Brisbane’s My Lounge international lounge eyes reopening
Formerly the home of Virgin Australia, the lounge will offer paid access to passengers on any airline.
By David Flynn, March 1 2023
International flyers headed out from Brisbane are keenly awaiting the return of another lounge option, with the My Lounge space pushing back its previously-advised March 12 reopening and a fresh date still to be confirmed.
Previously better known as the Virgin Australia lounge and operated by UK-based No1 Lounges, the relaxed space is now owned by Swissport and sits in the firm’s Aspire lounge family – although it will retain its own My Lounge branding, as do The House lounges in Sydney and Melbourne.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
The lounge was previously primed to unlock its doors in the second half of 2022, but with international traffic at Brisbane Airport continuing to soar, Swissport reckons there will soon be enough travellers to justify a reboot for the compact space.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
Brisbane’s My Lounge has a decidedly casual vibe, right down to a relatively open design which at first glance could seem more like a duty-free boutique or newsstand than a lounge.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
When it opened in 2019 the My Lounge concept was positioned as a ‘social space’, slotting in beneath the 'jetset lounging’ vibe of The House, having been “specifically designed in the style of a loft apartment” as a “relaxed contemporary environment.”
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
In addition to a buffet spread, self-pour bar and barista-pulled coffee, guests could entertain themselves in a small games room; other standard lounge facilities included showers and a small working area.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
It’s not known if the 108-seat lounge will once again become the default port of call for Virgin Australia’s business class passengers, Velocity Platinum and Gold frequent flyers and members of the Virgin Australia Lounge program.
My Lounge at Brisbane Airport's international terminal.
However, Swissport will also make My Lounge available as a paid-access lounge for travellers on any airline, putting it in competition with Brisbane’s Plaza Premium lounge.
Swissport’s most recent entries into the Australian loungescape include domestic and international lounges at Perth Airport.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
12 May 2022
Total posts 14
Surely Virgin will offer this to its Velocity Gold/Platinum and Bus Class travellers again.
They have several international routes of their own now either in operation or planned routes starting soon without any international lounge for their valued customers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 360
I really hope Virgin have an agreement to use this facility, as lounge access for international flights is one part of their business that is severely lacking for top level frequent flyers.
As always, I’m sure David and the ET team will keep us posted.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
12 May 2022
Total posts 14
Agreed. It's all very odd that when I am checking in for my Qatar flight I can show my Velocity Platinum Status and get handed a pass to enter a lounge yet if I'm flying directly with a VA-branded plane, no such luck.
What an odd situation we are currently in.
08 Sep 2018
Total posts 27
It is odd. I just assume Virgin 1.0 owed many of the lounge providers many xx $$, and like some suppliers, have refused to deal with Virgin 2 until they have outstanding bills paid. Now that won’t be happening.
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