Virgin Australia shakes up international airport lounge access
By Chris Chamberlin, October 27 2016
EXCLUSIVE | Virgin Australia's business class travellers and Velocity Gold and Platinum frequent flyers are about to be faced with a confusing array of lounges at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane international airports.
In changes which take effect from November 1 2016, the international airport lounges available to passengers will depend on their destination.
For example, take a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and you’ll enjoy access to the Etihad Airways Business and First Class Lounge – complete with a la carte dining and waiter service.
But fly with Virgin Australia from Melbourne to Fiji and you’ll be sent to the Virgin Australia domestic lounge before your flight.
Other Virgin passengers will also be directed to lounges operated by Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, SkyTeam and even Plaza Premium.
However, Virgin Australia has confirmed that its business class travellers and Velocity Gold and Platinum members will still be able to use the Star Alliance Lounge at LAX.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson advised Australian Business Traveller that the shake-up follows an internal review of international lounge operations conducted by the airline, adding that “we are excited about the new arrangements and believe our guests will enjoy the new spaces prior to their flights.”
Here’s a breakdown of the new lounge arrangements.
Virgin Australia international lounge access in Sydney
The lounge you’ll have access to at Sydney Airport now varies based on your destination and the airline operating your flight, with lounge access as follows for business class guests, Velocity Platinum and Velocity Gold members:
Los Angeles (Virgin Australia): Moves from Air NZ to the Etihad Airways Business and First Class Lounge (pictured).
Los Angeles (Delta): Switches to the SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge in place of the Air New Zealand lounge.
Apia (Samoa with Virgin Samoa): Another changing from the Air New Zealand lounge to SkyTeam.
Denpasar (Bali), Nadi (Fiji) and Nuku’alofa (Tonga): Virgin Australia guests will now have access to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris business class lounge in place of the Air NZ facility next door.
Honolulu (Hawaiian Airlines): Also moves from Air NZ to the SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge:
Other destinations: There’s no change when flying to Abu Dhabi with Virgin Australia or Etihad (Etihad lounge); for trans-Tasman travellers on Virgin or Air NZ (continue using the Air NZ lounge); or with Singapore Airlines to Jakarta and Singapore (SilverKris business class lounge).
Virgin Australia international lounge access in Melbourne
Nadi (Fiji): Access to the Air NZ lounge is withdrawn for Virgin Australia guests, who will now be directed to the Virgin Australia domestic lounge (pictured, prior to passport control).
Unlike most airports, Melbourne Airport connects its domestic and international terminals all under the same roof, with Virgin Australia’s domestic lounge found prior to domestic security screening and roughly a five-minute walk to the international departures area.
Los Angeles: It’s not yet known which lounge will be used for Virgin Australia’s Melbourne-Los Angeles flights which resume in April 2017, although Australian Business Traveller understands that Virgin is examining lounges in the international terminal – a shortlist which includes the slick new Etihad Airways lounge – to save that domestic trek.
Other destinations: As with Sydney, trans-Tasman flyers of Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand continue to have access to the Air NZ lounge; Singapore Airlines flyers continue to enjoy SQ SilverKris business class lounge access and Etihad passengers continue using the new Etihad lounge.
Virgin Australia international lounge access in Brisbane
Los Angeles: Unwind in the new Singapore Airlines Brisbane SilverKris lounge (below) before your Virgin Australia flight to LAX in place of the Air New Zealand lounge at present.
New Zealand: As in Sydney and Melbourne, travellers continue to have access to the Air New Zealand lounge whenever travelling to New Zealand with Virgin Australia or Air NZ.
All other Virgin Australia destinations: Passengers flying to Apia (Samoa), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Nadi (Fiji), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) and Port Vila (Vanuatu) all move from the Air NZ lounge to the new Plaza Premium Lounge at Brisbane Airport.
Virgin Australia partner airlines: The Singapore Airlines lounge continues to welcome passengers on Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore, while Etihad Airways travellers bound for Abu Dhabi continue to use the Air New Zealand lounge in Brisbane, as Etihad doesn’t have its own Queensland lounge.
However, Velocity Gold and Platinum members travelling to Honolulu with Virgin Australia partner Hawaiian Airlines will not receive lounge access in Brisbane under these changes, as is already the case.
Virgin Australia international lounges: what’s not changing
Despite the exodus of passengers from Air New Zealand’s Australian lounges, a Virgin Australia spokesperson assured us that business class travellers and Velocity Gold members can continue to access the Air NZ-operated Star Alliance Lounge at LAX (below) prior to Virgin Australia flights.
Also retained: access to the separate first class zone of the Star Alliance LAX lounge for Velocity Platinum members booked to fly on Virgin Australia.
There’s also no change to benefits or lounge access for Velocity Gold and Platinum cardholders when travelling with Air New Zealand from any city – so if you’re jetting from Auckland to the USA with Air New Zealand in economy or premium economy, for example, you’re still clear to visit the Air NZ lounge.
