Virgin Australia lounges: are they up to scratch?

25 replies

vbarberini

Member since 16 Oct 2012

Total posts 37

Hi all


I've flown VA domestically whenever possible for many years. In my experience their service - especially premium cabin service - is better than QF. However, I can't help but wonder if their Lounge offering - especially for premium class pax - is up to scratch.


I recently used my points to upgrade to domestic business class and as I sat in the overcrowded Sydney VA Lounge I wondered if the QF offering was better. Travellers in QF domestic J class get access to a separate business class lounge with upgraded amenities and a more exclusive ambiance. (QF also make their domestic business class lounge available to Plat frequent fliers too.) 


It seems like QF offer a better pre-flight lounge experience. Does VA need to lift its game - especially for pax in J class?


MRYJDrake

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 31 Oct 2016

Total posts 206

I must confess I have never been impressed by a VA lounge, 


admittedly I'd been spoiled by AirNZ's domestic and international lounges in NZ for years so I may be slightly biased... 

rob01

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 10 Nov 2011

Total posts 110

The lounge experience for passengers in J with VA is pretty average, that's for sure - especially in Sydney where there just isn't enough space. That being said, I'm quite a fan of Virgin's J class. I recently flew SYD PER return and went VA one way, and WF the other (both A330's). QF's J lounge in Perth is fantastic, but for me the VA product, service, seat and catering won hands down.

StuW

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 May 2017

Total posts 4

SYD and MEL QF J lounges are sub par.  There is often a line up for the male amenities, that are also in need of a refurb.

Packetman21

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Jul 2016

Total posts 68

In Brisbane, QF wins by a country mile in the lounge war.

adelaidegreen

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Jul 2016

Total posts 16

Adelaides VA lounge is dire,needs an overhall. Otherwise Brisbane,Sydney and Melbourne etc are all fine for domestic travel plus the staff aren't as snooty as Qantas.

mcglynp

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 20 Jan 2016

Total posts 48

Not really comparing apples with apples here.  QF created the business lounges I would expect because of the complaints from J passengers at the lack of exclusivity due to people buying Q Club.  The QF J lounges also seem to have better F&B offerings for sure.   VA are stuck in a bit of a bind where they don't have enough yield in J to justify separate lounges.  They could look to create in lounge areas similar to the SQ Private rooms with improved F&B. If you then allowed Plats to use that it would give an incentive to actually want or keep Plat.

plad

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

Member since 16 Jun 2017

Total posts 59

I have only used the VA lounges in ADL and MEL. They have more the feel of a cafeteria than a lounge. Very average

pkjames

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2017

Total posts 44

never tried VA but i certainly don't think the QF MEL J lounge is "up to scratch"

Last editedby pkjames at Jul 04, 2017, 09:32 PM.

John Phelan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 261

And then there's VA's international lounges........oh, wait ........

ZT

Member since 07 Jan 2017

Total posts 12

VA still suffer the the Brett Godfrey era overhang with the Blue Room mentality. It will take some time and lots of $$$'s (that they do not have) to rectify the situation.

reeves35

Member since 24 Aug 2011

Total posts 77

Compared with Qantas Clubs, VA's lounges are fine. For example, the MEL VA lounge is far better than the tired dark MEL Qantas Club.  Compared with QF Business Lounges, they probably lag but I doubt there is a business case for a separate VA Business Lounge particularly as high-value customers are already heading into the very exclusive Club Lounge. 

Hugh McCann

Member since 05 May 2017

Total posts 1

Having recently compared the BNE Q-CLub and VA lounges I can say that I believe them to be comparable in their many offerings. My preference is for VA, bacon or sausages for brekky! Having not been exposed to the Business Lounge as yet, I can't compare. Virgin do have "the club" which is their equivalent of the Chairman's lounge I believe. But I don't think they will be allowing J access to this? I can definitely empathise with J class feeling short changed. I'm familiar with most VA's lounges in Australia (Alice Springs being the exception) and when they are full it can be a bit annoying. Though also there is a buzz about them that I don't experience with Qantas. The bright colours and lights add to this experience. 

cdjoseph

Member since 27 May 2012

Total posts 1

Love Virgin business class.Outstanding.Not that impressed with their lounges, in particular their dress code which is non existent.Shorts tee shirt and thongs!!!!! Really

Last editedby Chris C. at Jul 05, 2017, 03:06 PM.

john.skeen

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 05 Jul 2017

Total posts 2

No disrespect, but the BNE lounge is a bogan space and worse, there are those that bring the whole family in to fight over the offerings!  

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