has very few fences near or around it air-side ..........

 

[Jamesl]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Check in WILL move to TBIT in the near future. There are still a few more cards to be played for LAX yet

 

[grubbidok]

Re: LAX Loft Virgin Australia VA8

Woot! Leaving for the US next week! Looking forward to First lounge when I come back on the 15th!

 

[Isochronous]

If only they would go for full *A membership...

 

[drewbles]

If only they would go for full *A membership...

I had a conversation with the CEO of *A earlier in the year. They said they have been courting DJ/VA since the day AN went under, and unsurprisingly, no go.

If only!