Review: Virgin Australia Gold Coast Airport Lounge
Pulling double duty for both domestic and international fights, this small yet inviting lounge is worth stepping into.
By Chris Ashton, February 22 2024
Country
Australia
City
Gold Coast
Airport
Gold Coast
Alliance
None
Airline
Virgin Australia
Cabin-class
Business
Notes
The Good
- Abundant natural light and tarmac views
- Lengthy door list, plus an option for paid access
- All-day barista coffee, bar service from 12am
The Bad
- Can become crowded during peak travel hours
X-Factor
- ‘On Arrival’ access available for up to 60 minutes
Introduction
Perched above Gates 17 and 18 at the new-look Gold Coast Airport, Virgin Australia’s Lounge is a solid pre-flight hangout complemented by stellar runway and hinterland views.
And though it hasn’t seen much major focus in recent years, there are a few changes worth noting, both to its dining and business facilities.
Welcoming business class passengers and Velocity members Gold and above, the lounge pull double duty for domestic and international – travellers jetting overseas simply need to clear a second security screening and passport control en route to their gate.
Location & Impressions
After clearing security (using the priority lane if you’re in business class or a Velocity Gold or Platinum member), turn left and continue walking to the right past Hungry Jack’s. You’ll soon spot the lounge entrance opposite Gates 17 and 18.
You can admit yourself via the self-service access point – handy in peak times – or see the staff at reception.
Self-checkin is available via the tablet to the left.
Gold, Platinum and Lounge members can bring up to three adults and three children as guests, depending on their membership tier limit.
The lounge proper is directly above reception and accessed via stairs and an elevator.
At the top of the stairs you’re greeted by a short stay area with a handful of high tables and chairs, as well as arrival and departure screens near the entrance to the bathrooms.
Departure and arrival screens are spaced throughout the lounge.
Continue through and you’ll find a mix of seating options: high seats and low lounges, dining and cocktails tables for those wanting to spread out, plus an array of work benches.
A variety of seating to suit your needs.
Overall, the look and feel is similar to most of Virgin Australia's domestic lounges (Melbourne and Adelaide are exceptions).
Crisp white benches and purple lighting abound, though there’s a more relaxed atmosphere than some others in the network.
Access
When flying on a Virgin Australia operated flight, the Gold Coast Virgin Lounge is accessible to:
- Velocity Gold and Platinum members, and business class passengers
- Virgin Australia Lounge members, with an annual membership fee of $399
- Single entry passes, available for $65 on the day of departure
- Velocity partner credit card holders with a single-entry lounge pass
- Eligible frequent flyers of partner airline loyalty programs
- American Express Centurion or Platinum card holders
Velocity Platinum members can also utilise ‘on arrival’ access after their flight, which is a handy time-limited perk allowing you to re-enter the lounge for up to 60 minutes. That’s enough time for a quick bite, coffee and maybe even a shower.
Detailed Virgin Australia domestic lounge access (including for international partners) is available here.
Dining
Virgin Australia appears to be taking great strides in its efforts to improve lounge catering (often a sore point for visitors) by peppering a few elevated options into its menus.
Hot and cold items ready and waiting.
My morning departure sees a tray of eggs Benedict served on fluffy brioche buns, a bountiful spread of pain au chocolat and chocolate muffins, alongside ever-popular pancakes.
The buns are a little dry, but the flavour is still there.
The cold counter houses a mix of self-serve yoghurts plus fresh and dried fruits (no pre-made jars of yoghurt and coulis, as has been the case for some time now).
Fresh apples are also within arm's reach.
Sweet treats for sweet-toothed travellers.
As the day rolls on, this is replaced by an all-day menu that typically includes sandwiches, wraps and a selection of salads and dips.
Juices, herbal teas, and barista coffee, together with sparkling and still water, are of course available.
Alcoholic beverages including craft beers and Australian wine open from 12pm.
A selection of beers and wines are available from midday.
It’s a decent breakfast offering and an appreciated step-up from the sweet corn succotash, scrambled eggs and sausages often seen throughout the Virgin lounge network.
Work
Business travellers hoping to fire off a few emails before the flight will no doubt gravitate towards the ‘business zone’, tucked around the corner from the main lounge space.
AC and USB outlets are provided at the shared work desks.
It features several curved workstation benches with power outlets and comfortable leather swivel-seats, along with a row of desks facing the wall.
These benches lack accessible power.
These were once fitted with computers but are now just an extension of the work area.
A previous bookable meeting room (that most past visitors likely never noticed) has been opened up and is now filled with a couple of low lounges and a circular dining table.
The new 'meeting nook'.
WiFi reaches speeds of 87 Mbps download and 78 Mbps upload during my visit.
Relax
If you’re in the mood to relax, or just want to soak up views of the Tweed Hinterland, you can choose from lounges radiating from round coffee tables, or pick a solitary perch in front of the window.
Gold Coast Airport straddles the border of Queensland and New South Wales.
Particularly useful before evening flights or international services are the shower facilities, with all amenities provided – this includes separate shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.
Appelles amenities are supplied in all the bathrooms.
Beyond this, there’s not much to do except sit back, read a book, and maybe download a few movies on your Netflix or Amazon Prime account to enjoy onboard.
The Verdict
Overall, it’s a good lounge with the same facilities you’d expect from its counterparts in the larger capital cities, albeit a more intimate space than the likes of Sydney or Perth.
Though initially fairly quiet, it became increasingly crowded as the day went on, particularly with rolling delays affecting many flights.
Despite being several years since its last full makeover, the lounge is holding up surprisingly well, with service always a highlight, and is a big step up from the nearby Qantas Club thanks to its naturally light and runway views.
