Virgin Australia has made significant changes to its International Lounge Access policies for travellers departing from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane international airports.
The new rules came into effect on November 1 and impacts those travelling in Business Class, Virgin Australia Velocity Gold members, as well as Virgin Australia Platinum frequent flyers.
Access to a lounge now depends on the passenger’s destination. The details can be quite confusing, so travellers should check which lounge is at their disposal well ahead of departure time.
Virgin Australia do not operate its own international lounges and uses the facilities of partner airlines instead. Many of the changes reflects Virgin Australia’s departure from using Air New Zealand lounges when not travelling to New Zealand destinations.
In Sydney, passengers travelling on VA operated services to Los Angeles only will now have access to Etihad Airways’ First and Business Class Lounge. For services to Denpasar, Nadi and Nuki’alofa only, lounge access is with Singapore Airlines’ Silver Kris lounge, whilst Virgin Australia operated flights to Apia only now use SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge.
In Melbourne, passengers on VA operated services to the Pacific Islands can now relax in the Virgin Australia Lounge in the Domestic Terminal. This is because Melbourne’s domestic and international terminals are in the same location with the domestic lounge located before the domestic security screening which is about a five-minute walk from the international departures.
Those travelling from Brisbane on Virgin Australia operated services to Los Angeles also access the Singapore Airlines Silver Kris lounge while those bound for Denpasar and the Pacific Islands should make their way to the Plaza Premium Lounge.
Passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi and New Zealand are saved from having to configure the new changes as there are no changes to lounge access.
Travellers can view Virgin Australia’s International Lounge Access Reference Guide here.
