Your guide to Virgin Australia Velocity lounge access overseas

Lounge access is a top perk of frequent flyer status. And as Virgin Australia’s stable of partner airlines grows, so too does the list of international lounges that Velocity Gold and Platinum members can enter.

Whether travelling through North America on Air Canada and United Airlines, or stopping in the Qatari capital of Doha, that card in your digital wallet unlocks the doors to Maple Leaf, United Club and Qatar Airways lounges – and they’re just three of Virgin’s main partners.

However, Velocity lounge access isn’t consistent across all Virgin partner airlines: a notable exception is Japan’s ANA.

This is one of the drawbacks of Virgin’s ‘bespoke’ approach to selecting airlines partners, compared to the alliance-wide arrangements of the Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance groups.

It’s also worth noting that top-tier Velocity members don’t even have lounge access ahead of Virgin Australia’s own international flights (aside from Adelaide and the Gold Coast, where the Virgin lounge caters to domestic and international in one terminal).

The House lounges in Sydney and Melbourne Velocity members on Etihad-operated flights.

For example, if you’re jetting overseas from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne on a VA-operated flight, you can’t pop into the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounges, even though the airline is a key partner of Virgin Australia.

As for which Virgin Australia lounges members of partner programs such as Etihad Guest, Air Canada Aeroplan and the like have access to, that’s covered in detail in our Virgin Australia domestic lounge access guide here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to Air Canada lounges

Velocity Gold and Platinum flyers enjoy access to Air Canada’s network of domestic and international Maple Leaf lounges whenever flying on an Air Canada-operated flight. And when they do, they’re entitled to bring one guest with them.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges are the go-to for Velocity Platinums and Golds.

This includes Toronto’s unique Air Canada Cafe – a pit-stop alternative to visiting the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge, complete with barista-pulled coffee and a menu of light grab and go meals that can be enjoyed in the cafe or on your flight.

Air Canada Signature Suite lounges are not open to Velocity frequent flyers, as they’re reserved solely for business class passengers. Of course, if you’re flying business class with Air Canada or one of its Star Alliance partners, you’re free to enter and enjoy.

The Air Canada Cafe concept will land in Montreal in 2024.

Air Canada Aeroplan access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to ANA lounges

Virgin Australia’s partnership with All Nippon Airways has expanded dramatically in recent times, adding the ability to earn and exchange points for reward flights with ANA, as well as priority baggage, check-in and boosted baggage allowance.

Sadly, access to ANA lounges is not yet included in the partnership.

More info on the Virgin-ANA partnership can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to Etihad Airways lounges

Travelling to Abu Dhabi on an Etihad-operated flight with a Velocity number on the booking? You’re in luck, as lounge access is included for Gold and Platinum members at The House in Sydney and Melbourne, which coincidentally used to be Etihad lounges.

At Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Terminal A home, Velocity Platinums can unwind in the Etihad First Class Lounge, while Velocity Golds are directed to the Etihad Business Class Lounge.

Treat your taste buds at Etihad's Abu Dhabi business lounge.

Etihad Guest access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to Qatar Airways lounges

Qatar Airways’ Doha Al Mourjan lounges are often hailed as the gold standard for business lounges (excluding those of first class, of course). While these are only accessible to those flying in business class, there are Gold and Platinum alternatives.

Velocity Gold frequent flyers on Qatar Airways-operated flights are welcome to use the Doha Qatar Airways Gold North and South lounges, while Platinum members gain entry to their Platinum North and South counterparts.

Qatar Airways' new frequent flyer lounges at Doha will make your transit more enjoyable.

It’s worth noting that you (and your one eligible guest) cannot simply rock up to the lounge door, as the Virgin Australia website states:

“Velocity Frequent Flyer guests who are eligible to enter Qatar lounges & Qatar third party lounges will need to collect an invitation to enter the lounge from Qatar check-in staff at the international departure port prior to clearing immigration.”

Qatar Airways Platinum South frequent flyer lounge.

Qatar Airways also maintains Premium Lounges at several international airports including Singapore, Bangkok and Paris – but those are only for business and first class travellers, not frequent flyers. It also has a Premium lounge in London, alongside a dedicated frequent flyer lounge.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to Singapore Airlines lounges

Jetting off on a Singapore Airlines-operated flight? Velocity Platinum and Gold members can start their journey at any Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris business class lounge, including Brisbane, London, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

In Singapore, Gold or Platinum members and their plus one are welcomed at the still fresh KrisFlyer Gold lounge, which is a huge improvement on its predecessor with upgraded dining, zoned seating and even showers.

Singapore Airlines' impressive new KrisFlyer Gold lounge at Changi T3.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to South African Airways lounges

Despite its limited international footprint at the moment, South African Airways still invites Velocity Gold and Platinum frequent flyers to kick back in lounges operated by the Star Alliance member. One guest can accompany them too.

Partner lounges and/or affiliated lounges are excluded from the arrangement.

South African Airways Voyager access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to United Airlines lounges

United Airlines is quite strict with its partner lounge access for Velocity Gold and Platinum members, limiting it only to those travelling on United-operated flights that are part of an international itinerary – a stand-alone domestic leg won’t qualify.

United Club lounges are available to top-tier Velocity frequent flyers.

For example, flying from Brisbane to San Francisco to Las Vegas would see a Velocity Platinum or Gold member able to use the United Club during that San Francisco stopover, but not if you booked just that San Fran to Vegas flight on its own.

The lounge must also be owned and run by the airline – meaning no third party lounge access. Exceptions to this are the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, which both welcome those on United. Brisbane is not on the list.

One of Newark's trio of United Clubs.

As a Gold or Platinum member you’re also entitled to have one guest accompany you.

United Airlines MileagePlus access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.

Velocity Gold, Platinum access to Virgin Atlantic lounges

VA’s British cousin Virgin Atlantic treats Velocity Gold and Platinum members like part of the family, allowing entry to all Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, so long as they’re flying on a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight.

One guest is entitled to join the Gold or Platinum member at all Virgin Atlantic-run lounges, excluding the London Heathrow Airport Revival Lounge, which does not permit guests.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges have a distinctly Virgin vibe.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club access to Virgin Australia lounges can be found here.