Photo tour: Virgin Australia's new Brisbane lounge, terminal
By Chris C., September 9 2015
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson officially unveils Virgin Australia's new lounge, Premium Entry facilities and terminal today at Brisbane Airport, and Australian Business Traveller was on the scene to bring you these exclusive snaps.
Virgin Australia Brisbane Premium Entry
For business class passengers and Velocity Gold, Platinum and The Club members, the journey starts at Premium Entry: a fast-track straight from Brisbane's new valet parking area into the lounge via private and dedicated security screening lanes.
If you're not using the valet parking facilities, just look for the purple Premium Entry sign:
You're greeted in a rather spacious room with calming music in the background...
... after which you can clear security and ascend the escalator up into the lounge proper...
... or take the stairs and glance back at Virgin Australia's signature 'Flying Maiden'...
... or up at the roof and its impressively-designed skylight:
Virgin Australia Brisbane lounge
Today's Brisbane lounge represents a complete overhaul, re-build and expansion on the previous facility which debuted in 2011, and which we're sure was worth the wait.
Seating and facilities
Now absent of any construction hoarding, the lounge feels particularly airy and spacious...
... and boasts a plethora of seats for busy business travellers to get things done:
While the table depth looks rather minimal above, it's actually more than adequate for full-sized laptops...
... which can be charged via desk-level power points, with spare USB slots for your iPhone or tablet:
Naturally, Virgin's comfy plush chairs also make an appearance...
... as does a business centre with computers, printing and photocopying facilities:
Speaking of business, if your wallet wields an invitation-only Virgin Australia The Club card, look for this obscure walkway to your left after taking the escalator from Premium Entry...
... along which you'll find the 'secret' door into your private lounge:
Read more: Perks of The Club, Virgin Australia's secret VIP tier
New espresso & wine bar
As first seen in Virgin Australia's Melbourne Airport lounge, Brisbane too boasts an espresso and wine bar...
... and one that's capable of producing up to 10 cups of coffee at a time during the morning rush:
There you'll also find Peroni on tap, and well-signed ordering and collection points:
During quieter times, we also found the staff offering coffee to passengers seated directly behind the bar...
... and while that's not full 'table service', per se, it's nice to have fresh coffee appear next to you when you're busy typing away.
Other food & beverage
Staff are also on-hand to serve alcohol from 11am including beer, wine and cider...
... in a completely new servery that also boasts the usual soups, toasted sandwiches...
... meats, salads and dressings...
... and a fresh supply of apples:
There's also a self-serve coffee machine on the far side of the lounge...
... more apples, and a handy soft drink dispenser:
Other amenities
The restrooms and showers have moved from where they were previously: now found near the centre of the lounge on the terminal side...
... with that corridor also leading to a newly-built exit-only door to save backtracking via reception if your flight departs from the end pier.
Add to that a variety of reading material...
... flight information screens throughout the lounge...
... and an extended version of that skylight, intertwined with VA's signature roof leaf pattern...
... and which brings plenty of natural light into the lounge.
Also read: Inside Virgin Australia's new Darwin Airport lounge
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
12 Feb 2014
Total posts 228
Fantastic, looks like Virgin is well ahead of the game in Brisbane.
And may well have the advantage in Perth soon when their new domestic terminal opens. I rate the easy connection with the International terminal over the new Qantas business lounge as tipping things the V way.
Two key markets where they offer the better on-ground product.
Now if they could only tone down the purple...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Dec 2014
Total posts 284
It will be intresting on what the Qantas lounge will look like once they make-over their lounge.
09 Sep 2015
Total posts 21
WOW!!
One of the best lounges that I have ever seen. Very luxurious. Can't wait to see other Brisbane lounges. e.g. Qantas makeover lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 143
I've never been a fan of the Virgin Australia design style, all the white and purple but that skylight is absolutely stunning.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Gold
04 Jul 2014
Total posts 129
Any idea if Airpoints Gold can use the premium entry or not? I know Lounge members can not.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2012
Total posts 178
Great pictures Chris and a nice report. This is a fantastic looking lounge and as mentioned in many posts arguably one of the finest domestic lounges.
I am a platinum with both Qantas and Virgin and generally I find the Qantas business lounges (not the clubs) to always be a better product. Yes they are more out dated looking and busy however I find there is a better food and drink offering at the Qantas J lounge.
Honestly there is only so much toasted sandwhiches and same old same old sanwhiches and soups that a person can handle.
I know there are allot of people who will prefer the Virgin offering but when i head back from Sydney I opt for QF for a better meal and a actual scotch and soda as opposed to perhaps a pie/curry dish that generally is gone.
- LTF
Either way that just my opinion and anyways its great having any lounge to go with after enough years sitting out in the main terminal going to Gloria Jeans.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Have to admit, been to this lounge 3 times in the last 3 weeks and it IS the best lounge so far. Have yet to entered the MEL lounge... but BNE is better than SYD and PER... and I knew there was a secret door!!!
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Have you been through that secret door? ;)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2014
Total posts 112
It has been far too long in returing since the days of Golden Wing and their valet parking there, but well done VA it looks awesome!
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 1
Lets hope there are more than the two old loos that they have had running in the bathrooms for the last 3 years.....easily the worst of any lounge I have ever been in
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2431
The bathrooms are indeed much larger MrAng, use Black tiling similar to Sydney and Melbourne and also have private shower suites.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 47
Yes well that's all fine and dandy as long as you're flying domestic. I use Virgin extensively ex Brisbane to get to the Pacific and they don't even have an OLD lounge much less a new one!
08 Jul 2015
Total posts 10
Fantastic! Can't wait to check it out in just a little under a month :-)
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
Just changed my OOL - SYD flight to go from BNE to have a look at this lounge. Looks awsome :-)
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 13
Good to see the improvements, hopefully Virgin will fix up the Adelaide lounge - without doubt the worst lounge I have been in in years
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