Hot meals - not enough variety, not enough meals!

[StevePER]

From memory it used to seem like DJ's hot meal options changed reasonably often. It's been ages since we had something other than the lamb shank and the vegetarian pasta, isn't it time for a change? (Especially the vegetarian pasta which smells OK but has very little flavour).

I've also found that on DJ570 (PER 15:00 - SYD 22:15) the hot meals always run out, so much so that I now choose seats based on how likely I am to get fed (this started after I had pringles, cheese and biscuits for dinner one night). I'm told that there are only 9 meals loaded, surely they must have meant 9 of each but that's still only 18 hot meals.

And finally, isn't it about time Live2Air was fitted to all aircraft? The front of the menu says "movies, food, entertainment - it's all here". True, except when there are no movies and they've run out of food.

That's my grumbling over, I actually had a pretty good flight on Sunday thanks to a laptop loaded with stuff to watch. But my colleague sat in row 11 so didn't get a hot meal and suffered from the lack of Live2Air on VH-VBU.

Steve

 

[anat0l]

I thought live2air was fitted onto all DJ aircraft? This is odd to hear.

Surprising that they would not stock more hot meals for such a long flight, but I guess they've supposed to have done their market research. Eating in The Lounge beforehand I guess becomes an idea (or bringing a sandwich made in The Lounge on board).

 

[mannej]

Live2air is definitely not fitted on all DJ aircraft yet.
Virgin Blue What is live2air?

*live2air is installed across the majority of Virgin Blue’s 737 fleet and is not fitted in the Embraer E170 or E190. Please click here for the full terms and conditions.

 

[jsd]

I've also found that on DJ570 (PER 15:00 - SYD 22:15) the hot meals always run out, so much so that I now choose seats based on how likely I am to get fed (this started after I had pringles, cheese and biscuits for dinner one night). I'm told that there are only 9 meals loaded, surely they must have meant 9 of each but that's still only 18 hot meals.

Maybe so, but not everyone buys a meal onboard DJ flights, and It would be a waste to have 1 per pax if they have to pay for them, maybe try getting a seat closer to where the meal service starts

And finally, isn't it about time Live2Air was fitted to all aircraft? The front of the menu says "movies, food, entertainment - it's all here". True, except when there are no movies and they've run out of food.

This is a tricky one, Live2Air is fitted across the aircraft that virgin actually own, ie. VH-VBU might be a leased aircraft that might be going back soon (IIRC it was mentioned in the January publish of Australian Aviation in the interview with BG), as far as I know the leased planes are the only ones without Live2Air fitted in them (with the exception of the e-jets)

 

[ishkaban]

It's been ages since we had something other than the lamb shank and the vegetarian pasta, isn't it time for a change? (Especially the vegetarian pasta which smells OK but has very little flavour).
Steve

i believe that the vegetarian pasta will be changing to Vegetarian Frittata as of April 1st along with a number of other slight menu changes

 

[anat0l]

i believe that the vegetarian pasta will be changing to Vegetarian Frittata as of April 1st along with a number of other slight menu changes

I'm trying to debate in my mind which one of those options is worse!

 

[StevePER]

I'm trying to debate in my mind which one of those options is worse!

I'm flying on April 1, perhaps I'll find out.

 

[777]

I have to agree on this one.

Last time i flew transcon (i usually fly up and down the east coast) the MEL-PER flight had no live to air and no hot meals loaded whatsoever. The Flight attendants even asked if we could complain to the company as they were sick of dealing with the complaints from the passengers.

Also in addition to the leased planes that don't have LTA and the E-Jets, the newest ones to enter service don't have it fitted yet either. I have been caught out on this on a couple of NTL-MEL flights recently: the plane was shiny and new but the LTA was yet to be installed. I was curious whether this was a standard delay awaiting fitting or whether they were holding them back in prep for a new in flight entertainment setup that might be in the works.

I do think consistency of product is an area where DJ could improve.

p.

 

[Deleted member 24491]

I can confirm that the Sanitarium Up & Go Vanilla drink is now an option on the revised April menu.

 

[777]

I can confirm that the Sanitarium Up & Go Vanilla drink is now an option on the revised April menu.

And i can confirm the Fritata. At least it's on the menu.

 

[StevePER]

And i can confirm the Fritata. At least it's on the menu.

Indeed, the menu online has also been updated. I will do a taste test this evening and report back! The menu says it's "delicious" so it better be good.

 

[Dave R32]

I had the Morish Nuts and a can of coke for dinner on my BNE - PER on the 28th. Same again the PER - ADL leg and come to think of it, same again last night on my the ADL - BNE leg. (very bumpy into BNE last night)

Will ride off the few thousand kilojoules on the weekend

Cheers
Dave.

 

[munitalP]

No hot meals... (kinda) LCC service one would expect from feral blue, and people complain about the serving trays on QF :shock:

It's a shame they charge premium fares

LOL

 

[StevePER]

Indeed, the menu online has also been updated. I will do a taste test this evening and report back!

Just to be different they started the service at the back of the aircraft instead of the middle, so by the time they got to me they had run out. On the plus side, they seemed to have lots of lamb shanks available for a change so I still got a hot meal.

The guy next to me wasn't so lucky - he asked for the lamb shank and they forgot, and by the time he asked about it they had run out. I figure it must be karma for repeatedly refusing to turn his iphone off.

 

[cmon0005]

Isn't it about time DJ starting acting like a full-service airline.. after all it doesn't really charge like a LCC anymore?

 

[ajw373]

Isn't it about time DJ starting acting like a full-service airline.. after all it doesn't really charge like a LCC anymore?

Wouldn't mind betting this is the direction they are heading. PS don't use the word LCC too loudly, DJ considers itself to be a new world carrier, just like they have guests rather than passengers.

 

[markis10]

Why cant we just have meat pies????? Had the lamb shanks once, it was not good.

 

[anat0l]

Why cant we just have meat pies????

Unless they got a decent brand on board, chances are you will pay through the teeth for a pie which will not be cooked as good as it could be and at the borderline for regulation content of real meat.

In saying that, it could work. After all, Air NZ have been serving pies on Trans-Tasman flights for a long time now. I think QF even serve a big, crusty pie once in a while as a J refreshment.

 

[jsd]

Why cant we just have meat pies????? Had the lamb shanks once, it was not good.

Have you seen an oven on a 737?, there is nothing worse that a pie thats wrapped in plastic and has gone soggy


Josh

 

[markis10]

Have you seen an oven on a 737?, there is nothing worse that a pie thats wrapped in plastic and has gone soggy

Josh

Same ovens are used across many airlines, they are the same on JQ and they manage to put out a reasonable pie, I actually enjoyed mine on a late evening flight BNE-DRW, by comparison the lamb shanks repeated on me with DJ to Perth.

BTW there are plenty of pies available in non plastic wrappers, especially ones designed for microwaves. They can also be easily stored so supplies are readily available.