“I think travel experiences will be phenomenal everywhere by the time we get to Christmas. I even think the July school holidays will be great.”

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Virgin Australia has had to defend against accusations of a hostile workplace culture following Bain Capital’s takeover, with Hrdlicka now facing a Federal Court case after claims of alleged bullying brought by a former chief pilot.

Hrdlicka on Wednesday declined to comment further on the matter and instead pointed to a previously released statement by the airline.

Virgin Australia has denied all allegations brought by the former employee, Michael Fitzgerald, and will be “vigorously defending the matter”, which will go to court on June 13.

Hrdlicka spoke on the sidelines of the Sydney launch of their invitation-only Beyond Lounge, formerly The Club, which marks a series of announcements from the airline designed to tempt corporate travellers to Virgin. A revitalised Virgin is aiming to capture a 33 per cent slice of the domestic market.

Only high-profile decision makers, business leaders and “key opinion leaders” will receive invitations to the exclusive lounge, available in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane’s domestic airports, which Hrdlicka said was reserved for the airline’s “most special guests”.

The Lounge features à la carte dining, a phone concierge, semi-enclosed lounge areas and a private boardroom.

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