Virgin Australia reopens Sydney ‘Premium Entry’ lane
The time-saving airport priority lane makes a welcome return, but only during morning peak hours.
By David Flynn, October 31 2022
Virgin Australia’s business class travellers and top-tier frequent flyers can now look forward to spending less time in snaking airport security lines and more time in the lounge, with the Sydney and Brisbane Premium Entry facilities now open once again.
The time-saving Premium Entry lane provides premium travellers with a fast track to the lounge via a dedicated security checkpoint, instead of having to make their way through the crowded main terminal.
While it’s designed for passengers with only cabin bags, the ‘travel light’ set have the option of using the Premium Entry lane after completing the usual bag drop formalities in the terminal.
And with Virgin’s Melbourne lounge now located behind security, following the closure of T3’s security lanes to funnel all passengers through T4, there’s a special Priority Screening lane – which Virgin describes as a ‘premium security experience’ – at T4.
However, these Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne facilities are open only during the following peak travel times:
- Sydney Premium Entry: 5am to 7am each weekday morning (although Executive Traveller understands those hours will be extended in the lead-up to Christmas)
- Brisbane Premium Entry: 5am to 10am each weekday morning
- Melbourne Priority Screening: 5am to 10am each weekday morning
Access to Sydney and Brisbane Premium Entry is reserved for:
- business class passengers
- Velocity Platinum and Gold frequent flyers
- members of Virgin’s invitation-only Beyond program
- “eligible high tier guests” of international partner airlines (such as Etihad Airways, Qatar Airlines, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines)
“We know time is important for our most frequent flyers,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said, so these fast-track lanes “are a ticket for loyal guests to quickly move through the screening process, so they can spend more time enjoying our lounge experience prior to their flight.”
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Aug 2017
Total posts 84
In Melbourne, the Priority security lane might only be policed until 10am ... but it seems that they keep the sign up and the lane open all day, so in practise the priority lane is quicker at all times of the day.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
12 May 2022
Total posts 15
I went through the Priority Lane last week in Melbourne and they had 2 Virgin staff manning the entry at around 5 pm.
Perhaps that was just for a few days to get some passengers used to it and used to entering security at T4.
04 Sep 2019
Total posts 67
"and “eligible high tier guests” of international partner airlines – a growing roster which has recently added United Airlines and Qatar Airways alongside stalwarts such as Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways"
very vague.......are we talking krisflyer PPS or krisflyer gold as the entry points?
04 Aug 2018
Total posts 6
One would assume the same requirements for lounge access.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 51
I am PPS Solitaire and when I flew virgin four weeks ago my ticket stated that I was platinum equivalent
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1004
Did I miss something, from what date is the Sydney Premium Entry reopening?
Also 5 am to 7 am? What about the afternoon, last week I had a colleague miss a flight in the afternoon due to the volume of people trying to get through security at T2.
How about 5am to 8am and 3pm to 6pm.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
"Did I miss something, from what date is the Sydney Premium Entry reopening?" - this coming Monday, October 31.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1004
I'll give a review Tuesday...
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1004
Tuesday morning I went through Premium Security at Sydney T2, had my bag pulled apart and re scanned, there got too much time on their hands. In the last 4 months I’ve done over 20 plus First and Business Class flights around the world with the same bag with the same gear in it and no one including the standard T2 has pulled my bag apart.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 763
Echoing your suggestion about 3pm - 6pm at both SYD AND Brisbane, although I wonder if both would benefit more from 4pm - 7pm ??
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1004
I didn't want to push my luck for to many hours
06 Apr 2020
Total posts 2
Yep, I’d argue that afternoon/evening peaks are worse than the morning rush. At least it’s a step in the right direction though
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1208
I have never quite understood why normal Lounge members without checked luggage can't use the Premium Entry. Does anyone have insight into why this is the case particularly as the general security zone in T2 is such a zoo these days?
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
Does that include velocity gold and their lounge guest as well?
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1004
Txting Beyond members they don't believe me the Premium Entry is opening Monday, one of the key features of VA and they haven't told everyone, I'm amazed.
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 225
LOL, it's not unusual for ET to have the scoop well before anybody else, sometimes even airline staff!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 169
I went through MEL T4 security on Monday morning at 6am and there was no VA Premium Security lane. I asked the lady mustering the queue and she said it's not there any more.
Also opening Sydney Premium entry for just 2 hours? Seriously? Very disappointing.
16 Oct 2012
Total posts 53
Open for just 2 hours a day…. Goodness that’s a bit cheap!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Nov 2017
Total posts 17
I'm thinking this 'premium security lane' at SYD is simply the old group's security lane at the northernmost end of Arrivals at T2. This has been open for a month or more between 5am-7am. Note...I wrote Arrivals NOT Departures. Departures is where the pre-pandemic Premium Security Entry was straight onto the Lounge - from kerb to buffet.
06 Sep 2022
Total posts 3
T3 T4 "improvements" are a woeful exhibition of 21st Century logistics. You check in at Virgin T3, then you have to walk in excess of a hundred metres, then travel downstairs to go through T4 security. You then have to travel back the 100 or so metres to the T3 Virgin Lounge which is virtually directly beneath your original T3 priority check-in point. Not a great service to travellers especially those of us who are a little older and not as fleet of foot as we once were.
One minute you are a priority passenger, then you are consigned back to cattle class. It appears that the airport designers have never heard of moving walkways.
06 Sep 2022
Total posts 3
T3 T4 "improvements" are woeful. Check in at Virgin T3, walk a hundred metres, travel downstairs to T4 security. Then retrace 100 or so metres to T3 Virgin Lounge directly beneath T3 priority check-in point. Not great for travellers especially those a little older.
One minute a priority passenger, then consigned back to cattle class. Have airport designers never heard of moving walkways?
24 Feb 2017
Total posts 14
Agree, with comments above. Afternoon access in Sydney at least should be there.
20 Oct 2020
Total posts 15
Good news - although hopefully they are looking at extending the opening times
11 Jul 2018
Total posts 7
Just checked with cust service - no plans to extend including the (now present) lead up to Christmas. Sad.
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