Feeling ripped off by Virgin advertising - we now serve food and beverage

[rhjames]

On a short flight - eg 1 hour, and budget airline, I assume the food is a non event, and I plan to go without it. However, if I see advertisements that influence me to use the airline, and the airline service doesn't meet the advertisement induced expectations, then I feel cheated. Overall, on a budget short flight, I'm happy to do away with meal service, and keep the price down.

Let's be very clear - there are no complimentary meals or drinks - we all pay for them in our ticket. They should advertise what it is - low cost no frills. When Virgin first started, the delight in flying them was the friendly smiling service on the plane - no food or drinks - just the happy smiles, and that cost no more.

 

[petercr]

Flew to Adelaide last Wed on a 6am VA flight and the 'food' on offer consisted of water, juice and a piece of 'coconut cake' that was about 5cm square. Given the lack of facilities open at BNE at that time, surely something more substantial would have been offered. Even my daughter's school class got a full brekkie on their recent QF flight to CBR.

'Dinner' on the way back consisted of a small tub of tomato salsa and a parmesan biscuit about the size of two postage stamps - luckily we'd eaten in the terminal before hand.

And to top it off on the morning flight the passenger in front of me had reclined his seat immediately after the seat belt light went off. He was about 4ft 6 and could have easily coped with the seat in its normal position.

After that trip (and the fact that you can no longer redeem points for extra legroom seats), anything less than about a $50 price difference in fares will probably see me stick with QF.

 

[dvb2000]

The Virgin adverting running ATM shows a passenger getting an offering of (what seems like another) red wine with his food

So other than a generic photo showing a hostie serving some wine, is there anything at all from Virgin SAYING they will server you wine antime at all?

Sounds like you have just seen a photograph, and drawn some invalid conclusions, and now want to have a WHINE!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So other than a generic photo showing a hostie serving some wine, is there anything at all from Virgin SAYING they will server you wine antime at all?

Sounds like you have just seen a photograph, and drawn some invalid conclusions, and now want to have a WHINE!

That's already been discussed at length. Start at the start and read the comments. Your point is valid but so to are the others and not deserving such a pointed spray imo.

 

[flying foon]

Yes, VA say wine time is between 5-7 but only if you take off between those time. If you take off at 4.55pm (even if you are delayed ) then no wine time for you!

 

[anat0l]

Flew to Adelaide last Wed on a 6am VA flight and the 'food' on offer consisted of water, juice and a piece of 'coconut cake' that was about 5cm square. Given the lack of facilities open at BNE at that time, surely something more substantial would have been offered. Even my daughter's school class got a full brekkie on their recent QF flight to CBR.

What is breakfast (Economy) on QF these days? Last time I flew, it was a tub of yoghurt with dry muesli, and a piece of fruit.

I wouldn't call that a "full breakfast", although in most cases it would suffice as a form of breakfast, and probably more substantial than a 5x5cm coconut cake slice.

And to top it off on the morning flight the passenger in front of me had reclined his seat immediately after the seat belt light went off. He was about 4ft 6 and could have easily coped with the seat in its normal position.

I think you'll find that this experience is more or less independent of the choice of carrier, unless said carrier has seats which do not allow reclining.

 

[johnhoney]

I know this is going back into history but it may give a view of how airlines reluctantly use food & drinks as a tool to attract passengers.
As a frequent flyer adl/per the very day that Compass Airlines ceased flying was the very day that Ansett stopped free alcohol.

 

[bertair]

Anyone from ACCC reading this ?
I think that their staff usually fly with Virgin when on ACCC business as it is and get comp Lounge Access.
(I was informed of this by a fellow PAX sitting next to me on a VA flight who works for ACCC).

How about it ?
Time to take direct action and threaten an ACCC complaint next time you are refused by a FA.
I wonder why though that they limit the hours that they serve comp alcohol any way.
On a recent Qantas Link flight I requested a wine with lunch and was charged, but returning on an evening flight, I was offered a comp wine or beer.

 

[mannej]

So other than a generic photo showing a hostie serving some wine, is there anything at all from Virgin SAYING they will server you wine antime at all?

Sounds like you have just seen a photograph, and drawn some invalid conclusions, and now want to have a WHINE!

Are they invalid in your mind only or in the eyes of consumer law?

That is why this thread was created to gauge people's thoughts on the topic.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

BE VERY CAREFUL when opening that salsa tub.
It will splat every where!
I take the tub home with me.
The parmasan biscuit does taste nice at 10,xx_ m though.

 

[Ausbt]

BE VERY CAREFUL when opening that salsa tub.
It will splat every where!

Agreed - trick is to open it by peeling from away from you back towards you ...so it splatters over the seat-back in front.

 

[anat0l]

Agreed - trick is to open it by peeling from away from you back towards you ...so it splatters over the seat-back in front.

I normally handle these by placing one's mouth near where you are opening the tub, so the splatter should go into your mouth.

Instead of your mouth, you could use a serviette instead.

 

[williamsf1]

BE VERY CAREFUL when opening that salsa tub.
It will splat every where!
I take the tub home with me.
The parmasan biscuit does taste nice at 10,xx_ m though.

I have the same issue with the UHT milk ...

 

[Renato1]

This is an interesting thread for someone like me who has never flown Virgin economy.

Basically, it tells me that when I get my complimentary trip or use my Virgin points for a flight, I have to go to the supermarket first and buy either packets of crackers and cheese, or packets of tuna and crackers, or packets of beef jerky. So long as they give me some juice to drink with them, I'll be happy.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Denali]

Im flying next week and Im more than happy to pass my "three-course dining experience" and raid the pantry to pass down the rows for those that wish for a bit more. Pity they don't have the seat to seat chat that VX have so we could meet up mid cabin.

Im actually upset when they don't have the cheese and crackers on offer - that's all I want. I don't even look at the booze list.

 

[Catovandiemen]

I catch the 11.30am from Perth to Melbourne on a regular basis with VA, always get a meal and get offered wine, they usually come around with the drinks trolley first and again at lunch time...all FOC. They seem to provide as much grog as you want on this particular flight.
My beef is the seating, they disregarded my choice of an aisle seat and as a gold member I was surprised they placed me in the middle of a three seating arrangement!

 

[wanderingwoman]

Have recently flown on VA ticketed flight from Syd to Zqn which was operated by ANZ. Was told in no uncertain terms by the FA that we were not entitled to any food and only tea, coffee or water. We are Gold members with VA, and I am diabetic to boot. We mistakenly assumed that we would receive food and beverages on an international flight. Silly us! It is the last time we will ever fly code share on Air New Zealand and we are rethinking VA as well. Be warned. Ask the question before you stump up your money.

 

[Denali]

Have recently flown on VA ticketed flight from Syd to Zqn which was operated by ANZ....

A few years ago, we sat next to a woman that was denied an apple juice and then I had to explain to hubby what the differences in seats classification/prices meant with ANZ. Hubby had a look of fear and in a low voice whispered, "WHAT. SEAT. DID. YOU. BUY!?!". I told him The Works which meant he got movies and a meal and he calmed down.

 

[Milefest]

I'd like to pitch in and say even though I feel deceived by the advertising, for someone like me that flys BNE-SYD on a regular basis, the food is not that much of an issue for me as the flight is so short.

The saving you make on the flight, comparing to qantas fares, justifies buying a meal at the airport beforehand and still have some cash left over, and if you have lounge access, you get free food from the lounge anyway.

 

[wanderingwoman]

Have flown works before and paid top dollar, but did not realise that we would not receive even the most basic freebies and as there is no VA flights to Zqn out of season, will be flying QF next time.