The domestic Virgin Australia lounge at Melbourne airport has more or less the same characteristics as all the airline’s other lounges: a very nice design, but a too limited food and beverage offer.
Having tried out a number of Virgin Australia’s lounges, I’m pretty sure I knew what to expect when I went to the one in Melbourne: it would be rather pretty and modern, but I wouldn’t find much of interest at the buffet. I still dare to hope for a miracle, but I don’t really believe in it.
You’ll find at the bottom of the page a summary of articles about this vacation in Australia.
Lounge location
It’s located in the commercial area after the security checks, on the way to my boarding gate.
Access to the lounge
The lounge is accessible under the same rules as all Virgin Australia lounges.
It is available to Virgin Australia business class passengers, as well as Gold and Platinum members of its Velocity loyalty program and partner airline programs, provided they travel on a Virgin Australia-operated flight.
Non-business class Virgin Australia customers can also purchase an annual lounge pass.
Any passenger can also purchase access at the lounge entrance.
And last but not least, it is available to holders of an American Express Platinum or Centurion (non-cobranded, of course).
In this case, I was traveling in premium economy (economy x) and didn’t have access to it as such, but as a holder of an American Express Platinum.
Layout and design
We start with a reception area where eligibility is checked.
The lounge itself is a large, bright space overlooking the tarmac, subdivided into different zones.
Quite nice and pretty.
Catering
As in all Virgin Australia lounges, a barista is on hand to make coffees.
Further on is the buffet.
Mini sandwiches and waffles are available.
Fruit, pastries and yoghurt.
As for beverages, there’s the usual softs fountain and large refrigerated cupboards stocked with water and some spirits.
Nothing really exciting.
Facilities
The lounge offers toilet and shower facilities, as well as work areas.
Atmosphere
Very pleasant and not noisy.
Bottom line
A nice, pleasant lounge, but as always with Virgin Australia, the catering is disappointing.
The articles about this vacation in Australia
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