VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Lounge access for international travellers to Doha and beyond

The introduction of long-haul international flying by Virgin Australia using wet-leased aircraft supplied by minority shareholder Qatar Airways has led to the need for access to International lounges at airports across Australia and Europe.

With flights leaving from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, Virgin will need lounges for its premium and frequent flyers. Virgin Australia has no international lounges of its own, nor is it in an airline alliance that has lounges. Instead, it has had to do deals with lounge operators, starting with its partner airlines.

Virgin Australia Lounge Access in Australia

This gets a little complex, as it has partnered with Air New Zealand for three lounges, but the Kiwi flyer has no lounge in Melbourne, so that is a separate deal with the independent Marhaba Lounge, closely associated with the Emirates-owned Dnata Air Services brand.

Here is the rundown of who can access what lounges where in Australia. Buckle up!

Sydney, Brisbane, Perth (Air New Zealand Lounges)

In these capital cities, lounge access is pretty straightforward; all of the following qualify for entry to the Air New Zealand Lounge in the respective capital cities’ international airports:

• Business Class Passengers
• Velocity Gold & Platinum Members
• Virgin Australia Beyond Members

The Guest policy in these lounges is that all of the above categories can admit one additional guest booked on the same flight.

The locations of these lounges is set out below by city:

• Sydney near Gate 59, next to Singapore Airlines lounge.
• Brisbane near Gate 82, on the fourth floor.
• Perth near Gate 52A.

Air New Zealand lounges are pretty well resourced. Most have been refreshed recently, and all feature buffet and bar service, coffee, a range of seating options, and fast WiFi. Although sometimes overcrowded, the mid-afternoon departures to Doha for the Virgin Australia flights should avoid this.

Melbourne (Marhaba Lounge):

With no Air New Zealand lounge in Melbourne, access is to the Emirates/Dnata-related Mahaba lounge located between Gates 9 and 10. Access, plus one guest, is for the following travelling on a Virgin Australia flight to Doha:

• Business Class Passengers
• Velocity Gold & Platinum Members
• Virgin Australia Beyond Members

The Mahaba lounge offers a buffet of hot dishes, which some have rated as underwhelming. It is better to exercise your appetite on board your wet-leased Qatar Airways catering.

Overseas lounge access

Cutting to the chase here, Virgin Australia travellers booked on Qatar flights marketed by Virgin Australia, and those wet-leased flights will have access to Qatar Lounges, almost as if they were mere Qatar Airways passengers.

Doha (Hamad International Airport)

Business Class Passengers can access the Al Mourhan Business lounge either in the terminal, or the new Garden Lounge, that is if you are travelling onwards in Qatar Airways Business Class.

If you are working your Velocity frequent flyer status and not travelling in Business Class, then you will need to head to the appropriate Qatar Airways’ Frequent Flyer Lounges. Match your metal with the Platinum Lounge South, Gold Lounge South, or Platinum & Gold Lounge North.

Guest policy is a little more complex and depends on your status and requires an invitation to entry supplied by Qatar Check-in Staff at your operating airport, so don’t forget to ask.

London (Heathrow T4)

In London, Business Class passengers are eligible for the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge which has buffet and à la carte dining, and of course the inevitable bar. Velocity Premium Frequent Flyers not travelling in Business Class can access the Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge, with a buffet and at least natural light.

Paris (Charles de Gaulle T1)

First and Business Class passengers have access to the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge. Not announced yet but this should also accommodate Velocituy premium members. It currently accepts Gold and Platinum members of Qatar Airways Privilege Club and OneWorld Sapphire and Emerald members.

Paid lounge access

With some Qatar Airways tickets, notably ‘Business Lite’ fares, being sold without lounge access, you can pay for access. This might be a good option if you are without frequent flyer access, travelling in Economy, or on a Business Lite fare. It’s not cheap. Expect to pay something like the figures below in Australian dollars, although conversion rates may have changed by the time you read this. A Qatari Riyal is currently worth about AU$0.43

• Silver Lounge: AU$116 (QAR270)
• Gold Lounge: AU$136 (QAR315)
• Platinum Lounge: AU$155 (QAR360)
• Al Mourjan Business Lounge: AU$194 (QAR450)
• Al Safwa First Lounge: AU$252 (QAR585)

2PAXfly Takeout

There are not many surprises here. Essentially, Virgin is using Air New Zealand lounges in Australia or contract lounges when Air NZ ones are not available. Overseas, Virgin Australia is using Qatar lounges with divisions for First, Business, and Frequent Flyers.

If you are transmitting through Doha, which will be the case for the majority of passengers, then lounge access there will be important, depending on transit times.

Plan your trip, buy access if necessary, and have a wonderful journey on these new Virgin Australia long-haul international flights.