Virgin Australia is planning a major refurbishment of its Brisbane domestic lounge, adding around 100 seats and upgraded facilities, while also preparing to reopen its invitation-only Beyond Lounge in Perth in early 2027.
We expect the multi-million-dollar Brisbane upgrade to be completed by mid-2027. Meanwhile, the return of the Beyond Lounge in Perth will give the airline’s influential corporate customers a new space to work and relax.
Enjoy Virgin Australia lounge access before every eligible flight with the Amex Velocity Platinum card.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Bonus points
- 50,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Annual fee
- $440 p.a.
- Earn
- <p>1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁶,2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁶,0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁶</p>
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Bonus Points
- 50,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Annual Fee
- $440 p.a.
- Earn
- <p>1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁶,2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁶,0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁶</p>
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 50,000 bonus Velocity Points on offer for new American Express Card Members. (New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access² every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes³ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight⁴.
Brisbane lounge to transform first
Virgin Australia’s Brisbane domestic lounge will undergo a substantial refurbishment to bring it in line with the Adelaide and Melbourne lounges. Opening more than a decade ago, the lounge will receive new furniture, upgraded bathroom and shower facilities, plus refreshed décor with floor-to-ceiling windows to bring in more natural light.
One of the most significant changes will be the addition of around 100 seats in a new area. Improvements include power being available at every seat in the new area. Travellers will also have more options for working, including a meeting room and individual pods.
A new self-service beverage area will provide access to tea, coffee, soft drinks and other hot and cold beverages. Virgin Australia Group CEO Dave Emerson said the investment would improve the experience for travellers.
“We’re investing significantly across our lounge network because we know how important the lounge experience is to our guests, particularly those travelling frequently for work,” said Mr Emerson.
Perth Beyond Lounge to reopen in early 2027
Virgin Australia will also reopen its invitation-only Beyond Lounge in Perth early next year, expanding its exclusive lounge network to four cities. (The other locations are in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane).
Reclaiming the discreet lounge space previously used by The Club, Perth’s Beyond Lounge is expected to open in early 2027. You might spot the entrance behind a door simply labelled ‘Private’ adjacent to the main lounge.
Beyond Lounges have provided a private space for select guests since the program launched in April 2022. Access is reserved on an invitation-only basis. Inside, you can expect a full à la carte menu and plenty of privacy while you work or relax.
The Perth reopening is particularly significant given the airline’s growing presence in resource-rich Western Australia. The airline’s broader investment in Western Australia also includes a new maintenance hangar and a fleet of eight fuel-efficient Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, which will primarily operate fly-in, fly-out mining services.
More lounge upgrades to come?
Virgin Australia has also flagged further refurbishments across its existing domestic lounge network over the coming years. However, the airline hasn’t confirmed any other concrete plans at present. Chief Customer Officer Andrew Cleary said the airline would also look to bring more of its personality into the lounge environment.
“Virgin Australia is also a vibrant, personality-filled brand, and there’s a great opportunity to bring more of that character into our Lounges, which is what you can see in the renders for the new Brisbane domestic Lounge. Our customers can expect to see more of that unique personality injected into the travel journey in the coming months.”
For example, the airline has also partnered with Shark Beauty to introduce its hairdryers and hair straighteners in lounge bathrooms nationally. But if you ask frequent flyers what they want to see next, we wouldn’t be surprised if their responses point to Virgin Australia’s lounge catering. Even a small investment in improving the food and beverage offerings will go a long way, in our view.
Together, the Brisbane refurbishment and Perth Beyond Lounge reopening represent a significant investment in Virgin Australia’s lounge network. We hope that trend continues to the main lounges in Perth and Sydney as well.
Brisbane lounge renders courtesy of Virgin Australia.
