Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[Moopere]

Its unlikely I'll even want to _burn_ points on such a product. Looks like VA J for me is finished, really killed by the loss of the 332's given I'm in PER but you stack everything else on top of that and its not much of a spend proposition.

What to do with 500K VFF points? Is there any hope at all of transfers to SQ coming back do we think?

Hotel redemption seems to be priced at <1c/point which isn't enticing - though may be as good as it gets.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Dare I say with that 500k points, you can redeem some for gift vouchers, if this J product really isn't to your liking. And I doubt we will see SQ transfers opening again (not sure of the point either really)

 

[smittykittyflying]

Its unlikely I'll even want to _burn_ points on such a product. Looks like VA J for me is finished, really killed by the loss of the 332's given I'm in PER but you stack everything else on top of that and its not much of a spend proposition.

What to do with 500K VFF points? Is there any hope at all of transfers to SQ coming back do we think?

Hotel redemption seems to be priced at <1c/point which isn't enticing - though may be as good as it gets.

I’m hoping for SIA redemptions to be reinstated we have about 800k

 

[Moopere]

Dare I say with that 500k points, you can redeem some for gift vouchers, if this J product really isn't to your liking. And I doubt we will see SQ transfers opening again (not sure of the point either really)

Gift vouchers appear to be valuing VFF points at 0.5c each, best case, and it falls from there. I'd probably be better off buying toasters and reselling them on ebay (hahahaha!).

I guess at some point I have to just take a deep breath, sigh and realise that the good old days are long gone. Interesting how the myriad problems or at least value propositions related to redemptions on the old VA now fade away and seem like great value (big resigned smile).

I should add I guess that this whole period, including the fall of VA1 has taught me some valuable lessons - don't store your points for the mythical-in-the-future fantasy trip, spend them now, because things are much too dynamic, and ultimately points have no inherent value.

I had some dreams of USA and europe travel in a couple of years, together with Amex points which I whisked off to SQ when they devalued a year or more ago and all other things being equal, that dream could have been a reality this year or next, but, alas (note: world circumstances in general, not really a VA1 problem)

I'm now thinking that I'll be lucky if I get to spend the points I have in Krisflyer before they expire.

 

[bernardblack]

From PER, when international travel eventually returns, I would have thought you'd look at J redemptions on SQ through SIN or (hopefully) NH to/through/from NRT.

 

[Moopere]

From PER, when international travel eventually returns, I would have thought you'd look at J redemptions on SQ through SIN or (hopefully) NH to/through/from NRT.

Well, yes, but are VFF points redeemable with SQ? I know they used to be, but now? That would certainly be a better plan than burning them on hotel and car redemptions.

Krisflyer redemptions are _much_ better value than VFF-SQ redemptions, much, much better, but, right now it seems like limiting the loss is the best strategy, rather than crying too much about what might have been if only I'd thought ahead, acted early, etc, etc

 

[Moopere]

2 questions; is anyone paying cash for these flights ...

Indeed. To swing away from my whinging posts (above) - this is the pertinent question isn't it?

I pondered the same in a thread I created when the news hit that the 332's were going. Is J being retained now, in its current incarnation simply as a method to burn VFF points and, if successful, keep the VFF program operational?

Borghetti always said that the ultimate purpose of J on VA was the' halo' effect. Its availability brings prestige and asperation. How to build a FF scheme with nothing but toasters for redemption? I know that it certainly worked as intended with me. I would never have moved away from QFF to VFF if it were not for the 332's and the excellent J product.

My pondering now, and ever since the news of the 332's going is this: Does VA2 actually expect to sustain a product that is J in name only ... the 737's are an awful start straight up, but when everything else is mediocre to poor as well ... will people actually pay money for the product? Will it sustain the FF gamers?

I've already noted that they've lost me, as a former avid FF gamer, I'll have to find a way to move/burn or do something with my stash of VFF then its off to QFF. Its not much of a threat (from me), I fully realise that QFF doesn't often a golden service either, having travelled to CNS via BNE with the family year before last at Christmas in J using QFF points. Although I would previously have rated QFF J hard/soft product as slightly below that of VA1, now, on face value at least, they appear to be far far ahead.

 

[jase05]

Indeed. To swing away from my whinging posts (above) - this is the pertinent question isn't it?

I pondered the same in a thread I created when the news hit that the 332's were going. Is J being retained now, in its current incarnation simply as a method to burn VFF points and, if successful, keep the VFF program operational?

Borghetti always said that the ultimate purpose of J on VA was the' halo' effect. Its availability brings prestige and asperation. How to build a FF scheme with nothing but toasters for redemption? I know that it certainly worked as intended with me. I would never have moved away from QFF to VFF if it were not for the 332's and the excellent J product.

My pondering now, and ever since the news of the 332's going is this: Does VA2 actually expect to sustain a product that is J in name only ... the 737's are an awful start straight up, but when everything else is mediocre to poor as well ... will people actually pay money for the product? Will it sustain the FF gamers?

I've already noted that they've lost me, as a former avid FF gamer, I'll have to find a way to move/burn or do something with my stash of VFF then its off to QFF. Its not much of a threat (from me), I fully realise that QFF doesn't often a golden service either, having travelled to CNS via BNE with the family year before last at Christmas in J using QFF points. Although I would previously have rated QFF J hard/soft product as slightly below that of VA1, now, on face value at least, they appear to be far far ahead.

