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Virgin Australia's airport lounges offer comfort amid competitive skies

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Virgin Australia's airport lounges offer comfort amid competitive skies
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James Pearson Route Development Journalist | Simple Flying

Virgin Australia has scaled back its routes and now focuses primarily on domestic flights, although it still serves five international destinations. Despite facing competition from other airlines, Virgin Australia offers seven lounges equipped with amenities such as free WiFi and showers.

In Australia, two main airline groups dominate the skies: Qantas Group, which owns Qantas and Jetstar, and Virgin Australia, founded by Sir Richard Branson. Virgin Australia once had an extensive domestic and international network but has significantly reduced its routes since the pandemic and its voluntary administration. Before COVID-19, Virgin served over five destinations in New Zealand; now it only flies to Queenstown.

Virgin Australia faces stiff competition from Qantas, Jetstar, and Rex in the domestic market. While retaining its base in Brisbane, it also operates hubs in Melbourne and Sydney, with secondary hubs in Adelaide and Perth.

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According to ch-Aviation, an online aviation database, Virgin currently operates a fleet of over 80 aircraft serving 44 destinations domestically and internationally. Its current international network includes:

- Nadi (NAN) - Fiji

- Tokyo Haneda (HND) - Japan

- Queenstown (ZQN) - New Zealand

- Apia (APW) - Samoa

- Port Vila (VLI) - Vanuatu

This is a significant reduction from its pre-pandemic operations when it flew Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s to destinations like Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Phuket, Abu Dhabi, and Los Angeles.

For those holding boarding passes on Virgin Australia flights, there are seven lounges across the continent at major airports:

1. **Brisbane International Airport (BNE)**:

- Free WiFi

- Self-service food

- Barista coffee

- Bar service from noon

- Premium entry for eligible passengers between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM on weekdays

- Shower facilities

2. **Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)**:

Similar amenities as Brisbane.

3. **Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL)**:

Additional meeting rooms available for a fee.

4. **Adelaide International Airport (ADL)**:

Available for international travelers before passing through immigration into the international departure wing.

5. **Canberra International Airport (CBR)**:

Additional meeting rooms available for a fee.

6. **Perth International Airport (PER)**:

Additional meeting rooms available for a fee.

7. **Gold Coast Coolangatta International Airport (OOL)**:

Available for international travelers before passing through immigration into the international departure wing.

All lounges offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner options prepared onsite along with barista coffee options, premium tea, soft drinks, curated wines, craft beers from noon due to local liquor licensing laws. Facilities include WiFi access, printing services, showers with towels provided.

Complimentary lounge access is granted to business class passengers as well as Velocity Platinum and Gold members; Silver members can redeem single-use lounge passes when awarded. Paid membership options are also available:

- Joining fee: AU $99 ($67)

- Annual membership: AU $450 ($305)

- Lifetime membership: AU $9,750 ($6,593)

- Senior lifetime membership: AU $6,750 ($4,565)

Various Australian credit cards offer free single-use lounge passes or standard entry at the door for AU $65 ($44) per adult up to two hours before departure.

Virgin Australia recently announced that it will become the first Australian airline to allow travelers to bring their cats and dogs onboard within the next 12 months.

Organizations Included in this History
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