Thoughts on new Perth terminal (PER)

[shuuy]

DISTANCE FROM CITY
+ Extra 10-15 minutes. Sucks, but meh.

CHECK-IN
+ Lots of space (wonder what it will be during peak hours with all the mining flights)
+ The self-serve/agent staffed kiosks are cool, but I don't think normal people would really care

LOUNGE
+ Identical to the look and feel of BNE, MEL (much more space than SYD).
+ BUT... it's after security, and Friday arvo with only one security line operating there's no priority line/access. (Extra 5 minutes - no drama, but still not as easy as the BNE/MEL/SYD make you feel special security)

TERMINAL
+ Feels pleasant (much more than anywhere in North America / Europe)... But food court options quite lacking. pharmac_ nice.
+ They should add a yoga/meditation space or a gym (like SIN has)

BOARDING
+ Nothing special - will report back to see if they use 1 or 2 bridges for A330s (obviously the latter preferred)
+ got stick when trying to use my Apple Watch to scan my own boarding pass. She said "you're not allowed at all to scan your own BP... It's a security risk". Better tell SYD/MEL/BNE airports then who want me to scan my own pass

What do others think?

 

[Bagpuss]

CHECK-IN
+ Lots of space (wonder what it will be during peak hours with all the mining flights)

Most (not all) leave from T2.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Sorry I just assumed ... did they actually build a new lounge at a new terminal WITHOUT premium entry?

 

[Obzerva]

I used the new T1 Domestic at PER yesterday.

here's my thoughts.

Lounge is after security, which is fine, there was only one security lane open however there were 2 different points to access it, ie general and priority, given there was no queue it didn't matter which you picked, but I can see how it would work if there was a queue.

Lounge, nice, big, spacious, looks like it could easily accommodate a MEL/SYD/BNE + regional services at similar departure times

and now my favourite part.

Got to the gate for the departure (A330 to MEL).

There are two VERY DISTINCT boarding lanes, ie they are on opposites sides of the gate, the priority in purple with fixed signage being near where you enter the aircraft, then the general boarding lane which is on the opposite side of the gate, ie the gate seating is in between the two lanes.

So rather than the bustling between two queues and VA not enforcing who's in what line, the lines are literally 10 metres apart.
Does that mean people pay attention to them, well, literacy is apparently an issue, but those that weren't priority were actually being stopped and told to wait.

There were two aerobridges for A330 boarding, business to the left, and economy to the right, both clearly marked.

The interesting thing is, VA could to a degree retrofit a few existing airport gates at other airports to have the distinct boarding lanes, it would just mean a little more space between the seating and the desk at the gate to accommodate it being a lane.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

...and now my favourite part.

Got to the gate for the departure (A330 to MEL).

There are two VERY DISTINCT boarding lanes, ie they are on opposites sides of the gate, the priority in purple with fixed signage being near where you enter the aircraft, then the general boarding lane which is on the opposite side of the gate, ie the gate seating is in between the two lanes.

So rather than the bustling between two queues and VA not enforcing who's in what line, the lines are literally 10 metres apart.
Does that mean people pay attention to them, well, literacy is apparently an issue, but those that weren't priority were actually being stopped and told to wait.

There were two aerobridges for A330 boarding, business to the left, and economy to the right, both clearly marked.

The interesting thing is, VA could to a degree retrofit a few existing airport gates at other airports to have the distinct boarding lanes, it would just mean a little more space between the seating and the desk at the gate to accommodate it being a lane.

How did they handle status pax using priority boarding? Were they allowed to board through the J line, or did they have to get in early before the Y pax in the regular line? Hoping this has improved.

 

[Obzerva]

How did they handle status pax using priority boarding? Were they allowed to bard through the J line, or did they have to get in early before the Y pax in the regular line? Hoping this has improved.

Priority lane was for Business, Platinum and Golds.

Not aware of it being different, and if they made J go first that would be kinda weird, given that they got their own aerobridge, so hardly being slowed down by the few eager status travellers who were at the gate of the time of the boarding call and not en route from the lounge.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Priority lane was for Business, Platinum and Golds.

Not aware of it being different, and if they made J go first that would be kinda weird, given that they got their own aerobridge, so hardly being slowed down by the few eager status travellers who were at the gate of the time of the boarding call and not en route from the lounge.

Good to hear. I had just read (I think in the other PER terminal thread) that initially WP/SGs were forced to go through Y line, since the two aerobridges were separate (I could be wrong there, though).

 

[bubblyguy]

Good to hear. I had just read (I think in the other PER terminal thread) that initially WP/SGs were forced to go through Y line, since the two aerobridges were separate (I could be wrong there, though).

There is enough space after being scanned by the agent to move to the appropriate aerobridge.

 

[kalboy]

So i'm a bit confused, is there now TWO domestic lounges??, I'm flying into T1 Domestic with a 3 hour wait until I fly out of T2 can I sample both lounges (am Gold). I rarely transit via Perth on VA. I've havent even been to T2 before as my usual WA regional flights went out of the old main terminal so this is all new to me..

 

[jneufeld]

So i'm a bit confused, is there now TWO domestic lounges??, I'm flying into T1 Domestic with a 3 hour wait until I fly out of T2 can I sample both lounges (am Gold). I rarely transit via Perth on VA. I've havent even been to T2 before as my usual WA regional flights went out of the old main terminal so this is all new to me..

Yes there are 2 domestic lounges, I would stay at T1D for as long as possible as the T2 lounge isn't very flash
Virgin Australia opens new Perth Terminal 2 airport lounge - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Bagpuss]

the T2 lounge isn't very flash

I actually don't mind the Perth T2 lounge. Mainly cause I think it's cosy and not a bad area. With the T1 lounge I just found it a little bit too open which made it seem to stale to me. Though when the T1 lounge was busier it seemed OK. They could try and section off bit of the T1 lounge when it's quiet which wouldn't make it seem so bad. But ... We are all different.
With T1 the truth of it ... It's an airport and it wont seem so flash after a bit of use. The T1 lounge already has seen some bashes etc.
What surprises me the most is that the car parks dont seem much busier after the Virgin relocation.

Also, I think the Lounge entrance door is in the wrong location and I nearly walked through the glass side. Reception agreed it wasn't great.