Fast-track checkin for Virgin Australia at Melbourne, Brisbane

Virgin Australia passengers will see a 'Premium Valet' car park for business class travellers and high-tier Velocity Frequent Flyer members when flying domestically from Melbourne.

The new Melbourne fast-track system will be in place from "later this year" according to an airline statement today in conjunction with Virgin's half-yearly results.

But the airline statement makes no reference to premium check-in facilities available at kerbside, unlike the existing Premium Entry at Sydney's Domestic Airport and the planned Premium Valet at Brisbane.

With the Melbourne lounge a short walk away from the airport entrance and down an escalator, the logistics of changing the existing purple-barrier Premium check-in queue may not make sense.

Australian Business Traveller tested out the Sydney facility just after it opened last year — back when Virgin Australia was still Virgin Blue — and the two minute arrival-to-lounge service is still impressive.

Brisbane's version of the frequent flyer fast-track system, meanwhile, will take over the old Ansett rotunda at the airport's domestic terminal.

In a wide range of announcements today, Virgin Australia is also planning:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablets for wireless entertainment streaming on board 
• New 1-2 configuration proper business class on VIrgin's smaller Embraer E-190 jets
• A super-elite Concierge meet and greet service for the top Velocity frequent flyers at Canberra, Gold Coast — and elsewhere... 

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.