Virgin Australia expands international lounge network

Virgin Australia is growing its international lounge network as VA flights between Australia and Doha take off from June, using aircraft and crew supplied by new partner and 25% stakeholder Qatar Airways.

And from Doha, Qatar Airways will offer onward flights to over 60 destinations across Europe, the UK and South Africa.

But which airport lounges will be available to Virgin Australia’s business class passengers and Velocity frequent flyers – especially in Australia, where neither Virgin Australia nor Qatar Airways have their own lounges?

Read on for the official breakdown on lounge access for Virgin Australia’s Doha flights.

(Note that members of the paid Virgin Australia Lounge program will not have complimentary access to any airport lounges for these Virgin Australia or Qatar Airways flights, either in Australia or overseas.)

Virgin Australia lounge access in Australia

Most travellers headed out from Australia on Virgin Australia flights to Doha – with the exception of Melbourne-Doha flights, which start in December – will enjoy a pre-flight respite at an Air New Zealand lounge.

Air New Zealand's lounges will become Virgin's go-to for most (but not all) flights to Doha.

We rate these fairly highly thanks to a solid buffet spread with freshly-prepared specials at the ‘theatre kitchen’ area, and in most cases barista-pulled coffee and a tended bar, along with plenty of seating and fast WiFi.

As far as a ‘non-flagship’ business class lounge goes, these AirNZ lounges tend to have all the bases covered.

The only drawback is that these lounges can get quite crowded during peak hours, as they tend to be the go-to for all Star Alliance members bar Singapore Airlines (which has its own lounges).

But that’s unlikely to be an issue for Virgin Australia’s flights to Doha, which all favour a mid-afternoon departure.

Air New Zealand's lounges have a contemporary if somewhat 'hard' design.

For all Virgin Australia flights from Australia, Velocity Gold and Platinum members and Beyond members are permitted one guest travelling on the same flight. Business class passengers do not receive a guest allowance. 

For Virgin’s Sydney-Doha flights (VA1): business class passengers, Velocity Gold and Platinum members and Virgin Australia Beyond members can visit the Air New Zealand Lounge (near Gate 59 and next door to the Singapore Airlines lounge).

For Virgin’s Brisbane-Doha flights (VA15): business class passengers, Velocity Gold and Platinum members and Virgin Australia Beyond members can visit the Air New Zealand Lounge (near Gate 82, on the fourth floor and with a light-filled corner position).

For Virgin’s Perth-Doha flights (VA21): business class passengers, Velocity Gold and Platinum members and Virgin Australia Beyond members can visit the Air New Zealand Lounge (near Gate 52A).

For Virgin’s Melbourne-Doha flights (VA7): business class passengers, Velocity Gold and Platinum members and Virgin Australia Beyond members all head to the Marhaba Lounge (between Gates 9 and 10; take the escalator or elevator up to Level 3).

Ahead of Melbourne-Doha flights, head to the Marhaba Lounge.

The Marhaba Lounge is the odd one out of Virgin’s Australian lounge pack, and simply isn’t up to the same level as the Air New Zealand lounges. 

In its favour are light-filled windows and views which most other Melbourne international lounges lack (due to their basement location).

While there’s ample seating, albeit in dated colours and styles, the cold buffet and especially the hot bain marie dishes are underwhelming – if you’re travelling in business class, save your appetite for the superb Qatar Airways Qsuite dining experience which lies ahead.

Ahead of Melbourne-Doha flights, head to the Marhaba Lounge.

Virgin Australia lounge access in Doha

Here are the lounge arrangements for Qatar Airways’ Doha hub at Hamad International Airport. 

Virgin Australia business class passengers can relax at Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge – in fact they have two Al Mourjan lounges to choose from, with the original lounge and the recently-opened ‘garden lounge’ in the terminal’s northern wing.

Qatar Airways' Al Mourjan 'Garden' lounge at Doha.

If you’re booked onto an onwards Qatar Airways flight in business class, you can also visit either of the Al Mourjan lounges unless you’re travelling on QR’s unbundled Business Lite fare, which doesn’t include lounge access 

Qatar Airways' Al Mourjan 'Garden' lounge at Doha.

As for Velocity Platinums, Velocity Golds and Virgin Australia Beyond members, they can make a beeline to one of Qatar Airways’ three dedicated frequent flyer lounges at Doha, depending on their status.

These lounges are

• Platinum Lounge South
• Gold Lounge South
• Platinum & Gold Lounge North

Surprisingly comfortable and well-appointed for ‘frequent flyer’ lounges, these are actually a cut above some business class lounges we’ve seen on our travels.

Qatar Airways also has several frequent flyer lounges at Doha.

Note that while Qatar Airways also has a Silver Lounge in Doha, this is only for the airline’s own Privilege Club Silver members – there’s no free access for Velocity Silvers.

In addition, Qatar Airways states that lounge-worthy Velocity frequent flyers “will need to collect an invitation to enter the lounge from Qatar check-in staff at the international departure port prior to clearing immigration.” 

Virgin Australia lounge access in London

Qatar Airways has two lounges at London Heathrow T4.

The Qatar Airways Premium Lounge rolls out the red carpet for first and business class flyers (excepting those on unbundled Business Lite fares).

Qatar Airways' Premium Lounge at London Heathrow T4 features à la carte dining.

With the same excellent a la carte dining room, buffet spread and tended bar as other Qatar Airways Premium Lounges, such as those at Singapore and Bangkok, this is not a lounge to disappoint.

Meanwhile, the Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge welcomes Velocity Platinums and Golds along with Virgin Australia Beyond members.

The floor-to-ceiling windows on one side help fill this classy space with light, and the buffet spread is to a high standard.

Virgin Australia lounge access in Paris

While most Qatar Airways Premium Lounges are only open to business and first class passengers, the Premium Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle T1 also welcomes high-tier frequent flyers.

At the time of writing this includes Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold and Platinum members and their Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald equivalents.

At the time of writing, the entry list hasn’t been officially expanded to include Velocity Golds and Platinums, but we’d not be surprised if this is on the cards.

Lounge access on QR Business Lite fares

As previously noted, Qatar Airways sells ‘unbundled’ business class tickets known as Business Lite, which forego access to the business class lounge on a QR flight.

However, there’s a workaround: the lounge access benefit of frequent flyer status over-rules the conditions of your Business Lite fare.

Velocity status provides QR lounge access, even on an unbundled Business Lite fare.

So if you hold Velocity Gold or Platinum status, that’ll get you into Qatar’s frequent flyer lounges.

The same applies if you happen to have Gold or Platinum status in Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty program.

In fact, QR lounge access is unlocked even with Qantas Gold or Platinum status or the equivalent Sapphire or Emerald status with any other Oneworld member airline – as long as your flight is ‘marketed and operated by Qatar Airways’ (rather than being a QR codeshare such as the Virgin Australia flights to and from Australia).

Paying to use Qatar Airways lounges

Qatar Airways also offers paid access to its Doha lounges to travellers in economy as well as those booking on Business Lite fares but not holding any suitable frequent flyer status.

This covers up to six hours in the lounge, at the following online rates (walk-up rates are slightly higher):

• Silver Lounge QAR270 (AUD117)
• Gold Lounge QAR315 (AUD137)
• Platinum Lounge QAR360 (AUD156)
• Al Mourjan Business Lounge QAR450 (AUD195)
• Al Safwa First Lounge (for business class passengers) QAR585 (AUD254)

Also read: Velocity Points upgrades to Qsuites business class