Int. Lounge Acess Changes from Nov. 1 2016

[NZflygirl]

I love the new NZ lounge at SYD. Spacious and stylish.
Personally I think the new lounge arrangements are a bit of a mess really.
Here's the AusBT guide

At the bottom of the Ausbt article are a lot of comments around being confused. For me I'm straightforward as will be flying NZ TT and a TT VA flight next yr but looking at all of these other "arrangements" I've decided I would just ask at check-in as I don't find the guidelines intuitive enough to remember. I hope the check-in agents have been briefed well on where to send me!

 

[Princess Fiona]

The lounge arrangements, especially at Sydney have always been a bit of a mess, so nothing new there - the SQ lounge is better anyway.

So, for me it's T-T or AUH ex MEL and SYD/BNE for anywhere else.

Note that while there no changes ex LAX for the short term, including "First" room access for WP, by this time next year it will likely be the Delta Lounge only.

Are VA moving to that terminal ?

 

[kamchatsky]

I love the new NZ lounge at SYD. Spacious and stylish.
Personally I think the new lounge arrangements are a bit of a mess really.
Here's the AusBT guide

Looks like a great excuse for me to fly J again to try new NZ lounge .........

Trouble is that I need to lug my 2 little kids around though .....

 

[Princess Fiona]

At the bottom of the Ausbt article are a lot of comments around being confused. For me I'm straightforward as will be flying NZ TT and a TT VA flight next yr but looking at all of these other "arrangements" I've decided I would just ask at check-in as I don't find the guidelines intuitive enough to remember. I hope the check-in agents have been briefed well on where to send me!

I'll be avoiding VA internationally like the plague.

 

[Jurahn]

Are VA moving to that terminal ?

Supposed to be happening by mid-2017 Virgin Australia and Delta are moving to LAX Terminals 2, 3 - Australian Business Traveller

 

[serfty]

Are VA moving to that terminal ?

Yes, T2 and/or T3 with the move slated to be complete sometime in June.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a-velocity/virgin-moving-lax-t2-t3-77215.html

LAX 2017 Terminal Move: The Definitive Thread | Flyertalk Forums

Although, if travelling on NZ it may be different ...

 

[DavidFlynn]

BTW and FWIW, the "spirits coming back... at a price!" stuff appears to have little if any basis in truth...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Heh, now after Air NZ having spent (zillions)/lots of money anyway refreshing their Koru in SYD and planning one for Koru MEL, now VA is switching lounges for those eligible to SQ SK... hmmm...
Paid a visit to the SQ SYD SK lounge, compared to the pixs of the Koru after all the work, if I had an option, or a choice, I would pick Koru, maybe pay to fly (Air) NZ across the Tasman, than flying VA flight number.
SYD SK lounge is nice, but a bit, umm, whats the word, dated.

 

[MH_fan]

All these changes may sound confusing but the easiest solution is that passengers checking in be informed by the agent which lounge they're entitled to. If you're travelling to LAX from SYD, the agent invites you to the EY lounge. If you're travelling to New Zealand, the agent should invite you to the NZ lounge. And if you're travelling to Fiji or other international destinations, the gate agent again should invite you to the SQ lounge. Not that hard really.

 

[dajop]

All these changes may sound confusing but the easiest solution is that passengers checking in be informed by the agent which lounge they're entitled to. If you're travelling to LAX from SYD, the agent invites you to the EY lounge. If you're travelling to New Zealand, the agent should invite you to the NZ lounge. And if you're travelling to Fiji or other international destinations, the gate agent again should invite you to the SQ lounge. Not that hard really.

Yes do what airlines do in many places where they aren't in alliance (and even sometimes when they are) and don't operate their own lounges, issue an invite to the lounge they want you to go to. Simple and easy.

 

[Denali]

So if I have a Delta booking but VA metal, it's Etihad in Sydney?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

EY in SYD may end up awfully crowded. It's only a tiny lounge. I've never been to the Plaza premium in BNE, but as a common lounge (including pay for use), I'm also assuming it may be very crowded as well.

 

[Denali]

So, if flying SYD>LAX with VA I get the Etihad lounge.

As a WP, can i guest +1 if that pax is flying to LAX or Abu Dhabi only or can I guest +1 as long as they have a VA or EY ticket and are with me?

Dont want to embarrass myself by offering to guest but get denied at the door.

 

[almelb]

Just a random contribution ... had a chuckle when reading about this on ausbt and australinea. Both had the "EXCLUSIVE" tag on their stories, although the australinea one was written a few days earlier than the ausbt one. so who had the real exclusive?
But I agree with some of the previous comments that the situation has the potential to leave passengers a bit confused

 

[Deleted member 29185]

the potential to leave passengers a bit confused

My hair is rapidly turning a shiny shade of silver ... So at least I can blame that for my confusion.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just a random contribution ... had a chuckle when reading about this on ausbt and australinea. Both had the "EXCLUSIVE" tag on their stories, although the australinea one was written a few days earlier than the ausbt one. so who had the real exclusive?
But I agree with some of the previous comments that the situation has the potential to leave passengers a bit confused

Never mind that the staff will have to check the cheat sheet also

 

[anat0l]

..........

 

[CJEMNMAC]

At least the website is now updated in last few days...

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

EY lounge in Sydney for LAX, as others have said.. I think this will be packed

 

[Warks]

If flying to NZ you still use NZ lounge and are entitled to three visitors as I read it. That wasn't the case in the past?

 

[DavidFlynn]

Just a random contribution ... had a chuckle when reading about this on ausbt and australinea. Both had the "EXCLUSIVE" tag on their stories, although the australinea one was written a few days earlier than the ausbt one. so who had the real exclusive?

I'd (understandably) say AusBT, because the information was 100% accurate (unlike some of the australinea content) and properly sourced and verified. 'Exclusive' means nothing if the content is wrong, let alone if the company concerned hasn't even been approached for confirmation or comment.