Paid-up Virgin Australia lounge members aren’t affected at all by these revisions and can continue visiting Air New Zealand lounges in Australia and New Zealand prior to Virgin Australia trans-Tasman flights.
Join other AusBT readers talking about Virgin Australia in our dedicated Virgin Australia discussion group
A Brisbane-based contributor to Executive Traveller, Chris Chamberlin lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.
05 Jan 2014
Total posts 27
wtf. #confucious
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Nov 2012
Total posts 24
Obviously the niceties between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand are over, most likely due to the Luxton/Borghetti stoush earlier this year.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jan 2013
Total posts 246
Good point. Don't AirNZ still have an equity stake in them though? So they still own a piece of them, but are cutting back on the goodies.
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 360
No, AirNZ has fully sold its stake in VA. But this sounds like VA was behind the decision, not AirNZ.
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 445
Well I'm confused.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 714
Let's hope all those MEL-NAN pax get an express pass and are given enough time to clear security later.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2012
Total posts 582
I would opt for the choice of the F&B voucher anyway as there are better bar and meal options in the international terminal compared to the VA lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 332
They should allow paid up members to have use of lounges for destinations other than just NZ.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 153
Confused.com
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 59
another reason virgin need to join an alliance. at least qantas lounge policy is straight foward
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
28 Jan 2016
Total posts 9
Yes, this makes things more complex. Looks like they are distancing themselves from NZ. Funny, Air NZ are notoriously parsimonious though even with their Star alliance partners. The EY lounges are streets ahead of NZ...
29 Aug 2013
Total posts 58
I do agree this makes it more complex, I'm confused just reading Chris' article to be honest and he's done a stellar job noting whats happened, but note that under the JSA that VA and NZ have for Trans-Tasman partnership there were some restrictions placed on pacific island flights. Hence why you can't earn status credits on the NZ SYD-RAR services for example, nor NZ pacific island flights ex New Zealand ports. PPT was also impacted by this.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 1
About time for some VA international lounges...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 453
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 175
So in Sydney, for someone that has some experience in both lounges, how does the Etihad lounge compare with the new Air NZ lounge?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 360
Easy answer, the Etihad lounge beats the AirNZ lounge hands down. Mainly for the food and drinks, because the Etihad lounge has a la carte dining which is more like what you would get at the Qantas First Lounge!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 353
Virgin have got to stop making things so confusing for their customers. Their transition to full service has been a struggle - from which flights offer "food" and now which lounge you have access too. There seems to be change after change.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Oct 2016
Total posts 40
What about the Perth to Abu Dabhi flights? SilverKris or Domestic?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2585
When we know, you'll know: but for now, it's TBA. :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jan 2015
Total posts 74
I had such high hopes for VA but it's stuff like this over the last few months has pushed me back to the Roo. I gained Platinum through a status match 3 or so years ago and have held it flying Virgin ever since but no more. It's just too hard
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 120
Thanks for the article Chris. Would be interested in your thoughts as to what the end game plan is with Virgin. Long time Platinum flyer and all the changes in the last 6+ months, I only see side stepping, no improvements at all. When will Virgin actually show the "promise" made in your ABT article on October 11 and I quote Velocity CEO Karl Schuster "I can't give anything away right now but we're always working at ways to improve our Platinum proposition". Something better happen very soon otherwise I can see even more people jumping ship
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Oct 2015
Total posts 64
Here here AnthonyvB! Though for someone in Brisbane, moving to the Kris lounge means a step backwards instead of sideways - 1990's internet speed! Where is the incentive to remain platinum with Virgin?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 Nov 2014
Total posts 34
This is disappointing. Too confusing, however I have used the Etihad Lounge in Sydney and it is lightyears ahead of Air NZ so that is a bonus. I think if VA wants to be a full service airline, it should have its own international lounge in its home ports!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 795
What total confusion. Soon you will need to carry a little book of rules and regulations with you as a VA passenger. E.g. when to expect a free drink, which lounge to use, etc. Working out what you're eligible for as a passenger shouldn't require so much thought and research. Someone needs to hit the 'reset' button on VA, then join Star Alliance.
