Coffee queues in the Virgin Australia Lounge

[MEL_Traveller]

I would totally prefer the *option* of a coffee machine in any lounge. Had to wait at a lounge the other day while the person finished preparing alcoholic drinks for those waiting at the bar, followed by those waiting in the coffee line. Of course the person in front of me wanted a soy macchiato, but ‘just the foam’ from the soy to top up the macchiato… oh wait ‘go on… put just one teaspoon of milk in as well’. Then wanted to tweak the ‘regular’ latte… with two thirds milk and one third foam. Then a hot chocolate. Then asked if they had a tray she could use to carry the drinks, followed by a huge sigh and a ‘well what am i supposed to do?’ when told the club doesn’t provide trays.

The bartender/barista told her she was welcome to come back for any drinks she couldn’t carry. More ‘tuts’ than a Cairo museum!!

I could have made my coffee in two seconds at a machine!

 

[Gold Member]

We were at the Hilton Cairns last week and as part of the 'Diamond benefits' there, the waiter at breakfast said a 'barista coffee' was part of the deal. I assume the coffee machine was fine for the 100s of others in there paying ¬$300 a night!

The Hilton Cairns Barista coffee is terrible. Taste like a European “caffe latte”

 

[ferntree]

Brisnbane lounge at least (and maybe others) already have a hot water station where pax can make their own cups of tea. It shouldn't be too much drama surelt to install a coffee machine next to it.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

3 people manning the machines at SYD this morning. Queue has been constant but the coffees come at a reasonable rate.99

Brisnbane lounge at least (and maybe others) already have a hot water station where pax can make their own cups of tea. It shouldn't be too much drama surelt to install a coffee machine next to it.

There was previously an automatic coffee machine there, however I believe it was removed during COVID.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Go on mate, why don't you just suggest that the hot water tap for tea now has a tin of nescafe next to it? That would make the queue shorter! Actually why not just get rid of all food and drinks altogether, then there would be no queue!

The nitpicking from some people here...

 

[SheikYerbouti]

I could have made my coffee in two seconds at a machine!

And that alone disqualifies anyone from commenting
An espresso shot takes around 27 sec to pull. Add grinding freshly, and steaming milk, and it is simply not possible to make an espresso-based coffee that is even vaguely good, in under 30 sec even when done in parallel.

 

[djtech]

I just wish they do some kind of app ordering system like Skip or use an iPad like Air NZ in addition to ordering with the person at the counter. Just makes it so much more efficient so the barista doesn't have to run around taking orders and make the coffees.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And that alone disqualifies anyone from commenting
An espresso shot takes around 27 sec to pull. Add grinding freshly, and steaming milk, and it is simply not possible to make an espresso-based coffee that is even vaguely good, in under 30 sec even when done in parallel.

That’s all good I’m not a coffee connoisseur! I want the caffeine! If I have to wait in a queue for 10 minutes for a barista coffee, or can make it myself in 30 seconds at an automatic machine… I’ll take the machine!

 

[Scarlett]

I thought pretty much every lounge had those automatic push button coffee machines? Certainly Mrs. Scarlett and I have referred to those style machines as ‘Qantas Club’ coffee machines for 20 years or so.

Our Delonghi machine at home makes a decent enough coffee. <sips from said coffee>

 

[stm1sydney]

Being a fan of 7-11 coffee (along with many others, so it seems), I would be happy to use a machine to avoid a long queue. 7-11 coffee is quite adequate, and I am in and out in under a minute, better than waiting around for 10-15 minutes elsewhere.

 

[jase05]

I’d like to think of myself as a connoisseur (even though I’m not) thanks to the half a dozen or so I have each day but I can honestly say I’ve never tasted a good one out of a machine. And yes I’ve had plenty of bad ones made by a barista over the years so I know it’s not a perfect system but I’d rather chance my luck with a 15 minute wait

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’d like to think of myself as a connoisseur (even though I’m not) thanks to the half a dozen or so I have each day but I can honestly say I’ve never tasted a good one out of a machine. And yes I’ve had plenty of bad ones made by a barista over the years so I know it’s not a perfect system but I’d rather chance my luck with a 15 minute wait

I want the caffeine… what’s the alternative? I don’t like cold drinks, so coke is out. Or take a pill. Don’t much fancy that either.

I’m happy with nescafé… so a machine that grinds the beans and makes coffee is already a step up for me! Barista coffee? I’m not sure I can really tell the difference. Or want/need to?

Anyway… given this is the VA lounge thread… regardless of who likes their coffee made which way… those who are time poor and happy to accept a machine brew should have the option?

 

[jase05]

I want the caffeine… what’s the alternative? I don’t like cold drinks, so coke is out. Or take a pill. Don’t much fancy that either.

I’m happy with nescafé… so a machine that grinds the beans and makes coffee is already a step up for me! Barista coffee? I’m not sure I can really tell the difference. Or want/need to?

Anyway… given this is the VA lounge thread… regardless of who likes their coffee made which way… those who are time poor and happy to accept a machine brew should have the option?

Much cheaper just to put in a urn or a kettle and some coffee sachets

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Much cheaper just to put in a urn or a kettle and some coffee sachets

Shoosh!! Don't give Jayne any ideas!!

 

[jrfsp]

Busy Monday morning in the MEL lounge, but coffees were flying out, only waited couple of mins

 

[BAM1748]

This will horrify the coffee crowd, the best I've ever had was from a machine in an airline lounge. (ok it was a first class lounge but still a machine)

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Minimal queue in SYD this morning at 0845 (as expected) and only one bartsta. He did a good job

 

[doubleplatinum]

Longer wait for coffee in the SYD lounge this morning than for (regular) security. Maybe we need a premium coffee cart. WP benefit?

(some better than mediocre coffee would be nice too)

Boo hoo, are you going to be ok?

Post automatically merged: Nov 17, 2022

I would totally prefer the *option* of a coffee machine in any lounge. Had to wait at a lounge the other day while the person finished preparing alcoholic drinks for those waiting at the bar, followed by those waiting in the coffee line. Of course the person in front of me wanted a soy macchiato, but ‘just the foam’ from the soy to top up the macchiato… oh wait ‘go on… put just one teaspoon of milk in as well’. Then wanted to tweak the ‘regular’ latte… with two thirds milk and one third foam. Then a hot chocolate. Then asked if they had a tray she could use to carry the drinks, followed by a huge sigh and a ‘well what am i supposed to do?’ when told the club doesn’t provide trays.

The bartender/barista told her she was welcome to come back for any drinks she couldn’t carry. More ‘tuts’ than a Cairo museum!!

I could have made my coffee in two seconds at a machine!

the entitlement on this thread is nothing short of pathetic

 

[oz_mark]

I thought pretty much every lounge had those automatic push button coffee machines? Certainly Mrs. Scarlett and I have referred to those style machines as ‘Qantas Club’ coffee machines for 20 years or so.

Our Delonghi machine at home makes a decent enough coffee. <sips from said coffee>

There was a time that the machine was the only option you had. IIRC, it was Virgin that introduced baristas to lounges.

 

[i0sam0i]

Go on mate, why don't you just suggest that the hot water tap for tea now has a tin of nescafe next to it? That would make the queue shorter! Actually why not just get rid of all food and drinks altogether, then there would be no queue!

The nitpicking from some people here...

The virgin lounge in CNS went a few steps further and closed completely. That got rid of the queues