I'm in the VA Lounge thread

[kookaburra75]

MrsK and I are trying out the Mel VA Temporary Lounge, on our way back to Canberra in J. It's still in The club, which is set up ok and you order drinks etc by an app. It's all worked well for the first round of drinks. Everything is well spread out, and there's only about ten other people in the place, which isn't surprising given its a public holiday.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The app must be new, as I thought it was definitely one of the things missing from the experience in Melbourne. Long queue at the bar was undesirable.

 

[kookaburra75]

MrsK and I are in the Adelaide lounge until 4pm. I can't guest, but if anyone else is here, we're at table 62
And we're still here as the flight has been delayed for two hours. We'll be here until 6pm, and have moved to table 19

 

[Jonesaus]

in the SYD lounge now. showers “not available” (just removed the soap), food is sandwiches where the salad / sandwich bar was, but you need to ask the attendant to hand you a pre-lacked sandwich.

wifi is dismal - switched back to 4g. Speedtest by Ookla - The Global Broadband Speed Test my guess is they downgraded their bandwidth to save some money.

 

[Must...Fly!]

IIRC the wifi in the SYD and MEL lounges was regularly pretty lousy anyway. Going back to 4G was pretty common for me especially during peak.

 

[aamslfc]

Sydney's wi-fi has always been a bit spotty... Melbourne seemed to be much better in every aspect (presumably being the old flagship also helped).

Also much prefer the Melbourne arrangement of in-app ordering and table service - very easy to use (and pick custom options), saves everybody from crowding around the food area, and orders delivered fairly quickly.

 

[Jonesaus]

Also much prefer the Melbourne arrangement of in-app ordering and table service - very easy to use (and pick custom options), saves everybody from crowding around the food area, and orders delivered fairly quickly.

Yeah, seems to work well, I just wonder if they can keep up the level of service with pre COVID passenger numbers.

 

[kookaburra75]

I would be in the CBR lounge this morning, except it is closed, still "under review" :-(

 

[Mattg]

I would be in the CBR lounge this morning, except it is closed, still "under review" :-(

The CBR lounge is due to open in the coming weeks, but it would be really nice if they actually told us the date.

 

[AIRwin]

The CBR lounge is due to open in the coming weeks, but it would be really nice if they actually told us the date.

I'm predicting another Tuesday:
BNE - Tuesday 17 November
MEL - Tuesday 15 December
SYD - Tuesday 15 December
OOL - Tuesday 12 January
PER - Tuesday 12 January
ADL - Tuesday 23 February
CBR - Tuesday 16/23/30 March???

 

[kookaburra75]

The CBR lounge is due to open in the coming weeks, but it would be really nice if they actually told us the date.

I'm predicting another Tuesday:
...snip...
CBR - Tuesday 16/23/30 March???

But which year?

At least I can enjoy the VA Lounge in Brisbane this afternoon, before I fly out tonight

 

[wendlle]

In the Canberra lounge, it’s dead quiet only my family and one other person
Two staff very lovely, some nice breakfast offerings of fruit bowls, various cereal, toasted sandwiches etc

 

[Mattg]

I’m in the Canberra Lounge now. It’s extremely quiet and peaceful, although in fairness to Virgin there is only one flight departing in the next six hours.

The coffee is good and the food menu is the same as in the new Adelaide lounge, except that you see the person at the counter to collect your food rather than ordering via QR code.

The staff are friendly and the lounge is spotless. Thumbs up for CBR

 

[daft009]

I'll be in the SYD lounge on 23rd April around 7am, can guest 1

Then in MEL in the arvo same day

 

[SheikYerbouti]

SYD lounge yesterday 11am - toasted ham & cheese sandwiches under the warmer, nice looking salad bowls, and good fresh chicken sandwiches individually wrapped. Attendant handed them out on request.

OOL lounge this morning 8am, bowls of cereal, muffins, banana bread, fruit.

I was quite happy with it (I tried QF Club a few weeks ago and found it a lower standard all round).

 

[JessicaTam]

SYD lounge yesterday 11am - toasted ham & cheese sandwiches under the warmer, nice looking salad bowls, and good fresh chicken sandwiches individually wrapped. Attendant handed them out on request.

OOL lounge this morning 8am, bowls of cereal, muffins, banana bread, fruit.

I was quite happy with it (I tried QF Club a few weeks ago and found it a lower standard all round).

Did you have to use the QR to order, or could you ask a person?

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Asked a person, who was standing there in front of the counters waiting, people could walk up, ask for something from behind a rope, and she would turn around to the counter and pick up the item and pass it to them.

 

[daft009]

Asked a person, who was standing there in front of the counters waiting, people could walk up, ask for something from behind a rope, and she would turn around to the counter and pick up the item and pass it to them.

Was the same when I was there on 23rd apriy too

 

[Jurahn]

In the CBR lounge, on the way home to HBA. Breakfast available (cereal, toast, fruit etc), but no self service.

ETA: Now in the temporary MEL lounge. Service to the tables is quite quick, but the ordering system is being a PITA, it’s being glitchy (at least for me) so there was some silent swearing going on until I was able to put my order in LOL.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Looks like this QR code (because of) Covid food and drink ordering system is the pits.
I think I will get to the ADL VA lounge earlier a bit in June, just to have a look see of the place.
Ta for the info, Jurahn and others.