Rumour: Next phase of VA "meals for all" to start tomorrow [14-Apr-2015]

[toowongman]

Their fares have increased and, really, there's not much to show for it.

Very true. Y seems to be heading off into a new LCC-esque type of service. I'm flying QF for the first time in nine years next month (MEL-SYD-WTB), very curious to see what the food/drink is like on both domestic jet and prop services.

 

[serfty]

Getting back to the OP:

Flew CNS-SYD in Y on Flexi fare this morning. Talking with the crew about the Flexi breakfast I received (who at VA still thinks that a white chocolate muffin is an acceptable meal at 6am?) and the CSM seemed to indicate that the next phase of meals/snacks for all on a wider range of routes may start tomorrow (14-Apr).

They seemed to indicate that on longer routes (such as to CNS), a more substantial meal would be provided for all Economy pax regardless of fare purchased. I showed them some photos of QF economy box meals from recent flights.

Wasn't sure if it was only that announcement is due tomorrow or whether it's going to start simultaneously.

Seems this was just the "announcement of food on all flight" - no improvement to the miniscule catering.

I do note this from the news.com.au article:

... Customers can still order alternative food and beverage options through the on-board retail menu. ..

"Ya wanna (really) eat? Then pay for it"

 

[Deleted member 29185]

"Ya wanna (really) eat? Then pay for it"

Perhaps this may be a way of appeasing the flexis......let them have the menu as their flexi "meal", instead of insulting them with a packet of nuts!

 

[JohnK]

Yep. Got an egg and lettuce sandwich on Townsville to Brisbane earlier today.

Fiancee received half an egg and lettuce sandwich on a 3:00pm SYD-BNE flight.

 

[jpk]

ADL-MEL 5pm yesterday was the same pretzels they've had since the snack came in.
ADL-SYD 630pm got the cheese and crackers.

I think really the announcement should have said "all routes now get the same snacks that main routes have had for a while, everyone gets the same, no more flexi meals". Using the word "meal" really implied more than they ever intend to do.

 

[kevrosmith]

ADL-MEL 5pm yesterday was the same pretzels they've had since the snack came in.
ADL-SYD 630pm got the cheese and crackers.

I think really the announcement should have said "all routes now get the same snacks that main routes have had for a while, everyone gets the same, no more flexi meals". Using the word "meal" really implied more than they ever intend to do.

Flights to DRW are now getting boxed hot meals, some of the crew told me. Maybe ASP or AYQ too...?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

ADL-MEL 5pm yesterday was the same pretzels

Pretzels....wow don't hold back VA. I must say, of all the snack foods I can think of, pretzels have always been something I can never quite understand why they even exist.

 

[basso]

I think really the announcement should have said "all routes now get the same snacks that main routes have had for a while, everyone gets the same, no more flexi meals". Using the word "meal" really implied more than they ever intend to do.

Interestingly, as fas as I can tell, none of the official communication from Virgin actually use the word 'meal'.

 

[Clivem]

Excuse me ....Could I have another drink please .....

 

[Revolio]

Why is (Sir) Richard Branson so skinny?

 

[Clivem]

Why is (Sir) Richard Branson so skinny?

Sorry ...but what happens on Necker island normally stays on Necker Island.

let's just leave it at that and discreetly move on ........please.

 

[JohnK]

Pretzels....wow don't hold back VA. I must say, of all the snack foods I can think of, pretzels have always been something I can never quite understand why they even exist.

I love pretzels and sometimes make a meal out of them but that doesn't mean an airline can refer to pretzels as a meal.

 

[bPeteb]

A miniature wagon wheel Rockhampton to Brisbane yesterday evening

 

[ronagoh]

VI'm flying QF for the first time in nine years next month (MEL-SYD-WTB), very curious to see what the food/drink is like on both domestic jet and prop services.

LOL!! Don't keep your hopes up high and you will not be disappointed
Cheese/cracker is usually what you will get....and the offer of soft drinks!

 

[jpk]

Interestingly, as fas as I can tell, none of the official communication from Virgin actually use the word 'meal'.

You're right, they only ever seem to say "free food". Perhaps the thread title needs changing.
The VA website hasn't even been updated with it yet.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Virgin regional flights have always had some sort of snack from the first flight, I know because me and one or 2 other AFFers were on it.
It was good that Virgin offered hot meals on east/west coast flights as if the Virgin flight time was better than Qantas and or the fair was competitive then Virgin would get my business, Virgin got an equal share of my east/west flying.
When flexi fares got introduced with food I thought that was a good thing as it meant if you buying a last minute flight good chance you would get fed.
Now Virgin seems to have coughped the meal/sandwich and now given everyone pretzels or a egg/lettuce sandwich.
I got the egg/lettuce sandwich for a Brisbane-Canberra flight which was plenty, but I also try and book flights on Qantas around meal times, to get the dinner box, because if you book off meal times like I did on a recent QF ADL-BNE flight there was the choice of cheese and crackers with beetrot paste(pass) or some biscuits,
Seems like Virgin marketing a trying to market something that the resources haven't been put in place to actually carry out the plan.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Seems like Virgin marketing a trying to market something that the resources haven't been put in place to actually carry out the plan.

Is there a plan? :shock:

Now there's a revelation I hadn't considered.

 

[JohnK]

Fruit and nut snack OOL-SYD flight.

May put it out for the rainbow lorikeets tomorrow.

 

[MH_fan]

Let's see what VA offers when I fly ROK-BNE-SYD tomorrow evening. At least the ROK-BNE flight will be during happy hour, so I'll be able to have a "liquid meal" before having something substantial in the BNE lounge. I'd be so full after that that I couldn't possibly fit anything else in when I get offered my snack on my BNE-SYD flight!

 

[Janelleedwards]

A white bread tomato and Kraft cheese slice sandwich finger (1 slice of Woolies $1 loaf bread in total) could hardly be called a complimentary meal. Why bother on a 2 hr flight between Bris & Melbourne. No one will starve in that time.