Melbourne, Brisbane Virgin Lounges Always Overcrowded

[Max Samuels]

It really pains me to write this as I am desperately trying to love Virgin over QF, but I have to say that the lounges in BNE and MEL are always so overcrowded that I don't even bother using them anymore :-(

Does anyone else experience this?

I never really have that problem with QF (Dom J) unless it is a really really really busy period, but the VA lounges seem to be packed to the rafters no matter the time of day. A friend of mine, who experiences this too, devised a strange remedy where he books a refundable QF ticket just so he can get access to the lounges, and just moves it/cancels it once he gains access to the lounge, and then flies on VA...... quite drastic, but seems to do the trick - and really costs nothing in the end. I guess we can call that a first-world solution to a truly first-world problem.

 

[SeaWolf]

Hmm, I rarely travel through Brisbane but I've usually got no problems with the lounge in Melbourne (early morning around 6:30am - 7:30am) or the lounge in Sydney (early morning 6am or evening 7pm). Sometime Sydney gets busy but the only time I've found it overcrowded was on Thursday afternoon last year around 3pm. I wouldn't normally be using it then and was a bit surprised that I couldn't get a seat.

What times are you normally flying through the Melbourne lounge?

 

[Must...Fly!]

MEL can be busy, my last trip out was on the 17:35 MEL-PER and it was busy, however I found a seat at the far end pretty quickly (which is where I prefer anyway). I've never noticed an extensive wait for drinks, though the hot food is often...popular. On the flip side, popped in on arrival at about 18:30 on the way back from Perth and it was really quiet.

I wouldn't call it overcrowded, but will grant it can get busy especially during disruptions, but that's the same in every lounge and Qantas is no different in my experiences.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Been in MEL twice in last 2 weeks and plenty room there - will be in again 8am morrow and will report back

 

[Happy Dude]

Your friend sounds like he has too much time on his hands.

 

[Max Samuels]

What times are you normally flying through the Melbourne lounge?

Weekdays, 3pm onwards

 

[jakeseven7]

It really pains me to write this as I am desperately trying to love Virgin over QF, but I have to say that the lounges in BNE and MEL are always so overcrowded that I don't even bother using them anymore :-(

Does anyone else experience this?

I never really have that problem with QF (Dom J) unless it is a really really really busy period, but the VA lounges seem to be packed to the rafters no matter the time of day. A friend of mine, who experiences this too, devised a strange remedy where he books a refundable QF ticket just so he can get access to the lounges, and just moves it/cancels it once he gains access to the lounge, and then flies on VA...... quite drastic, but seems to do the trick - and really costs nothing in the end. I guess we can call that a first-world solution to a truly first-world problem.

Wow your friend is taking drastic action!

I find BNE a bit of a dogs breakfast, often busy, but the worst offender is SYD and they need more people cleaning as well, its often filthy.

 

[Elly mac]

I used the BNE lounge for the first time last week and had no issues with it being overcrowded.
MEL has never been overcrowded for me, despite being there at many different hours of the day

 

[BAM1748]

But don’t you only need 2 square inches, enough to put you glass down.

While you’re tryIng to love Virgin over QF you are pointing out reasons to change to QF.

 

[Joepad12]

It really pains me to write this as I am desperately trying to love Virgin over QF, but I have to say that the lounges in BNE and MEL are always so overcrowded that I don't even bother using them anymore :-(

Does anyone else experience this?

I never really have that problem with QF (Dom J) unless it is a really really really busy period, but the VA lounges seem to be packed to the rafters no matter the time of day. A friend of mine, who experiences this too, devised a strange remedy where he books a refundable QF ticket just so he can get access to the lounges, and just moves it/cancels it once he gains access to the lounge, and then flies on VA...... quite drastic, but seems to do the trick - and really costs nothing in the end. I guess we can call that a first-world solution to a truly first-world problem.

Drastic move by your friend, but I agree. Very difficult to get seating even in Brisbane or Sydney and always overcrowded.