23 May 2014
Total posts 129
For me this is all good... Etihad and SilverKris in Sydney ahead of LAX and NAN - two excellent lounges. Just a good thing we have AusBT to help make sense of it all
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jan 2013
Total posts 246
Think I am starting to see what's happening at VA headquarters with this and the weirdly complex new fares. Somewhere along the line they must've had a 'role creeper staffer'.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 101
A shorter answer: Air NZ dumpped VA and asked her to move out.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 Jun 2013
Total posts 1
Agree ... The Krislounge is not any better than the OLD ANZ lounge.... Big step backwards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2015
Total posts 45
I cant help but feel sorry for the lounge door dragons - " oooh im sorry but yes you are a VA Gold member but as you are flying to xxxxx you need to use yyyyyy lounge but if your were flying to zzzzz you would use kkkkkk lounge but here you use the domestic lounge , or would you like a voucher instead, unless you are a paid up lounge access member then thats all different"
I can see confusing reigning from passengers and lounge staff alike
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 361
What a mess. VA is simply an LCC with Dissociative Identity Disorder
18 Apr 2015
Total posts 68
Thank God Borghetti didn't take over Qantas
13 May 2016
Total posts 32
What the...? I hope Virgin update their website to make these confusing changes easier to navigate.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 184
The VA webpage has the new changes listed. Love the fact they say the Skyteam lounge is 20 minutes walk to flights, but nothing about the possible 60 minutes delay getting from T3 through security and immigration to T1 flights if you happen to be stuck in the old Ansett lounge :-)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2015
Total posts 45
I cant help but feel sorry for the lounge door dragons - " oooh im sorry but yes you are a VA Gold member but as you are flying to xxxxx you need to use yyyyyy lounge but if your were flying to zzzzz you would use kkkkkk lounge but here you use the domestic lounge , or would you like a voucher instead, unless you are a paid up lounge access member then thats all different"
I can see confusing reigning from passengers and lounge staff alike
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 Nov 2014
Total posts 34
It is going to be such a mess. I have already been caught out myself with the confusion of the VA international benefits. I flew Singapore Airlines from London to Singapore and expected the Status credits and points that went with it. Unfortunately I bought it as a Air NZ codeshare and didn't get diddley squat. My own fault, but frustrating as I chose both those airlines because they were 'partnered' ish with VA.
08 Apr 2011
Total posts 25
This is totally confusing! I remember when Virgin launched international flights, and they talked about the possibility of opening a Virgin international lounge. Well that never happened. So why not just buy permanent space in the Etihad lounge?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 360
This is all another reason why so many of us regular travellers are keen for Virgin to join Star Alliance and end this sort of confusion and inconsistency.
17 Jun 2016
Total posts 7
Out of interest when did lounge access (Air NZ I recall??) for Hawaiian customers out of Brisbane cease?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Aug 2016
Total posts 3
Confused isn't the word !
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2016
Total posts 9
Have read that twice and will need to read again to fully get it. Thanks for the article thought Chris.
12 Sep 2014
Total posts 27
Can someone from VA explain to me why I should renew my Lounge membership? I can't see any reason.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
09 Aug 2016
Total posts 25
goodness me. Far too confusing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 404
What a joke! Glad I don't fly with them.
23 May 2014
Total posts 129
Not trying to be the dissenting voice here... but if VA were to have a consistent lounge policy wouldn't it have to be the lowest common denominator?Ie SkyTeam for everyone even before LAX in J? Differentiating by route is a pain but at least you get better lounges ahead of higher value flights (LAX etc).
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
21 Jan 2016
Total posts 202
I think the VA international lounge shake up is partly driven by the Chinese (HNA Group and Nanshan Group) between them holding 34.5% of VA shareholding. EY and HU/HX are not part of any airline alliance and leaving SQ the only shareholder belonging to an airline alliance.
With the upgrading of NZ owned international lounges, NZ has been streamlining its partners that can have access to its owned international lounges, so in the mean time VA are using a mixture of shareholders lounges backed up with Plaza Premium lounges which seems to have a strong presence in Asia and Middle East. Once the shareholding dust settles, VA will probably have dedicated VA branded international lounges in Australia and use EY/SQ, partner airlines and Plaza Premium lounges outside Australia
I am not sure how's lounges HU/HX uses in Asia for J Class passengers?
At this stage I do not see VA joining any airline alliance. If it does, then it would properly be SkyTeam.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2016
Total posts 3
Hi guys, I know they just changed lounge access but its needs a review again. I am flying to LA from Sydney and am a Platinum member so have access to Etihad Business & First Lounge. This is the only lounge i have ever been to in Australia in a major aiport that you cant have a barista made coffee...??? The ironinc thing is they have trained staff and a full coffee machine in the bar and becasue the lounge is open for VA flights only due to no Etihad flights "virgin" guests are then directed to the automatic coffee machine. Long story short, i left the lounge and used my velocity amex card to gain free access into the American Express Lounge where they will happily serve barista made coffee. Not serving barista coffee at 9am in the morning in sydney international is poor for both Virgin and the Etihad brands who are typically known for their high service standard.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2585
Hi Neil, that's interesting feedback - I'd encourage you to send it directly to both Virgin Australia and Etihad as well, as it seems like something easily fixed. :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2016
Total posts 3
when I queried the front counter Etihad staff he explained to me that this was the arrangement with Virgin, that Virgin weren't prepared to pay for the additional staff member that would be required to make coffees. I have already advised virgin and they are looking into it internally. I'm sure they will fix this and was a case of the person/s negotiating the terms of use of the lounge not being a ff
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Aug 2017
Total posts 5
I am flying virgin NAN-SYD in business. Is there a lounge in Nadi I will be able to access?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Virgin Australia shakes up international airport lounge access