From December 1, all Virgin Australia flights departing Los Angeles will use the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), with Gold-level Velocity members and business class passengers having access to the new Star Alliance lounge.
Certain to trigger a smile, the Star Alliance First Class lounge will open its doors to Velocity Platinum members, regardless of travel class and with one guest – something that isn’t actually offered to top-tier Star Alliance elites!
The change follows the previous cross-terminal arrangements, which saw Virgin Australia flights arriving into TBIT, though departing from Terminal 3 when returning to Australia.
For now at least, check-in facilities for the airline’s Australia-bound flights – VA2 to Sydney, VA8 to Brisbane and VA24 to Melbourne – will remain at Terminal 3, with TBIT just a short walk away:
The terminals at LAX
Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports
Passengers connecting from Delta Air Lines, Virgin America or Alaska Airlines services should be able to skip the check-in queues at LAX altogether, with baggage able to be through-checked and Virgin Australia boarding passes issued by these airlines at the start of the journey.
Access to The Loft in Terminal 3 will still be available for eligible passengers on Virgin America’s domestic services (ex-Los Angeles), though travellers on Virgin Australia’s international services will need to use the Star Alliance lounges from next month.
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
09 May 2011
Total posts 294
One of the best things about Velocity I've heard in a while. I'm excited.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
This is massive, VA Platinums getting access to the First Class section?!!? Not a published benefit for Star Alliance members, yet, they do broker deals with non alliance members and gtrant access? VA must have negotiated big time with Star Alliance and will probably have to pay a hefty fee per VA Plat entering the lounge. I am sure this will trigger outrage amongst most top tier FF from Star Alliance, not to mention the uber special tiers such as SQ PPS and LH Honorary Circle (to name a few), unless they also get access to the First Class section?
Regardless of the above, a big win for VA Platinum grade FF!
20 Nov 2013
Total posts 1
As an Air Gold Elite / Elite, I was always granted access to the First Class section of the Star lounge in London. Not a published benefit, but it was consistently given. I had assumed that this was a benefit for all top teir Star members, but I may be wrong.
In any case awesome news, good job Virgin!
05 Mar 2012
Total posts 14
I'm guessing this may have something to do with the fact that the LAX *A lounge is operated by Air NZ.
The only thing I'm puzzled about... Check-in at T3, and then walk to TBIT???
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
Hang On, Vigin Australia code shares with Dela, Please clarfiy that If one is flying to LAX on VA codeshare with DL & then has a DL flight to NYC, they have to clear customes and then re check in at terminal 3 - Delta????
Futhermore does this new change, give any light that VA may join the Star Alliance Netwrok?
02 Nov 2011
Total posts 6
Regardless of the airline you fly and your onwards connection you need to clear customs first, then drop your checked in bag at the Transfer area within TBIT or check in with your airline of choice at their designated terminal.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2013
Total posts 15
Orpheus is right. Also, Delta have never used Terminal 3 at LAX anyway - so you'll need to walk to Terminal 5 for a DL connection.
VA Platinum
21 Nov 2013
Total posts 18
Agreed, this is absolutely fantastic (and frankly a bit unbelievable) news.
Does anyone have a link to an article where this is confirmed by VA? I had a look at the velocity and virgin websites and nothing, although that in itself is not surprising.
I will definitely ba meking use of this benefit if it's true!
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