 

[jakeseven7]

Drastic move by your friend, but I agree. Very difficult to get seating even in Brisbane or Sydney and always overcrowded.

Part of the issue was VA were handing out GOLD to anyone who asked for a while. I haven't seen so much activity in this area recently so hopefully some of the riff raff blow in golds disappear soon.

Another point that was made in the other thread is that the VA GOLD achievement requirements are pretty low and easy to obtain.... perhaps too easy??

 

[theblank]

It really pains me to write this as I am desperately trying to love Virgin over QF, but I have to say that the lounges in BNE and MEL are always so overcrowded that I don't even bother using them anymore :-(

i have never seen a crowded Virgin lounge except for a silly time like Friday at 6pm. but everywhere is crowded at times like that, not only airports.

 

[PDF]

I've never found MEL all that busy in the morning (various weekdays between 7.30 and 9.30am).

I've been in SYD once 5-7pm when high winds were causing flight delays and cancellations. *That* was busy, but everyone was respectful and friendly despite many having to sit on the floor. Beers were cold which helped.

Having a fuller lounge has advantages: more food is put out more frequently

ADL on the other hand... it's not hard to fill that shoebox until it feels uncomfortable

 

[ozstamps]

How those huge lounges in MEL and SYD can be 'crowded' by any reasonable definition, mystifies me.

No-one has mentioned ADL .. now THAT is pretty dire at times.

Some folks are way too pampered.

Just back last week from a couple of visits to the Air China lounge in Chengdu (which has half the population of Oz) One of 3 Air China hubs.

NO WiFi. In 2020.

They suggest you use free airport WiFi, which does not work most times, is slow when it does, and needs a Chinese Cell phone to get access code. One toilet, no showers of course and flight to SYD in 11 hours.

One power point in entire place. No boarding announcements. No hot food. Run down and sad place, and the Air China lounge in Beijing is not a lot better.

Was in the Air India lounge in Delhi last week too -- not much better.

REJOICE in Virgin Lounges.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Part of the issue was VA were handing out GOLD to anyone who asked for a while. I haven't seen so much activity in this area recently so hopefully some of the riff raff blow in golds disappear soon.

Another point that was made in the other thread is that the VA GOLD achievement requirements are pretty low and easy to obtain.... perhaps too easy??

If you're flying getaway fares it's not easy

For each one who thinks it's easy there are many who think it's difficult.

When people say it's difficult to get a seat, what type of seat are we talking? Your own table? At a bench? A seat overlooking the apron? I've never had a problem finding a seat of some sort but it might not be the one I want.

Equally if you go in on a weekend or late evening, the place is absolutely dead and all that space costs money...

@ozstamps is on the money in that there are other lounges in the network that have not been expanded and are perhaps more in need of some love, like Adelaide.

 

[boganbob]

I'm in the Melbourne lounge every other Friday morning - busy but certainly wouldn't call it over-crowded. Total agreement that Adelaide would be the one needing the love/size/update...

 

[jase05]

@ozstamps is on the money in that there are other lounges in the network that have not been expanded and are perhaps more in need of some love, like Adelaide.

ADL is getting a brand new relocated VA lounge as part of the current redevelopment. Unfortunately still about another 18 months away though

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And yet we were in ADL last Sat morn at 8:00 to 9:00 am and it was deserted - go figure

 

[Harthagan]

I find weekday mornings particularly crowded in SYD. Had to wait over 10 minutes in line just to make my pancakes a few times lol.

Never find MEL to be as bad and it feels a lot more open and spacious than sydney (no idea which one actually has more floor space)

 

[stig_aus]

I have been in the SYD lounge on multiple occasions where it was standing room only (both downstairs and upstairs). Wierdly when I was there yesterday at 5 PM the downstairs sections was packed but the upstairs wasn't open. They eventually opened it up but there was no food or drink service - very strange. Perhaps a cost cutting measure by VA?

Never had issues in MEL, but would agree with others that ADL can be a nightmare. If there are delays or cancellations heading to MEL or SYD it very quickly fills up.