This was published 5 years ago
Virgin Australia, Etihad new international lounges in Australian airports announced
By Craig Platt
Virgin Australia passengers will be have to access seven new international lounges across Australia and New Zealand.
Virgin Australia and Etihad passengers may find themselves rubbing shoulders with passengers from other airlines and even (shock, horror) economy class passengers under new lounge arrangements announced on Wednesday.
Virgin Australia passengers will have access to seven new international lounges across Australia and New Zealand, starting with a new Sydney lounge from October 23. But the three Australian lounges will also be open to flyers from other airlines prepared to pay an upfront fee for access.
The Sydney lounge will be the first in a new partnership with British airport lounge specialist No1 Lounges, which will also create lounges in Melbourne and Brisbane.
The lounges for Sydney and Melbourne have been created in collaboration with Virgin partner Etihad Airways.
The lounges for Sydney and Melbourne have been created in collaboration with Virgin partner Etihad Airways, which will replace that airline's existing lounges with a new brand dubbed "The House".
The House lounges promise a greater choice of dining and drinking options, with self-service and al la carte menus as well as cocktails, mocktails and Australian wines.
They will also be refurbished over the next year with the creation of a reading room along with a private room for VIP guests, such as those flying on Etihad's luxurious Residence class on board its A380s. The Sydney lounge's capacity will be increased by 50 per cent as part of the changes, according to Virgin.
The international lounge at Melbourne Airport.
In Brisbane, Virgin international passengers will have access to a new lounge called "My Lounge" designed in the style of a loft apartment, featuring a games room and seating for more than 100 guests. The lounge will offer feature "a grazing menu of healthy and indulgent choices, barista coffee and a bar".
In New Zealand, passengers flying out of Queenstown and Christchurch will have access to the Manaia Lounge, while those flying from Auckland to Australia and Pacific Islands can use that airport's Strata Lounge. The airline will be opening its own lounge in Wellington "in a few months", the airline said.
The move comes as Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand dissolve their partnership, meaning Virgin passengers will no longer have access to the Kiwi carrier's lounges.
Along with those flying in Virgin's business class, access to the lounges will be available for Velocity Frequent Flyer Platinum and Gold members and Virgin Australia Lounge Members (trans-Tasman travel only) plus one guest and two children.
Those flying Etihad business or first class, as well as gold and platinum members of the airline's Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme will be able to access the Australian lounges.
Etihad revealed that economy class passengers, as well as passengers of other airlines, would be able to pay $72 for access to the No1 lounges, subject to availability.
No1 Lounges launched in Britain 12 years ago, the brainchild of former theatre producer Phil Cameron. Etihad has already partnered with No1 to take over its lounge at Heathrow Airport in London. The airline flagged earlier this month it was looking at extending the partnership to other lounges.
Etihad recently announced a $2.1 billion loss that has seen a number of cost-cutting measures introduced.
See also: The secret to getting into airport lounges when you're flying economy
See also: Skip the Champagne: These new airport lounges are designed to fight jet lag
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