Now pouring: Virgin Australia serves up spirits at Sydney lounge
By Chris C., February 15 2016
Spirits are now on the menu at Virgin Australia's Sydney lounge as the airline begins a trial of tipples for the business traveller and frequent flyer.
Smirnoff Red vodka, Bundaberg Original U.P. (dark rum), Bacardi Superior (white rum), Johnny Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky and Gordon's London Dry Gin – best mixed with tonic water and a dash of lime for a traditional G&T – will be served from 11am alongside the usual range of beers, wines and ciders.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson told Australian Business Traveller that the trial stems from customer demand and will run until February in the Sydney lounge only.
"We regularly trial new products in our lounges to ensure we are providing the best experience for our guests," the spokesperson added.
Spirits in Virgin Australia lounges, or a lack thereof, has long been a contentious subject for frequent travellers with rival Qantas making these a staple of its domestic Business Lounges and Qantas Clubs many years ago.
Also read: Visiting Qantas, Virgin Australia lounges after your flight
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 692
Good to see Virgin taking a measured approach to this topic, even if only a trial.
Hmm, did we score a 'win' today? (Rhetorical question only).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 567
They must be expecting the in laws with that selection!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Aug 2013
Total posts 173
LOL
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 157
Be nice if they were to serve some decent whisky. How about some of the champion Tasmanian ones instead of the rather bland Johnny Walker Red!
Qantas Platinum
04 Dec 2012
Total posts 48
You mean Sullivan's Cove French Oak? That's $350 a bottle. Let me know when it happens. I'll book a ticket and earn my money back drinking! :-)
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 157
Me too!
There are a number of other distillers in Tasmania that produce more reasonably priced whiskeys.
The point I was trying to make was why use something as basic as JW Red when there are a lot nore other options around.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2012
Total posts 580
Nice cameo in the cover photo, Chris!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
I expect Premier Mike Baird will have this 'antisocial' new offering from Virgin shut down promptly ;-)
/s
VA Platinum
21 Nov 2013
Total posts 20
+1 on this. No doubt free lounge alcohol will soon be limited and shut down.
Sorry if this it too off topic mods!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
Wow. Thought this would have been a basic requirement already.
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 271
Me too
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 142
It's only a trial but at least it's something. Hopefully they take some feedback on board about the selection if they decide to continue it. They've had some good wines lately (and a few bad ones) but it's a step in the right direction.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 321
Good story, I didn't know Virgin doesn't serve spirits, I am QF and often consider a change to Virgin, I will consider no more, I like my Chivas or Jack a bit too much.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 1
Johnny Walker Red Label??! Virgin are obviously concerned about overcrowding in their lounges. I will stick to Qantas and Chivas thanks.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jul 2012
Total posts 43
This will bring Virgin closer to Qantas' offering. I might only have one every other visit, but just knowing that it is there give the Qantas lounge an air of superiority. Even with QF, sometimes they aren't on display (eg CNS), but if you ask they oblige.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 2
This is excellent news. A number of my colleagues fly Qantas literally so they can finish their buy day with a spirit or 2. This will help in taking Virgin Lounges from "Good to Great". Johnny Red is a start but Chivas or Black would make a level playing field. If Virgin has done this after listening to customer feedback - congratulations to the V Team.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2016
Total posts 2
Interesting!!!! Count me in but lets hope they up the quality of beverages. The Virgin lounges are fantastic - this an added bonus to an already great experience.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
18 Feb 2016
Total posts 1
Hope they do this in Melbourne. Anyhow mostly its Sydney we leave from in the afternoon. Can hardly just be a trial - come on, Qantas have had this for how many years. And lets hope they get some decent Chivas or Turkey! Anyway i'll be joining the line up to the bar.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 97
Fly with Singapore Air a lot and having some spirits is esential for sleeping on a Y-class red-eye flight Melbourne to Singapore, and also for the next leg.
OK, I have to admit that sometime I fly just for the drink at the Melbourne lounge. They serve something really good there.
Also flew with Ear New Zulland many times this year but I donno if they serve spirits because everytime I was with my wife and only one beer was permitted.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2016
Total posts 2
Have Virgin confirmed if they will be serving spirits in their lounges - was great while it lasted in Sydney
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 2
Good point. I noticed they had disappeared, heard a few guys grumbling about it not being there. Be interested in the V news on this one.
26 Mar 2016
Total posts 21
Looking at flying domestic business class on Virgin out of sydney next week. Does anyone know if the trial became permanent?
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