Virgin Australia considers dedicated mining and resources lounge
By Chris C., September 29 2015
Virgin Australia could open the country's first airport lounge dedicated to workers in the mining and resources sector later this year.
It's one of several options for the airline's Brisbane domestic terminal following the expansion of Virgin's Brisbane lounge and the subsequent closure of the short-term 'cafe lounge' located between gate 41 and the airport's satellite pier, which served as an overflow space for the main lounge during peak travel periods.
With the newly-expanded lounge now boasting room for over 400 travellers, the cafe lounge is now largely redundant – opening the door to new ways to use the space, which previously boasted its own barista coffee service and chilled buffet plus views over the tarmac.
Virgin's newly-extended terminal in Brisbane, housing an expanded lounge
One option on the table is to designate it as ‘mining and resources’ lounge, Virgin Australia Chief Customer Officer Mark Hassell tells Australian Business Traveller.
"We’ve got to decide what we want to do with that cafe lounge" he shares. "It could be a mining and resources opportunity for us – potentially, if those guests want a separate area."
“If fly-in, fly-out travellers kind of want a different experience than (the standard lounge), maybe we can do something with (the café lounge), because we’ve now got an opportunity to do that, but really that would be if there’s demand from their point-of-view,” Hassell adds.
As for a separate Virgin Australia lounge for business class travellers and Platinum frequent flyers to mirror Qantas? “No, we don’t have any plans on that,” said Hassell.
Travellers in the mining and resources sectors: would you prefer a separate space at Brisbane Airport, and what would you ideally find inside beyond VA's regular lounge offering?
Also browse: Photo tour: Virgin Australia's new Brisbane lounge
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 567
I'm picturing free pouring beer, dart boards, plenty of stools and topless waitresses... Could be hugely popular amongst the miners and an easy way of seperating the hi-vis crowd with the corporate crowd without any dress standards that offend a lucrative market segment.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Dedicated mining and resources lounge?
Is that to keep them out or to keep them in?
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
Do you even have to ask? Qantas lounge types never stop complaining about *those people* who dare to wear high-vis vests (and make more money than I do with eight years less education).
I never see them in the Virgin lounge, though I don't fly to Perth.
06 Jan 2015
Total posts 66
Wait til you get the pleasant opportunity to visit Perth then ;)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 387
Riley, if that idea of yours takes off, I will be in that lounge for sure!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 567
I've been to Kalgoorlie... Can't claim it as my own idea unfortunately. ;)
12 Feb 2014
Total posts 228
Virgin Perth would be an ideal location for a FIFO lounge as well.
Depending on time of day, the lounge is predominantly hi-vis. Lots of the blokes are dog tired in the evening and the 'office' area is sometimes laid end-to end with bodies catching a kip before their long flight home. I have a mate who works on a mine three hours bus drive from Karratha and lives in Canberra. It takes him 21 hours to get home. I joke he could fly to LHR quicker. They need sport on the telly, good beer on tap, pies and comfy lounges to snooze. The fancy wines, barista and magazine rack can take a rest.
Think this is a great idea. It isn't just the suits for whom a lounge is essential. Ahead of the curve again Borghetti.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 187
I had to laugh on the weekend, the sign at the bottom of the escalator in MEL to the QF pub has the dress code on display - hi viz is ok as long as it's clean
12 Mar 2014
Total posts 43
Hi Colin, what are CUBS?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Cashed Up BoganS
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 187
Cash up bogan scum - and yes I know thats not politically correct but some make my ears bleed and gums hurt.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
FIFO are CUBS!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 501
Chris_PER must be happy right now.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Mar 2015
Total posts 13
whilst i agree in keeping them seperate (im one myself but wear civies instead of the HV gear, i suggest its too little too late....there are not as many around today as there were months ago - jobs are finishing and money is contracting so i dont see the point now. id like to see some cubs allocated a spot on the tarmac however - rude crude and exceedingly vulgar - especially the girls
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2015
Total posts 43
A dedicated business lounge would be a better idea, i darent wear a light coloured suit anymore becuase the miners dont always bother to change befoe coming home
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