Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[N860CR]

I mean real glassware - how HARD is that to organise?

Don’t disagree with the negativity towards the current business product, but for what it’s worth, without a catering provider it’s virtually impossible to have a glass/crockery service. The act of cleaning them is handled by caterers. The current arrangement appears to be outside of the standard airport catering companies.

 

[ozstamps]

.
The fact glassware is being used in some flights just shows how clueless and totally directionless the management is.

No idea. No consistency. And customers of ANY business want that above all else.

 

[milehighclub]

You are aware that with covid the issue with glasses is that it has to be washed at a very high temperature for a long period of time to reduce the risk of covid remaining on the glass?

What about the thousands of restaurants and bars in Australia operating with glassware, crockery and cutlery?

 

[Milefest]

What about the thousands of restaurants and bars in Australia operating with glassware, crockery and cutlery?

Covid can only survive on airplane glassware

 

[Bagpuss]

What about the thousands of restaurants and bars in Australia operating with glassware, crockery and cutlery?

They need to have the necessary cleaning methods. If Virgin don’t have access to the necessary equipment they currently can’t clean to the relevant standard as it’s different to a normal dishwasher.

When I flew business I had no issue with the plastic cups. From memory this was the same in USA / Europe in business class with some airlines.

 

[Bagpuss]

.
The fact glassware is being used in some flights just shows how clueless and totally directionless the management is.

No idea. No consistency. And customers of ANY business want that above all else.

No consistency? Hasn’t the service in business been snack boxes since noodlegate ?

Wouldn’t that mean it’s currently consistent?

NOTE: Prior to 2020 there was issues with the business class model with buy on board etc.

I’ll add that I’ve been through employment during administration, anyone who goes through this process comes out the other end with a very different view point as what is discovered during this process can be mindblowing. I think you may not understand the high level of reviews which would be ongoing.
I can assure you Bain would have crunched numbers and product thousands of times better than what even Qantas could do.
Business class relaunch should come out in my opinion between late this month and late next month.
It will take until at least mid year for the airline to kick into gear.

The current approach seems to be cautious and slow which I think they are benefiting from. Qantas went hard and have got burnt. Their financials will be interesting, as would Virgin‘s.

 

[dk4]

... I had no issue with the plastic cups. From memory this was the same in USA ...

IME in the USA, it is generally plastic on the ground (i.e. pre-departure) - so if the FA's can't get back to you to retrieve used service elements, then there are no glass-like hard items flying around the cabin in an emergency. Then it's glass-like during cruise, and sometimes on some flights with customer service oriented FAs, plastic again for landing, when they want to top you up after the seat belt sign has gone on and won't be back to collect it. (burp, hic...)

 

[milehighclub]

They need to have the necessary cleaning methods. If Virgin don’t have access to the necessary equipment they currently can’t clean to the relevant standard as it’s different to a normal dishwasher.

But airlines use caterers that have huge industrial machines, more than capable of cleaning glassware. Glassware has a catering expense much higher than that of a plastic cup.

 

[Bagpuss]

But airlines use caterers that have huge industrial machines, more than capable of cleaning glassware. Glassware has a catering expense much higher than that of a plastic cup.

So which caterer is Virgin using which have these large industrial machines?

From what’s currently known product is supplied by a more specialist supplier who would just supply cold product.

 

[milehighclub]

So which caterer is Virgin using which have these large industrial machines?

I'd say Gate Gourmet.

But it doesn't matter what the product is onboard, only an airline caterer can load it onto an aircraft and all airline caterers would have machines to clean. A 3rd party might make the boxes, but they would be delivered to the airline caterer, who in turn load it on the aircraft. Because there are other things loaded not made by this company that is making the boxes.

 

[Bagpuss]

I'd say Gate Gourmet.

But it doesn't matter what the product is onboard, only an airline caterer can load it onto an aircraft and all airline caterers would have machines to clean. A 3rd party might make the boxes, but they would be delivered to the airline caterer, who in turn load it on the aircraft. Because there are other things loaded not made by this company that is making the boxes.

Comments in this thread earlier are that it’s not Gate Gourmet.

Has anyone seen a caterer load onto Virgin aircraft? That would likely hold the answer, or a Virgin worker would know.

 

[milehighclub]

Has anyone seen a caterer load onto Virgin aircraft? That would likely hold the answer, or a Virgin worker would know.

If it is not Gate Gourmet, it has to be one of the other providers. Most likely Dnata or Inflight Services Australia.

 

[Bagpuss]

If it is not Gate Gourmet, it has to be one of the other providers. Most likely Dnata or Inflight Services Australia.

