Barista replaced by Nespresso [pop up - for April] in Virgin lounge?

[grubbidok]

Mrs G caught a flight up north this morning and texted me saying the barista-style coffee machine has been replaced by a Nespresso machine! The 'barista' is apparently still there, but just puts a pod in now rather than individually making the coffees.

I don't get my snob on often, but coffee is one of those occasions. Given VA started the whole barista trend in Oz (remember the horrible QP coffee pre-VA!), I hope they keep it going.

Does anyone else know any more about this? I'm flying to Melbourne on Monday so guess I'll check it then.

 

[hydrabyss]

Maybe the machine broke, sounds a bit cheap if it is there to stay.

 

[grubbidok]

Maybe the machine broke, sounds a bit cheap if it is there to stay.

Yeah, it might be that. Will ask and report back on Monday - if no-one does it before then.

 

[DavidFlynn]

As a data point, I was in VA's SYD lounge on Thursday and definitely a barista-poured brew.

 

[Pleb Status]

Full Barista prepared coffee currently being served in the BNE VP. I cannot even see a Nespresso machine in the area.

I note that Chicken burritos were on the lunch menu (12-2.00pm). A distinct Mexican theme around BNE recently.....

 

[eastwest101]

Mrs G caught a flight up north this morning and texted me saying the barista-style coffee machine has been replaced by a Nespresso machine! The 'barista' is apparently still there, but just puts a pod in now rather than individually making the coffees.

Which VA lounge was this?

 

[djchuckles]

SYD and BNE still had there's this weekend

 

[serfty]

Which VA lounge was this?

I presumed it was MEL.

 

[andyhui01]

At the VA Syd lounge now. It's all Nespresso machine. No purple coffee machines in sight

 

[MarkD]

Hmmm, skinny caramel latte were good in the lounge, I can't stand the pods. Looks like Im going to drink more booze now if the coffee is ****e

 

[Cryptarcadian]

At the VA Syd lounge now. It's all Nespresso machine. No purple coffee machines in sight

They actually got rid of the coffee machines themselves from the counter?! One was still there on Friday night, although no barista making coffee (well, nobody seemed to be asking for one at that time anyway). And the one in the back section was still there on Thursday morning at least...

If this was only in the evenings, I'd understand. But otherwise are VA planning to demolish the coffee bars in the centre of the SYD and BNE lounges?

 

[takingSydney]

Syd had Nespresso machine yesterday morning. Melb still has the barista machines tonight but have to say quality of coffee is highly variable depending on who's making it here ... not too good tonight.

 

[Dannyism]

Yikes. One of the best tricks is lounge on arrival. I often freshen up and grab a take away coffee.

 

[andyhui01]

They actually got rid of the coffee machines themselves from the counter?! One was still there on Friday night, although no barista making coffee (well, nobody seemed to be asking for one at that time anyway). And the one in the back section was still there on Thursday morning at least...

If this was only in the evenings, I'd understand. But otherwise are VA planning to demolish the coffee bars in the centre of the SYD and BNE lounges?

It looks like a fair effort to set those up. I doubt they are moving the coffee machines in and out of the back every evening. I am almost certain this is permanent.

I haven't been to the MEL lounge yet but it would be quite weird to see the center coffee bar with a nespresso coffee machine. I also noticed that they are not using steam wands to froth the milk. They are using the Nespresso ones (Commercial version I assume). I don't fly mornings very often but would be curious how they will keep up with the Nespresso frother between 6-8am

 

[pauly7]

Is this an April fools day joke thread? You cannot be serious?!

 

[TheInsider]

Anyone able to get pictures?

 

[Virgin Bart]

Is this for real?

Can someone please ask the staff.?

 

[Danz1]

Sydney lounge today asked and was advised it's a Nesprso pop up only for this month.

 

[ap_spd]

Sydney Lounge - both coffee counters on ground level have nespresso's. I walked out to get a coffee at a Barista... maybe something to do with the fact that A330's have nespresso ??

 

[Jet L]

Ill report back on the OOL lounge on Thursday... I hope this isn't a one month trial then it becomes permanent as a cost cutting measure