Velocity Gold, Platinum and Business Class travellers will soon move through airport security faster, as Virgin Australia (VA) introduces expanded priority screening and modernised security systems across major Australian airports.
From December 2025, VA will roll out broader access to priority screening lanes and upgrade its Lounge Premium Entry facilities to align with new Australian Government security requirements.
The airline says the move will streamline the airport journey and, at Sydney Airport, is expected to get 95 per cent of passengers airside in under 15 minutes.
What’s changing for Sydney, Brisbane and beyond?
In Sydney, the current curbside Virgin Australia Lounge Premium Entry will permanently close in December 2025, replaced by priority screening lanes at the recently reinvented and reopened main security checkpoints during peak hours (5–10 am and 2–7 pm, Monday to Friday).
While it’s the end of an era for the stand-alone VA Lounge Premium Entry, according to VA, this will more than triple the current hours of premium access and speed up processing times, thanks to upgraded screening equipment that allows passengers to leave all their belongings in their bags.
A reconfigured entrance following passenger screening will also make entry to the Virgin Australia Lounge at T2 seamless for members.
Brisbane’s Lounge Premium Entry will temporarily close for upgrades from December 2025, with reopening expected in late 2026. In the meantime, travellers will have all-day access to priority screening via the airport’s new central security zone on the mezzanine level, which is accessible from both the Skywalk and the check-in hall.
Melbourne’s priority screening hours will expand to match Sydney’s peak-hour schedule, while Perth’s priority screening will reopen and operate all day. Adelaide and the Gold Coast already provide full-day access to priority screening for eligible travellers.
VA highlights that priority screening access also benefits guests who check luggage, as they no longer need to exit and re-enter the terminal to use the Premium Entry facilities. Instead, all eligible travellers can now proceed directly from bag drop to security and on to the lounge.
What’s driving the changes?
The upgrades are part of a broader national rollout of advanced screening technology designed to meet new government standards. This technology, which includes computed tomography (CT) scanners, will enable passengers to keep laptops and liquids in their bags, aligning with international best practices.
VA says the shift ensures its facilities keep pace with evolving security requirements while improving efficiency for travellers. “These upgrades will deliver a smoother, faster and more consistent experience across key ports,” the airline notes.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For agents, Virgin Australia’s expanded priority screening means faster, smoother pre-flight experiences to pitch to business and frequent travellers, reflecting the airline’s ongoing focus on premium convenience and competitive loyalty benefits.