I have recently paid for a couple of J flights on VA and yes the meal service is average and no lounge in ADL stops me booking from here but service, comfort and staff have still been better than on recent paid QF flights and at a fraction of the cost. A couple of the QF meals I would’ve even preferred a dinner box
I think VA will make an announcement on J in the coming weeks and whilst it won’t return to the good old days I think it will be much improved on the current situation

 

[ferntree]

I think VA will make an announcement on J in the coming weeks and whilst it won’t return to the good old days I think it will be much improved on the current situation

Yes, that's what I'm hoping. Not expecting gourmet nosebags, but as long as catering is reasonable and there is a definite price advantage over Q, then Virgin will have my business.

 

[jonboixxx]

Its unlikely I'll even want to _burn_ points on such a product. Looks like VA J for me is finished, really killed by the loss of the 332's given I'm in PER but you stack everything else on top of that and its not much of a spend proposition.

What to do with 500K VFF points? Is there any hope at all of transfers to SQ coming back do we think?

Hotel redemption seems to be priced at <1c/point which isn't enticing - though may be as good as it gets.

AC to North America, pending the release of the points tables?

 

[jonboixxx]

We flew MEL-BNE-CNS over Christmas and had a very interesting conversation with the crew.
Apparently they have no catering contract and therefore no ice can't keep food cold, hence the snack box, limited beers on board and no sparkling. We used out Platinum upgrades and I would have been fairly annoyed if we had of paid for the privilege.
The current advertising campaign of you can't match service was pretty jarring especially as the J crew was also helping out down the back.

Had an excellent flight over the weekend, largely due to the VA staff. I found out more about my warm white wine the other day. Apparently, the food carts have no dry-ice anymore, since the snack boxes don't need cooling and lack of catering contract. Any cooling of beverage is in the small fridge, dependant on what the cabin manager places in there. There were ice cubes loaded to the rear as the CM brought some forward to help with drinks cooling.
Apparently EA's for FA's have not been finalised, wherein substantial loss of benefits and conditions have been put on the table and not accepted yet. For Bain, is it conceivable that they lock in wages expense before they commit to catering? In any case, the silence from the new CEO is deafening as to the future direction of J in the brand.
Why status match QF, when the J offer at the moment is poor and the future offer is unknown?
With the closure of CNS lounge they have lost almost half of my flights. If they don't elucidate J soon, it will be substantially more.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

AC to North America, pending the release of the points tables?

Still have to internationally transit Canada though, and enter the US when you are still on Canadian soil!
Guess its the only solution if you have to/must get up to the USA, and assuming that AC will start flying before VA3's flights start from Au to US, if it ever does, who knows except Bain and JH for sure.

 

[henrus]

Flew today and the crew suggested the new catering contract should be in place by March.

 

[AIRwin]

Flew today and the crew suggested the new catering contract should be in place by March.

Gate Gourmet?

 

[henrus]

Gate Gourmet?

I'm going to assume not. Apparently, they've had problems securing a catering company because previous companies they've worked with (like gate gourmet) aren't that keen to work with Virgin given they've been screwed over big time by the bain buy out.

Obviously, it remains to be seen what happens although funny enough they are loading some meals as the crew had a hot meal (some kind of chicken/rice dish). No idea who's supplying those meals although it's clearly some form of catering company given it was in those metal airline meal trays.

If you flew around June/July in Business you might have found a crew that provided their own catering to those in business class (purchased on their own from the supermarket)... funnily enough staff got in trouble for that but it just goes to show the rough time it's been.

 

[AIRwin]

Obviously, it remains to be seen what happens although funny enough they are loading some meals as the crew had a hot meal (some kind of chicken/rice dish).

Oh where were you flying from/to?

 

[oz_mark]

I'm going to assume not. Apparently, they've had problems securing a catering company because previous companies they've worked with (like gate gourmet) aren't that keen to work with Virgin given they've been screwed over big time by the bain buy out.

I've heard similar things, and not just with catering.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I wouldn't be surprised if Dnata got it.

 

[Bagpuss]

I'm going to assume not. Apparently, they've had problems securing a catering company because previous companies they've worked with (like gate gourmet) aren't that keen to work with Virgin given they've been screwed over big time by the bain buy out.

Obviously, it remains to be seen what happens although funny enough they are loading some meals as the crew had a hot meal (some kind of chicken/rice dish). No idea who's supplying those meals although it's clearly some form of catering company given it was in those metal airline meal trays.

If you flew around June/July in Business you might have found a crew that provided their own catering to those in business class (purchased on their own from the supermarket)... funnily enough staff got in trouble for that but it just goes to show the rough time it's been.

In regards to Gate Gourmet's treatment. During administration in which Deliotte controlled the company (noone else), they would have been treated like any other supplier. Any outstanding debts from Virgin Australia would be paid in the terms as a unsecured creditor just like the rest (which probably wont be paid until the second half of 2021). Also, administration processes allows for contracts to be terminated in which is the belief occurred. I'll also add that some contracts are written that in the event Voluntary Administration is entered it allows contract termination. Gate Gourment like any other supplier can be annoyed but unfortunately that's the same for any supplier. As Virgin Australia is recapitalised they can re enter into agreements in which could include prepayment of services as an example. If any supplier can make a profit then dwelling on the past isn't going to help their business move forward.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I wouldn't be surprised if Dnata got it.

AP I believe we can at least confidently rule out Do&Co at this point......

Interestingly Delta has signed up the respected Viennese company to commence catering services with the airline from March 2021 for ten years.

And we used to laugh at Stateside airline food offerings.