The writer visited the lounge as a Velocity frequent flyer.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1002
It’s actually worth comparing the Qantas lounge to the Virgin lounge at the Gold Coast to see which one people prefer maybe as a mystery shopper. I’ve had 2 bad experiences at the QF lounge Gold Coast zero at the Virgin lounge, first day the QF lounge opened I ate to much Salmon and got the evil eye another time I hopped off a VA flight proceeded to the Qantas lounge to see my brother before he left the Gold Coast, the lady on the front desk ripped the VA ticket out of my top pocket aggressively. I told her doesn’t matter if I have a VA ticket I’ve also got a QF ticket flying out this afternoon and a Platinum card to go with it.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 758
Funny that, have had nearly (but not) the same experience at BNE, SYD and MEL business lounge. I swear, some of the staff there must have come from a State Correctional Facility based upon the attitude they show (that or door security at a nightclub !). A J-class ticket without a QFF number (not booked by me) that showed the flight time, and I get quizzed as to ". . . and how long I plan to stay in the lounge?". Math101 not on the job criteria ?
As for the 'search and frisk' you were subjected to, not sure if their T&Cs allow that sort of thing. What next, cavity searches ???
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1002
I agree 100% Boeing, all my bad experience have been with QF the only other bad experience was with check in staff at Paris Airport on a SQ flight and my wife thought she was flying home without me. This one other time at the QF First lounge in Sydney I walked in with my wife and 2 adult kids (like I owned the place), 5 minutes later the lounge manager came up to myself losing it in front of all the guests about myself bring in 3 adult guests, how dare you do that, I responded with how is it my fault if your two (large) doorman let us in?
11 Sep 2022
Total posts 1
Boeing-Tragic this happens to me too, but as a BA Gold (Qantas Platinum equivalent). Annoyingly if the electronic boarding pass is added to the apple wallet, the One World Emerald icon drops off. I have to go into the fine print of the pass to show them my status. The number of times I have been snarled at because at first glance they think I have no status... they're just expecting to see that QF Platinum black boarding pass every time!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 388
I’ve never been in the VA lounge at GC Airport, but by the photos, it looks a lot more appealing than the QF lounge which is lacking natural light and still has that 90’s design. Also not ideal that the QF lounge only opens an hour before the flight.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2020
Total posts 13
I was in the VA OOL Lounge just the other week and have been there numerous times (pre Covid) and always found it relaxing and quaint. Last time they had some awesome Thai soup with crusty bread rolls. I have nothing bad to say about it at all.
19 Apr 2013
Total posts 9
Food sounds great. Unfortunately QF seems to have banned protein across its lounges (ex first class). And while QF GC lounge is not managed by Accor, I can only guess that QF has told the lounge operator to trim the food budget. It’s a shame because it’s a nice little lounge and the staff are great. Yes, it’s now trapped in due to last airport expansion and not as nice as Virgin lounge, but here’s hoping QF improves food at least.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 May 2019
Total posts 7
They’ve also banned humility and service. VA GC lounge is sooooo much better than the QF lounge, fresh, appealing and service is great.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jun 2013
Total posts 22
Being a Gold Coaster, I try to use this as my base airport where possible. VA lounge is far better than the QF, which is still really a regional lounge made over from the JQ days. VA lounge facilities, staff, F&B are well above QF offerings in every way. And yes, the QF lounge access is always an issue for first flight out of a morning
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1002
I vote the VA lounge Gold Coast has a better feel, brighter outlook, happier staff.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 758
Schoolies last year, our daughter (18 yo) tried to take 4 of her friends into the Virgin lounge at OOL before their return flights. (She has Gold as a gift from us.) It was a really busy day and one of her friends wasn't going to get through (which meant none of them would go in). After a week up there, they weren't capable of eating or drinking much else. One of the ladies at the door explained that if 1 of her 4 guest was also 18 or over they'd all get through, otherwise 1 of them would miss out (limit of 3 guests under 18). Amazing how Maths101 came to my daughter's forefront of mind so quickly.
All credit to the Virgin staff on the door at the OOL lounge (or we'd never have heard the end of that 'drama').
17 Nov 2023
Total posts 40
So glad that someone else has noticed that QF has all but banned beef and lamb (and often pork/ham/bacon too in their lounges.
That is ALL I WANT TO EAT when I'm in a lounge!
This VA lounge is excellent in every way. I try to get to OOL early so I can enjoy it for longer :)
21 Jul 2020
Total posts 21
It’s fine in the morning but Virgins refusal to bring back the toastie machine is driving everyone who goes in the afternoon crazy. Including me.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 758
Right on Seanol. What is it with VA's hatred of the humble Toastie? After all, VA needs to only put out the parts, namely, toasting bread, ham, sliced tomato, tasty cheese (NOT cheddar) and a large, full black pepper mill and three (3) - perhaps four (4) - wired-up, fully functional commercial/HTL-grade toasting presses (e.g. Roband, Anvil, Birko, Woodson, etc.).
I mean, we're all profoundly fussy about how we like our Toasties made, critical as hell when not done 100% to our liking, and yet we're willingly prepared to be both chef and food critic for 'Build Your Own' (BYO) Toasties. Besides, no-one can make a Toastie to our own culinary standards like we can for a BYO Toastie.
It's a no-fault, no-blame, 100% risk-free dining proposition that most fast food outlets would kill for. This has to change. Jayne, before you leave . . . . .
24 Jun 2020
Total posts 48
I have been to that lounge many times and for me, what makes it better than its rivals is the friendly local staff who will share a chat with you and seem genuine. That works for me. The drinks and food are a bonus as are the views over the tarmac towards to hinterland.
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