Virgin Australia expands AirNZ lounge access
Air New Zealand's flagship Auckland lounge rolls out the welcome mat...
By Staff Writers, March 26 2026
Lounge access for Virgin Australia’s international flyers can be a somewhat patchy affair, but the situation in Auckland is now a little brighter.
Business class travellers and Velocity Platinum Plus, Platinum and Gold members on Air New Zealand flights sold under a Virgin Australia codeshare – that is, carrying a VA rather than NZ flight number – now enjoy access to the Kiwi carrier's flagship Auckland International Lounge.
Air New Zealand's current Auckland International Lounge.
“Velocity Platinum Plus, Platinum and Gold members can also bring a guest along for the lounge experience,” a Virgin spokesperson tells Executive Traveller.
Air New Zealand's current Auckland International Lounge.
“Eligible guests can also continue to enjoy Air New Zealand lounges in Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and those departing from Gold Coast or Adelaide will still be welcomed at the Virgin Australia Lounge.”
Air New Zealand currently has two lounges at Auckland’s international terminal, due to ongoing work to upgrade its main lounge and make ready for the all-new Koru Premier Lounge.
Big changes are on the way, with two new-branded Koru Lounges.
Due to open in early 2027, this elite lounge will be the exclusive domain of AirNZ’s Koru Platinum and Koru Black members, along with its business class passengers and those of other Star Alliance airlines.
2027 will see a vastly-improved Koru Lounge and an all-new Koru Premier Lounge.
The main lounge will then be revamped and expanded, to fully open at the end of 2027.
2027 will see a vastly-improved Koru Lounge and an all-new Koru Premier Lounge.
“From early 2026, we’ll be upgrading our Auckland International Lounge through to the end of 2027,” the Air New Zealand website notes.
Air New Zealand's temporary The Lookout Lounge.
“During this time, lounge access may be impacted and an alternative lounge may be offered.”
Air New Zealand's temporary The Lookout Lounge.
That alternative lounge is The Lookout Lounge – a temporary perch located on Level 2 and open daily during morning and evening peak travel times.
How to get to AirNZ's temporary The Lookout Lounge.
Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand rebooted their trans-Tasman partnership in late 2024, although this remains very much a one-sided relationship.
Virgin loyalists can book onto AirNZ flights on some 16 trans-Tasman routes under a VA flight number to earn Velocity Points and status credits, and can also use Velocity points to book those Air New Zealand flights.
Top-tier Velocity members also enjoy priority check-in, baggage and boarding where available, plus an additional checked bag (up to 23kg).
However, there are no reciprocal benefits – such as points-earning or lounge access – for Air New Zealand’s own frequent flyers when travelling with Virgin Australia.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Dec 2023
Total posts 15
Tried to book a trip to Auckland for work recently and the flights with a VA code were several hundred dollars more than for just an Air New Zealand code on the same flight. Hard to justify that to your boss. I booked Qantas.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1095
I'll consider VA over QF for NZ flights, for example, Sydney to Christchurch, the timing of the flights with ANZ is better, it's not really about the lounge access, it just makes it a bit easier.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2013
Total posts 42
Still no lounge access on the flight to Queenstown (or Fiji), only reason im trying to chase Qantas gold now.
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