Quantcast

Virgin Australia's airport lounges offer comfort amid competitive skies

Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Virgin Australia's airport lounges offer comfort amid competitive skies
Policy
Webp d3kueeshm49t6gt53ij8ni5kbj8k
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.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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
More News

Lufthansa has announced the introduction of unlimited free chatting on its long-haul flights.

Jun 3, 2025

Emirates and Air China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore an enhanced partnership.

Jun 3, 2025

Air New Zealand is set to expand its fleet with the arrival of two new A321neo aircraft, each covering a distance of 19,342 kilometers from the Airbus facility in Hamburg to Auckland.

Jun 3, 2025

The third daily flight from Dubai to Bahrain, EK835, departed at 0200 hrs and arrived in Bahrain at 0215 hrs.

Jun 3, 2025

Emirates has announced a multi-year partnership with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), becoming the Premium Partner and Official Airline Partner of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

Jun 3, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Awards.

Jun 2, 2025