Virgin Australia’s updated domestic lounge network is now mostly up and running, with five locations available for use. Our previous article on Virgin Australia’s exit from voluntary administration detailed the plans of new owners Bain Capital, including the gradual return of airport lounges for the first time since March.
This article acts as a beginners guide to Virgin Australia’s soon to be reopened domestic lounge network.
In this post:
Which lounges are open?
Due to low visitation, Virgin Australia’s domestic lounges in Darwin, Cairns and Mackay will close while the Canberra lounge remains under review. The domestic lounge network is set to concentrate on capital cities, with lounges confirmed at Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Gold Coast for now.
As of January, the following domestic lounges are open:
Sydney
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30am – 6:00pm
- Saturday: 7:30am – 12:30pm
- Sunday: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Location: Terminal 2, through security to the right after security
Brisbane
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 5:30am – 7:30pm
- Saturday: 5:30am – 6:00pm
- Sunday: 8:00am – 7:30pm
Location: Opposite Gate 41
Melbourne
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 5:30am – 7:30pm
- Saturday: 5:30am – 6:00pm
- Sunday: 8:00am – 7:30pm
Location: Terminal 3, turn left after descending check-in escalators
Perth
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 4:15am – 5:00pm
- Saturday: 5:00am – 12:00pm
- Sunday: 5:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Left-hand side immediately after the T1 security screening point
Gold Coast
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
- Sunday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Location: Adjacent to gates 1 and 2
The recently built Adelaide lounge will open in the first quarter of 2021 as a prototype of the Virgin Australia Lounge of the future. The new design will roll out to the lounge network over time.
What can I expect from reopened lounges?
For the time being, travellers can expect an interim food and beverage menu which will mirror the current offering in Brisbane. Additional safety measures are in place to reduce touchpoints, and sanitising stations are everywhere.
Food and beverage
I was lucky enough to have the Brisbane lounge open up just in time for my already booked flights. For my morning visit, a limited selection of breakfast items was available including two muffin options, assorted cereals and fruit. Self-service at the buffet was unavailable, with guests instead requesting items from staff.
Barista made hot drinks are served all day, and the bar still opens at 12pm. Being an early morning visit I was unable to experience the bar for myself, although staff mentioned a “good selection” was available.
Shower facilities, business centre services, newspapers and magazines are all currently unavailable in order to minimise contact between guests and staff.
Premium Lounge Entry/Exit
Virgin Australia is considering the re-opening of Premium Lounge Entry at Brisbane and Sydney, and Premium Exit at Melbourne. For now, these services are closed.
Access on arrival
Selected guests are able to access the lounge following a Virgin Australia operated flight, subject to space constraints:
- Business Class passengers (no time limit)
- Velocity Gold and Platinum members (up to 60 minutes)
- Virgin Lounge members (up to 60 minutes)
How to access Virgin Australia Lounges
Business Class passengers
Passengers travelling in Business Class onboard a flight operated by Virgin Australia are eligible for Lounge access. Business Class passengers can’t bring any guests to the lounge.
Velocity Frequent Flyer status
- Velocity Platinum members (plus guest access for 3 adults and 3 children)
- Velocity Gold members (plus guest access for 1 adult and 3 children)
- Velocity Silver members receive two single-entry passes per year
Partner airline status
If you hold Gold status or above with airline partners including Singapore Airlines and Etihad, you and at least one guest will receive lounge access when travelling on a Virgin Australia operated flight.
Credit card access
Unfortunately, the number of cards which offer Virgin Australia Lounge access is shrinking.
One of our favourite cards right now is the American Express Velocity Platinum, which comes with two complimentary Virgin Australia Lounge passes, one complimentary Virgin Australia return domestic flight and a competitive earn rate of up to 1.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases.
Virgin Australia Lounge members
Velocity members can purchase a Virgin Australia Lounge membership to gain year-round access for themselves plus guest access for 1 adult and 2 children. Lounge memberships that expired during the COVID-19 period will be extended for 12 months from the original expiry date.
- Velocity Red members: $330 joining fee + $420 annual membership fee
- Velocity Silver members: $0 joining fee + $300 annual membership fee
- Lifetime access: $9,750 ($6,750 if you’re over 60)
Single access pass
Virgin Australia used to offer single-access passes for 10,000 Velocity Points or $65, although it looks like this has been paused for now.
