Brisbane’s My Lounge set to reopen as international travel surges
Formerly the home of Virgin Australia, the lounge will offer paid access to passengers on any airline.
By David Flynn, May 9 2022
Executive Traveller exclusive
International flyers headed out from Brisbane will soon gain another lounge option, with the My Lounge digs due to reopen “in the coming months.”
Previously better known as the Virgin Australia lounge and operated by UK-based No1 Lounges, the relaxed space is now owned by Swissport and sits in the firm’s Aspire lounge family – although it will retain its own My Lounge branding, as do The House lounges in Sydney and Melbourne.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
A spokesperson for Swissport tells Executive Traveller the My Lounge “is set to reopen in the coming months” – and while reluctant to circle a specific date in the calendar, the spokesperson added the lounge “was looking to open as soon as international travellers pick up, and indications are increasingly positive.”
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
Debuting in September 2019, Brisbane’s My Lounge has a decidedly casual vibe, right down to a relatively open design which at first glance could seem more like a duty-free boutique or newsstand than a lounge.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
When it opened, the My Lounge concept was positioned as a ‘social space’, slotting in beneath the 'jetset lounging’ vibe of The House, having been “specifically designed in the style of a loft apartment” as a “relaxed contemporary environment.”
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
In addition to a buffet spread, self-pour bar and barista-pulled coffee, guests could entertain themselves in a small games room; other standard lounge facilities included showers and a small working area.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
It’s not known if the 108-seat lounge will once again become the default port of call for Virgin Australia’s business class passengers, Velocity Platinum and Gold frequent flyers and members of the Virgin Australia Lounge program.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
However, Swissport will also make My Lounge available as a paid-access lounge for travellers on any airline, putting it in competition with Brisbane’s Plaza Premium lounge.
Swissport’s most recent entries into the Australian loungescape include domestic and international lounges at Perth Airport.
Swissport is also partnering with Luxury Escapes to include lounge access part of travel deals “or as an optional extra to members”, with its Australian lounges to gain ancillary Luxury Escapes co-branding.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1102
For some reason, lounge developments never run on time and this applies to just about all airlines. I don't know if it is over-optimistic airlines, complexity of building within secure zones, poor project management or a combination of all.
08 Sep 2018
Total posts 23
Having worked in the planning space in a previous life, it’s usually permits or the airport being difficult. Sometimes things so basic like underfloor wiring can take months to even get the go ahead. Don’t even get me started on councils! The logistics of being located International Airside wouldn’t be user friendly either.
05 Oct 2011
Total posts 199
Why would councils be involved? All the Int. Airports are on Federal Land. They (councils) have no jurisdiction whatsoever. If Canberra approved, they could open casinos and the State Govt couldn't do anything
09 Jul 2012
Total posts 27
Very true, indeed. In the 'outside' world a new build or redevelopment of an existing space would only be a matter of weeks or a few months depending on spec. But for some reason (or reasons) when it comes to airline lounges, even a small space will take literally years to construct/refurbish/outfit. [I'm looking at you United]. Makes you wonder if airside is the 'twilight zone'?
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 182
A lot of this would be due to airports being pretty hard to deal with because of all the additional regulations they have. That said you would think an airline would know this and allow for this before publicising an opening date, surely better to be pessimistic and have the option of opening a few weeks early!
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2577
I remember there was a bit of hassle when Brisbane's new international lounge precinct opened up (where the AirNZ, Singapore Airlines, and Plaza Premium lounges are located, along with the Plaza day spa), because the rear walls up there backed onto the 'public' side of the airport, and so all the walls had to be strengthened for security reasons. It's possible that because Virgin Australia's lounge looks to be downstairs in that gate area, and downstairs is where international arriving passengers come through, that they may have to do the same thing (although if the space was already previously airside, that shouldn't be a problem).
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jun 2017
Total posts 35
Is there a reason why virgin gave this lounge the worst possible name imaginable?
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1102
It is not VA's lounge; it belongs to House so the naming would have been House's choice. It gets a different name from the Houses in MEL and SYD as it does not have all the features offered by those more premium products.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2547
My Lounge is a brand in the No1 Lounges portfolio, with No1 in charge of building and operating the lounge.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2015
Total posts 53
I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but I am not getting my hopes up about this new lounge. I just cannot visualise that space as suitable or welcoming. I hope I am surprised. I am going to miss the SQ lounge I feel (both its ambience and its location) for the LAX flights....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 152
Any chance they would expand the possiblility of using lounge passes to this lounge?