Which have also been discounted (in theory) as part of this thread.
The current food offering is from MileOne MileOne Group (as discovered in this thread).

 

[milehighclub]

They are using Cabin Services Australia to load the aircraft. They are not an airline caterer but a cleaning company. Weird, I’d not have assumed that could happen but here we are.

Happy to admit I was incorrect.

 

[Bagpuss]

They are using Cabin Services Australia to load the aircraft. They are not an airline caterer but a cleaning company. Weird, I’d not have assumed that could happen but here we are.

Happy to admit I was incorrect.

I’m also happy to know that too. I’ll stick with the plastic cup in this instance rather than a rinsed out wine glass.

 

[dk4]

They are using Cabin Services Australia to load the aircraft. They are not an airline caterer but a cleaning company. Weird, I’d not have assumed that could happen but here we are.

Negotiation tactic - when you are not happy with "what" the current service providers in an industry are willing to provide (in this case, most likely the price and terms from the current catering companies), then check if there are other businesses operating in an adjacent space, and invite them to expand across the boundary to offer a new complimentary service.

So the move makes sense - cleaning companies have staff, facilities and equipment on site to transport people and cleaning equipment around the airport and between planes, so making the leap to transporting prepackaged catering as well, is not a huge incremental cost/investment (its not like they are sourcing and making the food & beverages) just receiving and delivering.

 

[milehighclub]

So the move makes sense - cleaning companies have staff, facilities and equipment on site to transport people and cleaning equipment around the airport and between planes, so making the leap to transporting prepackaged catering as well, is not a huge incremental cost/investment (its not like they are sourcing and making the food & beverages) just receiving and delivering.

Airline caterers load and prepare more than just food so I am just surprised as to the logistics of it all and to have to find a provider in all the major ports for the things they would need that are not food boxes.

 

[Bagpuss]

Agree. It could be used as economy x until VA has solidified their vision for J and have suppliers and contracts in place.

Just to comeback to this. A few things to add.
A 30% sale with points was conducted for Business Rewards and UpgradeMe. This meant there was a very little difference between economy and business.
There are a number of sales on Business class fares. For example Perth to Kununurra for $399 (years ago this was the lead in economy fare, a 3 hour flight), Sydney to Melbourne $295, (cheaper than Rex and a better frequent flyer program).
For some velocity members you can upgrade to Business class using the “Free upgrades” for any fare : Velocity Announces Additional Status Extensions & Rewards until almost The end of March 2021.

Whilst many will complain, and many will no doubt. The price point and offering is reflective. Also again, when booking on the virgin website it does state business class is a snack box and alcohol.

I think the truthful reality on Business class it is most likely a financial loss service at the moment if they could have sold at higher economy pricing. However, a strategic long term decision and investment despite the criticism of some.

 

[dk4]

Airline caterers load and prepare more than just food so I am just surprised as to the logistics of it all and to have to find a provider in all the major ports for the things they would need that are not food boxes.

It will be interesting to see what other out-of-the-box ideas Virgin's new management come up with.

When you start putting people in place who have broad-based business skills, more than industry-specific skills, the level of innovation increases, but so too does the number of mistakes (which are often the cost paid for innovation and change). Time is also a criteria, and in my opinion Virgin is not moving fast enough to firmly redefine itself, and key customers lose confidence in that situation.

Anyway, if they are not serving Scotch, then my flights with them will diminish. (And the history of Scotch onboard Virgin is checkered - with DJ serving UDL style cans, VA selling Chivas down the back and serving Red Label at the front, until they clicked that was the wrong way around , and finally slightly one upping QF, with a move to Black Label up front.)

 

[henrus]

Time is also a criteria, and in my opinion Virgin is not moving fast enough to firmly redefine itself, and key customers lose confidence in that situation.

I'm not sure about this one... I still think in many cases all airlines are still in damage control mode (and not recovery like they should be). Whilst I've been doing 5-10 flights per month since mid last year - many friends/family members still refuse to fly and are concerned saying it's too risky.

Anyway, if they are not serving Scotch, then my flights with them will diminish.

Sorry to disappoint but Qantas also isn't serving spirits in business class:

No Spirits (in J) Masquerading as COVID? [Back from Apr 2022]

I'll go with this one ^. Doesn't everyone know that alcohol kills germs? Bring on the spirits! No spirits you say? OK, just give me a hand sanitiser and tonic then.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

If you want Spirits you need to fly Jetstar... who would have thought that in 2021 the only airline to serve spirit minis is Jetstar.



You can view the current full menu here and it seems to be more extensive than any other domestic airline right now.