VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Sydney and Brisbane Premium Entry re-opens

Way back when Virgin Australia went broke, and got sold to Bain Capital, they closed Premium Entry which allowed those with cabin luggage to directly enter the respective clubs via a premium security late, separate from the main part of the terminal. This was a prized perk of gold and above status, especially in Sydney where it allowed you to avoid the horror that is Terminal 2.

Since Bain took over, the Sydney Premium Entry has been closed, as has Brisbane. Melbourne was closed but has been rerouted to a special ‘premium security experience’ now that the Melbourne Virgin lounge is behind security.

Opening times

Be alerted that the opening times are not as they used to be. Here are the new fairly restricted opening times:

• Sydney: 5 am to 7 am weekdays (Executive Traveller reports they will be extended pre-Christmas)
• Brisbane: 5 am to 10 am weekdays
• Melbourne: 5 am to 10 am weekdays

Who gets in

• Business Class
• Velocity Gold and above frequent flyers
• Virgin’s ‘Beyond’ members (invitation only)
• International partner airline high status members – think Etihad, Qatar, Singapore and United Airlines

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

Now, I am happy about this, especially for Sydney, but these restricted times are a bit limiting. They are obviously designed for the business and not the leisure traveller. In fact, they are not entirely business friendly, given that these premium entry points don’t operate in the busy late afternoon, or early evening period.

Still, it is better than nothing.

ly move through the screening process, so they can spend more time enjoying our lounge experience prior to their flight.”