02 Nov 2018
Total posts 3
Another Virgin flop!
23 Oct 2014
Total posts 228
If the delay means a better “set up” of the lounge layout and improved “Virgin” offering, that’s a better outcome long term than a quick roll out.
05 May 2016
Total posts 10
Does 'grazing menu' equal 'buffet'?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Dec 2014
Total posts 47
I don't understand why this lounge is being referred to as "Virgin Australia's New Lounge" when it is not owned or operated by Virgin. It is a third party lounge that Virgin Australia's customers have access to.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 470
Because it is clearly being branded (as per the photo of the signage) as "My Lounge - the home of Virgin Australia". It's really being built for VA, whose customers will make up the vast majority of the clientele.
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
...now I wonder when they'll update us on the new Wellington Virgin Australia lounge (which in October, was a few months away)
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2577
Wellington is now expected to open in April, but not much has been said yet about what it'll offer (e.g., whether it'll be more like a VA domestic lounge or like the new international offerings).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
15 Nov 2017
Total posts 58
Hopefully all done by the June long weekend when I do a DSC run across the Tasman...
13 Feb 2019
Total posts 1
Gold Velocity member flying economy to AUH on Etihad later this year. Chris, do you think there would there be lounge access at BNE?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2577
This information can be found on Virgin Australia's website.
23 May 2014
Total posts 128
Lounge looks great - interested in how the F&B offering turns out.
11 Dec 2016
Total posts 5
We're rapidly approaching May 2019... Any word on if we're going to achieve the schedule? I'm flying out on VA7 on May 7...
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2547
Once we know a date of have an update, we'll share it here.
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 141
No 1 Lounges has four classes of lounge. Most interesting that Melbourne and Sydney get No 1's best lounges, while Brisbane gets their lowest version.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 317
JB had nothing to do with the branding of the SYD and MEL lounges, No 1 simply took over the old Etihad lounges from Etihad directly. Whilst benefitting from the $ (assumably) paid by EY and VA to have their branding on those lounges.
Whereas BNE's lounge had to be built from scratch.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Oct 2015
Total posts 65
Assume the current lounge agreements will be extended at BNE? Would hate to be without lounge access due to delays building the new one.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
03 May 2019
Total posts 10
There is always "food vouchers" in the case that VA can't get it together to renew the Plaza Premium contract at BNE.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 42
Yawn! Believe it when I see it. Looks like its going to be pretty average anyway and no doubt over-crowded like all of VA lounges.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
15 Nov 2017
Total posts 58
Taking a peak through the keyhole over the weekend, a month seems optimistic...
16 Jun 2019
Total posts 1
Lets hope that this lounge will be opened soon. Had to use the Plaza Premium whilst travelling MH business last month and it was terrible. Food not replenished, busy and no searing.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
12 Jul 2019
Total posts 1
Has the International Virgin Business Lounge opened in Brisbane yet???
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 Sep 2018
Total posts 1
Apparently opening September now according to My Lounge
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Oct 2017
Total posts 11
This just keeps on dragging on. Best to avoid Virgin anywhere in the Pacific if you are a business traveller.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 42
I sense that Virgin is about to start declining. Let me count the ways; 1. Months and months of delays re lounge. 2. Dropped one of the best Inflight Mag companies in the world. 3. Wet leasing more routes to Alliance because they can't fill em. 4. Cheapest and therefore furthers airbridges for international flights.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 355
Worst name for a lounge ever. Really, Virgin Australia?
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
Ryan K, if you've read the article, you'll know it's not Virgin's own lounge..... and besides, why is is the "worst name ever" LOL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 355
I read the article. Virgin Australia has chosen to go down this path with No1 Lounges which operate this lounge, which in my opinion, has a poor name. Virgin Australia's lounge options just seem to be all over the place depending on which city you're in and where you're flying too. I think it's quite confusing to know which lounge to use (if any), depending on which city you're flying from.
19 Jun 2017
Total posts 4
Any idea if VA platinum members can use VA lounge if travelling SQ ex BNE?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2012
Total posts 231
Eligible VA frequent flyers on VA, Hainan, Hawaiian metal will access the new My Lounge.
Eligible VA frequent flyers on Singapore Airlines metal will still use the Singapore Airlines Lounge.
Eligible VA frequent flyers on Etihad metal will still use the Air NZ Lounge (although I suspect they'll move to My Lounge once that contract finishes up).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Jun 2011
Total posts 82
Looking forward to a review!
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