BY JAMES WILKINSON

Virgin Blue has upped the ante in the war to win over the business traveller, by launching a new kerbside entrance and valet service at the airline’s lounge facility at Sydney airport.

The new exclusive offering is available for Business Class and Premium Economy guests along with Velocity Gold members.

“(Guests) will be able to step out of their car, check in, go through security and be in the lounge without having to enter the main departures hall of the airport,” said Virgin Blue Group of Airlines Group Executive of Product and Guest Services, Martin Daley. “This marks another significant step forward in our Game Change Program, which is designed to make us the domestic airline of choice.

“This guest offering is part of a raft of changes designed to provide frequent and premium travellers with a streamlined, hassle?free experience,” Daley said.

The special security screening is available for guests without check-in baggage and valet rates start from $27 for one hour, and $70 for one calendar day.

Virgin Blue’s new lounge offering comes just over a month before the launch of Airbus A330s on the Sydney-Perth route, which will feature a domestic Business Class product from Virgin for the first time.