I'm in the VA Lounge thread

Was in the Melbourne lounge yesterday, have they had a barista at all at any stage? I'm not a coffee snob (I enjoy starbucks in the US ;) ) but their self serve coffee machine wasn't great.
Coming from ADL and going to SYD a lot more than MEL, I was just expecting one as a standard but was disappointed to find nothing.
 
Was in the Melbourne lounge yesterday, have they had a barista at all at any stage? I'm not a coffee snob (I enjoy starbucks in the US ;) ) but their self serve coffee machine wasn't great.
Coming from ADL and going to SYD a lot more than MEL, I was just expecting one as a standard but was disappointed to find nothing.
everytime I am in Melbourne, there is a barista but the coffee tastes burnt and not very good
 
Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Was in the Melbourne lounge yesterday, have they had a barista at all at any stage? I'm not a coffee snob (I enjoy starbucks in the US ;) ) but their self serve coffee machine wasn't great.
Coming from ADL and going to SYD a lot more than MEL, I was just expecting one as a standard but was disappointed to find nothing.
I use the Melbourne lounge at least once per month, generally more, and I don't think I've ever been there when there was not a barista. But almost always they're at the coffee bar (to the far right of the lounge as you're entering it) and not at the long serving counter to the left (where the self serve coffee machine is).

I've never had a problem with the quality of the coffee, but I can't say that I'm an expert.
 
But almost always they're at the coffee bar (to the far right of the lounge as you're entering it) and not at the long serving counter to the left (where the self serve coffee machine is).
Agh thank you - perhaps I was just expecting it to be on the long servicing counters were all the other food is and the lonely serve self coffee machine at the end. I'll take a better wander next time :)
 
In the Brisbane lounge for the first time while doing the Gold status match from Qantas.

Quite full at the moment, but have just sat down with my barista made coffee which is good.
 
In a VERY full BNE lounge at the moment till VA611 goes - can guest 3. Basil fusilli pasta with chicken on the menu today.
 
Melbourne Wednesday afternoon - very busy. People wandering around for 5 mins to find a seat. Queues for hot food (mini quiches) and front desk.
 
Last edited:
Hey flyers:

WP here, with guestability for 3 on the following dates/lounges/approx times...

Fri 5 Jan 2024 - Melbourne - 0700 onwards, right through until 1700
Fri 2 Feb 2024 - Melbourne - 1030 onwards, right through until 1900
Mon 5 Feb 2024 - Perth - 1630 onwards, right through until 2300 (though this may change thanks to FlyAhead)
Mon 26 Feb 2024 - Brisbane - 0800 onwards, right through to 1800
Thu 21 Mar 2024 - Melbourne - 0700 onwards, right through until 1800
Fri 12 Apr 2024 - Melbourne - 0700 onwards, right through until 1900
Tue 16 Apr 2024 - Melbourne - 0800 onwards, right through until 1800

All timings subject to change, but look pretty stable at this stage.
Your private messages are welcome :)
 
Hey flyers:

WP here, with guestability for 3 on the following dates/lounges/approx times...

Fri 5 Jan 2024 - Melbourne - 0700 onwards, right through until 1700
Fri 2 Feb 2024 - Melbourne - 1030 onwards, right through until 1900
Mon 5 Feb 2024 - Perth - 1630 onwards, right through until 2300 (though this may change thanks to FlyAhead)
Mon 26 Feb 2024 - Brisbane - 0800 onwards, right through to 1800
Thu 21 Mar 2024 - Melbourne - 0700 onwards, right through until 1800
Fri 12 Apr 2024 - Melbourne - 0700 onwards, right through until 1900
Tue 16 Apr 2024 - Melbourne - 0800 onwards, right through until 1800

All timings subject to change, but look pretty stable at this stage.
Your private messages are welcome :)
This thread is really for lounge meets on the day, not in advance.

Best post here: Lounge Meetups
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Must say not overly impressed with Melbourne lounge on Sunday evening. One pasta dish and some soup. It all looked tired. What happened to the chips packets? Sandwiches looked as if they had been out for ages and salad table looked poor. Hardy's only for sparkling and white wine. Perth on the other hand on Friday had two curries (one veg), fresh sannies and a good salad table. (so for the first time in ages well done PER and pants to MEL!). 😜
 
Very quiet in the MEL lounge on this Christmas morning. Spread is a variety of yogurts/cereals. Apple danish (yum!). Hot item is mini brioche rolls with spinach, poached egg and hollondaise - these are actually quiet decent in comparison.

It's been quite a few months since I've come in here. It seems a little fresher to me, but that just might be the novelty of it not being packed to the rafters in the morning...!
 
Maybe it's public hols, but a bit of a poor chook in the VA J MEL lounge.
Can see why QF is better for lunch.
Split pea soup.
No crimbo food.
Light meal only.
Took a while for bowls and food items to be replenished.
Guess this is what we get for cheaps.
 

Attachments

  • 20231226_135006.jpg
    20231226_135006.jpg
    96 KB · Views: 16
Maybe it's public hols, but a bit of a poor chook in the VA J MEL lounge.
Can see why QF is better for lunch.
Split pea soup.
No crimbo food.
Light meal only.
Took a while for bowls and food items to be replenished.
Guess this is what we get for cheaps.
My opinion has always been that in general for domestic lounges, QF J Lounge > VA Lounge > QF Pub

Taking in to account value for personal travel, VA lounges beat out QF. Just IMHO. But obviously there are not many of them.
 
Maybe it's public hols, but a bit of a poor chook in the VA J MEL lounge.
Can see why QF is better for lunch.
Split pea soup.
No crimbo food.
Light meal only.
Took a while for bowls and food items to be replenished.
Guess this is what we get for cheaps.
Just passed through too. Left the lounge hungry, the place was heaving. Definately not enough staff/food available given the pax volume
 
Back
Top