Brisbane-based Virgin Australia Airlines has opened its first international lounge at Wellington Airport in New Zealand.

The lounge is located airside in the international departure area, The Rock, above gate 48.

At the lounge, Virgin Australia will offer a range of food choices to customers in a buffet style setting through its Rydges Wellington Airport Hotel.

It will also offer complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity for passengers.

Various drink options such as self-serve local beer, wine, coffee, and tea will be available to guests visiting the lounge.

The lounge will serve various customers, including Virgin Australia business class guests, velocity frequent flyer platinum and gold members and Virgin Australia lounge members on the airline’s operated flights.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson was quoted by stuff.co.nz as saying: “We’re always looking at ways to improve the experience for our guests in New Zealand, and this exciting milestone is just another way for us to demonstrate our commitment to the New Zealand market.”

According to the Australian Business Traveller, the new lounge can accommodate up to 32 guests and will be open to passengers only 90 minutes prior to the departure of each flight operated by the airline.

In September last year, Virgin Australia announced its commitment to remove plastic straws and stirrers from its inflight and lounge operations in a bid to implement sustainable solutions for its customers.

The airline is using paper straws and bamboo stirrers to replace plastic straws and stirrers.

This initiative is expected to eliminate more than 260,000 plastic straws and 7.5 million plastic stirrers annually from the airline’s operations.