Virgin Reopens Premium Lounge Entry in Brisbane

The Virgin Australia premium lounge entry in Brisbane has reopened
The Virgin Australia premium lounge entry in Brisbane has reopened. Photo: Virgin Australia.

Virgin Australia has reopened the Premium Entry to its lounge at Brisbane Airport during the morning peak. But there’s still no planned re-opening date for the Premium Lounge Entry in Sydney.

The Premium Entry was a popular benefit before COVID-19, and its return will be welcomed by frequent flyers. It allows Velocity Gold and Platinum members, Business Class guests and eligible frequent flyers of Virgin Australia’s partner airlines to bypass the security queues in the main airport terminal, potentially saving a lot of time.

The Premium Entry at Brisbane Airport is located outside the Virgin Australia check-in area at the domestic terminal and can be accessed directly from the street. This means eligible flyers without checked luggage can access the lounge without having to enter the main terminal at all. Customers with checked luggage will still need to drop this off first, but can then head to the Premium Entry for access to the Virgin Australia Lounge instead of queueing at the main security checkpoint.

The Virgin Australia premium entry in Brisbane is still closed
The Virgin Australia premium entry in Brisbane. Photo: Matt Graham.

Unfortunately, the Premium Entry in Brisbane will initially only be available from 5-10am on weekdays. At other times, Virgin Australia passengers will still need to use the main security checkpoint.

Qantas also operates a premium lounge entry at Brisbane’s domestic airport. This has remained operational for most of the pandemic.

Qantas Premium Lounge Entry at Brisbane domestic airport
Qantas Premium Lounge Entry at Brisbane domestic airport. Image: Qantas.

Two weeks ago, a Priority security lane for Velocity Gold, Platinum and Virgin Australia Business passengers also opened at the Terminal 4 security checkpoint at Melbourne Airport.

Terminal 4 security checkpoint at Melbourne Airport
Terminal 4 security checkpoint at Melbourne Airport. Photo: Matt Graham.

“We are laser focussed on creating great travel experiences for our guests and we are pleased to provide fast track security screening for eligible customers in Melbourne and Brisbane airports,” a Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said.

“We know time is important for our most frequent flyers, and our expanded security facilities in Brisbane and Melbourne are a ticket for loyal guests to quickly move through the screening process, so they can spend more time enjoying our lounge experience prior to their flight.”

Virgin has indicated that its Premium Entry at Sydney Airport will also reopen at some point, but hasn’t yet committed to a date.

“Virgin Australia is continuing to work through options with Sydney Airport Corporation,” the Virgin spokesperson said.

On this, one AFF member commented:

My understanding is that it’s a Sydney airport issue rather than a Virgin decision. The airport is prioritising security staff in the main terminal rather than allocate staff to an exclusive security channel.
I feel like they should have made a compromise… Create a temporary priority channel in the main terminal for priority pax until they have the staffing to reopen premium entry.
Milefest

 

Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Will Virgin’s Premium Lounge Entries open back up at some point?

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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Likewise Brisbane and the Melbourne exit ... I suspect that this is simply an economy measure and won't come back until passenger numbers get closer to pre covid levels.

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Likewise Brisbane and the Melbourne exit ... I suspect that this is simply an economy measure and won't come back until passenger numbers get closer to pre covid levels.

The Melbourne exit was open over the weekend. I've not been back to see if it was just over the long weekend.

You'd have to think Sydney priority entry isn't far off. Easter perhaps?

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You'd have to think Sydney priority entry isn't far off. Easter perhaps?

Was in the Sydney lounge just over a week ago, and it was the busiest I’ve seen it in a very long time, absolutely packed. Was also the most amount of business travellers I’d seen in there for quite a while. And the flight had a very long priority boarding line too.

It was very nice to have the Melbourne premium security exit open again. Hopefully it wasn’t just a temporary thing for the long weekend rush.

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Yes the private security screening was a boon in Sydney, and when running a bit late a huge time saver.

Flying tomorrow and will ask.

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@Harrison_123: Out of interest, what time of day was this please? I ask because I have some trips coming up which transit thru Sydney.

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@Harrison_123: Out of interest, what time of day was this please? I ask because I have some trips coming up which transit thru Sydney.

I was on a 5pm flight. Got to the airport early so spent well over 2 hours in there. Busy the whole time with a steady flow of people coming and going. Most flights that day were full apparently so that would have added to it. I’ve done many trips to Sydney in the last couple of months, and it was by far the busiest I’ve seen it in a long time.

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I was on a 5pm flight. Got to the airport early so spent well over 2 hours in there. Busy the whole time with a steady flow of people coming and going. Most flights that day were full apparently so that would have added to it. I’ve done many trips to Sydney in the last couple of months, and it was by far the busiest I’ve seen it in a long time.

Thank you. My transits thru Sydney are all mid/late morning. Be interesting to see how that goes. My final destination is usually BNE ... hope the premium entry there eventually re-opens for return flights!

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Melbourne’s exit was open yesterday morning. The normal security lane (outside the lounge) has been crazy the couple of weeks.

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Melbourne’s exit was open yesterday morning. The normal security lane (outside the lounge) has been crazy the couple of weeks.

Not today sadly. 🙁

Asked why at desk, and she said it 'depends on the security staff.' I said - 'you had it working well yesterday, correct? and she agreed.

Nearly missed the flight as security was a total zoo at 7.30am, gate was #9 down the end, and no-one was policing the alleged 'Priority' line, and everyone with a pulse was in that as it was tad shorter.

Why even have it there it if no check is made? The Security at MEL Domestic has been like Cattle Pens for years. Yes it has to be somewhere, and BEFORE lounges and gates is the obvious place.

We totally avoid MEL for connections as getting to the arrival gate, getting to Lounge, and back to departure gate is a total time lottery.

Why MEL airport did not finally join the 21st Century, and put all security upstairs BEFORE lounges in the quiet 2 year COVID break, only they would know. Huge opportunity lost. Welcome to www.HillBillyAirport.com

Desk lady told me 'that issue is being worked on.'

So is global warming apparently!

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Not today sadly. 🙁

Asked why at desk, and said it 'depends on the security staff.' Said 'you had it working yesterday correct', and she agreed.

Nearly missed the flight as security was a total zoo at 7.30am gate was #9 down the end, and no-one polices the alleged 'Priority' line, and everyone with a pulse was in that. Why even have it if no check is made?

Why MEL airport did not finally join the 21st Century, and put all security upstairs BEFORE lounges in the quiet 2 year COVID break, only they would know. Huge opportunity lost. Welcome to Hillbilly Airport.

Desk lady told me 'that issue is being worked on.'

So is global warming apparently!

Same on Sunday when I came back. Premium exit closed and priority line was absolutely packed. One security bloke yelling out “Priority lane only” but no checks and didn’t seem to be anyone listening. As you said, plenty of time during Covid to get this joke of a terminal functioning better

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